2020 Draft Board: Cornerbacks
**Note: changes have been made since the draft happened. I spent May and June adjusting my process by setting strict parameters and adding all combine participants from 2008-2017. Those two improvements caused major changes to my factors and table, which means some players that were on my draft board have been removed, some players that were removed from my draft board have been put back on it, and some players have seen a drastic shift in the round grades they were originally given.
Continuing my Draft Board, next we look at the Cornerbacks. I’ve found that this class has plenty of depth, but I’m not a fan of the players that are considered the top of the draft class. I’d rather spend a couple picks in the middle rounds then take one in the first or second. You’ll see all that and more below!
Players Removed:
I was able to eliminate 8 Cornerbacks for various reasons. The one that’s has an "E" next to his name received my “Empty” label, the ones that have a "D" next to their names received my “Depleted” label, if you are wondering what those labels mean check the Draft Boards for the QBs, RBs or WRs. They are:
A.J. Green (E)
Amik Robertson (E)
Javaris Davis (E)
Myles Bryant (E)
Trajan Bandy (E)
Cameron Dantzler (D)
Damon Arnette (D)
Harrison Hand (D)
Jeff Okudah (D)
John Reid (D)
Reggie Robinson II (D)
The Table
After I eliminated players, I created a table to determine the Draft Round I would attach to each remaining player. I used their college stats and combine results to determine the chances of them being drafted in the first three rounds by setting a low extreme and high extreme for each stat. If they had more low extremes than their draft grade fell, more high extremes and it rose.
My Draft Board
| Players | College | Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Noah Igbinoghene | Auburn | First-Second |
| Darnay Holmes | UCLA | Second-Third |
| Josiah Scott | Michigan State | Second-Third |
| C.J. Henderson | Florida | Second-Third |
| Jeff Gladney | TCU | Second-Third |
| A.J. Terrell | Clemson | Second-Third |
| Jaylon Johnson | Utah | Second-Third |
| Bryce Hall | Virginia | Second-Third |
| Trevon Diggs | Alabama | Second-Third |
| Michael Ojemudia | Iowa | Second-Third |
| Essang Bassey | Wake Forest | Second-Third |
| Troy Pride | Notre Dame | Second-Third |
| Kindle Vildor | Georgia Southern | Second-Third |
| Javelin Guidry | Utah | Second-Third |
| Thakarius Keyes | Tulane | Third-Fifth |
| Kristian Fulton | LSU | Third-Fifth |
| Stantley Thomas-Oliver | FIU | Third-Fifth |
| Lavert Hill | Michigan | Third-Fifth |
| Nevelle Clarke | UCF | Fourth-Sixth |
| Dane Jackson | Pittsburgh | Fourth-Sixth |
| Lamar Jackson | Nebraska | Fourth-Sixth |
| Stanford Samuels | Florida State | Fourth-Sixth |
| Grayland Arnold | Baylor | Fifth-Seventh |
| James Pierre | FAU | Fifth-Seventh |
My Top 5:
1) Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn)
Analysis: The biggest surprise that happened while I was redoing the draft boards is that Jeff Okudah was removed from mine. The second biggest surprise was seeing Igbinoghene’s name appear at the top of my Corner list. He didn’t have a knack for picking off passes, but he still has ball skills as evidence by his average of 9 pass deflections. He also has freakish athleticism (40” Vertical and 128” Broad Jump).
2) Amik Robertson (Louisiana Tech)
Analysis: I fully expect Robertson to have an exceptional career. He didn’t test at the Combine, but his 4.7 interceptions average was incredible and a full 1.7 above the next highest. He also averaged 11.3 pass deflections which combined with the picks shows his affinity for making a play on the ball. He receives a 1st-2nd grade from me, but I will acknowledge that he’s likely a Slot Corner as a pro, which means he has a very small chance of going in the first two rounds. I’m hoping he’s still available in the third and that my team grabs him if he is.
3) Darnay Holmes (UCLA)
Analysis: Went from not on my list to on it in a blink of an eye. He had a bit of an up and down career at UCLA. If whichever team drafts him can get him to play at his highs regularly he's going to be one of the top Corners in the league for years to come.
4) Josiah Scott (Michigan State)
Analysis: Another under-sized Corner who is likely destined for Slot Corner duties. It unfortunately means he's going to be under-valued in the draft and when contract time rolls around. He's got great ball skills and the quickness to keep up with Slot Receivers, so I expect to see his name toward the top of the Slot Corner rankings in a few years.
5) C.J. Henderson (Florida)
Analysis: Prior to this exercise I wasn’t a big fan of Henderson’s, but he’s growing on me. That’s due in large part to his 6’1” frame and his 4.39 forty, 37.5” Vertical, and 127” Broad Jump. I’m still not convinced that I’d use a first-round pick on a Corner other than Igbinoghene, but Henderson could have a shot.
Sleeper: Michael Ojemudia (Iowa)
Analysis: First off, he's 6'1", 200 pounds. He's not going to just get tossed around. Second off, he ran a 4.45 forty, 4.21 20-yard shuttle and 6.87 3-cone drill, so don't expect to see him getting shook off or burned all that often. And last but not least, he finished his career at Iowa averaging 3 interceptions and 7.5 pass deflections. He's got a nose for the ball, watch out opposing QBs.
