Kiper: No shutdown corners in this draft

The saving grace for Miami's inactivity in the unrestricted free agent cornerback market has been the thought Miami will simply reach into the draft and pluck one or two solid corners to supply its need -- doing so perhaps as early as the first round.

Well, that may yet happen. But anyone thinking there will be a ton of available excellent cornerbacks in this draft didn't watch the NFL combine when many corners ran disappointing times. And now the "draft gurus" are starting to chime in on the class.

Meet Mel Kiper, draft guru. This is what Kiper says about this year's available corners over at espn.com: "There isn't that one true shutdown cornerback available this year," Kiper says. "And after the subpar 40 times run by the defensive backs at the combine workout, this position isn't really as strong or as deep as originally anticipated."

Obviously this is an opinion and it's not necessarily shared by the Dolphins. And the 40-yard dash times in the draft have been called into question because of a possible clock malfunction. But I think we can all agree Kiper studies this stuff more than the average layman. So I'm sharing what Kiper has to say about some of the top-rated cornerbacks.

Understand the Dolphins have apparently taken a hankerin' to Utah's Sean Smith. They've interviewed him. They've poured over tape of him. They really like the kid. More on him in a minute, including a youtube video below. This is what Kiper says about the "top" cornerback prospects:

Michael Jenkins (Ohio State): "Jenkins is barely maintaining his spot as the No. 1 cornerback," Kiper says. Although Kiper points out that Jenkins "brings a ton of experience and sound technique to the position," he ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the combine, which makes Kiper worry whether he's worthy of first-round consideration.

Vontae Davis (Illinois): Davis is on Jenkins' heels as the top cornerback in this class. But "he lacks the necessary consistency and is still a work in progress," Kiper says. "But physically, he has the awesome physical talent you look for to warrant a first-round grade."

D.J. Moore (Vanderbilt): Kiper says he has impressive cover skills, good return skills, smooth hips and good ball skills, but he lacks good recovery speed.

Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest): "The 5-9, 193-pounder would be a first-round lock if he were a few inches taller and a bit faster," Kiper says.

Darius Butler (UCONN): Butler is a multiskilled athlete with outstanding recovery speed, Kiper says. Butler also saw action on offense, with nine receptions, and is a solid kick returner.

Donald Washington (Ohio State): Washington left school early, a move that many people questioned, but Kiper says he is a solid second-rounder and will draw consideration in the latter portion of Round 1. "He has the physical skills you look for," Kiper says.

Kiper includes Smith among a group of other corners with "early-round potential." Looking at the guy you have to figure he's a bottom of the first round or top of the second round player. He has elite cornerback size (6-3), he had good production throughout his career, he stays healthy which the Dolphins love, and he has no off-field issues.

"He has excellent, excellent instincts," one college scout told me this morning.

The scout told me Smith has to, "improve his technique getting out of his backpedal because sometimes his steps are awkward and that hurts his recovery to the ball." But, this scout added, "From what I've seen, he's very coachable and will be eager to work on his technique when a good pro coach gets a hold of him."

One more thing: Smith, the scout said, "has excellent ball skills. If the ball is in the air and he's in good position, he's more likely to come down with it than the receiver."

The other corners Kiper mentions as having early-round potential are Jairus Byrd of Oregon, Keenan Lewis of Oregon State, Brandon Huges of Oregon State, Captain Munnerlyn of South Carolina, Jerraud Powers of Auburn, and tough-guy Asher Allen of Georgia, who my scout source sees as something of a sleeper with great potential despite limited production."

Comments

[C.M]

Ok guys the Cuban Mence is here and i changed ma name from anti christ to Carlito from Golfito

[Chris]

Dolphins just signed Eric Green.

[souljahbeats]

Dolphins First 4 draft picks

1. Sean Smith
2. Kenny Britt
2b. Ron Brace
3. Sherrod Martin

or

1. Clay Matthews
2. Sean Smith
2b. Ron Brace
3. Ramses Barden

[MJF]

The Dolphins signed Eric Green... Are you happy now? Damn...

