2009 NFL Draft/Post-Combine - Cornerbacks

Where do the top cornerback prospects rank as the Combine finishes up? Along with the positives and the negatives for each top prospect, here's the initial ranking for the 2009 NFL Draft cornerback class.

2009 NFL Draft

Post-Workout Rankings

The Top Cornerback Prospects

By Pete Fiutak 

- 2009 NFL Combine Numbers
Quarterbacks | Running Backs & Fullbacks | Receivers
Tight Ends | Centers & Guards | Off. Tackles
Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Inside LBs | Outside LBs
new  Cornerbacks | Safeties

- new  2009 NFL Draft Post-Workout Rankings
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Fullbacks | Receivers | Tight Ends
Centers | Guards | Off. Tackles | Def. Ends | Def. Tackles
Inside LBs | Outside LBs | Cornerbacks | Safeties

Full Player Breakdowns & Analysis To Come In March

- 2008 CFN Draft Central
2008 NFL Draft Breakdown and Analysis
1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round | 5th Round | 6th Rd | 7th Rd

1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State  6-0, 204
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 1
Post-Combine Skinny: It was an underwhelming workout. Jenkins ran a pedestrian 4.53, was fine in the short drills, but nothing special, and he didn't look like the must-have, defense-changing corner who demands to be taken in the top ten. He was fine and will be the top corner taken, but he didn't blow up.
Positives: Tremendous physical skills. Won’t be pushed around by the bigger receivers, can keep up with the faster ones … Good tackler. Doesn’t shy away from contact … Great at finding the ball and making the play.
Negatives: Is he a corner or a free safety? This might not seem like a negative, but he’ll have to establish himself at one position right away … A bit of a gambler … Has to show he can handle being picked on after getting little work thrown his way.

2. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest  5-9, 193
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 3
Post-Combine Skinny: He was good enough. No one questions his ball skills and his instincts, and in Indy he had to show off his athleticism. The 10'9" broad jump was incredible and the 4.5 in the 40 was fine and expected. He did nothing to diminish his stock.
Positives: Pick-off artist. The ACC’s all-time interception leader … Nice speed. Can be used on special teams … Great instincts. Gets excellent break on the ball.
Negatives: Mediocre tackler … Not all that physical. Better in coverage than at jamming … Will have to learn to fight a bit against the bigger receivers.

3. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt  5-9, 192
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 2
Post-Combine Skinny: While he's a great athlete on the field, he didn't show off enough of his skills in Indy. His 4.54 wasn't anything special, and while he jumped 39.5" in the vertical, he didn't do anything else to stand out. Basically, he was small and timed slow. It wasn't a good workout for a player looking to go in the first round.
Positives: A phenomenal all-around athlete … Fast. Great make-up speed … Plays bigger than his size.
Negatives: Not big. Will get tested by taller receivers … Not thick. Will have to show he can be physical … Gets lost in the wash at times against the run.

4. Vontae Davis, Illinois  5-11, 203
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: This was where he was supposed to shine, and he did. The game tape isn't going to help him so he needed to blow up the Combine, and he came in under 4.5 in the 40 and was tremendously quick in the short drills. And then there were the guns. The guy looked like a serious physical specimen.
Positives: Elite athlete. Possibly the best in the draft … Tremendous speed … Looks the part. Has all the tools and all the skills.
Negatives: Does he really want to play? Mediocre junior year … Character questions. Not a hard worker … Doesn’t play up to his athleticism 100% of the time.

5. Victor “Macho” Harris, Virginia Tech  5-11, 198
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: While his 40 time was a safety-like 4.57, he made up for it by dominating the short drills. He roared through the shuttle and was among the best players in the cone drill. He delivered enough to be a second rounder.
Positives: Used to being the No. 1 guy against everyone’s No. 1 receiver. Handled it well … Excellent tackler … Playmaker. Steps up to the challenge.
Negatives: Not an elite athlete, relative to the position … A bit flaky. Ultra-confident … Not lightning fast on the field and needs play catchup too often.

6. Darius Butler, Connecticut  5-10, 183
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: Many thought he'd come to the Combine and up his stock big time with a blazing 40 and tremendous athleticism. It didn't happen. His 4.45 was fine, but there were rumblings that he was going to tear off a 4.3. The 43" vertical leap was amazing and the 11'2" broad jump was special, but he wasn't as smooth as expected when he ran.
Positives: Did a little of everything well … Fast. Can’t be beaten deep without a heck of a move … Great hands. Saw some time at receiver.
Negatives: Not physical. Will try to hit, but can’t do it … Needs to be on a speed receiver; not a big, strong one … Only a corner who’ll struggle to get the jam.

7. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati  6-0, 184
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: He didn't run and didn't work out, but that might have been a plus considering the disastrous workouts by the other corners across the board. Now, if he can come up with a good post-Combine run, his stock will shoot up.
Positives: Ultra-productive. Always got the job done … Good toughness against the run. Isn’t afraid of contact … Great instincts. Knows what he’s doing.
Negatives: A little too confident at times. Might have a hard time early on at the next level … Can get hung up when blocked … Not a form tackler.

8. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati  5-11, 194
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: While a 4.56 would be a nightmare for most corners, it wasn't all that bad considering that's around what he was supposed to do. He proved to be quick enough to get by and he was generally fine in the drills, but he showed what he is: a good prospect who isn't going to be a star.
Positives: Will bust his tail to get better … Steady tackler … Versatile. Can play corner in any scheme and could even play safety.
Negatives: Will struggle against the quicker receivers … Isn’t a speed corner … Has to take too many chances to make big plays.

9. Jairus Byrd, Oregon  5-11, 207
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: He measured in big and strong-looking, but he wasn't able to work out and run. If he can run a 4.5 in private workouts, he'll make himself a ton of dough.
Positives: Big-time producer … Solid tackler. Not a prima donna in any way … Nice, fluid athlete with good size.
Negatives: Elite speed is lacking … Even with his size, he’s not tough enough to play safety … Can get sloppy in his technique.

10. Asher Allen, Georgia  5-9, 194
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: With a slow group of corners trying to lumber through, Allen's 4.47 stood out. The 22 reps in the weight room helped show that he should be able to play bigger than his size.
Positives: Big-time upside … Great in coverage. Will erase receivers when he’s on ... Excellent athleticism. Fluid.
Negatives: Not big and not all that physical … Still needs work. Was hardly polished … Quick, but not necessarily fast.

11. Cary Harris, USC  5-11, 187
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: He came in with a reputation for not being a great athlete, and he wasn't, He didn't look all that smooth in the drills, lumbered a bit, and ran a mediocre 4.58 in the 40.
Positives: Try-hard player who’s always working … Smart. Doesn’t make mistakes … Very good tackler who could be used in a variety of ways.
Negatives: Not a special athlete … Not necessarily a ball-hawk … A better tackler than a cover-corner.

12. Donald Washington, Ohio State  6-0, 197
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 17
Post-Combine Skinny: Known as the other Ohio State corner to Malcolm Jenkins, and not considered too smart for coming out early, he became the prospect who made everyone scramble for game tape. The 4.5 in the 40 was a bit strange, he's faster than that, but he came up with one of the best leaps in Combine history with a 45" vertical. The 11'3" broad jump had the other prospects bug-eyed.
Positives: Extremely fast, extremely athletic … A big-play performer. Had to be avoided, even though Malcolm Jenkins was on the other side … Can step in on day one and play on his athleticism alone.
Negatives: Character questions … Not a great hitter. Doesn’t always play up to his size … Doesn’t do enough against the run.

13. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina  5-9, 182
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: The technique was solid and he looked smooth overall, but for his size, he needed to rip off a great 40. 4.53 isn't going to cut it considering he was expected to be a 4.4 guy.
Positives: Extremely fast when the ball is in the air … Good physical player for his size … Can move and adjust on the fly as well as any of the corners.
Negatives: Not big. He’ll get picked on by big NFL receivers … Struggled to stay healthy. Not afraid to hit, and that was a problem at times … Gave up too many big plays.

14. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State  6-1, 197
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 13
Post-Combine Skinny: For his size, the 4.5 was good enough to open up a few eyes. He didn't always look smooth as silk, but he proved he belonged with the big boys.
Positives: He has all the tools. Fast, big, and athletic … Dangerous with the ball in his hands. A playmaker … Will work out extremely well.
Negatives: Where is his position? He looks like a big corner, but he’ll likely be tried out as a free safety, too … Competition level … Not a big enough hitter to be a top NFL safety.

15. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati  6-1, 198
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 15
Post-Combine Skinny: It was the workout everyone had been waiting for from the corners. Not only is Underwood big, but the 4.49 was fantastic. He was great in the short drills, jumped well, and worked out like a real, live NFL cornerback.
Positives: A safety with the speed to play corner … Tall, lanky. Has few problems against bigger receivers … Versatile. Can step in and play anywhere.
Negatives: What’s his position? Needs work on being an NFL corner … Not a natural coverman as a corner … Not a huge hitter considering his safety background.

16. Bruce Johnson, Miami  5-9, 170
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 2
Post-Combine Skinny: Tremendous quickness through the short drills and a 4.47 in the 40 were exactly what he needed to do to make up for his size. He was a fluid, smooth runner who looked the part of a decent No. 2 corner.
Positives: Good athleticism and a solid cover man. Can be a No. 1 corner against speedier targets … Fast. Could be a returner … Fluid. A shadow on most receivers who don’t put on a good move.
Negatives: Not big. Tries to be physical, but isn’t … Not a top playmaker. Didn’t do enough special things … Will need to play zone at the next level.

