4/24/22
This year’s Cornerback class is not the strongest or the deepest, to put it nicely. Doing this evaluation, it was pretty difficult to pick a CB1 since nobody really stands out as “that guy”. Most of these players have flashed at some point in their career, but the consistency hasn’t really been there for any of them. If developed by the right coaches in a friendly scheme, then maybe a few of these prospects could have some success in the pros.
1. Andrew Booth (Clemson)
I have Booth as my #1 because I feel that he has the most potential of this group, although he is still a pretty raw prospect. He is a long defender with a big wingspan and remarkable speed, running 4.38 in the 40. Did not have sustained success, collecting only five interceptions in essentially two years of play – two in 2020 and three in 2021. Shows a willingness to come downhill in run support and even though it could be better, the want-to is key to allow him to continue to improve in that regard. Booth is quick to diagnose bubble screens as well, often flying in to disrupt the play. Solid tackler. Shows good man coverage skills but will need to become more disciplined against well run routes and double moves. This is an area where his speed can work to his detriment. I believe that he will have to sit and really try to perfect his craft for a few years before being ready to contribute.
2. Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati)
Gardner is a player that a lot of experts have pegged as their CB1. Interesting combination of size and speed at 6’3, 200 lbs and runs 4.4 in the 40. Had good stats with nine interceptions and 18 PBUs in his three seasons with the Bearcats, but did not play against great competition in the AAC. Playing against NFL caliber WRs will be a big transition for him and I’m curious to see if he can handle it. Sauce primarily played press man coverage in college, and will need to become adept at different types of coverages. Ironically, the NFL has been trending away from taller CBs and those who are 6’2 and over do not seem to have great success anymore. Does not play with the best technique and has had a number of penalties called against him. Can make an impact in sub packages, as he is an effective blitzer. Shows pretty good physicality and toughness. Gardner is the true definition of a high risk/high reward player. He could either turn into a solid CB2 for an NFL franchise or could be a complete bust depending on how his development pans out.
3. Derek Stingley (LSU)
Stingley was once a shoe-in to be the first CB taken in this year’s draft, but due to a multitude of factors, he has definitely slipped down draft boards. Was extremely highly recruited coming out of high school and made a splash in his freshman season in Baton Rouge, totaling six interceptions and 15 PBUs. However, his following two seasons were a big disappointment where he did not intercept a single pass and was basically sidelined all of 2021 with due to injury. That means the last time he had an interception was in 2019! Yikes…
Long, smooth, athletic CB with lightning speed at 4.2. Doesn’t seem to panic when the ball is in the air and knows he can rely on his closing speed to knock passes down. Stingley has shown elite ball skills in the past as well as very good man coverage skills with loose hips. His physicality and tackling really stand out to me, especially for a player who is mainly though of as a coverage corner. If Stingley can recover the magic of his 2019 campaign, he can be a special player in the league. If his level of play continues to decline or plateau, he may have already reached his ceiling.
4. Roger McCreary (Auburn)
I have watched Auburn play quite a bit and McCreary is a player who really grew on me the more I watched. He is a true “do it all” type of player. Pretty consistent production throughout his career, putting up 36+ tackles in each of his last three seasons, with 11+ PBUs in both 2019 and 2021. McCreary also added six interceptions in his college career. He’s extremely comfortable in man coverage – always seems to be in a good position to break up passes. Shows that he is a smart player, both by reading the QBs eyes and by not getting fooled too often on play action or double moves. Doesn’t have elite speed, but runs well enough to stick with WRs downfield. Good tackler. McCreary is another player I think can provide some versatility in sub-packages, as he has also played Safety throughout his career.
5. Josh Jobe (Alabama)
Jobe is probably a player who some are not as high on as I am. He is someone I’ve been following for a long time so I am a firm believer in his ability. Ideal size for a CB at 6’1, 194 lbs. Did not have great interception numbers – only three in his four year career with the Tide, but showed steadiness in tackling with 28+ tackles each of the last three years. Physical in run support and a physical tackler. Jobe uses his length and athleticism allow him to be a very good man coverage corner. Can also play zone as well, as he can read route concepts as they develop and gets a nice break on the ball. Played in an NFL style defense at Alabama so shouldn’t have issues picking up the playbook at the next level. Jobe could blossom into a more than serviceable CB if he improves his consistency, all the necessary physical attributes are there.
Others to know:
Derion Kendrick (Georgia)
Trent McDuffie (Washington)
Tariq Castro-Fields (Penn State)
Cordale Flott (LSU)