Deep class offers many choices
Miami Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly breaks down the 2018 NFL draft in a 10-part series. Ohio State’s Denzel Ward – Ward was only a one-year starter for the Buckeyes because he played behind Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley before the 2017 season. While he lacks ideal height (5-10) and has only pulled down two interceptions during his collegiate career, his 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash shows that he’s an impressive athlete.
Iowa’s Josh Jackson – Jackson allowed 41.3 percent of the passes thrown against him to be completed last season, while contributing 50 tackles and five interceptions. He has the coverage and ball skills to start right away, but would benefit from a season of watching and learning.
Louisville’s Jaire Alexander – Alexander has good size (5-11), solid speed (4.38 in the 40-yard dash), long arms, fluid hips and instincts that lead to turnovers (seven interceptions in three seasons). But he also has a thin frame and is slow to shed blocks, so he’ll need to get stronger to handle to big, physical receivers like Brandon Marshall in the NFL.
UCF’s Mike Hughes – Hughes played one season at UCF after transferring from a community college, and put up good numbers for the Golden Knights, registering 44 tackles and four interceptions. But he must be properly vetted by teams to figure out why he was forced to leave North Carolina and if he has any character issues.
LSU’s Donte Jackson – Jackson has elite athleticism and speed (4.32 in the 40-yard dash), but lacks the instincts to serve as a boundary corner, and the physicality to play inside as an NFL nickel.
Best of the Rest: FSU’s Tarvarus McFadden, Florida’s Duke Dawson, LSU’s Kevin Toliver II, Auburn’s Carlton Davis, Alabama’s Anthony Averett, Tony Brown and Levi Wallace, Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver, Boston College’s Isaac Yiadom, Texas’ Holton Hill, Stanford’s Quenton Meeks, SMU’s Jordan Wyatt and Tennessee’s Rashaan Gaulden and Kansas State’s D.J. Reed could all become immediate contributors, and possible NFL starters with a season or two of development. Class grade: B+ This draft class features two dozen cornerbacks that could make it onto an NFL team’s 53-man roster. Teams looking for more size at cornerback will have plenty of options because this class is filled with sixfooters who are athletic. The value of this cornerback class may very well be in the third day of the draft, which is where steals should be found because there are dozens of potential starters in this crop of talent. It all comes down to whether teams prefer a press corner, zone corner, a player with size or one with instincts.
Teams in Need: The Browns, Broncos, Colts, Buccaneers, Bears, 49ers, Raiders, Redskins, Cardinals, Texans, Seahawks, Chiefs, Bengals, Vikings, Patriots and Eagles all need help at cornerback. But plenty of other teams will use at least one draft pick to supplement their secondary with either a cornerback or a safety.
Dolphins’ focus: The Dolphins have three young cornerbacks in Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett and Cordrea Tankersley that have experience as starters on the boundary, and veteran nickel cornerback Bobby McCain who defends the slot well. Because of how inconsistent all four have been throughout their young careers, don’t be surprised if Miami uses an early draft pick on another cornerback. Lippett, a converted college receiver, is coming back from an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him all of last season, and McCain is entering the final year of his contract, so the Dolphins need to think about the future at this position. Finding a young cornerback better than Torry McTyer and Jordan Lucas should be the organization’s goal.