Who are your favorite early and mid-to-late round cornerbacks in the draft, and why?

[Logic]

Now that the meat of free agency is over with -- there will be a few more bargain signings, I'm sure, but they hay is mostly in the barn -- I'm ready to turn my attention to the draft. At this point, even if/when Beane signs a veteran CB, I fully expect the Bills to use a high pick or two on cornerbacks. It wouldn't even surprise me if they doubled up on CBs this year the way they did with EDGE and OTs last year.

I'm still learning about all of the cornerbacks as I write this. Early on, with much more reading and learning to be done, I like:


Early pick (round 1): Andrew Booth - Thick, physical, well-built. At his best in zone coverage, with good closing speed and quickness. Also has the athleticism to effectively play man when called upon. More than willing to mix it up in the run game. Aggressive tackler.
 

Mid-to-Late pick (round 3): Cam Taylor-Britt - I could copy and paste most of what I wrote about Booth. The key difference is that Taylor-Britt appears to lack the athleticism and quickness to play man coverage as effectively as Booth. Scouts say he's a bit of a side-shuffler rather than back-peddler, which likely means he's prone to getting beat by deep speed and double moves. Still, in the Frazier/McDermott defense, seems like he could more than hold his own and be a capable CB2. At worst, appears to have the size and physicality to switch to safety if he flames out at corner, though I don't think he will.

 

Who do you like at corner early? Who do you like later on? Why?

[Mij yllek]

Will everyone freak out completely if the Bills pick Daxton Hill S Michigan at #25?

 

Mid round pick - Tariq Castro-Fields CB Penn St.

[TexasTony]

There are two guys who i think are really intriguing as later round picks. Unfortunately, both seem to be shooting up the draft boards. 

 

1) Zyon McCollum CB Sam Houston State. RAS score if off the charts. been a ball hawk his entire career. 6'4 and 200lbs. 

Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State University | 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Official Highlights - Bing video

 

2) Jaylen Armour Davis CB Alabama 6'1 192 lbs. RAS about 9.5. Comes from a really good program. Sub 4.4 speed. Also, good stats. 3 picks this year in his first year as a starter at Alabama. 

“1st year starter star”Jaylen Armour Davis Alabama Highlights - Bing video

 

 

[First Round Bust]

no S at pick 25 as  I want J Williams - if gone I hope we trade down and get another second or third rounder for WR and CB or CB and WR -  as far as CB (other than character) I want the best in class:

 

SEC (top competition), long arms 32+ and the best 40 time...then comes smarts/feel for the game. tackling and hip-turn fluidity.

[gonzo1105]

Zyon McCollum is an interesting mid round CB out of Sam Houston. Good size and speed. More of a man guy in college. 

[DasNootz]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

Now that the meat of free agency is over with -- there will be a few more bargain signings, I'm sure, but they hay is mostly in the barn -- I'm ready to turn my attention to the draft. At this point, even if/when Beane signs a veteran CB, I fully expect the Bills to use a high pick or two on cornerbacks. It wouldn't even surprise me if they doubled up on CBs this year the way they did with EDGE and OTs last year.

I'm still learning about all of the cornerbacks as I write this. Early on, with much more reading and learning to be done, I like:


Early pick (round 1): Andrew Booth - Thick, physical, well-built. At his best in zone coverage, with good closing speed and quickness. Also has the athleticism to effectively play man when called upon. More than willing to mix it up in the run game. Aggressive tackler.
 

Mid-to-Late pick (round 3): Cam Taylor-Britt - I could copy and paste most of what I wrote about Booth. The key difference is that Taylor-Britt appears to lack the athleticism and quickness to play man coverage as effectively as Booth. Scouts say he's a bit of a side-shuffler rather than back-peddler, which likely means he's prone to getting beat by deep speed and double moves. Still, in the Frazier/McDermott defense, seems like he could more than hold his own and be a capable CB2. At worst, appears to have the size and physicality to switch to safety if he flames out at corner, though I don't think he will.

