SIZING UP THE DEFENSIVE BACKS
TOP PROSPECTS
Player/Pos. Ht./Wt. 40 time School Jamal Adams, S 6-0, 214 4.56 LSU
He is the most qualified defensive back to be the first one drafted. He has excellent size and good speed. He can play close to the line of scrimmage or as the last line of defense. He is a hard hitter who plays with passion. Excelled against outstanding receivers.
Marshon Lattimore, CB 6-0, 193 4.36 Ohio St.
Loaded with talent and outstanding speed. He has battled hamstring issues that caused him to miss a lot of time. That worries some scouts. He has all the ability necessary to excel but lacks experience and has to overcome the hamstring problem. Should go high in the first round.
Malik Hooker, S 6-1, 206 4.47 Ohio St.
He has good size and exceptional speed for a free safety. Is coming off shoulder surgery. Was superb when he was able to start. Covers a lot of ground and arrives with a purpose. Will go in the first round.
Jabrill Peppers, S 5-11, 213 4.46 Michigan
He might have been the most versatile defender in college football. He played safety and linebacker. Also can return. He worked at linebacker and safety at the combine and assured everyone he is a safety. He lacks height, but that hasn’t impacted his performance. Should go in first round.
Tre’Davious White, CB 5-11, 192 4.47 LSU
Scouts like the way he has excelled outside and inside. He has the speed and toughness to run with the big receivers outside. He has the quickness and instincts to cover slot receivers. Could go in the first round.
Gareon Conley, CB 6-0, 195 4.44 Ohio St.
He is the Buckeyes’ corner who is not getting all the attention. That distinction belongs to Marshon Lattimore. Conley started the last two seasons. He played well in press coverage, doing a good job of jamming his man and turning and running with him. Could go in the first round.
Marlon Humphrey, CB 6-0, 197 4.41 Alabama
He made a lot of big plays for a big-time program. Has good size and speed. Needs a lot of work in press coverage. He might be better in a zone scheme. Plays hard against the run. Could go in the first round.
Brendan Langley, CB 6-0, 201 4.43 Lamar
A senior who got a chance to showcase his talent at the Senior Bowl and combine. A Georgia transfer who played cornerback and wide receiver before switching back to corner. Also returns punts. Has good size and speed. Needs to improve technique but he is a hard worker. Could go in the fourth or fifth round.
TEXANS’ NEEDS
After losing A.J. Bouye and Quintin Demps in free agency, cornerback and safety are priority positions. Because this draft is so deep at defensive back, they might fill their needs after the first two rounds. They have Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson return, and they have Kevin Johnson, the first-round pick in 2015, returning from an injury. But they never can have enough corners. And they need to add a safety with speed, range and hitting ability.