2010 NFL Draft: Cornerbacks

Haden has shown he can do just about anything asked of a cornerback. Although his career interception total is low (four), he has the ball skills required of a No. 1 cornerback. He plays much faster than he times and is a physical presence.

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Wilson's ball skills are top notch (10 career INTs – 27 pass breakups) and his ability to read a quarterback and time his breaks are NFL ready. He can play man coverage in any NFL scheme right away because of the quickness and his physical nature. His intangibles are top notch and the option he brings to the table as a solid return specialist will only increase his value.

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McCourty is a seasoned cornerback who has started 39 games over the past three seasons. Played in a defensive scheme that used man and cover-2 coverage. Plays every play on special teams – returning kicks and covering.

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Robinson's play tailed off some last year, mostly because teams weren't throwing in his direction. While he only had one interception, he shows the skills to be a solid No. 2 cornerback. Robinson is an athletic cornerback who has the quickness to close the gap quickly. His tackling is only average, but he has man coverage skills.

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Jackson benefited greatly from playing in Nick Saban's NFL-style defense. He played a lot of man on his side, but has the skill to handle zone. Jackson's size isn't all that great, but he is a physical cornerback. That helps him make up for a lack of agility and speed. .

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Franks is a two-year starter who maybe should have returned for another year. His athleticism and agility is excellent. He definitely looks the part and can become a starting cornerback. But there are some real concerns about his instincts and football intelligence.

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With his size, Cox might not last long in the draft. What may hold him back is his ability in press coverage. His jam is poor and his backpedal needs work. When Cox is allowed to freelance some in space, he shows good instincts to quickly break on the ball. His hands are good and, as a return specialist, he has good vision.

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We have Warren rated as highly as we do because he could move to free safety. He has a lot of the same deficiencies as Jairus Byrd did coming out of Oregon. His hips are a little stiff and he doesn't have the speed to play as a man cornerback. But if Warren adds some strength, he should easily transition to safety.

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Spievey is big, physical and is being largely avoided by opposing Os. He's shown great tackling with amazing run support and excellent STs play as a gunner on punts. He's usually in zone with safety help over the top so there's not many chances to see him covering deep, but he does a good job outjumping the WRs on the few deep balls he's faced and on endzone fades.

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Has a frame built for man coverage. Lindley possesses good height and arm length that allows him to make plays on the ball. Does a really good job in staying low in his backpedal. Struggles some jamming receivers at the line and can be pushed around.

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With plenty of room to add bulk to his frame, Ghee is a player with good upside. He's a good tackler and likes to hit, so he's not a liability against the run. His hands are suspect, but he has the high-point agility to make a play on the ball. Looked better than the Broncos' Alphonso Smith in 2007. Can struggle some against bigger receivers.

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The diminutive Arenas earns this high of a ranking thanks largely to his special teams play and tackling ability. His hands are only average and he has just one career interception.

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Thompson has surprisingly sound tackling ability for a player his size. He's best playing in the short area and his speed and laterally movement is average. His hands and athletic ability are above average. Also returns punts.

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Cook was one of the most consistent players at Senior Bowl practices this year and is a physical intimidator. He'll likely move to safety at the next level, but he could be the type of big cornerback a team would like.

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A top small-school player, Owusu-Ansah is known as a physical talent who has the speed to handle cornerback duties. He lined up some at safety as a senior and could hold up there in the NFL. He has a shoulder injury that knocked him out of all-star games, which is why he is this low. Also played on special teams.

Few cornerbacks can be considered sack artists, but Lewis could be. He had five last year to go with five interceptions, seven tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. Lewis might not have great speed, but he does things most cornerbacks cannot.

Murphy has nice length and strength, but his tackling ability doesn't equate to his measurables. When he's not in press coverage he gives up too much space and gets beaten inside. He's more of a zone corner who can break on the ball. Seems to have a good understanding of the routes opponents are running.

Jefferson is a really good man-to-man cornerback because he's quick and lanky. He hasn't played a lot of zone and will need to learn that aspect of the game. But his athleticism and speed should get him a roster spot. Also returns kicks.

A powerful cover-2 candidate, Wall makes for his lack of height with physical play. He has good hands, intercepting nine career passes and breaking up 32. He shows good awareness in zone and really gets after the ball.

After looking sensational as an underclassmen, Verner's play has leveled off. However, that level is still fairly high. He's a good tackler and led the nation with 20 passes broken up in 2008. He can hold up in man and zone schemes. A real sleeper.

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Make no mistake about it, when Thurmond was healthy, he was one of the more dynamic playmakers on defense in the country. Consider that as a sophomore he defended 23 passes. That went along with 103 tackles, with 75 unassisted, and five interceptions. But staying healthy has been an issue for Thurmond. He was slowed during the 2008 season with a pelvis injury. Combine that with the 2009 injury and Thurmond unfortunately gets the injury prone label.

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McFadden doesn't have the best measurables, but McFadden knows how to make plays. He has good agility and quickness, which makes up for his lack of straight-line speed. He's also an asset in the run game. If he can become more consistent and fix some technique issues, McFadden could be a real find.

Virgil has the makings of a solid man coverage cornerback. In one game in 2008, he returned a fumble for a touchdown, blocked an extra point and returned it for two points and blocked a punt for a safety.

Overshadowed much of his career by Oklahoma's other stars, Jackson is very underrated. He has good size and is a solid zone coverage cornerback. He could be a free safety candidate.

Moore is an outstanding tackler, finishing second on the team in 2009 and first in 2008 in total tackles. His speed and athleticism are only average, but he as above-average balls skills. Could be a sneaky good special teams player and fourth cornerback.

Shields played only one year of cornerback for Miami after spending his first three years at wide receiver. He is certainly a project, but with great upside. He has great speed and very good size for a corner. If he gets paired with the right defensive backs coach, Shields could be a solid cornerback in the NFL.

One of the fastest players in the nation, Butler has showed the skills of being a top cornerback. He has good ball skills and will support against the run. What's held him back some is consistency.

The instincts Ross showed at Arizona were impressive. He can quickly sniff out run and pass plays and reads routes pretty well. He doesn't have good size but tends to play above his measurables.