2020 NFL Draft
Cornerbacks
Which 2020 cornerback prospect has the best traits?
Speed
Ed Hunt: CJ Henderson (Florida)
Alex Khvatov: Jeff Gladney (TCU)
Ball Skills
Ed Hunt: AJ Terrell (Clemson)
Alex Khvatov: Amik Robertson (Louisiana Tech)
Instincts
Ed Hunt: Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Alex Khvatov: Jeff Gladney (TCU)
Versus Man Coverage
Ed Hunt: Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)
Alex Khvatov: CJ Henderson (Florida)
Versus Zone Coverage
Ed Hunt: Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Alex Khvatov: Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Run Support
Ed Hunt: Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Alex Khvatov: Dane Jackson (Pitt)
Size
Ed Hunt: Trevon Diggs (Alabama)
Alex Khvatov: Lamar Jackson (Nebraska)
Athleticism
Ed Hunt: CJ Henderson (Florida)
Alex Khvatov: Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)
Feet
Ed Hunt: Jeff Okudah (Ohio State)
Alex Khvatov: Jeff Gladney (TCU)
Change of Direction Skills
Ed Hunt: Myles Bryant (Washington)
Alex Khvatov: A.J. Terrell (Clemson)
5 Burning Questions
Jeff Okudah (Ohio State) seems to be the consensus No.1 cornerback on the board. Who is your No.2 CB in this draft?
Alex Khvatov: I am going to surprise a lot of people, but I have Okudah as my No.2 corner on the board. He has the size, long arms, speed and athleticism. But he displays average instincts and struggles with route anticipation. He also needs to improve his press man technique. He has great upside, but he can’t be mentioned in the same sentence as Jalen Ramsey or Patrick Peterson when they were coming out of college. In my opinion, the best corner in this draft is CJ Henderson from Florida.
Ed Hunt: My #2 is CJ Henderson. He is the most athletic corner in this draft with great speed. He also showed he can stay in phase in coverage in the SEC. He is fast, but also has 6’1 height. I also like his physicality in coverage. This combination will make him a great NFL corner.
How many corners will get drafted in the first round?
Alex Khvatov: Three cornerbacks will be selected in the first round. They are Jeff Okudah (Ohio State), CJ Henderson (Florida) and Kristian Fulton (LSU). All three of these prospects offer great potential at the next level.
Ed Hunt: There are five guys that are first-round worthy. Jeff Okudah is most people’s number one. CJ Henderson is my number 2 and should safely be a first rounder. Kristian Fulton continues the tradition of great NFL corners and I think he has learned from his mistake. A.J. Terrell has played a part in Clemson’s success and should be a first-rounder. I also think Jeff Gladney sneaks into the first-round.
Who is a day three CB that you would pound the table for?
Alex Khvatov: There are actually two slot corners that I am a big fan of. Both of these guys should be off the board early on day three. LA Tech Amik Robertson is a feisty, physical corner. He plays much bigger than his size. His instincts and ball skills are outstanding. Also, Auburn Javaris Davis is a very physical player. He is a good wrap up tackler. He has outstanding closing speed and quick feet. He anticipates routes and shows good awareness.
Ed Hunt: I love Nevelle Clarke’s tape. He stays in phase in coverage, opens his hips on time on deep routes, has very good ball skills, has good awareness in zone, and he is a great tackler. This is a sleeper, I really like. He also doesn’t seem like a trouble-maker off the field. This is a guy I can wait until day three to get, but I would be very happy with the pick in the fifth-round.
Who is the most overrated corner in this entire draft?
Alex Khvatov: Nebraska corner Lamar Jackson is intriguing because of his great size and long arms. But he has average speed and struggles changing directions. He displays questionable instincts. He is an average run defender and lacks effort in that department. He also needs to develop a more effective jam in press coverage.
Ed Hunt: Going back to the tape on Jaylon Johnson, I am not impressed. He played a soft zone type of coverage at Utah and I don’t think he showed great instincts. He also didn’t stand out in man coverage. In a passing league, I don’t know why I would take this guy.
How would you rate this overall CB class?
Alex Khvatov: Aside from the WR class and the run on offensive tackles in the first round that we all envision; this cornerback class is a deep group. There are some intriguing prospects at the position. The run on cornerbacks will take place on day two of the NFL Draft. I would give it a solid B grade.
Ed Hunt: This is a very good cornerback class. It is top heavy with guys like Okudah and CJ Henderson and back end guys like Nevelle Clarke and Noah Igbinoghene. Anywhere you look to draft a corner, you will find good value.
