Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft: Breaking down the cornerback prospects

Washington Huskies defensive back Marcus Peters (21) intercepts the ball intended for Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7). Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Tier One

1. Marcus Peters, Washington (6-0, 197)
2. Trae Waynes, Michigan State (6-1, 186)
3. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest (6-0, 188)
4. Jalen Collins, LSU (6-2, 203)
5. Ronald Darby, Florida State (5-11, 193)

The Skinny: As many as five corners could come off the board in the first round next Thursday.

Although Waynes is most likely the first name called out of this group, Peters is my top rated cornerback.

His game is just a notch above the rest of the defensive backs in this class. He can be physical up at the line and play press man, or he can drop in zone and make plays on the ball.

Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15). Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

His instincts and ball skills are excellent. His game reminds me a lot of a younger Charles Woodson.

However, character concerns could cause him to drop to the late first round, and if he falls to Green Bay, he’d be tough for them to pass up.

Waynes is long, athletic, and has blazing speed (4.31). He will probably be drafted somewhere in the top-15. He’s very fluid in coverage and can track receivers all over the field.

He may be the safest pick at the position.

Johnson is a fun player to watch on film. Despite being a bit light, he’s feisty and will battle receivers all day long.

His effort never lets up. He’s definitely one of the most physical defensive backs in this draft, but the strength of his game is his ability to read and react in coverage.

He can play man or off in zone and seems one of the most pro-ready players at the position. He’d be a great pick for the Packers in the first round.

Collins is another player that could be a legitimate option for Green Bay at pick 30. He only started ten games at LSU, so his game remains raw.

LSU Tigers cornerback Jalen Collins (32). Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

However, he may have the most upside out of the corner class.

His length and size give him an advantage in coverage, especially on the boundary. On film with his frame, quickness, and physicality show glimpses of a Richard Sherman-type player.

Darby is a tough player to assess because teams rarely threw at him in college.

This does demonstrate his ability to shadow and shutdown receivers in college, but concerns have also been brought up about his ability to make plays in coverage.

He’s not great at tracking the ball and rarely made impact plays in the secondary.

However, he’s still a tough corner with top-end speed (4.36) and athleticism.

Next: Tier Two