NFL

Talent, maturity may make Dennard top CB in NFL Draft

The NFL being the copycat league that it is, look for tall, lanky cornerbacks in the Richard Sherman mold to be popular this time of year for as long as the Seahawks stay dominant.

That would seem to be potentially ominous news for Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard, considering the top-rated corner in this year’s NFL Draft doesn’t have long arms and is neither tall (5 feet, 11) nor lanky (200 pounds). You won’t find Dennard talking on the field, either.

Though he never will be confused with the 6-3, 195-pound Sherman, Dennard’s talent looks considerable enough to make teams — at least this year — forget about the new prototype for an outside cover man.

How good was Dennard his final two seasons for the Spartans? Think “Darrelle Revis in his All-Pro prime,” only on the college level.

According to the NFL’s draft statistical service, Dennard was almost always in man coverage against the opponent’s top receiver yet quarterbacks completed just 35 of the combined 211 passes they threw into Dennard’s area the past two years.

Not only did that translate to a microscopic completion rate of just 17 percent, but the result was just 242 yards and two touchdowns — total. That line is more impressive than the four interceptions Dennard posted last season en route to the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top college corner.

“Dennard is the best cornerback in this year’s draft in terms of overall play and being able to compete at the position,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said in a conference call this week. “He’s an in-your-face, tough, aggressive corner. He’s the kind of guy who fits that bill very effectively.”

That tenaciousness and aggressiveness are why Kiper and every other draft observer rate Dennard — a cousin of Patriots corner Alfonzo Dennard — the head of the class in a good-but-not-great year for the position.

Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert, Bradley Roby of Ohio State, Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller and Jason Verrett of TCU round out the top five corners, but Dennard is considered the most NFL-ready of the group despite missing the scouting combine with a hamstring injury.

Not bad for a Georgia native who was so quiet and overwhelmed at times early in his college career that Michigan State teammates nicknamed Dennard “Country.”

“I was rough around the edges when I first arrived,” said Dennard, who started every game his final three seasons after an injury-shortened freshman campaign.

But Dennard’s rapid development and maturation both surprised and impressed his teammates. Dennard was a model citizen in college, making him even more attractive to NFL teams wary of recent player scandals.

“Darqueze has changed a lot,” Michigan State linebacker Max Bullough told reporters this offseason. “He’s got an unbelievable amount better at football and socially, too. He’s more open. He’s able to handle the media. He’s an unbelievable athlete. He’ll never cause trouble. He’s never out at night or has an issue. He is there to work, do his job and win football games.”

The Seahawks’ defense isn’t just changing how teams think about corners, though. Seattle’s emphasis on safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor both playing a hard-hitting style also is rubbing off on other clubs.

The top two safeties in this year’s class, Calvin Pryor of Louisville and Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, are both known for their willingness to lay the wood on receivers as well as provide fearless support against the run.

A fondness for the big hit is a common trait among the rest of the top five at safety, with Washington State’s Deone Bucannon, Jimmie Ward of Northern Illinois and Florida State’s Terrence Brooks all known for their physicality.

Rating the prospects

Post NFL writer Bart Hubbuch ranks the cornerbacks and safeties in the May 8-10 draft:

Cornerbacks: The top five

1. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State, 5-11, 200
2013 winner of Thorpe Award at the top college corner.

2. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State, 6-0, 200
A 4.37 40 at the combine makes up for dedication concerns.

3. Bradley Roby*, Ohio State, 5-11, 195
Also a special-teams demon with three blocked kicks.

4. Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 190
An injury-filled senior season is the only concern.

5. Jason Verrett, TCU, 5-10, 190
Model citizen with terrific speed, but size is a worry.

*underclassman

Late riser: Roby: He wasn’t considered a top-five corner prospect until a terrific combine in which he ran a blazing 4.39 40 and was just as impressive in the jumps.

Dropping fast: Marcus Roberson, Florida: An injury-prone final season and a pedestrian 4.61 40 at the combine have pummeled his stock.

Small-school wonder: Pierre Desir, Lindenwood: Tall corner (6-1, 200) in the newly popular Richard Sherman mold who had 25 interceptions and a solid Senior Bowl.

Safety: The top five

1. Calvin Pryor, Louisville, 5-11, 205
A ferocious hitter and relentless, with prototypical NFL size.

2. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix*, Alabama, 6-2, 210
Not a standout in any one area, but the overall package is strong.

3. Deone Bucannon, Washington State, 6-1, 210
Big hitter who appeared and started every game of his career.

4. Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois, 5-11, 195
He isn’t big or fast, but he’s tough and fearless.

5. Terrence Brooks, Florida State, 5-11, 200
Struggles with injuries because he plays bigger than his size.

*underclassman

Late riser: Ward: He missed the combine with a foot injury but made up for it with a terrific pro day highlighted by a 4.47 40.

Dropping fast: Craig Loston, LSU: A productive and consistent four-year player, but chronic injuries are taking a toll on his stock.

Small-school wonder: Jonathan Dowling, Western Kentucky: Kicked out of Florida for violating a team rule, he’s a big-time talent but with major character concerns.

Specialists: The top three

1. Pat O’Donnell, P, Miami (Fla.), 6-5, 220

2. Steven Clark, P, Auburn, 6-5, 231

3. Chris Boswell, K, Rice, 6-2, 185

What Giants might do

In a prolific free agency haul, the Giants signed cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond and Zack Bowman. At safety, they re-signed Stevie Brown and also picked up Quintin Demps. Even with the likely loss of safety Will Hill to yet another drug-related suspension the Giants are loaded in the secondary, with the newcomers added to holdovers Antrel Rolle, Prince Amukamara, Trumaine McBride, Jayron Hosley and Cooper Taylor providing something for everyone. Nevertheless, the Giants could use a late-round pick on a safety prospect and a corner with size-speed measurable is always a possibility.

It appears the Giants greatly upgraded their return game by signing Trindon Holliday from the Broncos and Demps, who is a solid kickoff returner. So there’s no need to force-feed a return man in this draft. With kicker Josh Brown and punter Steve Weatherford, the Giants are set with proven, veteran specialists.

— Paul Schwartz

What Jets might do

Cornerback has become one of the Jets’ biggest needs over the last two months. They cut Antonio Cromartie and then signed only journeyman Dimitri Patterson to replace him. That leaves them looking for a corner to play opposite Dee Milliner long-term. It would not be shocking to see them use their first-round pick on a corner if Justin Gilbert or Darqueze Dennard are available at 18. The next batch of corners come with some questions – Jason Verrett, Bradley Roby, and Kyle Fuller – so the Jets might hold off if they are the first-round options.

Safety is an interesting position for the Jets. They certainly could upgrade over current starters Antonio Allen and Dawan Landry, but coach Rex Ryan has never viewed safety as a value position. Still, if Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor are there at 18 and the top cornerback and wide receiver options are not, the Jets should think about it.

With 12 picks, the Jets could use one of those late-round picks on a kicker or punter to provide some camp competition for Nick Folk and Ryan Quigley, respectively.\

— Brian Costello