1. Leodis McKelvin, Troy, 5-10, 192. Exceptional cover corner who has improved his stock immensely with top off-season workouts … can also return punts … had three punt return TDs and a 17.4-yard average last year … had eight career return TDs (7 punt, 1 kickoff) … had two interceptions last season …level of competition in college only concern.
2. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State, 6-1, 182. Considered a top shutdown corner … long jumper in track and field … some concerns because he has only one kidney ... can return punts, although not a big-time returner … according to team stats, opposing qbs completed only 34 percent of their attempts when throwing to Rodgers-Cromartie’s side … had school record four blocked kicks … had 11 career interceptions ... cousin of Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie.
3. Mike Jenkins, South Florida, 5-11, 196. Projected as a corner, but might one day play safety … a true burner with 4.35 speed … lack of aggressiveness as corner might prompt some teams to view him more as safety … had six career interceptions and broke up 41 passes … has played both left and right cornerback in college … in addition to three interceptions in 2007, also deflected 12 passes ... some question his work ethic.
4. * Kenny Phillips, Miami, 6-1, 213. Top pure safety in the draft … latest in a long line of top-flight safeties to come out of Miami, including Ed Reed, the late Sean Taylor, and Brandon Meriweather, although Phillips might not be quite at their level … had a terrific year in 2007 with 82 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions … not an exceptionally big hitter … 4.5 speed allows him to close very quickly on passes … can play either safety spot, depending on particular team’s needs.
5. * Aqib Talib, Kansas, 6-0, 206. One of the top cover corners in the draft, an exceptional athlete with 4.5 speed … good instincts around the ball … probably the best ball-hawking corner in the draft … finished with 13 career interceptions, including a combined 11 over the last two seasons … caught eight passes last year for 182 yards and four TDs … admitted he tested positive marijuana at the combine.
6. * Reggie Smith, Oklahoma, 6-1, 196. Can play corner but most likely projects as NFL safety … good on run support … good toughness and aggressiveness … a solid kickoff returner with 21.9-yard average … closes well on passes … had eight career interceptions in three seasons.
7. Antoine Cason, Arizona, 6-0, 190. Comes from a football family; father, Wendell, was a Falcons defensive back. His cousins, Ken-yon Rambo and Aveion Carson have played in the NFL … not a burner, but has good toughness … a solid punt returner last season, with two TD returns and 10.0-yard average.
8. Patrick Lee, Auburn, 6-0, 200. Can play corner or free safety … was voted team’s most improved linebacker/defensive back by the team’s coaching staff … was sixth in the SEC with four interceptions. Had 10 deflected passes … had a career-high four interceptions in 2007.
9. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State, 5-11, 207. Very big hitter who projects as a strong safety … has plenty of speed (4.45) for both run support and pass coverage … did very well at combine … maybe the best tackler of this year’s defensive backs.
10. * Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech, 5-9, 189. Solid cover corner … had five interceptions last season and a combined eight his last two years … not a great 40 time for a corner (4.55) but seems to have better football speed.
* Junior.