Welcome to draft season! This is the 10th of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (April 27-29). Here are my top 10 cornerbacks:
— 1. Devon Witherspoon (Sr., Illinois, 5-foot-11, 181 pounds)
Witherspoon was a no-star recruit who didn't really focus on football until his junior year in high school and he still ended up in a Power 5 program, becoming the only true freshman to start a game for the Fighting Illini in 2019. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished top-five in the nation in completion percentage allowed, forced incompletions, passer rating allowed when targeted and yards allowed per coverage snap. The ball skills and impressive route recognition is obvious — three interceptions and 17 passes defensed (tied for 8th in FBS). He has the man coverage skills and competitive nature to play on an island in the pros. Witherspoon is a little lean in stature and overly aggressive at times (11 penalties the last two seasons), but he's also still improving. There's a scary thought for receivers in the NFL. Projected: Top 15
