2016 NFL Draft: Early Top 5 Cornerback Rankings

Apr 11, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain talks with defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) during the second half at the Orange and Blue Debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Orange defeated Blue 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NFL Draft is a long ways away but it is never to early to start the scouting process here at NFL Mocks. One of the deeper groups in this class is the cornerback position. In a league where passing the football has taken over, cornerbacks are needed more then ever and the potential 2016 defensive back class is here to save the day. Defensive backs that are drafted in the first few rounds are now expected to come in and play immediately.

This class of corners is as talented as its ever been and it’s coming at the right time. Solid NFL cornerbacks are needed on every team no matter what the circumstances are. I ranked these cornerbacks based on draft eligibility and ignored whether or not I think they will declare. This is just a early top 5 list and is subject to change obviously as the year goes on. Let’s start at the consensus #1 among most NFL draft evaluators.

Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

If you have followed any type of draft coverage for this upcoming year Vernon Hargreaves should not be a shock to you. Where should I begin? First off, his man coverage skills are elite and some of the best you will see on a college defensive back prospect. Other then one play against Amari Cooper I have not seen anybody get the best of VH3. Everything a top cornerback prospect should posses VH3 has and does very well. He constantly stays at the receivers hip at all times and has incredible speed when breaking back to the ball on off coverage. He has exceptional leaping ability to break up jump balls and has the speed to keep up with anybody. He is a freak athlete on the field who can literally do it all. He plays much bigger then his 5’11 height indicates, he can cover and keep up with anybody in front of him.

If you have not watched Hargreaves play football you are missing out, Draftbreakdown.com has only two VH3 films but if you search on youtube.com you will be able to find full Florida games. He is one of my favorite prospects in this class, he is a bonafide lock down cornerback at the next level who should hear his named called in the top seven of the draft. Hargreaves has been dominating SEC receivers since he was a freshman and this year should be no different. He is a special talent.

Next: #2