The South Florida Sun Sentinel continues its 10-part collection trying on the prime prospects within the upcoming NFL draft (April 28-30) with cornerbacks. Like most years, cornerback is likely one of the deepest positions within the 2022 draft. That’s a byproduct of taking part in 500-plus snaps every season on this pass-happy period of soccer. Someone has to defend all these passes, and that results in a good inflow of cornerbacks and defensive backs every draft. However, this class lacks the clear-cut studs, however could be crammed with a dozen or extra NFL starters.
LSU Derek Stingley Jr.
Stingley regarded like a transcendent participant, the following Patrick Peterson, as a freshman at LSU when he pulled down six interceptions. But accidents and inconsistent play diminished his shine the previous two years as a result of he flat out struggled. His excellent mixture of dimension (6-1, 195), pace, and fluid athleticism will hold him as a first-round decide. How excessive is dependent upon who desires to gamble on him being an NFL elite when wholesome.
Cincinnati Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
Gardner is lengthy, quick and fluid, and has the ability set to play a wide range of strategies. He has wonderful ball abilities (9 interceptions in three seasons), which signifies that he can develop into an All-Pro, and he’s a keen tackler. The greatest concern is that his aggressiveness could be used towards him on the following stage, particularly towards larger, extra bodily and skilled receivers.
Washington Trent McDuffie
McDuffie is the kind of cornerback who would carry inside-outside versatility to his subsequent protection. He’s quick, instinctive and performs with a fiery temperament. He has the flexibility to line up as a nickel cornebrack due to his motion abilities, which could make him an in-demand expertise. His lack of size (he’s 5-11) would possibly flip some groups off.
Georgia Derion Kendrick
Kendrick is a high-ceiling prospect who has the kind of aggressive demeanor to play at an All-Pro stage in time, and he has wonderful physique management. Teams should get previous just a few character considerations for him to develop into a top-50 choice.
Florida Kaiir Elam
Elam is a protracted, bodily press nook who possesses fast arms and good stability. He challenges quarterbacks and has the potential to be an elite cornerback with good teaching. He wasn’t thrown at usually final season, however nonetheless completed his three seasons with the Gators with six interceptions and 20 cross breakups. Elam goes to enchantment to a staff that performs loads of bump-and-run protection.
Best of the Rest
Some groups would possibly view Andrew Booth Jr., Washington’s Kyler Gordon or Auburn’s Roger McCreary as the most effective cornerbacks on this class. And then there are the small college standouts like UTSA’s Tariq Woolen, Zyon McCollum or Fayetteville State’s Joshua Williams who may find yourself being amongst this draft’s finest expertise in 4 seasons. Each staff, or coaches private style will dictate their cornerback board.
Class Grade: B-
Because there are 15 cornerbacks on this draft class who’ve the potential to develop into NFL starters in a 12 months or two, this occurs to be one of many 2022 draft’s deepest positions. Teams with good analysis staffs received’t rush to pick a cornerback, however anticipating a run on this place on Day 2 is comprehensible, if not logical.
Teams in want
There isn’t an NFL staff that wouldn’t profit from including one other starting-caliber cornerback. The Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Seahawks, 49ers, Rams, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Panthers, Vikings, and Commanders will probably be competing for this lessons’ top-10 cornerbacks, which suggests many will probably be chosen sooner than anticipated due to the regulation of supply-and-demand.
Dolphins’ focus
Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are the most effective cornerback duos within the NFL, and Nik Needham is a younger, creating participant. But Needham has struggled at occasions taking part in nickel cornerback, which depends closely on quickness and physicality. It would profit the Dolphins to discover a true nickel to develop, particularly since Needham is taking part in on a one-year deal, and Noah Igbinoghene, the Dolphins’ 2020 first-round decide, has been a disappointment his first two seasons.
Previously addressed
Miami Dolphins’ NFL draft choices: Quarterbacks
Miami Dolphins’ NFL draft choices: Running backs
Miami Dolphins’ NFL draft choices: Offensive linemen
Miami Dolphins’ NFL draft choices: Tight ends
Miami Dolphins’ NFL draft choices: Receivers
Miami Dolphins’ NFL draft choices: Linebacker
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com