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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ts-defensive-backs-b99487251z1-301633761.html
The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top cornerbacks and safeties in the draft this week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.
CORNERBACKS
1. TRAE WAYNES, Michigan State (6-0, 186, 4.26, 1): Fourth-year junior. "He's the best by a long shot," said one scout. "I liked him before he ran. Very smart guy (scored 20 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test). He's ready to play. He's everything you want in a corner." Blazed a 40 at the combine to cement status as top CB. "The only concern is he's a little slight," another scout said. "He's 6-0 and moves like he's 5-9. He's got the slender hips and thighs. So the same thing you knock him on is really the reason he moves as well as he does." Started 27 of 36 games, finishing with 101 tackles (four for loss), six interceptions and 13 passes broken up (PBUs). "He's always going to struggle in off (coverage) because he doesn't have good enough weight transition," a third scout said. "You just press him and run." Average arm length (31 inches), tiny hands (8¼). "Very even-keeled," said a fourth scout. "Good teammate. Not going to talk trash. Good worker." From Kenosha Bradford High School.
2. KEVIN JOHNSON, Wake Forest (6-0 ½, 184, 4.48, 1): Played 46 games in four seasons, sitting out 2011 for academic reasons. "He has the best feet of anybody," one scout said. "Great footwork. Can play press and off. Extremely quick. Good ball skills. He has good length but he lacks bulk. But he's tough and tries to knock people out in the run game. It scares you because of how he's built." Has 161 pounds of muscle mass; average for an NFL CB is 178. Weighed 145 upon enrollment in 2010. "You could see thin on tape," another scout said. "However, people didn't beat him up. Some guys get bumped around. He's a smart (Wonderlic of 17), tough, good player." Finished with 189 tackles (eight for loss), seven picks and 38 PBUs. Was recruited by Wisconsin. "He played in the 170s," said a third scout. "He worked on putting on weight. He's got cover skills and corner swagger. The majority of his career he's been hands-down the best player at Wake Forest. Kind of been an immature, 'I'm going to do it my way' guy. Late in the year, despite having a terrible season, guys there were speaking very positively about how he matured and progressed. That was very telling." Vertical jump of 41 ½ inches. From Clarksville, Md.
3. MARCUS PETERS, ex-Washington (5-11 ½, 196, 4.50, 1-2):Fourth-year junior. "He's an interesting fellow," said one scout. "He plays well so somebody will take him because of that. He didn't run quite as fast as you wish he did. Whether anybody takes him in the first round is suspect." Played three seasons, starting 27 of 35 games before being booted off the team in November after several confrontations with members of the Huskies' coaching staff. Finished with 129 tackles (9 ½ for loss), 11 picks and 35 PBUs. "He's very, very smooth," another scout said. "Good press man. Played a lot of zone in bail technique. He gives inconsistent effort. Needs to be more physical. Inconsistent tackler. He's a high grabber. At the school they said he was talented, immature, headstrong, not a team guy and mouthy on and off the field. I gave him a third-round grade. He was just so inconsistent." Played at McClymond High in Oakland. Wonderlic of 13. "He's not talented enough to where he's a top-10 pick and you say, 'I'll take the issues and deal with him,'" a third scout said. "He lived with Marshawn Lynch. This is a guy ...I don't think anything has ever been his fault. Guess what? People that think that way usually have more issues."
4. JALEN COLLINS, Louisiana State (6-1 ½, 201, 4.49, 1-2):Fourth-year junior started one game in 2012, two in '13 and seven in '14. "I think he can cover," one scout said. "He's going to have his limitations moving around like most 6-0, 6-1 guys. But playing at LSU and having the skill set that he does, it shouldn't take him too long. If you're a team that plays a lot of press, then he could come in and play right away. If you're a team that has a lot of different coverages and you want him to play off or play zone, then there will be some growing pains." Finished with 90 tackles (three for loss), three picks and 25 PBUs. "Great length but extremely raw," a second scout said. "He wasn't even theguy at LSU. Only reason he got playing time was a younger guy was a knucklehead and got suspended. He has a lot to learn about the intricacies playing the position and the footwork. From a talent standpoint, the arrow points really high on him." Wonderlic of 28. Has failed three drug tests. "He was up there (high on team's board) and then we got more exposure and he went downhill pretty quick," said a third scout. "His talent is as good as anybody's." From Olive Branch, Miss.
