The first group of cornerbacks and safeties ran this morning. The number one ranked cornerback in the upcoming draft LSU’s Morris Claiborne ran a 4.47 in the forty yard dash at the NFL Combine. He really stood out in the on field drills with his change of direction and back pedals.
The next cornerback rated behind Claiborne is Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick. He ran a 4.48 in the forty yard dash. He’s in the second group and is doing his field drills at the moment.
Of course the Eagles won’t be in the market for any cornerbacks, but they may draft a safety or two. Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith ran a 4.56 in his first attempt and a 4.63 on his second try. He’s got great size, but will have to prove he can run with the speedy wide outs in the NFL. NFL offenses utilize motions and shifts to force the safeties to be interchangeable, meaning they have to be able to play free safety.
The top rated safety is Alabama’s Mark Barron, but he didn’t work out because of an injury.
It a surprise effort, University of Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson blazed to an unofficial 4.29, which was the fastest of the defensive backs. His official time was a 4.33.
LSU cornerback Ron Brooks ran a 4.35, which the second best time amongst this group. He wasn’t a starter for the LSU Tigers, but was a great contributor on special teams.
Louisiana-Lafayette Dwight Bentley ran a 4.37.
Clemson cornerback Coty Senasabaugh ran a 4.37.
Virginia Tech cornerback Jayron Hosley ran a 4.38.
Maine safety Jerron McMillian ran a 4.42.
Oklahoma’s Jamell Flemming ran a 4.43.
Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Heyward ran a 4.53.
Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris ran a 4.59.
Florida State cornerback Mike Harris ran a 4.57.
Kentucky safety Winston Guy ran a 4.65.
South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore ran a 4.44.
Northern Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins ran a 4.44.
Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard ran a 4.51.
Wisconsin cornerback Antonio Fenelus ran a 4.54.
North Carolina cornerback Charles Brown ran a 4.50.
Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick ran a 4.50.
GCobb – good info on the offense’s shifting and using motion so both safeties have to be interchangeable in coverage
“Of course the Eagles won’t be in the market for any cornerbacks, but they may draft a safety or two.”
I absolutely disagree with this statement. DRC’s contract is up at the end of this year. Samuels ( 31 years old ) contract is up at the end of 2013 season. Joselio Hanson’s contract is up at the end of 2012 and he will be 31 by the start of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the Eagles pick a corner with one of their 2nd rd or their 3rd rd pick. Curtis Marsh didn’t show anything at all last year to show that he was ready to take over the Nickel corner Job or even be in on the Dime package consistently. I agree they need to upgrade at the FS or SS position but Coleman, Jarrett and Allen are all young players. The team may address the saftey position on day 3 of the draft but this draft doesn’t seem to be too strong at the saftey postion this year.
I agree with Sully,
CB Samuel will be off the Roster by the Time the Draft Weekend is over either by Trade or by Release..
DCR stil has to prove himself and is in a contract year.. If he doesn’t play that well do the Eagles even keep him, If he plays like an All-Pro and has a fantastic season, will the Eagles be able to afford him next off-season..
In a ideal situation..
CB Trevor Lindley steps up and takes that CB Slot Position from Hanson
CB Marsh and Hughes step up to be good solid back-ups for Asmo & DCR
but one thing we do know in a pass-happy season, you can never have enough quality CB’s.. I expect the Eagles to select 1 this Draft…
remember that 2 to 3 Current CB’s on the Eagles Roster today won’t be in 2013 (Samuel,Hanson and maybe DCR)
Eagles build their team by Joe Banner’s positonal salery cap dollar value chart
and the cornerback positon needs a haircut not an addition —– they are obsessed with that dam value chart
the Eagles desperately need a slot CB. Hanson just doesn’t cut it anymore. The slot WRs have progressively gotten so good over the past couple years that a #3 CB plays over half the defensive snaps. I think they should absolutely look to add a CB who can play the slot with one of their 2nd round picks. As much as people have complained about the LB play, stopping teams from scoring through the air is was still the biggest weakness of this defense.