[souljahbeats]

Chris,

Are you for reals?

[Chris njfan]

never seen crazy people like WENDY or menace before.LOL LOL

[dolfanforlife]

mel kiper said joey harrington was gonna be an elite quarterback in the league....

[Marcus]

Ramses Barden = Ernest Wilford.

[carlito from golfito]

Many Me,

I am not wendy whiner alienman or donut eating police man cuban, get over it. here's a suggestion talk dolphins football, not patriots, not jets, not bills, dolphins. I like the signing of eric green. He is 27 and a proven starter. If Jason Allen can't beat this guy in camp, get him outta here!

[dolfanforlife]

Dolphins signed CB Eric Green to a multi-year contract.

Green probably has first dibs on the RCB spot vacated by Andre' Goodman. A former starter in Arizona, the 27-year-old lost his job to Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2008. Green has talent, though, and Miami got the most out of all its DBs last season. Green is still going to face competition.

[macca]

Kiper is useless. Regards to free agents and recently released vet cbs. You have to ask yourself why they have been released. Too long this franchise has been panned for patching up holes with free agents and trades. Draft is the way to go.

[souljahbeats]

anybody know what kind of contract Green got?

[carlito from golfito]

many me,
now that some one figured out who i am,i will stop if you have some cake for me and some candy.btw wendy and i very close friends like mr.bungle and thinsaker

[souljahbeats]

sounds to me like Green has no hands, lots of passes deflected and broken up and very few ints...not necessarily a bad thing...I think tuna and company played this one smart...I'm sure they didn't overpay this guy because he visited last week and looked around the league for something better before he signed...This is a good move though the more people we have to compete at cb, the better...Now drafting a cb is not as urgent and the fins can take the best players available...trust the tuna...

[carlito from golfito]

GREEN got 4 years 32 mill

[carlito from golfito]

I did not post that last comment. that was many me (luggi) once again assuming another name.give it up with "figuring out" who I am. there's nothing to figure out. I am not close with wendy whiner alieman or fat donut eating jets fan cop cuban menace, but I would rather talk to both of them because at least they talk about football

[Mr.bungle]

carlito .you low life...leave me out of you dirty posts.

[cavalierkong]

You said it souljahbeats. I'm sure the money is good for the Dolphins and now maybe people will relax about the CB situation. We'll draft a CB or two to groom and we really can go a number of different ways with this draft depending on who's available when we pick.

[Ricky CT]

why this guy keep writig about crap all the time ?who cares about luggi at least he's not creepy like this guy crlito or what ever his name is?

[souljahbeats]

Cavalierkong I agree... I really hope the dolphins draft sean smith...but now we don't have to reach for him in the 1st round... If sean smith is not there by our 1st second rounder we can take the best player available and go for someone like Macho Harris or Sherrod Martin later on

[carlito from golfito]

this signing of green is not what we need,what we need is a new QB

[ricky CT]

sound like carlito is a jets fan

[Brian in NJ]

any 6-3 cornerback with speed sounds good to me.

[nk phin fan]

Soulja , I see I got you on Sharrod martin. Also keep your eye on donald washington . It looks like he's a solid late 2nd - 3rd pick . Miami is going lb or sean smith. Bank on it !!

[cavalierkong]

Souljahbeats - One of my big concerns is getting a NT to learn from and replace Ferg. Especially since Soliai apparently has a questionable work ethic. Do you really think Ron Brace will be available when our second pick of round two comes up?

[carlito from golfito]

Ricky Ct, Luggi, Carbona, phinsrock, tim, 007, monkey, etc

Glad to see you are sticking up for yourselves.

I didn't write that last post. You are pathetic.

[carlito from golfito]

I am not a jets fan. thats just blasphemy. Go phins!!!