5. BYRON JONES, Connecticut (6-0 ½, 199. 4.42, 1-2): Started at FS in 2011-'12 before moving to CB in 2013-'14. "Blew up the combine," one scout said. "You see those things on the field. Really good movement skills. He played better in press." Finished with 223 tackles (3 ½ for loss), eight picks and 18 PBUs. His broad jump of 12-3 probably was longer than any player's in NFL annals. Also posted a vertical jump of 44½ and had 33 on the Wonderlic. "Doesn't play as well as he works out," said a second scout. "Doesn't have great instincts. Little stiff at the top. But all those big long guys are in vogue now because all the receivers are 6-8." Underwent shoulder surgery (labrum) near midseason. "No, he can't cover," a third scout said. "I don't think he's got the feel." From New Britain, Conn.
6. P.J. WILLIAMS, Florida State (6-0, 192, 4.49, 2): Third-year junior. "Good corner," said one scout. "He has athletic ability. He will tackle. He's not all you want on top-end (speed) but I see him as a late first." Started 24 of 40 games, finishing with 123 tackles, four picks and 18 PBUs. "Probably a better press corner than an off zone corner," said another scout. "He's athletic, but long speed may be a concern. He's a build-up (speed) kind of runner. He's a tough tackler. He's really not a safety. He's got enough suddenness to play corner." Vertical jump of 41, Wonderlic of 18. "Long, leggy guy," a third scout said. "I think his strength is playing the ball while he's in press. He has good ball skills. He came in as a free safety, and I think he could play safety." From Ocala, Fla.
7. RONALD DARBY, Florida State (5-10 ½, 192, 4.38, 2): Third-year junior. "Really good athlete," one scout said. "Not as good a player as his ability. You're drafting him on ability. He's still got some project to him." Two-year starter opposite Williams. "He's faster, more twitchy than Williams but he just lacks coverage instincts," a second scout said. "Inexplicably, he lets guys run by him. You're like, 'Wait a minute.' Because he's a 4.3 guy. He's peeking in the backfield, his footwork's all jacked, he turns the wrong way in coverage." Finished with 79 tackles (one for loss), two picks and 16 PBUs. Wonderlic of 17. From Oxon Hill, Md.
8. ALEX CARTER, Stanford (6-0, 199, 4.51, 2-3): Surprised Stanford's staff by declaring as a third-year junior. "God, he's a hard guy (to evaluate)," one scout said. "He's athletic and has good size. Just not a lot of splash to his game. Nondescript. He can run and has length. Not sure how tough he is. Doesn't have much swagger. He's kind of a reliable steady Eddie." Father, Tom, was a first-round pick (17) in 1993 and a serviceable starter for three teams through 2001. "He's fluid, pretty," another scout said. "But he doesn't make any plays." Started 33 of 40 games, finishing with 146 tackles (five for loss), two picks and 18 PBUs. Wonderlic of 30. "He's got no feel and he's not explosive," a third scout said. From Ashburn, Va.
9. D'JOUN SMITH, Florida Atlantic (5-10, 190, 4.43, 3): Three-year starter. "He had the best week of all the corners at the Senior Bowl," said Phil Savage, the game's executive director. Finished with 120 tackles (4 ½ for loss), nine picks and 29 PBUs. "Bench presses 20 times," another scout said. "Physical player. Athlete. If you don't like him at corner he's got free safety skills." From Miami. "If there's a guy that can pull a Khyri (Thornton) this year and go somewhere in the third and everybody goes, 'Whoa,' he'd be that guy," a third scout said. "He is tough. His coaches will love him. He can play, man. He can become a starter down the road."
