Best Scheme Fits for NFL Draft's Top Cornerbacks
What ultimately leads to a successful NFL career is a blend of talent, scheme fit and hard work by the player and staff. Every player may not fit all 32 situations, and this is especially true for cornerbacks. Matching cornerbacks with their best scheme fit will maximize their skill set and effectiveness.
The 2016 cornerback class is deep with quality players who must land in a specific situation to squeeze the most out of their talent. Using CBS Sports’ cornerback rankings, we’ll identify and explain which scheme fits each cornerback projected to be drafted in the first two rounds. These six players have the potential to be impact rookies and develop into long-term studs at a difficult position.
Let’s jump in and look at the ideal landing spots for these individuals. Don’t forget to leave your draft predictions in the comments section below.
Vernon Hargreaves III: Off Man
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The class' most pro-ready cornerback is Vernon Hargreaves III. Throughout his time at Florida, he proved to be a sticky and physical playmaker at the position. He uses his excellent short-area quickness and superb footwork to close out passing windows.
The ball hawk registered 10 career interceptions and an impressive 27 passes defensed in three seasons. His sophomore season was his best, as he finished with a career-high 50 tackles and 13 pass deflections. He stumbled a bit in 2015, getting beaten on more deep routes than ever before, which raises some questions about his game.
While Hargreaves had a solid NFL Scouting Combine performance, his lack of length is concerning. His arm length is just 30 ⅝”, which is over one inch shorter than what most NFL teams look for. Since 1999, no multiple All-Pro cornerbacks have had an arm length less than 31”, so there is historical precedence for the measurement.
Although he is physical and tough, the best scheme for Hargreaves is off-man coverage. This will help maximize his swift feet and ability to break on the ball since he can read the quarterback. Playing off the receiver will also help hide his average deep speed and below-average physique (5'10").
There’s a great need for cornerbacks who can play right away. The Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts could all use Hargreaves’ talent and could help him reach his potential with off-man schemes.
Eli Apple: Cover 4 Zone
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Another long cornerback who fits what NFL teams desire at the cornerback position is Ohio State redshirt sophomore Eli Apple. The third-year star stands 6’1” and 199 pounds with 31 ⅜” arms, which makes evaluators drool. He gained valuable experience with a talented Buckeyes defense that regularly played quality competition in 2014 and 2015.
While Apple is young (20), and it shows in his technique, there’s a clear role for him. Ohio State has utilized Cover 4 zone heavily for years, giving cornerbacks safety help over the top on deep routes. This allows cornerbacks to be physical at the line of scrimmage and safeties to roam to make plays on the ball.
Apple was a solid producer for the Buckeyes despite his youth and unrefined footwork. He finished his career with four interceptions and 17 passes defensed. While he doesn’t find the ball as much as I’d like, he provides tight coverage and swallows passing lanes with his length and good timing.
He has more upside than anyone in this draft. Playing him in Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone will allow him to ease into a familiar role and could increase his effectiveness in finding the ball early in routes. If he improves there, he will end up as the best cornerback in the class.
His best fits can be found in teams like the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams. They are perfect fits and can offer a starting job.
William Jackson III: Cover 3 Zone
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Teams that desire length and versatility will fall in love with University of Houston cornerback William Jackson III. Much like 2015 Houston Texans first-round pick Kevin Johnson, Jackson has a thin but wiry strong build at 6’0” and 189 pounds. He has terrific ball skills and experience that will help him quickly earn a starting job.
The best defender on a breakout Cougars team in 2015, Jackson is a dangerous playmaker who can recover quickly and force turnovers. He had an incredible 23 passes defensed last year alone and 38 total for his career. He also finished with eight career interceptions, with five coming in his junior season.
The Cougars defense relied on Jackson to shut down one side of the field to give stability to an average unit. He executed well, showing the ability to perform in off coverage and aligning over the receiver on the line of scrimmage. His primary coverage was a mixture of Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone.
With his responsibility to take away curls, comebacks, outs and go routes, it’s important to have speed and strength. Jackson proved his burner status at the combine, running a 4.37 40-yard dash. He is the best zone cornerback in the class with his mixture of traits and intangible ball skills.
I believe Jackson should, and will be, the first cornerback off the board. He would fit seamlessly with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders.
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Mackensie Alexander: Man to Man
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One of the hottest names toward the end of the 2015 season was Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander. The redshirt sophomore was a lockdown defender for a terrific defense and declared early for the 2016 NFL draft. He is the best on-ball, man-to-man coverage cornerback in the class.
Alexander played a high level of competition throughout his career and was rarely targeted. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 33 percent of targets to be caught in 2015. He plays much bigger than his 5’10”, 190-pound frame would suggest, as he often went toe-to-toe with NFL-caliber receivers in the ACC.
Clemson often left Alexander on an island without safety help. The team's supreme trust in him was a result of his ability to mirror receivers throughout the route. In return, Alexander was demonstrative thanks to his confidence.
The knock on him—besides his small frame—is his lack of production. He registered zero interceptions and just 11 total passes defensed in his career. While he was good in coverage, it’s alarming he didn’t even luck into an interception. He needs to be more of a playmaker to unlock his game's next level.
That being said, he could be a good starter in the long term. He needs to refine his footwork further before being trusted in man coverage, so he may slip to the top of the second round. The Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants would be happy to see him fall into their laps in Round 2.
Kendall Fuller: Cover 2 Zone
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As the brother of current Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller and fellow former Virginia Tech star, it’s Kendall Fuller’s time to test his NFL fortune. The 5’11”, 187-pound cornerback is coming off microfracture surgery to his knee, which limited him to just three games in 2015. Despite the major surgery, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported he could still go in the first round.
That would be surprising, but he is the best Cover 2 cornerback in the draft. Cover 2 reduces the need for athleticism and pure speed and puts a premium on physicality and ball skills. That description fits Fuller well, as he finished with eight interceptions and 25 passes defensed in just 29 games played.
Elite NFL athletes will be able to exploit Fuller’s average deep speed and quickness, so he’s as scheme-limited as any corner in the class. He has significant value for the right fit, though. I believe he’ll fall to Day 2 because of his unique injury situation and scheme fit.
The best fits for Fuller in Round 2 include the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins. He’ll need some time to ensure he properly heals from his knee surgery, and these teams can offer the right blend of patience and opportunity for him to play well.
Artie Burns: Cover 3 Zone
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The longest cornerback of the top six cornerback prospects is also a former wide receiver. Miami corner Artie Burns brings a unique blend of athleticism, length and experience to the table. He comes from a zone-heavy defense that allowed him to locate the ball and fight for it as if he were entitled to it.
That’s the right mindset for the position, and Burns converted often in 2015. He set a career high with six interceptions. For his career, he finished with 14 passes defensed and seven interceptions in 34 games played.
At 6’0”, 193 pounds, 33 ¼” arms and a 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash, Burns will endear himself to coaching staffs who want a moldable piece of clay. He is more athlete than technician, so there’s a boom-bust factor to consider. He could sneak into the bottom of the first round with his measurables and leap in production.
While that is possible, the second round is more fitting because he’s raw in his development. The Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are ideal fits for him. Each can rotate him throughout his rookie season to ease him onto the field and prepare him for a starting job in 2017.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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