*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Cornerback Emerging as a Strength for the 2018 NFL Draft
Updated Jan. 8, 2018By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
In every NFL Draft, there are some positions that are especially strong with good values for NFL teams extending into the second and third days. Team sources, based on some recent declarations for the 2018 NFL Draft, say that cornerback has emerged as a position of strength and will yield some good values for teams.
In speaking to sources at multiple teams, they see some good values on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft. Iowa’s Joshua Jackson, Ohio State’s Denzel Ward, Auburn’s Carlton Davis, LSU’s Donte Jackson and Central Florida’s Mike Hughes were all named as players possessing first-round potential. As one can expect, there was a big variety in that group, with some team sources thinking Davis, Jackson or Hughes didn’t belong in the first round, while others thought they could go on the opening night of the 2018 NFL Draft. Some members of that group of corners might slip to Day 2, but even after them, there are a number of prospects who could be selected on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft.
“There is some impressive depth into the second and third day of the draft,” said a NFC director of college scouting. “J.C. Jackson – Maryland -, Isaiah Oliver – Colorado -, Anthony Averett – Alabama – are all second-day guys with starting potential. Duke Dawson could be a later Day 2 pick. Nick Nelson – Wisconsin – could get pushed into Day 2. There are varying opinions on him. Adonis Alexander could be in that group, but I’m hearing he’s going to return to [Virginia Tech] next year. There also could be some workout warriors that move themselves up. Christian Campbell – Penn State – could work out well and push himself into Day 2. His timed speed is really fast, and word is he will work out really well. He might be this year’s Shaq Griffin.” In last year’s draft, there was a run on defensive backs, with many safeties and cornerbacks coming off the board in the second and third round. That pattern could repeat itself in the 2018 NFL Draft given the deep and talented group of second-day quality corners.