10. IFO EKPRE-OLOMU, Oregon (5-9, 192, 4.6, 3-4): Suffered a torn ACL Dec. 17 practicing for the bowl playoffs. "He could have been the best one," one scout said. "He's a little guy, but he plays big and he's a really good tackler." Three-year starter with 244 tackles (6 ½ for loss), nine picks and 43 PBUs. "He's one guy you feel bad for," said another scout. "He went back to school to improve his stock. If he had come out last year he would have been an easy first-rounder. With the injuries it's tough to really know what you're getting." From Chino Hills, Calif. "He is (a playmaker), but he's a midget, too," a third scout said. "Where you gonna take him? He's too short for me."
OTHERS: Doran Grant, Ohio State; Senquez Golson, Mississippi; Bobby McCain, Memphis; Steven Nelson, Oregon State; Charles Gaines, Louisville; Craig Mager, Texas State; Tye Smith, Towson; Lorenzo Doss, Tulane; Tray Walker, Texas Southern; Quandre Diggs, Texas; JaCorey Shepherd, Kansas; Nick Marshall, Auburn; Jacoby Glenn, Central Florida.
SAFETIES
1. LANDON COLLINS, Alabama (6-0, 224, 4.47, 1):Third-year junior. "He's my favorite player at Alabama the last few years," said one scout. "Outstanding defensive temperament. He's got a Raven mentality. He slipped some because people are concerned about his center-field ability. He got beat over his head against Ole Miss, and that has perpetuated this belief that maybe he can't do it. His pro-day workout was a little underwhelming. But you're not drafting him to do that. You're drafting him to mix it up, cover tight ends, control the middle between the hashes. Neither Mark Barron nor Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix) are the intimidating presence of Landon Collins. Ha Ha is a little bit more of a rangy center-field type." Two-year starter with 190 tackles (8½ for loss), five picks and 13 PBUs. "He's the best safety by default," said a second scout. "He's not special. Any other year, he wouldn't be there. He's just kind of a solid guy. Box safety." Wonderlic of 17. From New Orleans. Added a third scout: "I don't like him. Dix was a better athlete. He's physical and can run, but I worry about him in the deep part of the field."
2. DAMARIOUS RANDALL, Arizona State (5-11, 197, 4.41, 1-2): Played junior-college baseball for a year, hurt his shoulder and returned to football for two JC seasons. Started for Sun Devils at FS in 2013-'14. "He reminds me of Devin McCourty," one scout said. "Size is the hold-back. He's just not physical." Twelve months ago his weight was 187. "He reminds me a little bit of the guy the 49ers drafted last year (Jimmie Ward) at the bottom of the first," a second scout said. "People talk about it's a passing league and the box safety is growing out of style. He kind of fits in with the new wave of safeties who can cover receivers and are strong enough to play around the line of scrimmage. But sometimes he gambles a little too much and takes himself out of position." Finished with 177 tackles (15 for loss), six picks and 12 PBUs. Wonderlic of 18. "He's not a good tackler," a third scout said. "He doesn't break down. Just dives at people. Small-framed person. Small waist. Little bowlegged." From Pensacola, Fla.
3. ERIC ROWE, Utah (6-0 ½, 204, 4.41, 2): Started 33 games at FS, nine (all in 2014) at CB and three at SS. "He probably will be drafted as a corner," one scout said. "Ideally, he's a safety that drops down and plays in the slot in sub packages. Good prospect." Finished with 261 tackles (seven for loss), three picks and 34 PBUs. "He's not a man cover corner," a second scout said. "He's a straight-line guy. As a safety, he'd have to be a free. I don't see him as a strong to come up and knock you stiff, that kind of thing. He will have a very hard time playing safety if that test score (11) is true to his reading ability and decision-making ability." Most teams give more credence to a player's score the first time he takes the Wonderlic. Rowe improved markedly to 23 at the combine in his second attempt. "(Keith) McGill last year was more fluid than him," a third scout said. "He's got some stiffness. Not very quick." From Spring, Texas.
4. QUINTEN ROLLINS, Miami (Ohio) (5-11, 195, 4.54, 2-3): Amassed 391 assists and 214 steals in Oxford as a four-year point guard. He used his final year of eligibility to play football for the first time since high school in Wilmington, Ohio. Started at CB, finishing with 72 tackles (four for loss), seven picks and nine PBUs. "For a kid who was playing basketball last year, pretty impressive," one scout said. "And he'll come up and hit you, which is equally shocking because he was a basketball player. He came up and laid people out." His 40 time, however, probably was best suited for safety. "I'd move him to safety because of his ball skills and awareness," the scout continued. "I don't think he has the long speed to ever start at corner. Intriguing. Extremely raw."
