By National Football Post.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...g=ys-threeconedrill032409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
1. Malcolm Jenkins: Ohio State (6-0, 204) (Three-cone drill: 6.59)
So much has been made about Jenkins’ lack of top end speed. However, he displays the balance, footwork and quickness to always make a play on the ball. Jenkins plays much faster than his 40 time (4.51) would indicate and his impressive three-cone drill is a direct result of that. I still feel Jenkins is too talented of a cover man to move to safety and this three-cone type quickness consistently shows up on film.
2. Sherrod Martin: Troy (6-1, 198) (Three-cone drill: 6.60)
No wonder so many NFL teams are looking at Martin as a cornerback prospect. Not only did he prove at the combine that he has the speed to run with receivers down the field, but he was also one of the most fluid and graceful defensive backs during position drills. I still think Martin has the makings of a ball-hawking free safety at the next level, but his three-cone time proves he also has the foot speed and body control to be successful at corner as well.
3. Vontae Davis: Illinois (5-11, 203) (Three-cone drill: 6.75)
Davis not only displays the deep speed to turn and run with receivers down the field, but also has the balance and body control to explode out of his breaks. He plays just as fast and quick as all his times would indicate. However, my only concern is his lacking technique, which could cause him to never develop into the player his physical skill set would lead you to believe.
4. Sean Smith: Utah (6-4, 214) (Three-cone drill: 6.92)
It isn’t often you find a defensive back of Smith’s size that can not only run in the high 4.4 range, but also flip and bend like a corner that’s 5-10. Smith possesses rare hips and flexibility for a guy his height and isn’t simply a strider. He has the ability to be successful both as a corner or safety and should bring a team a lot of versatility and upside in the secondary.
5. Darius Butler: Connecticut (5-11, 183) (Three-cone drill: 6.92)
Butler does a great job exploding in and out of his breaks and gets up to speed very quickly. He does a nice job always staying low in his backpedal and possesses the balance to consistently break on the football. Butler is one of the few corners who actually plays as fast as his 40 time would indicate. This is due largely in part because of his short-area quickness and body control, two traits that definitely jump out at you during his three-cone drill.
The 3-cone numbers for other cornerbacks the Dolphins have been linked to.
Kevin Barnes 6'0 187 Maryland 6.72
Coye Francies 6'0 185 San Jose Sate 6.81
Don Carey 5'11 192 Norfolk State 6.82
Mike Mickens 6'0 184 Cincinnati 6.94
Christopher Owens 5'10 181 San Jose Sate 6.93
D.J. Moore 5'9 192 Vanderbilt 7.00
This is just another method used evaluate players. Do these numbers change or confirm how you view a player in your own evaluation of them or for your mock draft?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...g=ys-threeconedrill032409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
With an eye toward the 2009 draft class, we now rank some of the nation’s top cornerbacks according to their three-cone drill and break down what each times means.
1. Malcolm Jenkins: Ohio State (6-0, 204) (Three-cone drill: 6.59)
So much has been made about Jenkins’ lack of top end speed. However, he displays the balance, footwork and quickness to always make a play on the ball. Jenkins plays much faster than his 40 time (4.51) would indicate and his impressive three-cone drill is a direct result of that. I still feel Jenkins is too talented of a cover man to move to safety and this three-cone type quickness consistently shows up on film.
2. Sherrod Martin: Troy (6-1, 198) (Three-cone drill: 6.60)
No wonder so many NFL teams are looking at Martin as a cornerback prospect. Not only did he prove at the combine that he has the speed to run with receivers down the field, but he was also one of the most fluid and graceful defensive backs during position drills. I still think Martin has the makings of a ball-hawking free safety at the next level, but his three-cone time proves he also has the foot speed and body control to be successful at corner as well.
3. Vontae Davis: Illinois (5-11, 203) (Three-cone drill: 6.75)
Davis not only displays the deep speed to turn and run with receivers down the field, but also has the balance and body control to explode out of his breaks. He plays just as fast and quick as all his times would indicate. However, my only concern is his lacking technique, which could cause him to never develop into the player his physical skill set would lead you to believe.
4. Sean Smith: Utah (6-4, 214) (Three-cone drill: 6.92)
It isn’t often you find a defensive back of Smith’s size that can not only run in the high 4.4 range, but also flip and bend like a corner that’s 5-10. Smith possesses rare hips and flexibility for a guy his height and isn’t simply a strider. He has the ability to be successful both as a corner or safety and should bring a team a lot of versatility and upside in the secondary.
5. Darius Butler: Connecticut (5-11, 183) (Three-cone drill: 6.92)
Butler does a great job exploding in and out of his breaks and gets up to speed very quickly. He does a nice job always staying low in his backpedal and possesses the balance to consistently break on the football. Butler is one of the few corners who actually plays as fast as his 40 time would indicate. This is due largely in part because of his short-area quickness and body control, two traits that definitely jump out at you during his three-cone drill.
The 3-cone numbers for other cornerbacks the Dolphins have been linked to.
Kevin Barnes 6'0 187 Maryland 6.72
Coye Francies 6'0 185 San Jose Sate 6.81
Don Carey 5'11 192 Norfolk State 6.82
Mike Mickens 6'0 184 Cincinnati 6.94
Christopher Owens 5'10 181 San Jose Sate 6.93
D.J. Moore 5'9 192 Vanderbilt 7.00
This is just another method used evaluate players. Do these numbers change or confirm how you view a player in your own evaluation of them or for your mock draft?
