Here are the top five defensive back prospects (with projected round):
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix*, S, 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, Alabama (first): Clinton-Dix quickly lived up to his billing as the nation's top-rated safety out of high school. Clinton-Dix was named to the All-SEC first team in 2013. NFL.com combine profile comment: "Lean, athletic, physical, instinctive free safety with starter-caliber range, coverage skills and tackling ability."
Darqueze Dennard, 5-10, 200, Michigan State (first): As a senior Dennard, from Twiggs County, was a unanimous first-team All-American and winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in college. NFL.com combine profile comment: "Big, strong, athletic, instinctive press-man corner who elevated his game as a senior."
Calvin Pryor*, S, 5-11, 207, Louisville (first): Pryor was the best player on Louisville's highly ranked defensive units over the past three seasons. NFL.com combine profile comment: "Perhaps the most explosive hitter in this year's crop of safeties, Pryor is a big, physical hammer in the run game, bringing the ability to intimidate and erase.
Justin Gilbert, CB, 6-0, 202, Oklahoma State (first): Gilbert has plus-size and speed (4.37 seconds for 40 yards) and is dangerous with the ball: He returned two of his six interceptions in 2013 for touchdowns and scored six times on kickoff returns over four seasons. NFL.com combine profile comment: "A big, fast, athletic, man-cover corner capable of locking down receivers and creating big plays in the return game."
Jason Verrett, CB, 5-9, 189, TCU (second): In spite of his relatively small frame and a shoulder injury, Verrett reportedly bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times at TCU's pro day. NFL.com combine profile comment: "A tough, scrappy, undersized nickel back with potential to emerge as a No. 2 cornerback."
*Underclassman
Need area for Falcons? Yes, especially at safety. The Falcons released Thomas DeCoud and could use some depth behind William Moore and free-agent addition Dwight Lowery.
Other teams who need players at this position: St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, Tennessee.
Top 5 seniors for 2015 draft: 1. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, 5-10, 190, Oregon; 2. Anthony Harris, S, 6-1, 190, Virginia; 3. Quandre Diggs, CB, 5-10, 204, Texas; 4. Wayne Lyons, CB, 6-1, 196, Stanford; 5. Kurtis Drummond, S, 6-1, 200, Michigan State.
About the Author