5. JAQUISKI TARTT, Samford (6-1 ½, 219, 4.49, 3): Played just one year of high school football in Mobile, Ala. "He has great up side," said one scout. "When you see a guy 220-plus as a safety you automatically think the guy's going to be a hammer. He's a free safety. He's too inconsistent as a tackler. His ball skills, his range and his recognition as a one-high guy are his strengths. I just don't think he's a box guy. He's a third-round talent." Started 34 of 44 games, finishing with 277 tackles, six picks and 20 PBUs. "Work in progress," another scout said. "I think he's physical and he can run."
6. JAMES SAMPLE, Louisville (6-2, 207, 4.51, 3-4): Spent 2011-'12 at Washington, '13 at a junior college and then found a home at Louisville. Started 13 games in Calvin Pryor's old berth at FS. "Eventually he'll be a starter," one scout said. "He can cover tight ends. Very physical. It will take him a little time to learn it and understand things. The (mental) is a concern. But he got to Louisville in August and won the job three days later. So how bad can it be?" Wonderlic of 12. In his lone season for the Cardinals he registered 90 tackles (two for loss), four picks and eight PBUs. "He's a little better than I thought," a second scout said. "Kind of a hybrid type guy. He played nickel safety and corner, too. He's got cover skills and toughness about him." From Sacramento, Calif.
7. IBRAHEIM CAMPBELL, Northwestern (5-11 ½, 209, 4.53, 3-4): Helped himself with an impressive Senior Bowl week and pro day. "Kind of on the rise a little bit," one scout said. "Plays OK and tested out a little better than I thought he would." Four-year starter with 316 tackles (7½ for loss), 11 picks and 24 PBUs. "He's a very complete safety," another scout said. Wonderlic of 26. "Free agent," said a third scout. "He is (fast) if he runs in a straight line. He's stiff. Can't cover." From Philadelphia.
8. ADRIAN AMOS, Penn State (6-0 ½, 218, 4.47, 3-4): Three-year starter. "He is a former corner," one scout said. "You see that. He's got cover skills for a safety. He's not Jack Tatum but he's tough enough. Good space tackler. Really stood out in coverage in the Senior Bowl practices. He will be a starter." Finished with 149 tackles (nine for loss), seven picks and 22 PBUs. From Baltimore.
9. JOSH SHAW, Southern California (6-0 ½, 200, 4.38, 4): Spent two years at Florida before transferring. Started 18 games at CB and three at FS, finishing with 108 tackles (7½ for loss), six picks and 15 PBUs. "He's a safety," one scout said. "Can't play corner. Tight hips. He covered the slot this year and he's so stiff. He has speed and he is tough." Fabricated a story in August about rescuing his drowning nephew after leaping from a balcony and spraining both ankles. In fact, he was evading police who were called when an argument with his girlfriend got loud. He was benched after his lie to coach Steve Sarkisian was uncovered. No domestic charges were filed, and he returned to start the final three games. "So what?" said another scout when asked about the incident. "I like him as a corner." From Palmdale, Calif.
10. ANTHONY HARRIS, Virginia (6-0 ½, 184, 4.65, 4-5): Three-year starter who can direct a secondary. "He really knows how to play football," said one scout. "You could draft him late and he'll make your team. He's going to know what to do. He'll probably have a nice career because he can figure it out." Finished with 289 tackles (six for loss), 11 picks and 19 PBUs. "You worry about him a little bit in the box," the scout said. "He's willing but he's light. Looks more like a big corner. He's got no acceleration but he puts himself a step ahead because he's smart." From Chesterfield, Va.
OTHERS: Derron Smith, Fresno State; Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State; Jordan Richards, Stanford; Gerod Holliman, Louisville; Cody Prewitt, Mississippi; Justin Cox, Mississippi State; Clayton Geathers, Central Florida; Durell Eskridge, Syracuse; Dean Marlowe, James Madison; Chris Hackett, Texas Christian; Kyshoen Jarrett, Virginia Tech.
