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The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine begins on Tuesday, and we at Acme Packing Company continue our examination of the players attending the event in Indianapolis this week. After examining a handful of other positions last week, we today examine the cornerback position.
While there are only a handful of truly elite athletes in this group this year, plenty of impressive times and workouts should be posted when the defensive backs take the field on Monday, March 6th. Here are a few players to keep an eye on this week.
Adoree Jackson, USC
If anyone in this year’s group of cornerbacks can crack into the 4.3 range in the 40-yard dash, it’s Jackson, who is a tremendous athlete both in the NFL and on the track. Check out these numbers, as reported by NFL.com:
10.41 seconds in the 100-meter dash
21.08 seconds in the 200-meter dash
6.75 seconds in the 60-yard dash
Kevin King, Washington
King is an extremely tall, lanky corner who should be in the conversation for a day-two selection. He probably won’t blow anyone away with his speed, but if he does come in around 4.50 and if he measures in close to 200 pounds, that should help teams feel confident about his ability to play physically at the line of scrimmage.
Sidney Jones, Washington
King’s teammate could be a good fit for the Packers, as he has a frame and style that compares a bit to Sam Shields’. Jones does not possess the pure speed that Shields does, but makes up for it with tenacity in press coverage. Keep an eye on his weigh-in as well, as he was listed at 181 pounds by the Huskies.
Desmond King, Iowa
The “other” King in the draft faces questions about his ability to stay at corner, with many expecting him to end up as a safety in the NFL. The best way for him to stay on the outside would be to show good technique in positional drills and display good agility in the 3-cone and shuttle drills.
Fabian Moreau, UCLA
It’s a player from UCLA at a position of need, so yes, we’ll mention Moreau. He’s a bigger corner, measuring in at 6 feet and 205 pounds at the Shrine Game, and he had a solid Senior year, with two interceptions and a forced fumble. Moreau will be 23 in April, and a good workout could vault him into second-round territory.
Brendan Langley, Lamar
A smaller-school prospect will probably need good workouts and interviews to squarely put himself in day three of the draft. However, he transferred in from Georgia, where he played both corner and wide receiver after being a four-star recruit. Langley put up great stats as a Senior, too, picking off six passes. He could surprise with an impressive workout.
Other players to watch:
Gareon Conley, Ohio State
Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
Marquez White, Florida State
Tre’Davious White, LSU
Quincy Wilson, Florida