NFL Draft – CB Rankings
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
33.) Carrington Byndom, Texas (6’0, 180): Good size, fast, and plays hard all the time. His technique needs work, but he has the physical traits and right attitude to become a starting corner in the league. A lot of draft sites had him on their top 5 CB lists going into the 2013 season, but like most of the Longhorns he had a mediocre year and his stock dropped. Byndom still has that top 5 potential, he just might need another year or two to develop. Great practice squad stash. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
32.) Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern (5’9, 209): Might have had the most impressive overall workout at the combine. McKinnon ran the 2nd best 40-time (4.41), put up the most bench reps (32), had the 2nd best vertical leap (40.5), the 2nd best broad jump (132″), the 3rd best 3-cone time (6.83), and the 4th best 20-yard shuttle (4.12) of the running backs. Wow. McKinnon was a QB in college and didn’t show good instincts at running back at the Senior Bowl practices, which spurred talk of him playing cornerback or safety in the NFL. He certainly has the athleticism to play in the league, but whoever drafts him will have to be patient as he learns a new position. Draft projection: 4th-5th round
34.) Shaq Richardson, Arizona (6’0, 185): Good size, good ball skills, strong against the run and excels in zone coverage. He struggles when forced to turn and run with receivers and gets lost once his back is turned to the QB. Richardson would be a great fit in a zone scheme or perhaps as a free safety where his man coverage responsibilities would be limited and he can keep his eyes facing the LOS. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
35.) Keith Reaser, Florida Atlantic (5’10, 189): Aggressive corner with good strength (22 reps), solid football instincts and above average short-to-intermediate coverage skills. Reaser is also very good against the run and occasionally a big hitter on screens and crossing routes, but lacks the deep speed to turn and stay with receivers on long routes. He was playing very well in 2013 before an ACL injury cut his senior season short by 6 games and would be a good fit for a team with a zone or press coverage scheme. Reaser is underrated and one of my favorite late round / UFA targets. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
36.) Brandon Dixon, Northwest Missouri St (5’11, 203): Physical corner with good size / speed (4.41) ratio, but will need a year or two to develop coming out of DII. Dixon made enough of a positive impression at the combine to get drafted, but a team will have to be patient for a year or two while they work on his technique. Dixon has the physical traits and potential to develop into a starting corner, so he is worth the wait. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
37.) Qua Cox, CB, Jackson State (5’10, 185): Sticky coverage skills, but too small to play outside in the NFL. His future in the league will be as a slot corner and he has the coverage skills, swagger and short memory teams look for in a nickle back. Cox showed good hands and ball skills in 2012 with 5 INTs, but wasn’t thrown at often in 2013. Small school sleeper that could surprise as a quality sub package corner. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
38.) Todd Washington, Southeastern Louisiana (5’11, 196): Was highly rated before the 2013 season, but wasn’t as productive and struggled with injuries. The lack of production could have had something to do with teams not throwing his way. He was much more productive in 2012 (10 PD) with 2nd round pick Robert Alford (ATL) playing across from him. Washington was invited to the combine put couldn’t run due to a toe injury. He has good coverage skills, is aggressive vs the run, and a solid special teams player. Good value pick on day 3. Draft projection:7th round – UFA