2014 NFL Draft cornerback rankings

Jason Verrett of TCU doesn't have an overly impressive stat line. He's not among the national leaders in interceptions. For a cornerback, that is a compliment. Verrett can be a tough evaluation because on occasion he'll get beat over the top. But that can be a symptom of TCU's lack of a pass rush or questionable safety play. Verrett, a Senior Bowl invite, has the instincts and ball skills to excel in man coverage situations.

Just behind Verrett is Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. The junior is the more physical player of the two, and in addition to being a top-level coverage corner, Ekpre-Olomu can be an asset in run defense. Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard, another Senior Bowl invite, also gets high marks because he's a physical defense back capable of making big plays.

That makes Ohio State's Bradley Roby the big dropper of the group. Roby is as athletically gifted as any cornerback in the nation, but he's had a few questionable games this season. The first round talent is there, however.

If there's an enigma at the position, it continues to be Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste. A former wide receiver, Jean-Baptiste could be a top 100 pick solely because a team will become enamored with his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame. It helps that Jean-Baptiste is looking considerably less raw this season.