2018 Draft Analysis, Part 2: Corners

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February 15, 2018

by Adam Taraschke

I’m back at it this week taking a look at some cornerbacks in this year’s draft class.  Personally, I am a big fan of this class.  There are some major players at the top of the group, but a number of guys who will be available later in the draft that will make an immediate impact in the NFL.  This year I’m trying something a little different.  I will give you my top 10 for each position weekly accompanied by a breakdown of a day 1, 2, and 3 prospect I think would be a good fit with the Redskins.  I will also breakdown my favorite overall prospect from the group who would fit the best on the Redskins, as well as a listing of a few superlatives relating to each position.  Without further ado I give you my 2018 cornerback rankings.

  1. Denzel Ward (Ohio State) 5’11, 190
  2. Josh Jackson(Iowa) 6’1 190
  3. Carlton Davis (Auburn) 6’1 205
  4. Isaiah Oliver (Colorado) 6’1 190
  5. Jaire Alexander (Louisville) 5’11 190
  6. Mike Hughes (UCF) 5’11 190
  7. Anthony Averett (Alabama) 6’0 190
  8. Duke Dawson (Florida) 5’10 200
  9. Donte Jackson (LSU) 5’11 180
  10. J. Stewart (UNC) 5’11 200

Day 1 prospect: Josh Jackson (Iowa) 6’1 190

Strengths: Jackson is an absolute ball hawk with ridiculous instincts.  He has elite ball skills and is constantly high pointing the football when targeted.  Comfortably sits in the receiver’s pocket and mirrors at a high level.  Comfortable in press coverage, but excels playing off with his eyes on the QB.  His route recognition and ability to break on the ball quickly make him a turnover machine.  Long arms give him a disruptive punch at the line of scrimmage.  He should test well at the combine and secure a top 20 selection in this year’s draft.

Weaknesses: Long and lanky frame that could use some added muscle and strength.  He struggles as a tackler, but with his length and athleticism it can be corrected.  He is only a one-year starter at Iowa so he could use some more experience.  He can be susceptible to double moves when he gets overly aggressive in coverage.

Overall: Jackson is an elite cover corner with potential to add some strength at the next level.  If you’re looking for an enforcer or heavy hitter you need to look elsewhere, but in a pass happy league a shutdown corner like Jackson will be highly coveted by NFL GMs.  He had great production in his lone year as a starter.  His ball skills, instincts, and sticky coverage ability make him a candidate to be selected 13th overall in April, but realistically he would be of better value if Washington were to trade back and pick him up later in the 1st round.  Josh Norman is still a big-time corner, but he is a physical technician who has shown the ability to be a great run defender.  Adding a lockdown corner opposite of Norman would make handling Wentz, Prescott, and Manning (?) a little easier.  With Torian Gray already showing the ability to develop young talent I think Jackson would excel in Washington and become an instant fan favorite.

Day 2 prospect: Mike Hughes (UCF) 5’11 190

Strengths: Great athlete with a strong build.  Shorter frame, but he makes up for it with his aggressive play.  He looks to bully receivers at the line of scrimmage.  He has plenty of ball skills to make plays all over the field.  Excellent short area quickness paired with ample recovery speed.  He made a number of big time returns in college and would absolutely challenge Crowder for the starting punt return spot.

Weaknesses: His technique needs work as he only started for one year at UCF.  The more in game experience Hughes receives the more he’ll develop as a cover corner.  He can get lazy with his footwork when depending on his athletic ability too much.  I’d like him to play lower in and out of his backpedal.  He needs work in off coverage and that will come from trusting his technique and reading the QB’s eyes.

Overall: This is a player that has a ton of potential he has yet to unlock.  He is a big-time athlete who plays with a swagger that is infectious to his teammates.  He can play slot or boundary corner.  His combination of athleticism, physicality, and ball skills would make him an instant impact in the 2nd round for this defense.  He could compete for the nickel corner job day 1 and transition to a boundary corner similar to the path that Kendall Fuller was on.  Hughes has shutdown potential and I’d trust the Redskins coaching staff to bring out the best in this young man.

Day 3 prospect: Levi Wallace (Alabama) 6’0 185

Strengths: As a former walk on Wallace possesses a work ethic that few prospects at this level do.  He showed the ability to mirror and react to receivers in man coverage.  He has good length and a disruptive punch in press coverage.  Produced at a high level in his lone year as a starter showing good hands and ball skills when attacking the football.  A good athlete with potential to help himself at the combine with a good showing.

Weaknesses: Lacks elite size and play strength.  Adding 10 pounds would go a long way for Wallace.  He plays physically, but his strength is not top notch.  His tackling needs work as he is already at a disadvantage with his size.

Overall: I personally am a huge fan of Wallace.  Anyone that can walk on at Alabama and earn not only a scholarship but a starting spot on Nick Saban’s defense has my respect.  Wallace showed out in his lone year as a starter and flashed athletic traits that will make scouts take a long look at him.  His attitude and work ethic alone is something I would draft him on just to make the locker room a better place.  He could contribute on special teams right away and be developed in a solid back up at worst.  Wallace is a special young man who will make an impact on whatever team selects him. At worst he brings a winning mentality to your team and a player who knows what it takes to get better and win a championship.

Favorite prospect: Jaire Alexander (Louisville) 5’11 190

Strengths: Tough and instinctive are the words that come to mind when I think of Alexander.  He is tough as nails as he constantly played through minor injuries.  Excels in zone coverage when he can keep his eyes on the QB and watch routes develop.  Smooth hips with clean footwork allows him to mirror receivers easily.  He has great athletic traits with a nose for the ball.  Ball skills are always on display when QB’s target his man.  Plays through the ball on contact.  He diagnoses plays quickly and has the burst to close on the ball.

Weaknesses: Alexander is more of a finesse player than a heavy hitter.  Needs to be more aggressive attacking blockers.  Needs more consistency out of his technique so he doesn’t rely on his natural ability.  Struggles locating the ball down the field.

Overall: In terms of a slot corner Alexander is everything I want.  He is quick as a whip and possesses good long speed.  He has outstanding instincts and route recognition.  His ball skills would be a welcome addition to our secondary causing turnovers and constantly making plays.  He would be our day 1 starter in nickel packages and should be available in the 2nd round.  Once he learns how to play with a little more aggression he will excel in the slot.  He has had some injury history, but if he can overcome those issues I see him being a very successful slot corner in the NFL.  Alexander would make Redskins fans feel a little better about moving on from Kendall Fuller.

Highest Ceiling: Denzel Ward

Highest Floor: Josh Jackson

Best Cover Corner: Josh Jackson

Most Physical: Carlton Davis

Most Versatile: MJ Stewart

Biggest speedster: Donte Jackson

Biggest Sleeper: Anthony Averett

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