Darqueze Dennard

Position: Corner back

College: Michigan State

Height/Weight: 5’11” / 200 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.41

Strengths: Well-built for the position with broad shoulders, long arms and good overall musculature. Confident, physical defender on the perimeter at his best providing man to man coverage and when attacking in run support. Doesn’t extend an arm in press coverage, instead quickly turning to run with receivers, demonstrating the fluid hips and acceleration. Leans into receivers and uses the sideline to help narrow the space in which quarterbacks can attack. Good patience and body control to adjust when the ball is thrown. Doesn’t panic, instead reaching to rip the ball away as the receiver attempts to catch it. Good ball skills. Locates the football and shows the hand-eye coordination to pluck it outside of his frame. Very good awareness and competitive spirit against the run. Fights through blocks and will take out the knees of oncoming blockers if necessary to leave teammates in position to make the splashy play. Physical and reliable open-field tackler who wraps his arms to secure the stop.

Weaknesses: Is a good, not great athlete. Wasn’t challenged by many top-flight offenses this season and played behind a very physical front which limited how often quarterbacks could attack him deep. Some question about his straight-line speed, though he plays fast due to his fluidity. Extends his arms slightly as he runs with receivers, which could draw holding penalties.

Comparison: Keenan Lewis

Availability: Could go anywhere from #10 to Detroit to New Orleans at #27. With the top tier of corner backs being five deep, they could end up going in any order and it’s possible Dennard could be the one to drop.

 

Bradley Roby

Position: Corner back

College: Ohio State

Height/Weight: 5’11” / 194 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.34

Strengths: Roby has world-class speed with the click-and-close ability to play tight coverage and mirror receivers all over the field. 4.39-second 40-yard speed and a good fighting attitude to battle for the ball.

Weaknesses: Lacks preferred size for the position. Can be late looking for the ball. Tendency to concede underneath throws, although some might have been scheme-based in college. Must prove he can drive on the ball and limit plays in front of him. Arrested on suspicion of DUI just a few weeks ago, so character questions are present.

Comparison: Lardarius Webb

Availability: Some believe he’s the most physically gifted corner, but his DUI has cooled off his hype. He could go as early as the teens, but could possibly be the most likely to drop.

 

Justin Gilbert

Position: Corner back

College: Oklahoma State

Height/Weight: 6’0″ / 202 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.31

Strengths: In terms of pure athleticism, Gilbert is the class of the 2014 draft. He possesses remarkably light feet, allowing him to quickly drop in his backpedal while keeping his eyes trained on his receiver (and also sneaking a peek on the quarterback). The depth gained allows him to be patient when flipping his hips to turn and run downfield or plant and explode in either direction as receivers attempt to cross in front of him. Gilbert changes directions fluidly and has impressive acceleration to handle deep coverage responsibilities against speedy receivers. Gilbert possesses prototypical height and overall frame for the position with broad shoulders and long arms. He extends well to snatch the ball out of the air and times his leap well. Gilbert is a willing tackler, who closes quickly and effectively. Whether on kick returns or after interceptions, Gilbert’s patience, vision and acceleration make him a threat to go the distance.

Weaknesses: Gilbert can be physical and tough in press coverage, but his technique and footwork are inconsistent. He is too grabby in tight coverage, and his contact downfield will easily attract penalties at the next level. Gilbert can get himself in trouble when biting on fakes and pumps as he’s highly aggressive. He has a bit of a cover-corner mentality when it comes to run support. He flashes the competitive drive to fight through blocks and make the play but is often willing to allow teammates to make the play if they nearby. Gilbert will also lower his shoulder and lunge occasionally, missing tackles he shouldn’t.

Comparison: Terence Newman

Availability: Same as the other guys. Can go as early as the teens or in the 20s.

 

Kyle Fuller

Position: Corner back

College: Virginia Tech

Height/Weight: 6’0″ / 190 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.4

Strengths: Physical demeanor with good length, playing with excellent toughness and energy as if he were 25 pounds thicker. Good vertical leap and smooth hip action to flip-and-go. Smart route recognition and outstanding read/react quickness to mirror or plant-and-drive to attack. Above average anticipation and cover instincts – obviously studies receivers and does his homework to know what to look for without hesitation. Physical in run support and works hard to get off blocks. Closes in a flash with a fierce attitude. Heady and opportunistic player, always looking to strip the ball and force turnovers. Very good ball awareness and NFL ball skills.

Weaknesses: Very lean with limited muscle definition and overall growth potential to get much bigger. Overaggressive nature will get him in trouble at times, overpursuing in coverage or run support. Lacks elite speed and to recover after initially beat off the line of scrimmage. Too hands on at times and will have some mental errors, getting caught out of position when trying to freelance. Needs to consistently wrap up when he makes initial contact and will miss tackles due to inconsistent form, including ducking his helmet before contact. Strong durability concerns with his physical style and lean body type. Senior season ended prematurely due to hernia surgery in Nov. 2013.

Comparison: Prince Amukamara

Availability: Once again, as early as the teens or as late as the later 20s.

 

Jason Verrett

Position: Corner backs

College: TCU

Height/Weight: 5’10” / 189 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.36

Strengths: Fluid body type with smooth hips to easily turn and adjust his frame. Excellent short-area burst and flexibility to seamlessly redirect his footwork to mirror receivers in space. Very good feel on an island ? baits and drives on throws with burst and timing. Improved instincts and awareness, not afraid to come off his man to make a play. Excellent ballskills and confidence to undercut routes and finish with the interception. Quick read/react skills. Adequate strength for his size and very active in run support. Will hold his ground at the point of attack. Very aggressive with the ball in the air and attacks it. Smart and sound with his cover assignments, always playing alert.