 

Who do you like at corner early? Who do you like later on? Why?

I think Booth is about the best case scenario if we stick with our pick and take a CB. If he's gone, Kaiir Elam is may be the next best option.  I also like Taylor-Britt if we ended up going IOL and LB/WR in the first two rounds.

Edited March 22, 2022 by DasNootz

[Mij yllek]

FYI - Safety Kyle Hamilton is expected to go in the top 10. A Safety with CB speed that can cover DB's, TE's and slot receivers is extremely valuable especially in a 4-2-5 Defense.

[GreggTX]

I honestly don't know enough about college football to predict. I do know that the front and back of a defense have to work together. If the pass rush doesn't get there, the DB's and LB's are forced to keep receivers covered longer. If the back end doesn't keep receivers covered longer, the pass rushers don't have enough time to get to the QB. We just signed Miller. Let's take full advantage of his skills and shore up the very important CB2 spot. Then let's try to shore up the craterous hole that is the right side of our OL so we can both keep Allen standing and pound the rock. I'm not saying we shouldn't draft a WR, but it's not as urgent right now and I'm fine with giving Gabe Davis a shot at a starting job. He's earned it. Let's not keep burying him on the depth chart.

 

My dark horse is Kyler Gordon, but I don't know if he'll be able to start right away.

[Jeff1954]

Thanks for this. I don’t follow college football so I will research the names.

I am thinking the Bills pick two corners, a wide receiver, two guards and a punter. Looking forward to the draft.

[OldTimer1960]

3 hours ago, Mij yllek said:

Will everyone freak out completely if the Bills pick Daxton Hill S Michigan at #25?

 

Mid round pick - Tariq Castro-Fields CB Penn St.

What would they do with Hill?  He isn’t beating out Hyde or Poyer this year and Taron Johnson is fine covering slot receivers.  Hill has no experience in covering outside receivers.

 

if they were set at Corner for this year, maybe, but I would not like this idea.

I think that Kyler Gordon may be the best CB that is left at 25.  Think he would be a decent fit. 
 

As tempting as a top WR prospect would be, I can’t see how they fill a starting CB position early in the year if White is out and the defer CB to 2nd or later. Nightmare is starting the season with Dane Jackson and Siran Neal or 2nd round (or later) rookie.  That would negate most of the expected improvements in pass rush.

[whorlnut]

4 hours ago, Logic said:

Now that the meat of free agency is over with -- there will be a few more bargain signings, I'm sure, but they hay is mostly in the barn -- I'm ready to turn my attention to the draft. At this point, even if/when Beane signs a veteran CB, I fully expect the Bills to use a high pick or two on cornerbacks. It wouldn't even surprise me if they doubled up on CBs this year the way they did with EDGE and OTs last year.

I'm still learning about all of the cornerbacks as I write this. Early on, with much more reading and learning to be done, I like:


Early pick (round 1): Andrew Booth - Thick, physical, well-built. At his best in zone coverage, with good closing speed and quickness. Also has the athleticism to effectively play man when called upon. More than willing to mix it up in the run game. Aggressive tackler.
 

Mid-to-Late pick (round 3): Cam Taylor-Britt - I could copy and paste most of what I wrote about Booth. The key difference is that Taylor-Britt appears to lack the athleticism and quickness to play man coverage as effectively as Booth. Scouts say he's a bit of a side-shuffler rather than back-peddler, which likely means he's prone to getting beat by deep speed and double moves. Still, in the Frazier/McDermott defense, seems like he could more than hold his own and be a capable CB2. At worst, appears to have the size and physicality to switch to safety if he flames out at corner, though I don't think he will.

 

Who do you like at corner early? Who do you like later on? Why?

I don’t want a first round corner, but I agree with both of these guys that you have. 

9 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

What would they do with Hill?  He isn’t beating out Hyde or Poyer this year and Taron Johnson is fine covering slot receivers.  Hill has no experience in covering outside receivers.

