2012 NFL Draft Projections: Ranking the 1st-Round Talent at Cornerback

Is your team in need of a cornerback? Would you like to know which cornerbacks are the most talented, or might be available for your team when you pick?

Well then, Bleacher Report reader, you've come to the right place. Let's rank the first-round talents at cornerback in this draft and project where they'll be selected.

1. Morris Claiborne, LSU

There has been talk that Claiborne is a better cover corner than his former teammate and human highlight reel, Patrick Peterson.

Claiborne will be a franchise cornerback in this league for years to come.

Projection: Fifth overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

A recent arrest for possession of marijuana will drop Kirkpatrick down the boards. But the team that takes a chance on him will be getting a corner nearly as talented as Claiborne, and for a lot less money at that.

Projection: 17th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals

3. Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

Jenkins is an enigma. He may have as much talent as any player on the board, but after being dismissed by Florida we know he has the "character issues" reputation.

It's hard to say where Jenkins would rank talent-wise if he had played this past season in the SEC. Consider the following, from Tania Ganguli of Jacksonville.com:

"

In the fall of 2010, Jenkins’ last stint playing for the Gators, he faced Julio Jones and A.J. Green, two first-round picks in last year’s draft, and held them to eight total catches for 61 yards. South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery, who is likely to be the second or third receiver taken this year, caught six passes for 53 yards on Jenkins.

"

And then, as Ganguli notes, he was arrested twice for marijuana possession and dismissed from the Florida football team. It will be interesting to see where he lands.

Projection: 27th overall to the New England Patriots

4. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

Gilmore will be the second corner off the board after Kirkpatrick's run-in with the law, and will provide the Jaguars with a much-needed upgrade at corner or could even potentially be moved to safety. Jacksonville will appreciate the versatility.

Projection: Seventh overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars 

5. Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Dennard hurt his stock at the Senior Bowl, and he'll drop to either the bottom of the first round or early in the second as the underclassmen above him shoot up the board.

Projection: 31st overall to the New York Giants

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