By Nick Wagoner
Staff Writer

NFL Draft Positional Rankings

Cornerback

1. Antrel Rolle, Miami – No, this Rolle is not related to Ravens’ cornerback Samari Rolle, but he is every bit as talented if not more. There were questions about Rolle’s speed, but he answered those with a resounding performance at his Pro Day. This Hurricane should continue the tradition of top-level Miami players to go early in the draft. It would be a major surprise if Rolle lasts beyond the top 10.

2. Adam “Pacman” Jones, West Virginia – One of the most flashy, flamboyant athletes in the draft. Jones has supreme self-confidence that can be mistake for arrogance at times. Some question him because of his brash personality and height (5’9), but he has excellent speed and coverage ability. Adding to Jones’ value is his special teams’ skills. He is a gamebreaking return man capable of going the distance at any time. Some teams have Jones as the third corner on their board, but either way he should hear his name in the top 10-15.

3. Carlos Rogers, Auburn – Rogers has steadily climbed on many boards over the past month. At just over 6-foot, Rogers is a prototypical corner who is fundamentally sound in coverage and tackling. Rumors are flying that Washington loves him at No. 9 and he has elevated himself past Jones on some draft boards. Rogers is a surefire first-round choice and will probably land in the same range as Jones.

4. Justin Miller, Clemson – Miller probably isn’t as good in coverage as the top three, who have all seemed to separate themselves from the rest of the cornerback class. Miller, though, does have outstanding return abilities along the lines of Jones. His speed and skill on special teams make him a first round pick, but his coverage skills could use some work. Miller has a lot of potential and could turn into one of the better corners to come out of the draft. He should go sometime late in the first round.

5. Fabian Washington, Nebraska – Washington was nothing more than a second or third round choice before he laced up the track shoes at the combine. Washington posted an astonishing 4.29 time in the 40-yard dash. He played at a high level for four years for the Cornhuskers and has the type of speed that can change games. His stock has skyrocketed into the bottom third of the first round.

Sleeper: Kelvin Hayden, Illinois – Hayden is a converted wide receiver, but has a lot of the natural tools at cornerback that teams are looking for. Hayden is 5’10, 197 pounds, solid size for a cornerback and knows receivers well. He made the move in spring of last year, so he has plenty of learning to do to be a serviceable cornerback in the NFL. Someone will probably take a chance on Hayden on day two of the draft in hopes that he can learn quickly.

Safety

1. Thomas Davis, Georgia – Depending on who you ask, Davis might not even get a chance to play safety in the NFL. He projects as an outside linebacker for some teams, but it doesn’t matter much which position he plays at the next level. Davis is a big, hard-hitting strong safety or a fast, athletic outside linebacker. Take your pick, either way Davis is a top 20 pick with serious potential at either spot.

2. Brodney Pool, Oklahoma – Pool is the best free safety on the board. He has good size and is rangy. He also has a nose for the ball and built a reputation for making plays for the Sooners. In fact, his tendency to try to make the big play has sometimes been a detriment. He should be the first free safety taken and could land somewhere in the bottom third of the first round.

3. Josh Bullocks, Nebraska – Bullocks is another Nebraska defensive back with a penchant for trying to make big plays. Bullocks made 13 interceptions in his time with the Cornhuskers and is always around the ball. He doesn’t do anything especially well, but has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He should go off the board in the second round.

4. Ernest Shazor, Michigan – Like Davis, Shazor has enough size to play outside linebacker as well as strong safety. Shazor is 6’3, 228 pounds, but doesn’t pack the wallop that Davis as a tackler. He was a finalist for the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back a year ago. He is a little stiff in coverage and is more of a tweener than Davis. Shazor’s versatility should land him somewhere in round two or three.

5. Oshiomogho Atogwe, Stanford – Atogwe started 33 games for the Cardinal and grabbed nine interceptions. He doesn’t have any skills or tools that make him stand out, but Atogwe makes plays and is one of the more intelligent safeties in the draft. He has probably done enough to land in the second round sometime near Shazor.

Sleeper: Kurt Campbell, Albany – Campbell played linebacker in college, but he projects to safety in the NFL. He is 6’2, 225 pounds which makes him a tweener in the league, but his speed makes him a better candidate to be a safety. He ran the 40 in 4.43 seconds, the type of speed that translates to the secondary more than linebacker. The word got out on Campbell after he posted the 40 time, but he should still be around on the second day of the draft (rounds four through seven).