2016 NFL Draft cornerback rankings: Jalen Ramsey atop good group

As a freshman, it was easy to see that Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey was destined to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. In his first year at FSU, he started three games at cornerback, but the other 11 at free safety. His three-year career included time at the Star position, which is a hybrid linebacker/safety role. To see him move to outside cornerback as a junior only cemented his spot as a top-five pick in the draft, and unquestionably the best player at his position.

But which position is Ramsey best suited for in the NFL, safety or cornerback? Frankly, it does not matter. If he sticks outside at corner, he’s going to play well. If he moves back to safety, he’s going to play well. Ramsey combines good size and athleticism with instincts and awareness. As a corner, he can push receivers around in press, but he has the fluidity and speed to play off. As a safety, his range was limitless and he showed good timing to break on the ball and make a play. He’s the draft’s top defensive back, regardless of where you slot him in the NFL.

Even if you don’t include Ramsey, the 2016 NFL Draft cornerback class is impressive. Vernon Hargreaves is another prospect who was a star the moment he stepped onto his college campus. He’s experienced in man, off-man and zone coverage, but it’s the latter that really utilizes his strengths. Hargreaves knows how to read a play, and is quick to react and close. That strength can get Hargreaves in trouble at times because he’ll read the quarterback too long, which allows receivers to get past him. But when he’s playing disciplined, Hargreaves has expert timing to break up a pass, is a solid tackler and has good hands.

Just because Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander had zero career interceptions, don’t assume his hands are bad. Assume that in two seasons with the Tigers he wasn’t thrown at often. Alexander made his name as a press corner where he showed he can hang with bigger receivers. Clemson often left Alexander out on an island, and he held up just fine. Alexander isn’t overly experienced in zone coverage, but his athleticism should expedite the learning process if a team asks him to play that role.

Eli Apple of Ohio State and William Jackson of Houston round out five cornerbacks expected to go in the first round. Apple’s rating as the fourth-best cornerback is based somewhat on potential. He entered the draft after a somewhat up-and-down redshirt sophomore season. His size and ability to hold up with a receivers’ every movement is attractive to NFL teams. He plays hard, and has the motor to stick with a play even after he gets beat. His willingness to stop the run gives him a boost over some other prospects. Jackson has the look of an instant starter in the NFL thanks to his size, athleticism and productivity. He’s another corner who can get left alone on the outside.

After the top five, there’s a bit of a dip in quality. Kendall Fuller of Virginia Tech should be among the top tier, but injuries limited him to just three games in 2015. He excels in off-man and zone coverage where he can rely on his instincts and football smarts to make a play. If his knee holds up, he could be one of the steals of the draft in the second round. Xavien Howard of Baylor has been one of the more productive cornebacks the past two years, collecting 32 pass breakups and nine interceptions. He matches up well with physical receivers and doesn’t get pushed around on the line. Like Fuller and Howard, Miami’s Artie Burns fits into the second round discussion. He’s a speedy cornerback with solid size. He has the type of speed that lets him be aggressive early in routes because if he gets beat he can catch up.

The depth of the cornerback class really stands out this year. There are several bigger corners like Will Redmond of Mississippi State, Eric Murray of Minnesota and Maurice Canady of Virginia who can stick outside. Then there are some good slot corners like Cyrus Jones of Alabama, Jonathan Jones of Auburn and Tavon Young who are able to stick with crafty and quick inside receivers. There’s a mystery player in Rashard Robinson, who hasn’t played since 2014 after getting kicked out of LSU, but he’s a physically gifted as the top corners this year.

Day 3 gem: At the Senior Bowl in January, Deiondre’ Hall of Northern Iowa showed off his brash attitude and aggressive playing style. While that aggressiveness can get him beaten at times, it serves his playing style. At Northern Iowa, Hall played multiple positions including corner, safety and a little linebacker, but he’s an NFL cornerback moving forward. He has long arms and showed he can use them with 28 career pass breakups and 11 interceptions.

Overall position grade: B+