2012 NFL Draft: Projected Destinations for Meathead Cornerbacks

In today's pass-happy National Football League, the cornerback position carries quite the premium as defensive coordinators throughout the NFL attempt to slow the assault on the record books being staged by opposing quarterbacks.

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis, and on Saturday, February 25th the defensive backs will arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium to be measured, examined and put through the paces by scouts and coaches from all over the league, many of whom will probably look to bolster their defensive backfields in April's NFL draft.

However, the interviews at the combine are also a very important part of evaluating a player, especially if that player has a checkered past, such as the trio of cornerbacks listed here.

Cliff Harris, Oregon

2011 was an absolute nightmare for Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris, as the 2010 All-American was suspended, saw little playing time upon his return to action and was finally dismissed from the team in December for "a violation of team rules."

During the traffic stop (in which Harris was clocked driving 118 MPH) an Oregon State Police cruiser's dashboard camera captured this sterling display of character on camera.

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Patrolman: “Who’s got the marijuana in the car?”
Harris: "We smoked it all."

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Harris is undoubtedly going to have some serious explaining to do in Indianapolis, but if he can convince pro scouts that he's cleaned up his act, then some team will almost certainly take a flier on the 5'11", 165-pounder, given his exceptional speed and coverage skills.

Projected Destination: Oakland Raiders, fifth round

Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

Yet another cornerback done in by his alleged love of sticky icky, Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama was a standout cornerback for the Florida Gators before being booted off the team in April for multiple marijuana arrests.  

Physical talent has never been an issue for the 5'10", 177-pound Jenkins, as Jacksonville Jaguars director of player personnel Terry McDonough reiterated while watching Jenkins work out at last month's Senior Bowl.

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He’s very athletic, explosive. You look at his lower body, he’s very explosive in his lower body; he’s not a small guy by any means. He’s been covering these guys all week; he’s stood out. He’s a first-round pick.

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If Jenkins can assure coaches and scouts that pot is limited to his past, and that may very well be the case, and the Dallas Cowboys—who have been known to gamble on players with character concerns and who have a desperate need at cornerback—seem like a logical fit.

Projected Destination: Dallas Cowboys, first round

Trumaine Johnson, Montana

One of the more talked-about small-school prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft has been Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson, as the 6'2", 205-pound three-time all Big Sky Conference performer has a tantalizing blend of size, speed and athleticism.

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock is among Johnson's admirers, although he quantified that by explaining that Johnson may have a position switch in his near future in a recent conference call with the media.

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Trumaine Johnson from Montana, he’s a looong, physical corner. Is he a corner or a safety? He might be Malcolm Jenkins.

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Not only will Johnson have to answer questions about that and the level of competition he faced while at Montana in interviews, but there's also the small matter of his October arrest at a party where Johnson was reportedly tased by police.

Johnson's draft stock is very much in flux right now, and how he responds at the combine, both physically in workouts and mentally in interviews, will go a long way towards stabilizing it.

Projected Destination: St. Louis Rams, fourth round

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