The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top cornerbacks and safeties in the draft this week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.
CORNERBACKS
1. TRAE WAYNES, Michigan State (6-0, 186, 4.26, 1): Fourth-year junior. "He's the best by a long shot," said one scout. "I liked him before he ran. Very smart guy (scored 20 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test). He's ready to play. He's everything you want in a corner." Blazed a 40 at the combine to cement status as top CB. "The only concern is he's a little slight," another scout said. "He's 6-0 and moves like he's 5-9. He's got the slender hips and thighs. So the same thing you knock him on is really the reason he moves as well as he does." Started 27 of 36 games, finishing with 101 tackles (four for loss), six interceptions and 13 passes broken up (PBUs). "He's always going to struggle in off (coverage) because he doesn't have good enough weight transition," a third scout said. "You just press him and run." Average arm length (31 inches), tiny hands (8¼). "Very even-keeled," said a fourth scout. "Good teammate. Not going to talk trash. Good worker." From Kenosha Bradford High School.
2. KEVIN JOHNSON, Wake Forest (6-0 ½, 184, 4.48, 1): Played 46 games in four seasons, sitting out 2011 for academic reasons. "He has the best feet of anybody," one scout said. "Great footwork. Can play press and off. Extremely quick. Good ball skills. He has good length but he lacks bulk. But he's tough and tries to knock people out in the run game. It scares you because of how he's built." Has 161 pounds of muscle mass; average for an NFL CB is 178. Weighed 145 upon enrollment in 2010. "You could see thin on tape," another scout said. "However, people didn't beat him up. Some guys get bumped around. He's a smart (Wonderlic of 17), tough, good player." Finished with 189 tackles (eight for loss), seven picks and 38 PBUs. Was recruited by Wisconsin. "He played in the 170s," said a third scout. "He worked on putting on weight. He's got cover skills and corner swagger. The majority of his career he's been hands-down the best player at Wake Forest. Kind of been an immature, 'I'm going to do it my way' guy. Late in the year, despite having a terrible season, guys there were speaking very positively about how he matured and progressed. That was very telling." Vertical jump of 41 ½ inches. From Clarksville, Md.
3. MARCUS PETERS, ex-Washington (5-11 ½, 196, 4.50, 1-2):Fourth-year junior. "He's an interesting fellow," said one scout. "He plays well so somebody will take him because of that. He didn't run quite as fast as you wish he did. Whether anybody takes him in the first round is suspect." Played three seasons, starting 27 of 35 games before being booted off the team in November after several confrontations with members of the Huskies' coaching staff. Finished with 129 tackles (9 ½ for loss), 11 picks and 35 PBUs. "He's very, very smooth," another scout said. "Good press man. Played a lot of zone in bail technique. He gives inconsistent effort. Needs to be more physical. Inconsistent tackler. He's a high grabber. At the school they said he was talented, immature, headstrong, not a team guy and mouthy on and off the field. I gave him a third-round grade. He was just so inconsistent." Played at McClymond High in Oakland. Wonderlic of 13. "He's not talented enough to where he's a top-10 pick and you say, 'I'll take the issues and deal with him,'" a third scout said. "He lived with Marshawn Lynch. This is a guy ...I don't think anything has ever been his fault. Guess what? People that think that way usually have more issues."
4. JALEN COLLINS, Louisiana State (6-1 ½, 201, 4.49, 1-2):Fourth-year junior started one game in 2012, two in '13 and seven in '14. "I think he can cover," one scout said. "He's going to have his limitations moving around like most 6-0, 6-1 guys. But playing at LSU and having the skill set that he does, it shouldn't take him too long. If you're a team that plays a lot of press, then he could come in and play right away. If you're a team that has a lot of different coverages and you want him to play off or play zone, then there will be some growing pains." Finished with 90 tackles (three for loss), three picks and 25 PBUs. "Great length but extremely raw," a second scout said. "He wasn't even theguy at LSU. Only reason he got playing time was a younger guy was a knucklehead and got suspended. He has a lot to learn about the intricacies playing the position and the footwork. From a talent standpoint, the arrow points really high on him." Wonderlic of 28. Has failed three drug tests. "He was up there (high on team's board) and then we got more exposure and he went downhill pretty quick," said a third scout. "His talent is as good as anybody's." From Olive Branch, Miss.
