The 2016 NFL Draft is done and rookies are already making their impressions and signing contracts. But it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2017 NFL Draft. Here are the top five prospects at cornerback.
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Recruiting: The five-star defensive back committed to Arizona over Alabama and others at the Under Armour All-America Game. That lasted about a week. Tabor flipped his commitment to Florida and the Gators landed the third-best cornerback in the 2014 class.
Stats: Tabor had 40 tackles, four interceptions and 14 pass deflections this past season. His INT total was tied for the team-best with first-round draft pick Vernon Hargreaves III and he had 10 more pass breakups than Hargreaves.
Farrell’s take: Tabor was one of the first eighth-grade prospects I scouted, but it wasn’t by choice. The kid just played at a higher level than he should have and made a name for himself on the 7-on-7 circuit by making huge play after huge play. His instincts are off the charts, similar to those of Tyrann Mathieu when it comes to being around the play. He corrected some tackling issues by his senior year.
Recruiting: White committed to LSU at its junior day and never looked back. Mississippi State was his only other offer at the time. UCLA, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and others showed interest. His commitment never seemed to waver.
Stats: White recorded 44 tackles but had no interceptions this past season. The former five-star did has seven pass deflections and he returned a punt for a touchdown.
Farrell’s take: It never hurts to play defensive back at LSU and we saw White as an athletic lockdown corner who could also impact on special teams as well. The five-star corner in that 2013 class that gets mentioned the least (Vernon Hargreaves III, Kendall Fuller, Jalen Ramsey all got more press as did four-stars like Mackensie Alexander and Eli Apple) he has played his way into the discussion as the top corner in 2017 by staying for an additional year. He played quarterback in high school, which has helped him read offenses.
Recruiting: King was committed to Central Michigan and Ball State before finally flipping to Iowa about a week before National Signing Day. Neither Michigan nor Michigan State offered the three-star standout from Detroit Crockett.
Stats: King had 72 tackles, eight interceptions and 21 pass deflections this past season. The rest of the team totaled 11 interceptions. He was also valuable on kickoffs, averaging 24.4 yards per return.
Farrell’s take: King was not heavily recruited out of high school and essentially ignored by in-state powers Michigan and Michigan State, much to their dismay now. He was always a guy who was around the ball with double-digit interceptions consistently in high school, but it was his speed that we questioned, which is why he was a mid three-star kid. But his instincts continue to be off the charts and make up for that lack of blazing quickness. He breaks on the ball like a sub-4.4 guy even though that's not his straight-ahead speed.
Recruiting: Jackson picked USC on National Signing Day with UCLA, Florida and LSU being his other finalists. Tennessee was also a major player late in his recruitment and Oklahoma and others were considered since Jackson is originally from the Midwest.
Stats: Jackson finished with 35 tackles, one interception, nine pass deflections and he forced a fumble on defense. The former five-star was fourth on the team in receiving with 27 catches for 414 yards and two scores and he also returned two punts for TDs. Jackson averaged 23 yards per kick return.
Farrell’s take: Jackson was a dynamic athlete in high school who could play either side of the ball and impact special teams. His ability as a punt and kick returner at the NFL level will intrigue many, but he needs to overcome the knock on his size and the questions surrounding his ability to cover bigger receivers. He’s one of the most dynamic players in college football, but is that enough? We obviously loved him as our No. 1 athlete, a five-star and the No. 6 player overall in 2014.
Recruiting: Sutton committed to Tennessee in August before his senior season and stuck with the Volunteers, but he took a late visit to Auburn and it looked like the Tigers were right in the mix. On Signing Day, Sutton stuck with his first decision.
Stats: Sutton finished with 28 tackles (three for loss) with one interception and seven pass deflections. He also forced two fumbles.
Farrell’s take: Sutton went from a high school prospect who wasn't a sure tackler at times and had stiff hips to a surefire pro and a college star. Not bad. He’s a lockdown cover cornerback in the SEC and that’s a big deal. His numbers aren’t off the charts because he doesn’t get tested as much as others. His special teams ability will intrigue a lot of teams.
