Chicago Bears – Favorite Cornerback Targets
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4 (#117) – Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon St (5’10, 189): Started 38 consecutive games, so durability isn’t an issue. Reynolds is a cover corner with good instincts who makes up for a lack of top-end speed with flawless technique. Reynolds, a three-time state wrestling champ in high school, has good strength for a corner (20 reps), good agility (6.72 3-cone), sticky hands (6 INTs) and is a willing tackler. His lack of elite size or athleticism will probably drop him to the middle rounds, but he’s good enough to contribute right away and I think he will be a starting NFL corner by year two. Reynolds is one of the most underrated corners in the draft and a steal in the mid rounds.
Round 5 (#156) – Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma (6’0, 186): Colvin is a day 2 talent who will drop due to an ACL tear during Senior Bowl week. Colvin is doubtful to be ready in time for the 2014 season, but assuming full recovery, he has #1 corner potential. Colvin has the speed, athleticism, and aggressive nature of a shut-down CB and this pick could pay off handsomely if a team is willing to be patient and stash Colvin till 2015. The Bears have enough corner depth this year to be patient with Colvin and let him take over for Peanut when he retires.
Round 6 (#183) – Travis Carrie, Ohio (6’0, 206): A big, physical corner who is strong against the run, has good ball skills, great hands, and surprising straight line speed (4.47). Carrie isn’t quick enough to be isolated in man coverage against quality NFL receivers, but he’s a great fit for the Bears zone coverage scheme.
Round 6 (#191) – Andre Hal, Vanderbilt (5’10, 188): All-SEC corner who played well against the top receivers in the conference. Hal was 3rd in the nation in passes defended with 18 (1st in SEC). He is smooth in coverage, but gets beat deep occasionally and needs to be more aggressive in run defense. Hal should be a solid contributor in sub packages off the bat with the potential to develop into a solid #2.
UFA – Carrington Byndom, Texas (6’0, 180): Good size, elite speed (4.36), 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 with future starting potential.
Twitter: @MikeFlannery_