5. BYRON JONES, Connecticut (6-0 ½, 199. 4.42, 1-2): Started at FS in 2011-'12 before moving to CB in 2013-'14. "Blew up the combine," one scout said. "You see those things on the field. Really good movement skills. He played better in press." Finished with 223 tackles (3 ½ for loss), eight picks and 18 PBUs. His broad jump of 12-3 probably was longer than any player's in NFL annals. Also posted a vertical jump of 44½ and had 33 on the Wonderlic. "Doesn't play as well as he works out," said a second scout. "Doesn't have great instincts. Little stiff at the top. But all those big long guys are in vogue now because all the receivers are 6-8." Underwent shoulder surgery (labrum) near midseason. "No, he can't cover," a third scout said. "I don't think he's got the feel." From New Britain, Conn.
6. P.J. WILLIAMS, Florida State (6-0, 192, 4.49, 2): Third-year junior. "Good corner," said one scout. "He has athletic ability. He will tackle. He's not all you want on top-end (speed) but I see him as a late first." Started 24 of 40 games, finishing with 123 tackles, four picks and 18 PBUs. "Probably a better press corner than an off zone corner," said another scout. "He's athletic, but long speed may be a concern. He's a build-up (speed) kind of runner. He's a tough tackler. He's really not a safety. He's got enough suddenness to play corner." Vertical jump of 41, Wonderlic of 18. "Long, leggy guy," a third scout said. "I think his strength is playing the ball while he's in press. He has good ball skills. He came in as a free safety, and I think he could play safety." From Ocala, Fla.
7. RONALD DARBY, Florida State (5-10 ½, 192, 4.38, 2): Third-year junior. "Really good athlete," one scout said. "Not as good a player as his ability. You're drafting him on ability. He's still got some project to him." Two-year starter opposite Williams. "He's faster, more twitchy than Williams but he just lacks coverage instincts," a second scout said. "Inexplicably, he lets guys run by him. You're like, 'Wait a minute.' Because he's a 4.3 guy. He's peeking in the backfield, his footwork's all jacked, he turns the wrong way in coverage." Finished with 79 tackles (one for loss), two picks and 16 PBUs. Wonderlic of 17. From Oxon Hill, Md.
8. ALEX CARTER, Stanford (6-0, 199, 4.51, 2-3): Surprised Stanford's staff by declaring as a third-year junior. "God, he's a hard guy (to evaluate)," one scout said. "He's athletic and has good size. Just not a lot of splash to his game. Nondescript. He can run and has length. Not sure how tough he is. Doesn't have much swagger. He's kind of a reliable steady Eddie." Father, Tom, was a first-round pick (17) in 1993 and a serviceable starter for three teams through 2001. "He's fluid, pretty," another scout said. "But he doesn't make any plays." Started 33 of 40 games, finishing with 146 tackles (five for loss), two picks and 18 PBUs. Wonderlic of 30. "He's got no feel and he's not explosive," a third scout said. From Ashburn, Va.
9. D'JOUN SMITH, Florida Atlantic (5-10, 190, 4.43, 3): Three-year starter. "He had the best week of all the corners at the Senior Bowl," said Phil Savage, the game's executive director. Finished with 120 tackles (4 ½ for loss), nine picks and 29 PBUs. "Bench presses 20 times," another scout said. "Physical player. Athlete. If you don't like him at corner he's got free safety skills." From Miami. "If there's a guy that can pull a Khyri (Thornton) this year and go somewhere in the third and everybody goes, 'Whoa,' he'd be that guy," a third scout said. "He is tough. His coaches will love him. He can play, man. He can become a starter down the road."
10. IFO EKPRE-OLOMU, Oregon (5-9, 192, 4.6, 3-4): Suffered a torn ACL Dec. 17 practicing for the bowl playoffs. "He could have been the best one," one scout said. "He's a little guy, but he plays big and he's a really good tackler." Three-year starter with 244 tackles (6 ½ for loss), nine picks and 43 PBUs. "He's one guy you feel bad for," said another scout. "He went back to school to improve his stock. If he had come out last year he would have been an easy first-rounder. With the injuries it's tough to really know what you're getting." From Chino Hills, Calif. "He is (a playmaker), but he's a midget, too," a third scout said. "Where you gonna take him? He's too short for me."