17. Joe Burnett, UCF  5-9, 192
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 16
Post-Combine Skinny: His money will mostly be made as a key backup corner and on special teams, and with a 4.49, he showed he could be a returner. Few were as quick in the short drills as he blew though the shuttle and the cone.
Positives: Tremendous production from day one … Pick-off artist. Makes big plays … Nice speed. Can be used as a returner.
Negatives: Not a form tackler. Not going to make big hits … Good speed, but not elite wheels … Will struggle in the NFL in man coverage.

18. Morgan Trent, Michigan 6-1, 193
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 25
Post-Combine Skinny: Trent might have moved up from a 6-to-7 rounder to a 4-to-5 rounder with a standout day. The 4.53 was good enough for his size, and the 23 reps, 38" vertical, and lights out quick drills put him on the radar.
Positives: Veteran with plenty of experience … A good athlete with nice technique … Solid tackler. Doesn’t miss much.
Negatives: Not quite quick enough to be a top NFL corner … While tall, he doesn’t have an NFL body … A good prospect with limited upside.

19. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State  6-0, 228
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 18
Post-Combine Skinny: With his size, if he could just run well he would quickly rise up. He ran well. The 4.49 stood out on a day when no one seemed able to move. It was a good enough workout to get noticed and move, potentially, into the fourth round.
Positives: Veteran who saw it all. Tons of experience … Excellent size with enough quickness to get by … Makes plays. Fights to make things happen.
Negatives: The wheels are mediocre when the ball is in the air … Gets shoved around too much for his size … Could stand to be a better tackler.

20. Coye Francies, San Jose State  6-0, 185
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 19
Post-Combine Skinny: He had everyone buzzing by looking smooth throughout all the drills and cutting on a dime, and the 24 reps in the weight room didn't hurt. And then there was the 40. A 4.62, and there went the potential for being this year's hot mover up the charts.
Positives: Decent speed and all-around athleticism … Stepped up and played well when challenged, including the post-season workouts … Will hit. Not afraid to step up against the run.
Negatives: Not experienced. Only had one real year of experience at San Jose State after getting suspended from Oregon State … Not bulky. Will try to be physical, but that won’t work outside of the WAC … Mediocre hands.

21. Jerraud Powers, Auburn  5-9, 188
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 23
Post-Combine Skinny: He had a nice day. Criticized for coming out early when he could've upped his stock with a good senior year, he came up with a nice 4.47 in the 40 and was one of the quickest players in the Combine in the shuttle.
Positives: Looks the part even with his size. Strong … Willing tackler who’s great at coming up with the big stop … Good athlete who showed big-time upside early in his career.
Negatives: Needs work to be a player and not just a great athlete … Didn’t show quite what he could do last year because he was hurt … Big on potential, but some team will have to be patient.

22. Ryan Mouton, Hawaii  5-9, 187
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 22
Post-Combine Skinny: A tough guy for his size, he showed off the quickness and shiftiness expected. The 4.54 wasn't great, but he whipped around the short drills and leapt an incredible 10'9".
Positives: Extremely tough for his size. A playmaker … Can be used as a returner … Quick and very shifty.
Negatives: Too small. Got away with his size in the WAC … Needs technique work … A willing tackler, but he’s not all that physical. Doesn’t provide any pop.

23. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech 6-0, 197
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 24
Post-Combine Skinny: While he didn't run the 40, he played to his strength ... his strength. With good size, he's still on the draft board and he lifted an impressive 24 times on the bench. the 35.5" vertical didn't hurt.
Positives: Nice size and good hitter … Was a top prospect before a mediocre senior season … Good against the run. Physical.
Negatives: A hamstring problem hurt him … Not quite athletic enough to stay with a No. 1 NFL receiver … Not afraid to hit, but he’s not always good at it.

24. Ryan Palmer, Texas  5-8, 190
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 14
Post-Combine Skinny: Uh oh. If you're going to measure 5-8 and 190, you can't run a 4.6. He might be tough and he might play well on the field, but he didn't show enough raw athleticism to warrant anything more than a mid-second day selection.
Positives: Great leader. Excellent character … Played bigger than his size early in his career … Tough as nails. Will play hurt.
Negatives: Not big enough. He’ll get beaten up … Once he got hurt, he played through it, but he wasn’t as physical … Not a great NFL athlete.

25. DeAndre Wright, New Mexico  5-11, 198
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 21
Post-Combine Skinny: Disappointing. Extremely disappointing. The Lobo great jumped well and moved fine, but the 4.61 in the 40 wasn't close to as good as what he should've done. He's not going to be physical, so he needed to be faster.
Positives: A veteran who excelled at a high level his entire career … Great against the run. Fantastic in the open field … Excellent instincts. The experience is going to be a factor.
Negatives: Banged up. He’s tough and wasn’t afraid to hit, but he has a shoulder issue … Wiry. Doesn’t have an NFL body … Will have problems against speed receivers.