Below are the 2011 cornerback ratings for the NFL Draft.
Cornerbacks
1. Patrick Peterson-LSU*
2. Prince Akukamara-Nebraska
3. Aaron Williams-Texas*
4. Rashad Carmichael-Virginia Tech
5. Brandon Harris-Miami (Fla.)*
6. Brandon Burton-Utah*
7. Jimmy Smith-Colorado(FS)
8. Shareece Wright-USC
9. Johnny Patrick-Louisville
10. Justin Rogers-Richmond
11. Brandon Hogan-West Virginia
12. Curtis Brown-Texas
13. Kendric Burney-North Carolina
14. Davon House-New Mexico State
15. Curtis Marsh-Utah State
16. Ryan Hill-Miami (Fla.) (FS)
17. Ras-I Dowling-Virginia (FS)
18. Chimdi Chekwa-Ohio State
19. Chykie Brown-Texas
20. Niles Brinkley-Wisconsin
21. DeMarcus Van Dyke-Miami (Fla.)
22. Chris L. Rucker-Michigan State
23. Dejon Gomes-Nebraska
24. Richard Sherman-Stanford
25. Jalil Brown-Colorado
26. Mario Butler-Georgia Tech
27. Josh Thomas-Buffalo (FS)
28. Korey Lindsey-Southern Illinois
29. Omar Bolden-Arizona State
30. Darian Hagan-California
31. Jai Eugene-LSU
32. Devon Torrence-Ohio State
33. Demond Washington-Auburn
34. Jason Teague-TCU
35. Cortez Allen-Citadel (FS)
36. Byron Maxwell-Clemson
37. Anthony Gaitor-Florida International
38. Talmadge Jackson-Oregon
39. Ryan Jones-Northwest Missouri State
40. Buster Skrine-Chattanooga
41. Brandyn Thompson-Boise State
42. Bryant Nnabuife-California
43. Kevin Rutland-Missouri
44. Ramon Broadway-Arkansas
Behind Peterson and Amukamara, Jimmy Smith really stands out to me as the third-best cornerback in this Draft. The four guys you have ranked 3-6 all failed to live up to expectations in college, at least in my opinion, but Smith can really be a lockdown cornerback, and is as good of a tackler as he is in coverage. He’s really the type of cornerback I like. I also believe that you have Shareece Wright much too high, while Chimdi Chekwa deserves to be much higher, even coming off of a broken wrist. But one thing I do really like is that you have Ryan Hill ranked ahead of Van Dyke… seems like people didn’t actually watch Miami this year that rank Van Dyke higher, considering Hill was the guy who started and played much better.
Jimmy Smith is a good straight-line athlete, but I see average hips. His ability to jam is overrated just because he does it a fair amount. Smith overextends when he jams, gets out of position, and has trouble locating the ball because he is trying to get back into position. I’d rather take a chance on the quick feet and excellent hips of Aaron Williams and Rashad Carmichael instead of Smith. Brandon Harris and Smith are pretty close in my opinion, waiting for Combine for final judgment.
Shareece Wright is an excellent athlete. Guy is fast with insane quickness and fluid hips. He lacks physicality, yes. But, Wright’s ability to click and close and top notch recovery speed is something everybody looks for.
I see nothing special in Chimdi. Future nickel corner.