OTHERS: Doran Grant, Ohio State; Senquez Golson, Mississippi; Bobby McCain, Memphis; Steven Nelson, Oregon State; Charles Gaines, Louisville; Craig Mager, Texas State; Tye Smith, Towson; Lorenzo Doss, Tulane; Tray Walker, Texas Southern; Quandre Diggs, Texas; JaCorey Shepherd, Kansas; Nick Marshall, Auburn; Jacoby Glenn, Central Florida.
SAFETIES
1. LANDON COLLINS, Alabama (6-0, 224, 4.47, 1):Third-year junior. "He's my favorite player at Alabama the last few years," said one scout. "Outstanding defensive temperament. He's got a Raven mentality. He slipped some because people are concerned about his center-field ability. He got beat over his head against Ole Miss, and that has perpetuated this belief that maybe he can't do it. His pro-day workout was a little underwhelming. But you're not drafting him to do that. You're drafting him to mix it up, cover tight ends, control the middle between the hashes. Neither Mark Barron nor Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix) are the intimidating presence of Landon Collins. Ha Ha is a little bit more of a rangy center-field type." Two-year starter with 190 tackles (8½ for loss), five picks and 13 PBUs. "He's the best safety by default," said a second scout. "He's not special. Any other year, he wouldn't be there. He's just kind of a solid guy. Box safety." Wonderlic of 17. From New Orleans. Added a third scout: "I don't like him. Dix was a better athlete. He's physical and can run, but I worry about him in the deep part of the field."
2. DAMARIOUS RANDALL, Arizona State (5-11, 197, 4.41, 1-2): Played junior-college baseball for a year, hurt his shoulder and returned to football for two JC seasons. Started for Sun Devils at FS in 2013-'14. "He reminds me of Devin McCourty," one scout said. "Size is the hold-back. He's just not physical." Twelve months ago his weight was 187. "He reminds me a little bit of the guy the 49ers drafted last year (Jimmie Ward) at the bottom of the first," a second scout said. "People talk about it's a passing league and the box safety is growing out of style. He kind of fits in with the new wave of safeties who can cover receivers and are strong enough to play around the line of scrimmage. But sometimes he gambles a little too much and takes himself out of position." Finished with 177 tackles (15 for loss), six picks and 12 PBUs. Wonderlic of 18. "He's not a good tackler," a third scout said. "He doesn't break down. Just dives at people. Small-framed person. Small waist. Little bowlegged." From Pensacola, Fla.
3. ERIC ROWE, Utah (6-0 ½, 204, 4.41, 2): Started 33 games at FS, nine (all in 2014) at CB and three at SS. "He probably will be drafted as a corner," one scout said. "Ideally, he's a safety that drops down and plays in the slot in sub packages. Good prospect." Finished with 261 tackles (seven for loss), three picks and 34 PBUs. "He's not a man cover corner," a second scout said. "He's a straight-line guy. As a safety, he'd have to be a free. I don't see him as a strong to come up and knock you stiff, that kind of thing. He will have a very hard time playing safety if that test score (11) is true to his reading ability and decision-making ability." Most teams give more credence to a player's score the first time he takes the Wonderlic. Rowe improved markedly to 23 at the combine in his second attempt. "(Keith) McGill last year was more fluid than him," a third scout said. "He's got some stiffness. Not very quick." From Spring, Texas.
4. QUINTEN ROLLINS, Miami (Ohio) (5-11, 195, 4.54, 2-3): Amassed 391 assists and 214 steals in Oxford as a four-year point guard. He used his final year of eligibility to play football for the first time since high school in Wilmington, Ohio. Started at CB, finishing with 72 tackles (four for loss), seven picks and nine PBUs. "For a kid who was playing basketball last year, pretty impressive," one scout said. "And he'll come up and hit you, which is equally shocking because he was a basketball player. He came up and laid people out." His 40 time, however, probably was best suited for safety. "I'd move him to safety because of his ball skills and awareness," the scout continued. "I don't think he has the long speed to ever start at corner. Intriguing. Extremely raw."
