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

Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14). Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Tier Three

13. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon (5-9, 192)
14. Quandre Diggs, Texas (5-9, 196)
15. Lorenzo Doss, Tulane (5-11, 182)
16. Charles Gaines, Louisville (5-10, 180)
17. Josh Shaw, USC (6-0, 201)
18. Senquez Golson, Ole Miss (5-9, 176)
19. Doran Grant, Ohio State (5-10, 200)
20. JaCorey Shepherd, Kansas (5-11, 199)
21. Ladarius Gunter, Miami (6-1, 202)

The Skinny: The mid-round prospects are heavy with physical slot corners, who can make plays but may lack the speed or size to be top-tier talent.

Ekpre-Olomu could be the steal at the position. Once considered a potential first-round talent before an ACL injury hurt his draft stock, Ekpre-Olomu could be big-time playmaking corner in the slot in the NFL if his health proves to not be an issue.

I think a team will take a chance on him at the end of the second day of the draft.

Diggs, Gaines, and Golson are also very talented, physical slot corners. They lack the size to be effective on the boundary, but they’re great zone players who can break on the ball and play up near the line of scrimmage.

Texas Longhorns cornerback Quandre Diggs (6). John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Gaines shows a little more promise in man coverage than the other two, but Diggs could be the best of the three because he plays with such great instincts and will make plays on the field.

Doss and Grant are both underrated corners with some starter potential at the next level with some time to develop.

Doss made a ton of plays in coverage at Tulane, including 15 interceptions and 33 passes defensed as a three-year starter. Teams will like the way he competes on the field.

Shepherd could be an intriguing late fourth or fifth-round option for Green Bay if they don’t address the cornerback position in the first few rounds.

He’s recently transitioned to defensive back after playing wide receiver, so his game remains raw. However, the ball skills from playing receiver translate well to making plays in coverage.

Shaw and Gunter are bigger defensive backs who might be better fits at safety in the NFL.

Next: Tier Four