2011 NFL Draft Predictions: Ranking the Top 10 Defensive Backs

The talent level is noticeable with this year's crop of cornerbacks.

Watch any of those who have declared for the NFL Draft, and there will be a handful who will go in the first two rounds of this year's NFL Draft. After that, the drop-off is significant.

The consensus among most is that LSU's Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara of Nebraska are the top two at this position, and some say Amukamara is more pro-ready. Peterson's stock, however, may be a little higher since he's also a dangerous return man. He had 26 punt returns for 418 yards (16.1 average) and two touchdowns, and 32 kickoff returns for 932 yards (29.1).

Who else is up there with them? Here are the top 10 defensive backs in this year's draft:

10. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 09: Ras-I Dowling #19 of the Virginia Cavaliers against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He battled injuries most of last season and appeared in only five games. In 2009, he was sixth in the ACC in passes defended (11) and finished with 58 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, eight passes broken up and three interceptions.

He's got all the traits and skills you want, but Dowling needs to work on his technique. At best, he'll be a late first round pick.

9. Kendric Burney, North Carolina

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Kendric Burney #16 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles on November 21, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Ge

Burney (5'9'', 190 pounds) has a tireless work ethic and will leave as one of North Carolina's top defensive backs in school history. In 2009, he set a single-season school record for interception return yards with 200, and interception returns for touchdowns (three). He was also a first-team All-ACC selection.

Last year, he finished with 30 total tackles, two interceptions, two passes broken up and four passes defended.

8. Johnny Patrick, Louisville

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 05: Johnny Patrick #19 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the balll after intercepting a pass during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Patrick (5'10'', 185) made 41 starts in 41 games, and leaves Louisville with nine career interceptions. Last year he had 51 tackles and five interceptions. He also led the Big East with 17 passes defended.

7. Curtis Brown, Texas

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Cornerback Curtis Brown #3 of the Texas Longhorns prepares for a game against the UCF Knights on November 7, 2009 at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 35-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Brown (6'0'', 184) and fellow teammate Aaron Williams should both be gone in the early rounds.

Besides playing cornerback, Brown has been a special teams player for the Longhorns, and finishes with 35 career special teams tackles. In 12 games last season, he had 26 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception (74 yards), six passes broken up and seven passes defended.

Football runs in his family: Brown's father played as a freshman at Oklahoma State in 1978 and his uncle spent two years as a defensive end for the Baltimore Colts in the early 1980s.

6. Brandon Burton, Utah

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver DeMarco Sampson #1 of the San Diego State Aztecs makes a catch over cornerback Brandon Burton #27 of the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. Utah won 38-34. (Photo by Steph

In 2009, Burton (6'0'', 185 pounds) led the Utes and was second in the Mountain West Conference with 10 passes broken up. He began his career as a special teams player, and this year he finished with 42.5 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions (69 yards), eight passes broken up, 10 pass deflections and one quarterback hurry.

5. Aaron Williams, Texas

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. lists him as the fourth-best corner in this year's draft.

Williams (6'1'', 195) made 23 starts in his last 26 games. In 11 games last year, he had 46 total tackles (30 solo), five tackles for loss, one sack, 12 passes broken up and 12 passes defended. 

He's a physical player who can play both the pass and run, and rarely got burned on big plays during his career with the Longhorns.

4. Brandon Harris, Miami

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 18: Running back Tony Jackson #25 of the Duke Blue Devils stiff arms Brandon Harris #1 of the Miami Hurricanes during the game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

Harris (5'11'', 195) was a two-time Jim Thorpe semifinalist with the Hurricanes, and led a secondary that was second nationally in both pass defense and pass efficiency defense during the regular season.

In 13 games, he had 44 tackles, including seven at Ohio State, and a team-high 10 pass breakups.

3. Jimmy Smith, Colorado

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies makes a reception against the defense of Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado

In his junior and senior seasons, Smith (6'2'', 205) allowed just 11 pass completions in man coverage, only one for a first down.

It's one of the reasons why Smith is ranked by Mel Kiper Jr. as the third-best corner in the draft, and 12th player overall by Scouts Inc. Smith was the third-fastest player on the team, having been timed at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Last year, he was a first-team Big 12 selection after finishing with 70 total tackles and five passes broken up in 12 games. He finishes his career with 183 tackles.

2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers misses a chance at an interception from Scotty McKnight #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

Many believe Prince is pro ready right now. In 14 games last year, he had 59 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and 13 passes broken up.

1. Patrick Peterson, LSU

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Korvic Neat #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is considered one of the best defensive coordinators in the nation, and gained that reputation from his time at Tennessee, where he had worked with some tremendously talented players and units. Peterson, he said, is one of a kind.

"You get a chance to coach a guy like that maybe every 10 years," Chavis told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "He's truly a special athlete. What makes him special is his work ethic, dedication, desire, love for the game and love of competing."

In 13 games, he had 42 total tackles, four interceptions (for 134 yards), six pass breakups and 10 pass deflections. He also had one quarterback hurry and one blocked kick.