NFL draft: Top 10 defensive backs
The Observer’s top 10 defensive backs available in the 2016 NFL draft:
1. Jalen Ramsey
College: Florida State.
Position: Free safety/cornerback.
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 209.
Projected round: 1.
Comment: Was a difference-maker at corner and safety for the Seminoles. Long arms, exceptional athleticism and a projected top-5 pick.
2. Vernon Hargreaves
College: Florida.
Position: Cornerback.
Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 204.
Projected round: 1.
Comment: What he lacks in size Hargreaves makes up for with natural coverage and playmaking skills.
3. William Jackson
College: Houston.
Position: Cornerback.
Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 189.
Projected round: 1.
Comment: Set a school record and led the nation with 23 pass breakups in 2015, then ran well (4.36 in the 40) at the combine.
4. Eli Apple
College: Ohio State.
Position: Cornerback.
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 199.
Projected round: 1.
Comment: Will get drafted high because of his size, but scouts questions his balls skills and willingness to tackle.
5. Mackensie Alexander
College: Clemson.
Position: Cornerback.
Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 190.
Projected round: 1-2.
Comment: Did not give up a TD pass over his final 23 games at Clemson, but had zero career interceptions.
6. Vonn Bell
College: Ohio State.
Position: Free safety.
Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 199.
Projected round: 2.
Comment: Was injury-prone for Buckeyes and sat out combine with a hamstring issue. But has good anticipation and ball skills.
7. Kendall Fuller
College: Virginia Tech.
Position: Cornerback.
Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 187.
Projected round: 2.
Comment: Smooth in his backpedal and out of his breaks; could be a steal in second round following season-ending microfracture surgery.
8. Keanu Neal
College: Florida.
Position: Strong safety.
Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 211.
Projected round: 2.
Comment: Huge hitter who arrives at the ball with attitude; older brother played seven seasons as an NFL safety.
9. Darian Thompson
College: Boise State.
Position: Free safety.
Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 208.
Projected round: 2.
Comment: Good size and big hitter who surpassed Eric Weddle for career interceptions leader (19) in Mountain West Conference.
10. Artie Burns
College: Miami.
Position: Cornerback.
Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 193.
Projected round: 2.
Comment: Is an accomplished track athlete who was one of the country’s top 60-meter hurdlers; long frame but raw in coverage.
Panthers’ perspective
The Panthers will draft a cornerback or two after losing Josh Norman, who signed with Washington last week after Dave Gettleman pulled his franchise tag. But it might not be in the first round, when the top four CBs figure to be off the board when the Panthers pick 30th. Carolina also will look to add a safety after not re-signing Roman Harper. Keep an eye on Thompson, the Boise safety.
Local connection
N.C. Central CB Ryan Smith (5-11, 189) set a school record with 168 career solo tackles. He helped himself at the combine, running the 40 in 4.46 seconds and doing 18 reps on the pro bench. Should get drafted late. ... Notre Dame safety Matthias Farley had a solid pro day after being passed over for the combine. The former Charlotte Christian standout also attended the Panthers’ local pro day and could be in someone’s camp as an undrafted free agent.
Sleeper
It’s hard to call the ACC Defensive Player of the Year a sleeper, but Duke strong safety Jeremy Cash fits – if only because the Blue Devils have so rarely produced NFL prospects on defense. Cash had three consecutive 100-tackle seasons after transferring from Ohio State, and projects as an in-the-box safety in the NFL. Could be drafted as high as the third round.
Worth noting
Fuller has three brothers who made it to the NFL, including two on active rosters – Lions WR Corey Fuller and Bears CB Kyle Fuller. ... Penn State strong safety Jordan Lucas was the first player to commit to the Nittany Lions after Bill O’Brien took over. Lucas, who switched from CB to safety at PSU, is a late-round prospect. ... Southern Cal strong safety Su’a Cravens was USA Today’s DPoY leaving his California high school and is the cousin of Dophins TE Jordan Cameron.
This story was originally published April 25, 2016 at 6:29 PM with the headline "NFL draft: Top 10 defensive backs."