 

if they were set at Corner for this year, maybe, but I would not like this idea.

I think that Kyler Gordon may be the best CB that is left at 25.  Think he would be a decent fit. 
 

As tempting as a top WR prospect would be, I can’t see how they fill a starting CB position early in the year if White is out and the defer CB to 2nd or later. Nightmare is starting the season with Dane Jackson and Siran Neal or 2nd round (or later) rookie.  That would negate most of the expected improvements in pass rush.

So the only way to get a good corner is to take one in the first?  Sorry…don’t agree. McD develops DBs better than anyone in the league and you can get Taylor-Britt, Castro-Fields, Woolen, or maybe even Mccreary later and they would still be immediate upgrades at CB2. 

[Logic]

41 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

I don’t want a first round corner, but I agree with both of these guys that you have. 

 

I agree. I'd prefer a WR, personally.

I'm just sort of resigning myself to a 1st round CB. Hopefully I'm wrong. I, like you, think that McDermott's scheme and his coach-em-up ability with DBs mean he can get a CB in rounds 2-5 who can very capably start -- and excel -- at CB2.

[Bill from NYC]

See my post in the college football page.

49 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

I don’t want a first round corner,

 

Thank you!

[OldTimer1960]

1 hour ago, whorlnut said:

I don’t want a first round corner, but I agree with both of these guys that you have. 

So the only way to get a good corner is to take one in the first?  Sorry…don’t agree. McD develops DBs better than anyone in the league and you can get Taylor-Britt, Castro-Fields, Woolen, or maybe even Mccreary later and they would still be immediate upgrades at CB2. 

Problem is that it is likely that the rookie will have play a lot early - or Siran Neal will.  I just expect White to miss the first part of the season and I don’t want to see Jackson and a 2nd/3rd round rookie or Neal lining up as starters.  They don’t have time to “develop” a 2nd or later round rookie.  Someone has to play the first month or two if White is out.

[Rock-A-Bye Beasley]

I want speed that McDermott can coach up. Tariq Woolen or Kalon Barnes. I also like Taylor-Britt and Taylor-Stuart from USC. 

[Motor26]

2 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

What would they do with Hill?  He isn’t beating out Hyde or Poyer this year and Taron Johnson is fine covering slot receivers.  Hill has no experience in covering outside receivers.

 

if they were set at Corner for this year, maybe, but I would not like this idea.

I think that Kyler Gordon may be the best CB that is left at 25.  Think he would be a decent fit. 
 

As tempting as a top WR prospect would be, I can’t see how they fill a starting CB position early in the year if White is out and the defer CB to 2nd or later. Nightmare is starting the season with Dane Jackson and Siran Neal or 2nd round (or later) rookie.  That would negate most of the expected improvements in pass rush.

I’ve read some stuff about scouts wanting to make Hill a full time corner. 
 

First round corner I’d want Elam or Booth.

 

Mid round CB Josh Williams from Fayetteville State.

[qwksilver]

Thanks @Logic was going to post something very similar. I think there is a decent chance if we don't sign a vet, that we draft 2. I would like to hear some of the ideas from people that watch tons of film. Especially on Booth vs Elam and mid round CBs (3rd &4th) rounders.

[gonzo1105]

2 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

What would they do with Hill?  He isn’t beating out Hyde or Poyer this year and Taron Johnson is fine covering slot receivers.  Hill has no experience in covering outside receivers.

 

if they were set at Corner for this year, maybe, but I would not like this idea.

I think that Kyler Gordon may be the best CB that is left at 25.  Think he would be a decent fit. 
 

