Similarly to the defensive end metrics, putting together some data on some of the top defensive backs in the draft (Ramsey, Hargreaves, Alexander, Apple and Jackson) respectively.
Measuring ProductionInterceptions per GameAt the end of the day, a corner's success may very well be measured in how many interceptions they have. For this measurement, I grabbed the amount of games a player had in their college career and divided it with their career interceptions.1. Jackson III2. Hargreaves III3. Apple4. Ramsey5. AlexanderPasses Defended per GameAlmost as important as the amount of interceptions are the passes defended. In this category, I took the career passes defended divided with their career games. 1. Jackson III2. Hargreaves III3. Apple4. Ramsey5. AlexanderCompletion PercentageThis is perhaps my personal favorite statistic, it gives an indicator to some degree how tight of coverage the player can play. Unfortunately, finding these statistics can be obscure at times for the college level but it is emerging more and more as a pro level measurement. You may find at times, that these numbers vary between sources.1. Alexander2. Ramsey3. Hargreaves III4. Apple5. Jackson III
Measuring Athletic Ability40 Yard DashWith a league filled with deep threats, having the end-game sprinting ability in imperative.1. Jackson III2. Apple3. Ramsey4. Alexander5. Hargreaves IIIVertical LeapA player's ability to elevate beyond their natural reach comes into play when defending against larger targets and high-pointing the ball1. Ramsey2. Hargreaves3. Alexander4. Apple*4. Jackson III** Did not competeBench PressOften times a corner is asked to press his receiver in man-to-man coverage schemes, having a fair amount of upper body strength could demonstrate some physical ability to handle larger receivers and reroute if necessary.1. Hargreaves III2. Ramsey3. Alexander4. Jackson III5. AppleShort ShuttleA quick shuttle can illustrate a corner's ability to cover against quicker, shiftier receivers. Ability to stop and go is imperative with NFL teams running more and more double moves.1. Hargreaves III2. Ramsey3. Alexander4. Jackson III5. Apple
Best Overall Production 1. Hargreaves III1. Jackson III3. Ramsey 3. Apple5. Alexander Best Athletic Ability1. Ramsey2. Hargreaves III3. Jackson III3. Apple 3. AlexanderBest Overall Combined1. Hargreaves III2. Jackson III2. Ramsey4. Apple 5. Alexander
Thoughts for Debate- A lot of corner backs did not participate in a lot of drills this season. If you were a GM, would this effect your draft grade of a player? Perhaps players are hiding athletic flaws by not participating?- Does a high vertical leap (Hargreaves @ 39") offset height limitations/concerns? What about a player like Alexander who is the same height but did not compete in the vertical?- William Jackson III had great production for one season at Houston whereas some prospects may have had 2-3 years of decent production at a high level (Hargreaves @ SEC, Ramsey & Alexander @ ACC and Apple @ Big 12). Should this matter for the Buccaneers at pick 9?- Have talented supporting players in defenses improved the draft stock of players like Ramsey and Apple? Is this an advantage for someone like Jackson III who was unquestionably the star of the Cougar's secondary?
Thoughts? Additions?
