NFL Draft 2008- Cornerbacks

In recent years cornerbacks have been picked early and often in the draft and this year figures to be no different. With the addition of four talented juniors, as many as ten corners could be selected within the first 100 picks. Prospects like seniors Mike Jenkins, Leodis McKelvin and Antoine Cason and juniors Reggie Smith and Aqib Talib are fighting to be first-round selections. Small college corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is one of the fastest rising prospects in this entire draft class. He has solidified his standing with an impressive performance at the combine.

Mike Jenkins (South Florida)- At the moment Jenkins seems to have solidified himself as the top player at his position, which would warrant him a likely place in the top 10 picks this April. Jenkins has good size (5'11, 200) with long arms. He has great speed and acceleration, and clocked in the mid 4.3s in the 40. At the combine Jenkins continued to impress with a great practice session, showing some of the finest footwork, hip movement and hands of the day. He also completed 18 reps on the bench, one of the better marks for his position. When watching Jenkins on films he breaks on the ball deceptively quick, he also has the size to play safety if needed at the NFL level.

Leodis McKelvin (Troy State)- McKelvin may have been one of the biggest benefactors during the senior bowl when he repeatedly impressed coaches during practices. McKelvin is a quick cover man who can also play a role as a return specialist. Despite lacking experience against top notch schools while playing for Troy State, he possesses excellent footwork and hands. At the combine Mckelvin measured in at just over 5-foot-10 and weighed 190 pounds. He completed 17 reps on the bench before running his 40s in the low 4.4-second range. McKelvin had a solid practice session and likely guaranteed himself a spot in Round 1.

Antoine Cason (Arizona)- Cason seemed like the senior with the most to lose or gain during the combine as many had questioned his speed. He displays well- developed coverage and ball hawking skills, along with polished footwork and cornerback mechanics. At the combine Cason (6'0, 182) had a strong overall workout, including a 4.49 sprint time. He did 20 reps in the bench press, posted a 35.5-inch vertical leap and a 10'8" broad jump. That effort probably guarantees him a first-round grade.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State)- This athletic senior corner has been a shutdown cover man who impressed scouts and coaches during Senior Bowl week - both in practices and in the game. He has great size (6'1, 185) and speed. At the combine, scouts expected Rodgers-Cromartie to live up to the post season hype, and he did not disappoint. He unofficially clocked in as the fastest defensive back at the combine, as both his 40s hovered around the 4.3-second mark, with some scouts clocking him as low as 4.28 seconds. In addition he added 17 reps in the lifting and a fine 38.5-inch vertical leap. Rodgers-Cromartie may push himself into the first round after his Senior Bowl and combine performances,

Justin King (Penn State)- One of the agile junior corners, King has fine athletic package for the position. At the combine, King had the type of workout an underclassman must produce to be an early draft selection. He ran a low 4.33 time, looked sharp in the agility drills and did 14 repetitions of 225 pounds.

Aqib Talib (Kansas)- Talib has the size to play the next level (6'1,185), but the junior has been pinned as a gambler. He has adequate speed clocking in with a 4.55 time in the 40. Talib really benefitted from the media attention Kansas received during their breakout year, and in a way became the face of the defense. Despite his above average cover skills, Talib may find his draft stock drop with the emergence of a few players that weren’t as visible during the season like: Antwaun Molden from Eastern Kentucky, Tyvon Branch from Connecticut and Orlando Scandrick from Boise State.

Brandon Flowers (Virginia Tech)- Flowers is a quick, tough junior corner who displays fine coverage skills and technique. He has the playmaking ability to battle the best receivers, and at one point was regarded by scouts and general managers as the top cornerback in the draft. At the combine, Flowers failed to live up to high expectations when he ran very ordinary 4.55 and 4.58 times. He did only 14 reps and posted a 30-inch vertical leap. He needs a huge pro day to solidify a first-round grade.