As tempting as a top WR prospect would be, I can’t see how they fill a starting CB position early in the year if White is out and the defer CB to 2nd or later. Nightmare is starting the season with Dane Jackson and Siran Neal or 2nd round (or later) rookie.  That would negate most of the expected improvements in pass rush.

i mean if you wanna get technical, safety is a need. Maybe not on the surface but Poyer and Hyde aren’t spring chickens. Eventually they’ll have to be replaced. A safety like Hill could play in 3 safety looks and cover backs and TEs. I’m not advocating for it just can see his point of not overlooking a safety higher in the draft 

[RocCityRoller]

2 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

What would they do with Hill?  He isn’t beating out Hyde or Poyer this year and Taron Johnson is fine covering slot receivers.  Hill has no experience in covering outside receivers.

 

if they were set at Corner for this year, maybe, but I would not like this idea.

I think that Kyler Gordon may be the best CB that is left at 25.  Think he would be a decent fit. 
 

As tempting as a top WR prospect would be, I can’t see how they fill a starting CB position early in the year if White is out and the defer CB to 2nd or later. Nightmare is starting the season with Dane Jackson and Siran Neal or 2nd round (or later) rookie.  That would negate most of the expected improvements in pass rush.

 

Jordan Poyer is 30 and a UFA after this year

 

Mich Hyde is 31 and is a FA after 2023 (void years now go out until 2026!)

 

May be wise to find a cheap and productive player to groom with these S

[TBBills]

I like that one guy the Bills are going to take.

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

This might be cheating since he's projected as a lb in the NFL, but JoJo Domann from Nebraska is intriguing. He played a lot as a big nickel, and he can cover like a safety and tackle like a linebacker.

 

I think he can be a big upgrade over Siran Neal and replace Klein in the 4-3

[Logic]

15 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

i mean if you wanna get technical, safety is a need. Maybe not on the surface but Poyer and Hyde aren’t spring chickens. Eventually they’ll have to be replaced. A safety like Hill could play in 3 safety looks and cover backs and TEs. I’m not advocating for it just can see his point of not overlooking a safety higher in the draft 

 

12 minutes ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

Jordan Poyer is 30 and a UFA after this year

 

Mich Hyde is 31 and is a FA after 2023 (void years now go out until 2026!)

 

May be wise to find a cheap and productive player to groom with these S

 

I think they already have two safeties on the roster that they like and are grooming behind Po and Hyde: Damar Hamlin and Jaquan Johnson.

I also think they like practice squad guy Josh Thomas quite a bit. Could they draft a safety? Sure. But I think they have a five-deep depth chart that they like there as it is.

[Floydboy12]

If given my choice of corners I’d go with Gardner. But he’s not gonna be there. Mid to late round guys I think might be worth a shot are Kalon Barnes - Baylor and Matt Hankins - Iowa. I’d prefer they got one of the stud receivers or other offensive weapon in round one. 

[TC in St. Louis]

I want them to draft Tariq Woolen.  He's 6'4" and ran 4.26 at the combine.  He just made Joe Marino's top 50.  Somebody can coach him up.  Go the thedraftnetwork.com and read his profile.  Kid's an athletic freak.  

[Lost]

2 hours ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

Jordan Poyer is 30 and a UFA after this year

 

Mich Hyde is 31 and is a FA after 2023 (void years now go out until 2026!)

 

May be wise to find a cheap and productive player to groom with these S

 

Was just about to post this.  I really like the looks of this guy from his highlights.  Some draft boards have him going as low as mid 3rd round.   I think he's an absolute steal at that level.  I'd be happy to get him in the 2nd.

[Richard Noggin]

7 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

What would they do with Hill?  He isn’t beating out Hyde or Poyer this year and Taron Johnson is fine covering slot receivers.  Hill has no experience in covering outside receivers.

 

if they were set at Corner for this year, maybe, but I would not like this idea.

IF the Bills truly entered the 2022 draft with no glaring holes (which doesn't look likely), then drafting a high-end safety prospect could make long-term sense. The cap situation would be helped considerably by moving forward in 2023 with only ONE big veteran safety contract (the Bills must be near the top of the league in cap allocation for safeties). 

