Top Cornerbacks for the 2012 NFL Draft

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11. Shaun Prater, Iowa, 5’11” 180 (Senior)

Prater could stand to add a little bit of weight, but he is the prototypical Tampa 2 cornerback. He has ideal speed and athletic ability, and can make plays on the back end. He is a solid tackler and will have three years of starting going into the NFL next year, and he was one of the Iowa players who dabbled in leaving early for the draft. In my opinion it would have been foolish of him to leave early for the NFL, and 2011 will be a huge season for Prater. He needs to really step up his game and turn it on this offseason to get himself ready for the NFL.

12. Donnie Fletcher, Boston College, 6’1″ 200 (Senior)

**No scouting report yet available**

13. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State, 6’2″ 205 (RS Sophomore)

**No scouting report yet available**

14. Brandon Boykin, Georgia, 5’10” 185 (Senior)

Boykin is one of the most electric return men in the country, and while he has some growing to do at the cornerback position, he has really improved his skills over the last couple of years. In the last two seasons, he has 95 tackles, six interceptions, and his first career sack, which came in 2010. Where Boykin has made himself a household name is on special teams, where he has 72 career kick returns, four of which he has taken back for touchdowns. His three kick return touchdowns in 2009 are the best mark in school history, and while he’s slightly undersized, he is one of the fastest players in the country. Boykin elected to stay for his senior season despite considering entering the 2011 NFL Draft. Because of his speed and playmaking ability, he has potential to be a big time NFL player someday.

15. Coryell Judie, Texas A&M, 5’11” 188 (Senior)

Big time playmaker who really emerged last year as a junior with 57 tackles and four interceptions. Speedy guy with not great size but good enough to be a starter in the NFL and will probably be one of the top cornerback prospects in the country going into next season. Not only did he emerge in 2010 as a playmaker defensively, he did so on special teams as well, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. Could emerge as one of the top cover corners in the nation this fall, and I expect him to be a top 64 pick come next April barring injury. Very skilled player who is somewhat raw, but has a ton of potential.

16. Micah Hyde, Iowa, 6’1″ 185 (Junior)

Hyde has a ton of improving to do, but the potential is certainly there. It’s a bit of a stretch to put him as a cornerback in my rankings, as that might not be his NFL position (moving to safety in 2011) but he played corner the last two years at Iowa and just might do it again this year. He’s a big cornerback who is obviously very well versed in a Tampa 2 zone scheme, where he is allowed to play well off the ball and utilize his tackling ability. His coverage skills are definitely developing, and they will improve greatly as his football IQ increases. He could stand to add some weight and has the frame to do it, and you might just see him back in Iowa City for a senior season if the trial run as a safety is a success in year one.

17. Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma, 5’11” 192 (Senior)

Productive two year special teams player for the Sooners, which will be extremely valuable going to the NFL level. 27 special teams tackles over the last two seasons are the best on the team. Had an excellent junior season where he intercepted five passes to go along with 71 tackles and a sack. Really emerged as a cover corner in 2010 and should continue to improve. Not the fastest cornerback or the most imposing physical specimen, but should be a starter in the NFL.