Will Redmond, Mississippi St (6’0 | 182 | 4.45)
Only started seven games in college due to a loaded depth chart, a suspension for recruiting violations, and then a torn ACL in October last season. Redmond still managed five interceptions and six pass breakups in his limited experience. He also showed a willingness to attack the run aggressively and had a few big hits despite his mediocre size. Redmond showed quick feet, fluid hips and good ball skills, but his inexperience and the fact that he may not be fully recovered from his ACL injury to open the season may drop Redmond to day three of the draft.
He’s a risky prospect due to the lack of tape to analyze, but had he played the second half of the 2015 season like he did in the first… Redmond would probably be in the second round discussion. The Bears have three decent corners (Porter, Fuller, Callahan) but don’t have any proven depth. Redmond may not be able to contribute until the 2nd half of the season, but has the potential to be a starter in 2017.
KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame (5’11 | 192 | 4.44)
Former top high school running back recruit who made the switch to corner as a freshman and picked up the new position fast enough to start every game his first two seasons for the Irish. Despite his lack of experience, by his sophomore season Russell was covering the opposing team’s best receiver both outside or in the slot. He was primed to be one of the best corners in college football his junior season, but was suspended the entire year due to “academic dishonesty”.
After sitting out for a season Russell was rusty early in 2015, but was playing at a high level late in the year before breaking his leg with two games left in the season. Russell put any doubts about his injury to rest at his pro day by running a 4.44 40-time and looking fluid and explosive during position drills. His draft stock has been rising since, but could be available when the Bears pick early in the 3rd round. Russell could contribute right away in sub-packages as the Bears 4th or 5th corner and eventually develop into a starter.
Rashard Robinson, LSU (6’1 | 171 | 4.39)
Ideal length and speed for a cornerback, but rarely got to show it in college. Similar to Redmond, there isn’t much tape at all on Robinson since he hasn’t played since halfway through the 2014 season. Unlike Redmond, Robinson’s lack of experience was due to off-field issues not injury. Robinson has plenty of red flags off the field including an arrest for theft from a teammate and multiple violations of team rules that led to a suspension for half of 2014 and all of the 2015 season. A season and a half suspension leads me to believe that their were some pretty serious off-field problems, but before his arrest he had filed a police report that his teammate had stolen things from his apartment. If Robinson was just taking back his own things, it’s hard to knock him as much as you would for most arrests.
The fact that Robinson is even considered draftable after all his off-field issues the last few seasons is a testament to his talent level and NFL potential. He only started eight games between his freshman and sophomore years, but stood out as a potential shut-down outside corner. He’s an ideal press corner with recovery speed and more strength than expected from a 171 pounder.
Robinson has rare agility and fluidity for a corner over six feet tall and his 32.5″ arms and 35″ vertical allow him to play even taller than his listed size. With teams passing more than ever and receivers getting bigger across the board, tall corners are a necessity and there just aren’t many good ones available. The Bears learned that the hard way last year wasting $3M on 6’2 free agent corner Alan Ball.