 

Couple factors that convincingly, for me, counter this approach (of drafting a replacement for either Poyer or Hyde): the Bills have already drafted and begun developing Jaquan Johnson and Damar Hamlin, who each have some promise. Also, if McD is at all guilty of sticking with "his" guys too long, then for sure he will not easily part with either of the two safeties (his own college position, of course) that he seemingly personally targeted and signed before he even had his own GM in place. 

 

 

Edited March 23, 2022 by Richard Noggin

[HappyDays]

I'm trying to not get my hopes up that Booth makes it to 25. Perfect fit for our defense and fills our biggest need. Everything I've seen on him tells me he is a top 10 worthy talent, but for some reason there a few mocks that have him dropping to our pick. No question in my mind he'll be the pick if still on the board. I just don't know why he would fall that far. Then again Tre'Davious White did.

[OldTimer1960]

12 hours ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

Jordan Poyer is 30 and a UFA after this year

 

Mich Hyde is 31 and is a FA after 2023 (void years now go out until 2026!)

 

May be wise to find a cheap and productive player to groom with these S

I don’t disagree with that at all.  My concern is that there is nobody to play CB this year.  Counting on a developmental prospect to play a lot early with White likely out is a daunting proposition.  It would be shaky even with a first round corner who has plenty of experience in a major conference,, but worse if you are counting on a raw small school prospect.  Again, if they sign a decent vet, then I could see passing on CB in round one and taking one in the 2nd.

[RocCityRoller]

On 3/23/2022 at 9:06 AM, OldTimer1960 said:

I don’t disagree with that at all.  My concern is that there is nobody to play CB this year.  Counting on a developmental prospect to play a lot early with White likely out is a daunting proposition.  It would be shaky even with a first round corner who has plenty of experience in a major conference,, but worse if you are counting on a raw small school prospect.  Again, if they sign a decent vet, then I could see passing on CB in round one and taking one in the 2nd.

 

Oh I am in that camp and have been all along. CB is the biggest need now

[Sierra Foothills]

Cornerback-wise I was totally onboard with the Bills drafting Eric Stokes last year. He went the pick before we took Rousseau. I watched the video and loved the player. It was a deep CB draft with Horn, Surtain, Farley, and Newsome taken in the first round ahead of him. I had Stokes as my 3rd CB though he went 5th. It'll be interesting to see how the careers play out.

 

As for this year I've only started watching the prospects and the only CB I've watched so far is Trent McDuffie because I've seen him associated with the Bills in some mock drafts.

 

If he was available in the 2nd round I wouldn't hate the selection depending on who was still available. He's a very similar player to Antoine Winfield... extremely good tackler, very instinctive. The jury is out on him as far as being a ball athlete. He wasn't thrown at much so he didn't get a lot of ball opportunities.

 

That said McDuffie is a really good football player. He's a bit short but is thickly built and quite physical. He's a rugged, physical downhill player who attacks the run and that makes me think he could slide to safety if/when the Poyer/Hyde team ages out.

 

Not sure he fits the Bills physical profile though. My next viewing will be McDuffie's teammate Kyler Gordon.

[The Jokeman]

I really like the reports o read about Kyler Gordon. I know some worry with his forty but he ran in 4.5 range which not super slow like Levi Wallace's 4.6. He should be available at our top pick but wouldn't risk waiting til Round 2. Ideally we could trade down and get him early Round 2 and get another mid rounder in the move.

 

If we wait for Round 4 Alontae Taylor feels like a guy that needs a little grooming but has good size/speed but needs to work on his tackling a bit. 

Edited March 25, 2022 by The Jokeman

[Sierra Foothills]

On 3/24/2022 at 7:13 PM, Sierra Foothills said:

That said McDuffie is a really good football player. He's a bit short but is thickly built and quite physical. He's a rugged, physical downhill player who attacks the run and that makes me think he could slide to safety if/when the Poyer/Hyde team ages out.

 

Not sure he fits the Bills physical profile though. My next viewing will be McDuffie's teammate Kyler Gordon.

