Joe Haden Falling Out Of The Top Ten?

If you take mock drafts as gospel, then Florida CB Joe Haden will be going to the Browns at the 7th pick. He’s arguably the top corner in this draft and the Browns are in need of some secondary help.

Fortunately, mock drafts are not gospel and Haden’s draft position is up for debate.

According to Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post, Haden may be slipping out of the top ten.

Florida corner Joe Haden has had some top-10 visits, but I keep hearing he’s not a top-10 pick. Hard to pick a speed-deficit corner in the top 10 and pay all that money. Remember, the rookie pay scale overpays the players from the first to the 12th pick in the first round; the rest of the salary structure is effective.

I agree with Lombardi that pay scale is out of whack but what’s the big deal about the speed? Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers had similar speed concerns which caused him to drop into the second round. Now he’s one of the best young corners in the game.

Haden ran in the area of a 4.4 forty at his pro day so I just don’t see the speed argument having any validity.

I know forty times are important but Haden is rated as the No. 1 corner in this draft for a reason and that’s what he did in games at Florida -- not what he did in track and field.

Cornerback is a premium position and Haden’s atop that list so I have a hard time seeing a scenario where he falls.

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