2014 NFL Draft: Updated Cornerback Rankings with Draft Grades

It has been a real treat to study and break down this 2014 group of cornerbacks. It's become evident that the cornerback position has evolved. The best athletes on these teams are finding their place to the defensive secondary.

Going over this list, you see lots of very similar body types. These long, lean athletes are the physical ideal for the NFL, as everyone seems to just be getting bigger, faster and stronger every year. And those who don't quite match that ideal make up for it with great technique and work ethic.

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If your favorite team is looking for a cornerback in this draft, it is going to have its pick; whether it's in the first round or the sixth round, there is going to be talent to be had. Not every one of these players is prepared to step on the field and contribute as a rookie.

However, most of them have those characteristics that even great coaches can't help them with. Whether it's the size or just how fluid they are athletically, this group makes defensive coordinators swoon.

While there is no consensus top cornerback in this class, the top for these rankings is Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert. Gilbert's got a combination of size and speed that no other cornerback in this class can quite match.

His ability to play off man is elite among this group, and he is exceptional at using his body without getting himself in trouble. He's got long arms and excellent hands, and does a nice job of tracking the football in the air.

Gilbert exudes confidence, and the Oklahoma State program understood it. It was rare to see Gilbert with deep safety help, and although he isn't the most physical corner in this draft, he never backed down from a challenge.

Moving to that middle-round player who is a notch below Gilbert but still with a high ceiling, we have Florida State cornerback Lamarcus Joyner. Joyner is significant because physically he is the antithesis of what Gilbert is. At only 5'8", Joyner doesn't have the physical advantage of some other corners.

Where Joyner more than makes up for it is with correct technique, exceptional athleticism and a natural knack for the position. Whether it is cornerback or safety, there's little doubt that Joyner is just too good of a football player to keep off the field.

Moving to the third day of the draft, there are some really nice developmental prospects to be had. One in particular who stands out is Phillip Gaines of Rice. 

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Gaines has terrific size for the position, and while he is long, he plays a very compact game, especially on short and intermediate routes. He's got a nice back pedal, and this allows him to cover a lot of field quickly on inside routes. This would be particularly useful as a nickel cornerback on the slot.

Gaines is fast but doesn't always show it as a boundary corner. At the next level, he is going to have to learn to flip those hips open better so as not to lose ground on outside wide receivers.

All in all, this is a deep and talented group. While this is a list of 24 draftable players, don't be shocked if it is updated to close to 30 as the offseason progresses.

Rank	Name	School	Height	Weight	Grade
1	Justin GIlbert	Oklahoma State	6'0"	200lbs	1st
2	Jason Verrett	TCU	5'10"	176lbs	1st
3	Bradley Roby	Ohio State	5'11"	192lbs	2nd
4	Darqueze Dennard	Michigan State	5'11	197lbs	2nd
5	Kyle Fuller	Virginia Tech	6'0"	194lbs	2nd
6	Jaylen Watkins	Florida	6'0"	195lbs	2nd
7	Marcus Roberson	Florida	6'0"	194lbs	2nd
8	Stanley Jean-Baptiste	Nebraska	6'3"	215lbs	2nd
9	Pierre Desir	Lindenwood	6'1"	195lbs	3rd
10	Lamarcus Joyner	Florida State	5'8"	190lbs	3rd
11	Loucheiz Purifoy	Florida	6'0"	190lbs	3rd
12	E.J. Gaines	Missouri	5'10"	195lbs	4th
13	Keith McGill	Utah	6'3"	214lbs	4th
14	Antone Exum	Virginia Tech	6'0"	220lbs	4th
15	Bashaud Breeland	Clemson	6'0"	185lbs	4th
16	Victor Hampton	South Carolina	5'10"	202lbs	5th
17	Ross Cockrell	Duke	6'0"	183lbs	5th
18	Chris Davis	Auburn	5'10"	201lbs	5th
19	Terrance Mitchell	Oregon	6'10"	190lbs	5th
20	Ricardo Allen	Purdue	5'9"	187lbs	6th
21	Aaron Colvin	Oklahoma	6'0"	186lbs	6th
22	Dexter McDougle	Maryland	5'10"	195lbs	7th
23	Phillip Gaines	Rice	6'1"	195lbs	7th
24	Andre Hal	Vanderbilt	5'11"	190lbs	7th