 

Kyler Gordon is Trent McDuffie's teammate at U-Dub. I compared McDuffie to Antoine Winfield and I'll extend that comparison to Gordon reminding me of Winfield's old teammate Nate Clements.

 

Gordon is not as good an athlete as Clements (who is?) but has a similar profile as an exceptional blend of size, strength, and speed. Gordon was expected by many to blow up the combine drills but he ran only the 40 in a somewhat disappointing 4.52 and skipped the other drills. At the combine his heavily muscled frame was obvious and made me think that he would benefit from losing weight and playing leaner. He measured just under 6' and weighed 195 pounds and looked above his fighting weight to me.

 

Still the game tape shows explosive quickness and excellent game speed. He seems to play well in both zone and man and with good coaching (a given with McFrazier) and pro training I think Gordon's ceiling is pretty high.

 

Unlike most I would be good with Gordon at #25 and I like him ahead of McDuffie because I believe he has a higher ceiling, if a lower floor.

 

 

[GunnerBill]

Early (round 1):

 

Andrew Booth, Clemson: He is my #4 player in the entire draft. His instincts are exceptional, his movements smooth and fluid, he shadows receiver routes as well as any corner I have evaluated with the exception of Jalen Ramsey and his feet are sudden and fast. The only knocks on him are experience and concerns that his tackling occasionally is hyper aggressive and if he misses he can give up plays. 

 

Mid (round 3):

 

Alontae Taylor, Tennessee: Has the length, size, speed combination that you look for, can get aggressive at the point of attack, good anticipation in zone and has decent ball skills. The knock on him is he does occasionally give up outside leverage where he should be channeling plays inside into the coverage scheme and it results in receivers blowing by him too often. That is correctable though. 

 

Late (rounds 6/7):

 

Jaylen Watson, Washington State: Love the length, the core strength, the competitiveness at the point of the catch and the straight line speed. What I like less is the slow ponderous change of direction and that allows good route runners to work him. But I think as a #2 outside corner in a zone scheme where you to tell him to keep the game in front of him and then rally and tackle I think he could be a productive starter.

[GunnerBill]

On 3/23/2022 at 2:53 AM, TC in St. Louis said:

I want them to draft Tariq Woolen.  He's 6'4" and ran 4.26 at the combine.  He just made Joe Marino's top 50.  Somebody can coach him up.  Go the thedraftnetwork.com and read his profile.  Kid's an athletic freak.  

 

He is and I loved him at the Senior Bowl. He was one of those "pop" guys that jumped off the screen. My concern with him is now people have gone slightly crazy. Top 50 player? I mean the tape just doesn't support that. 2nd round pick? Not for me. When I thought he was a late 3rd / early 4th I thought that he was a swing worth taking. But I think people have got a bit carried away. He needs a lot of coaching up, even though I agree the ceiling is sky high. 

[GunnerBill]

On 3/26/2022 at 10:09 AM, Sierra Foothills said:

Unlike most I would be good with Gordon at #25 and I like him ahead of McDuffie because I believe he has a higher ceiling, if a lower floor.

 

I agree I'd be fine with Gordon at #25. Personally I think he has a higher ceiling and higher floor than McDuffie. I just think he is a better player. He is the 23rd overall player on my board. 

[GunnerBill]

On 3/23/2022 at 4:11 AM, HappyDays said:

I'm trying to not get my hopes up that Booth makes it to 25. Perfect fit for our defense and fills our biggest need. Everything I've seen on him tells me he is a top 10 worthy talent, but for some reason there a few mocks that have him dropping to our pick. No question in my mind he'll be the pick if still on the board. I just don't know why he would fall that far. Then again Tre'Davious White did.

 

And while I don't love pro comparisons because every player is unique I can't help but see Tre White when I watch Booth's film. 

[LyndonvilleBill]

I like Gordon in the 1st. But if they go WR, I like Woolen in the 2nd.

 

Late swing, 7th or UDFA Josh Thomson out of Texas. Decent speed 4.43, mainly a zone corner though,  but could play safety.