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NFL draft: Cornerbacks

Tribune pro football reporter Dan Pompei evaluates eligible cornerbacks

Fourth in a series exploring the April 28-30 NFL draft.
After Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara are chosen high in Round 1, it's likely no cornerback's name will be called for a while. But a parade should start coming off the board in Round 2, and it won't stop until the draft ends. The depth at the position is solid.
1. Patrick Peterson, LSU, 6-0, 219. The NFL never has seen a cornerback with Peterson's combination of frame (219 pounds) and speed (4.31 in the 40-yard dash). He may be most comparable to Rod Woodson. He is the top-rated player at any position on some draft boards. He can play in any scheme or execute any coverage, and he has the vision and ability to break to come up with interceptions. Peterson should be able to redirect receivers and outfight them for the ball. He also is a fine return man and could be a consideration at safety.
2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska, 6-0, 206. Physically, Amukamara has it all: size, speed and athleticism. He also has instincts and plays the ball in the air well. He can be a lockdown, man-to-man corner but could play in any scheme. Amukamara hits hard for his size. He is intelligent and thoughtful and should be a quick contributor.
3. Jimmy Smith, Colorado, 6-2, 211. He is big enough to match up with any receiver and has the body control and feet to cover. His speed is good, not great. Smith is a solid tackler but has lapses. He has two arrests and reportedly a failed drug test in his history, so he could slip.
4. Aaron Williams, Texas, 6-0, 204. Williams is a gifted athlete with the length and bulk to play with the big boys. He is smart and willing to hit. His play was a little inconsistent. His speed is so-so, but he has good short-area quickness. Williams would work best in a zone scheme. Some consider him a potential safety.
5. Brandon Harris, Miami, 5-10, 191. This quick, athletic corner is a little smaller than ideal. Harris sometimes plays small in terms of cover skills and tackling, but he's a heady defender who positions himself well and knows how to anticipate.
6. Jalil Brown, Colorado, 6-1, 204. A solid, steady performer, Brown takes advantage of his size and strength. He has decent speed but will get beaten from time to time. He would be a perfect fit in a zone defense but might struggle in man-to-man. A good secondary coach would help clean up Brown mechanically. He eventually could be a safety.
7. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia, 6-1, 198. He is held in high regard for his size and the way he played as a junior. Dowling didn't play much last year because of leg injuries. He is physical and athletic and makes plays. Dowling would be utilized best as a press/zone corner. A switch to safety is possible.
8. Brandon Burton, Utah, 6-0, 190. Burton is blessed with speed and athleticism but hasn't had a lot of production. He could have benefited from another year of college. He has the potential to develop into a good man-to-man corner, but he needs to improve his footwork and technique.
9. Johnny Patrick, Louisville, 5-11, 191. Patrick plays bigger than his size, and he's athletic, fast and physical. His problem is consistency. He has given up some big plays, though he did show improvement as a senior. He isn't always a finisher. He has had a couple of brushes with the law.
10. Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson, 5-10, 195. He played safety and corner at Clemson and could play either in the pros. Gilchrist doesn't have top man-to-man cover skills, but he could be a solid zone corner. He can run, hit and tackle. Gilchrist is an instinctive player, but he gambles at times. It could take him a year or so to hit stride.
11. Rashad Carmichael, Virginia Tech, 5-10, 192. Carmichael isn't the biggest corner and doesn't play as fast as his 40-yard dash time of 4.41. But he has a feel in coverage and plays the ball well. He can be a solid zone corner. He needs to improve his tackling.
12. Shareece Wright, USC, 5-10, 192. He is a solid player with athleticism and speed. Wright was productive as a senior but has had some injuries, so durability is a concern. Wright doesn't have a lot of experience, as he was academically ineligible in 2009.
13. Davon House, New Mexico State, 6-1, 200. He is a zone corner prospect with decent size who closes on the ball quickly. His 4.37 40-yard dash helped his stock. House is fluid in his breaks but struggles in off coverage. He isn't a very competitive tackler, and his instincts are questionable.
14. Brandon Hogan, West Virginia, 5-10, 192. This is another player suited best to a Cover-2 scheme. He is a willing hitter and plays with toughness. Hogan has decent ball skills as a former wide receiver and high school quarterback.
15. Curtis Brown, Texas, 6-1, 197. Brown has a nice combination of size and speed. The former running back has an ideal body for cornerback. He can press and is aware in coverage. Brown has not always played the deep ball well. He isn't very physical.
16. Chykie Brown, Texas, 5-11, 190. Brown, not related to Curtis Brown, can press and run. He has quick feet and can plant and close. He is athletic and plays the ball well. He misses too many tackles. Brown has had difficulty staying healthy.
17. Buster Skrine, Tennessee-Chattanooga, 5-10, 186. A late riser on draft boards, Skrine has intriguing speed and athleticism. He played against lesser competition, sometimes inconsistently, but the potential is there. His size is average, but he plays aggressively. Skrine also can return kicks.
18. Chris L. Rucker, Michigan State, 6-0, 195. Rucker is an intriguing blend of size and speed, and he has the ability to backpedal and break on the ball. He can accelerate quickly. He is built solidly but isn't a consistent tackler. He has had some medical issues. Rucker's stock could drop because he served 10 days in jail and was suspended for a game last year for a DUI arrest and probation violation.

19. Kendric Burney, North Carolina, 5-9, 186. He is a good player who may be too small and too slow (he ran a 4.73 40-yard dash at the combine) to be drafted very high. He is a competitive corner with good ball skills and a courageous hitter. Even though he is not fast, he has short-area quickness. Burney is instinctive and has been productive. He might be an ideal nickel corner.
20. Curtis Marsh, Utah State, 6-1, 197. A former running back, Marsh has the size and speed to excel at corner. He is above average as an athlete but at this point is a better athlete than football player. He does not have a lot of cornerback experience and still is learning to play the position.

Others
21. DeMarcus Van Dyke, Miami
22. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio S

23. Brandyn Thompson, Boise State
24. Darrin Walls, Notre Dame
25. Josh Thomas, Buffalo
26. Ryan Jones, Northwest Missouri State
27. Korey Lindsey, Southern Illinois
28. Cortez Allen, Citadel
29. Niles Brinkley, Wisconsin
30. Vance Cuff, Georgia
31. Mario Butler, Georgia Tech
32. Chris Culliver, South Carolina

The Bears
The Bears don't have an immediate need as they have several young corners with potential in Zack Bowman, D.J. Moore and Joshua Moore. But no team ever has enough, and Charles Tillman, the Bears' best, is 30. Now might be the time to draft his successor. General manager Jerry Angelo likes to take corners in the middle rounds.

dpompei@tribune.com