Teams searching for help in the secondary have a deep talent pool in which to dive.
Led by Waynes, as many as seven defensive backs could go early on
The rise of talented, pro-ready wide receivers available in the NFL draft has been paralleled by an abundance of strong, speedy cornerbacks in recent years.
The trend continues in 2015.
Michigan State’s Trae Waynes, Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson, Connecticut’s Byron Jones and Washington’s Marcus Peters lead another deep class of corners. As many as seven defensive backs could be taken before the first round is complete.
Texans mull options
Heading into the February scouting combine at Indianapolis, Waynes was generally considered to be the top corner available.
After the combine and the Spartans’ pro day, any remaining discussion had been silenced. Barring an unexpected draft-day slide, the 6-foot, 186-pound redshirt junior will be the first corner taken April 30 and could be off the board by pick No. 10.
Waynes excels in a press man-to-man attack, benched 225 pounds 19 times in Indy and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds. He was intentionally isolated at Michigan State, allowing only two touchdowns during the last two seasons and preparing himself for the one-on-one matchups that define pro lockdown corners.
Waynes isn’t likely to be available when the Texans make their first pick at No. 16. Johnson, Jones and Peters could be, though, leaving the organization with an interesting decision if the team’s desired firstround linebackers and edge rushers are already gone.
The Texans re-signed cornerback Kareem Jackson to a four-year, $34 million deal this offseason. But top corner Johnathan Joseph is 31 and entering the last year of his contract, while the team is still determining whether D.J. Swearinger (No. 57 in 2013) can hold down the strong safety spot long term. The Texans could have three draftable corner options to eventually replace Joseph or make a strong move for Alabama’s Landon Collins, a 6-foot, 228-pound junior who is the lone safety slotted in the first round.
“Wherever I get drafted, I get drafted,” Collins said. “I’m going to have to work my tail off to take somebody’s spot or gain a spot.”
Peters is the most intriguing yet unpredictable option. He didn’t shine athletically at the combine and was .22 seconds slower than Waynes in the 40. The 6-foot, 197-pound redshirt junior was also shadowed by controversy as a Huskie and spent the majority of his media interview in Indy explaining away past problems.
Peters: risk vs. reward
“I live and I learn from it, you know?” Peters said. “There are going to be things that isn’t going to go right. But I went through one of the worst things that could happen to me in life: I got kicked off my team. I wasn’t able to finish out my college career with my teammates, and I own up to that and I man up to that and I just move forward.’’
But if Peters matures as a pro and maximizes his potential, he could be a first-round steal for a team in need of a new, young corner — one who can eventually match up against the elite, young receivers flooding the league.
“I don’t guarantee anything,” Peters said. “Everyone makes mistakes. All I tell them is that I’ve matured from the decisions I made in the past, and I’m moving forward.’’