2019 NFL Draft: Top defensive players at each position

Cornerback #2: DeAndre Baker, UGA

I repeat. I know that the measurables at the combine in Indianapolis are no more important for any other position other than cornerback in terms of predicting success at the next level. But if there were ever a year to buck the trend, this would be the draft class.

DeAndre Baker hasn’t allowed a touchdown in coverage since the fall of 2017, and he’s truly the only top available corner that spent the majority of his time in college locked down in press man coverage.

The hardest part of evaluating cornerbacks at the collegiate level in today’s game is the fact that everyone plays cover-3 press bail. Meaning, the majority of corners at the college level give a great initial press, then their responsibilities end with dropping for deep thirds coverage.

What does that mean for evaluators? It means when you find a corner that can play press coverage, draping receivers throughout the stem of their route and compete in the run game, you draft him. Baker is that prospect.