5. JAQUISKI TARTT, Samford (6-1 ½, 219, 4.49, 3): Played just one year of high school football in Mobile, Ala. "He has great up side," said one scout. "When you see a guy 220-plus as a safety you automatically think the guy's going to be a hammer. He's a free safety. He's too inconsistent as a tackler. His ball skills, his range and his recognition as a one-high guy are his strengths. I just don't think he's a box guy. He's a third-round talent." Started 34 of 44 games, finishing with 277 tackles, six picks and 20 PBUs. "Work in progress," another scout said. "I think he's physical and he can run."
6. JAMES SAMPLE, Louisville (6-2, 207, 4.51, 3-4): Spent 2011-'12 at Washington, '13 at a junior college and then found a home at Louisville. Started 13 games in Calvin Pryor's old berth at FS. "Eventually he'll be a starter," one scout said. "He can cover tight ends. Very physical. It will take him a little time to learn it and understand things. The (mental) is a concern. But he got to Louisville in August and won the job three days later. So how bad can it be?" Wonderlic of 12. In his lone season for the Cardinals he registered 90 tackles (two for loss), four picks and eight PBUs. "He's a little better than I thought," a second scout said. "Kind of a hybrid type guy. He played nickel safety and corner, too. He's got cover skills and toughness about him." From Sacramento, Calif.
7. IBRAHEIM CAMPBELL, Northwestern (5-11 ½, 209, 4.53, 3-4): Helped himself with an impressive Senior Bowl week and pro day. "Kind of on the rise a little bit," one scout said. "Plays OK and tested out a little better than I thought he would." Four-year starter with 316 tackles (7½ for loss), 11 picks and 24 PBUs. "He's a very complete safety," another scout said. Wonderlic of 26. "Free agent," said a third scout. "He is (fast) if he runs in a straight line. He's stiff. Can't cover." From Philadelphia.
8. ADRIAN AMOS, Penn State (6-0 ½, 218, 4.47, 3-4): Three-year starter. "He is a former corner," one scout said. "You see that. He's got cover skills for a safety. He's not Jack Tatum but he's tough enough. Good space tackler. Really stood out in coverage in the Senior Bowl practices. He will be a starter." Finished with 149 tackles (nine for loss), seven picks and 22 PBUs. From Baltimore.
9. JOSH SHAW, Southern California (6-0 ½, 200, 4.38, 4): Spent two years at Florida before transferring. Started 18 games at CB and three at FS, finishing with 108 tackles (7½ for loss), six picks and 15 PBUs. "He's a safety," one scout said. "Can't play corner. Tight hips. He covered the slot this year and he's so stiff. He has speed and he is tough." Fabricated a story in August about rescuing his drowning nephew after leaping from a balcony and spraining both ankles. In fact, he was evading police who were called when an argument with his girlfriend got loud. He was benched after his lie to coach Steve Sarkisian was uncovered. No domestic charges were filed, and he returned to start the final three games. "So what?" said another scout when asked about the incident. "I like him as a corner." From Palmdale, Calif.
10. ANTHONY HARRIS, Virginia (6-0 ½, 184, 4.65, 4-5): Three-year starter who can direct a secondary. "He really knows how to play football," said one scout. "You could draft him late and he'll make your team. He's going to know what to do. He'll probably have a nice career because he can figure it out." Finished with 289 tackles (six for loss), 11 picks and 19 PBUs. "You worry about him a little bit in the box," the scout said. "He's willing but he's light. Looks more like a big corner. He's got no acceleration but he puts himself a step ahead because he's smart." From Chesterfield, Va.
OTHERS: Derron Smith, Fresno State; Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State; Jordan Richards, Stanford; Gerod Holliman, Louisville; Cody Prewitt, Mississippi; Justin Cox, Mississippi State; Clayton Geathers, Central Florida; Durell Eskridge, Syracuse; Dean Marlowe, James Madison; Chris Hackett, Texas Christian; Kyshoen Jarrett, Virginia Tech.