Weaknesses: Lack of elite height and length shows against most receivers. Lanky build and doesn?t have the frame to pack on too much more muscle. Lacks ideal hand strength to consistently finish or easily shed blocks. Room to improve his tackling technique, especially in space, hitting too high and losing immediate leverage. Will pop up out of his backpedal too soon and needs to play with more consistent pad level in his transition technique. Needs to eliminate the mental mistakes with too many offsides and holding penalties on his resume. Blanket coverage, but needs to do a better job finding the ball with his back to the line of scrimmage. Some durability concerns after several nagging injuries plagued him in 2013, most notably a shoulder injury.

Comparison: Alterraun Verner

Availability: Rounding out the top tier of corner backs, Verrett falls in the same range as the others.

 

Stanley Jean-Baptiste

Position: Corner back

College: Nebraska

Height/Weight: 6’3″ / 218 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.61

Strengths: Physically impressive on his feet. Looks every bit the part with outstanding size and length to mix it up with bigger receivers. Good balance and body control. Jumps routes. Has good hands to intercept and can highpoint throws. Flashes functional strength to reroute receivers, discard blocks and tackle ball carriers. Very productive on the ball in limited time as a starter…22 pass breakups and seven INTs in 19 starts at Nebraska. Works to get better and made strides as a senior. Explosion was on display at the combine, where he posted a 41 1/2-inch vertical jump (best among defensive backs) and 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump.

Weaknesses:  Has relatively small hands. Not especially strong for his size. Stiff hips. Is not a quick-twitch athlete and struggles to mirror sudden receivers. Lacks elite top-end speed (long-strider). Green positional instincts. Picks and chooses his spots to be physical. Inconsistent run defender. Has tweener traits. Football aptitude is lacking. Could struggle to grasp and execute complex assignments. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Comparison: Antonio Cromartie

Availability: Projected to be a 2nd or 3rd rounder.

 

LaMarcus Joyner

Position: Corner back

College: Florida State

Height/Weight: 5’8″ / 184 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.47

Strengths: Despite his smaller frame, Joyner plays like he’s 6-2 and 225 pounds, hitting like a truck in run support. He has bounced between safety and corner back, showing NFL scouts his versatility to help out anywhere in the secondary. Aggressive striker who only knows how to play full-speed, showing excellent timing to make plays on the ball. Plays fast with natural acceleration to go from 0 to 60 in a flash, displaying impressive closing burst. Possesses the build of a running back and loves to deliver punishing hits with his violent playing style. He also adds value as a kick returner and looks natural as a ball carrier. Excellent awareness and instincts with quick diagnosis skills as well as the balance, agility and speed to handle coverage duties.

Weaknesses: Though he plays with desirable aggression and intensity, he can be overaggressive at times, biting on fakes and allowing receivers to gain a step. While playing with no fear, does lack ideal size for safety. Where will his ideal position prove to be in the NFL?

Comparison: Nickell Robey

Availability: Could be a possible 3rd or 4th round pick.

 

Loucheiz Purifoy

Position: Corner back

College: Florida

Height/Weight: 5’11” / 190 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.61

Strengths: Good size, arm length and athleticism. Fluid and light on his feet. Transitions smoothly. Can flip his hips and carry receivers deep. Flashes playmaking ability. Good hands to intercept. Tries to strip the ball out. Has special-teams experience returning and covering kicks. Was productive as a gunner earlier in his career. Conditioned, confident and competitive. Has upside.

Weaknesses: Shared reps as a junior. Needs to get functionally stronger to jam/re-route and shed blocks. Produced just six reps on the 225-pound bench-press test, lowest among all defensive backs at the combine. Did not run well at the combine, recording below-average times in the 4.6s. Gives up separation at the break point and gets outmuscled at the catch point. Inconsistent, leaky, underpowered tackler. Instincts and anticipation are lacking. Technique needs to be coached up.

Comparison: Vontae Davis

Availability: Possible 3rd or 4th rounder.

 

Aaron Colvin

Position: Corner back

College: Oklahoma

Height/Weight: 5’11” / 177 lbs

40 yard dash: 4.51

Strengths: Good height and length for the position, using his long arms well. Physical with a tough-minded approach in run support and coverage. Active vs. the run and enjoys throwing his body around. Disciplined run defender, using his long limbs to wrap. Feisty once engaged and plays aggressive near the line of scrimmage. Fast blitzer. Good awareness to undercut routes with timing to drive on throws and break up the catch point. Proper technique and works hard to gain position with a strong competitive nature to blanket his man. Above average ballskills. Heady, confident player with a high football IQ. Above average work ethic and passion for the game of football, playing with an underdog mentality.

Weaknesses: Very lean body type with a narrow torso and uninspiring muscle definition. Looks like he hasn’t gained any weight since his senior year in high school. Very average long speed, struggling to recover and stick with receivers vertically if they gain a step. Needs to improve his backpedal and transition, playing with some tightness in his hips and footwork. Needs to stay balanced in his movements, allowing himself to get too upright and uncoordinated through the process. Experienced in press coverage, but needs to do a better job re-routing at the line of scrimmage. Overaggressive style and bites too easily on play fakes. Too willing to make contact downfield and plays too hands-on in coverage, attracting holding or pass interference penalties with his grabby hands. Strong durability concerns with a history of shoulder and concussion issues and then tore his ACL (right knee) in Jan. 2014 at Senior Bowl practice.

Comparison: Leon Hall

Availability: Could be a 3rd or 4th rounder. Might have been a late 1st rounder if not for tearing his ACL at the Senior Bowl. Will more than likely be a red shirt player next season, so he could be a good prospect to gamble on with a mid-round pick.

 

That’s all, Saints fans. Hopefully you’re now a little more informed on the next player that becomes a New Orleans Saint. Enjoy the draft and as always…

Who Dat?!