[carlito from golfito]

i am sure the best for fins in this coming season is 4-12 unless we get a new QB not green

[crlito from golfito]

i didn't write that post saying GO PHINS but i love both jets and phins

[souljahbeats]

NJ Phin Fan,
Yeah, I like Sherrod Martin as a 3rd round pick...I don't know about Donald Wasington...I'm just skeptical cuz he left college early and might be more of a work in progress...

CavalierKong,
Yeah Ferguson's still got a couple years left, but we need to draft a NT...Look for Ron Brace from BC (330 Lbs!) in the 2cnd or Tyler form michigan in the 4th

[souljahbeats]

I think Carlito is Luggi and he is having a big time talking with his other personalities...lol...you are a trip dude...

[carlito from golfito]

i am who i am and i am having great hot dog with beer right now and i am loving it.

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

GREEN YEAH HE's REALLY GOING TO SHUT DOWN MOSS AND T.O. 2 I.N.T's IN 4 OR 5 YEARS. SH;T MANDO CAN DO THAT.

[Dave]

a couple of draft mags have Maualuga falling as far as 25th. If he's there that's the guy to get! Our WR will be there in the second and third round, as will the def tackle and corner. A sleeper corner would be a Captain Munnerlyn out of South Carolina. Small, but plays big, and can cover the quickiest guys. If Maualuga is there and we pass him over, don't know what to say. Put him and Crowder in the middle of the 3-4 and that's a lot of tackles and run stopping.

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

BILL OLD A;; CAN DO THAT. ROSS CAN DO IT. NOT THE NEW OWNER, I'M TALKING ABOUT DIANA

[carlito]

i feel sad that fins will end like loins this coming year and i am not luggi. LOL
LOL

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

NOW SIGN LUCAS AND WE'RE GOOD

[anti ........]

ok boys and girls,the master is here any questions?

[nj phin fan]

Soulja, our boy sean smith left early too. That's why we signed green to give guys like D.washington time to learn

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

SIGN BOLT HE CAN RUN WITH ANYBODY AND KNOCK THE BALL DOWN.

[carlito from golfito]

Cuban Anti,

why does luggi post under 10,000 names and also feel the need to impersonate me? Maybe because I called him out? Naw, that can't be, everybody knows about many me and his little games. what could it be? lack of attention from his parents or from the other boys and girls at school?

[carlito from golfito]

come on Bolt sucks

[Manuel Antonio]

Carlito, Golfito sucks and is a trashy, dirty city. You should come to manuel antonio

[carlito]

i am very confused man.

[JimmyJam]

On Green: I hope they can coach him up... AZs D was last (I think?) in passing yards allowed and this dude was benched. I don't think the Fins can relax on the CB end of things just yet. Green is probably about even with Goody overall, but younger. They still need to draft a guy. I think Sean Smith is the best of the bunch that I've now had the opportunity to research a bit - size and speed and good hands. Maybe Green will start and Smith (or whomever they draft) will be waiting in the wings.

I love Penny but believe that Henne will get some starts after the halfway point as this season is setting up to be somewhere between 7-9 and 9-7 due to schedule. The secondary is certainly improved if only for the addition of Wilson. Green may prove to be a good signing - if that is so, things will be much better. The FA signings of our own guys was a really good thing (Chowder is above average and it's nice that we didn't overpay and still have him - what he lacks in talent he has in heart and joy for the game), Berger is a nice project backup and Grove - well I am not excited about him: Same size as Satele and injury prone - but if he can display some of this meanness he is said to have had in college, then maybe he is an upgrade. Otherwise I see Satele or someone else (Alleman??) playing a lot at Center. This is the main weakness - still - on the O'Line. Can't coach size. But you can juice him up. Where the eff is my Dianabol stash from the '80s?

So a CB in the draft, a WR, a NT, a C and an ILB - not convinced we have enough there, frankly. Not necessarily that order.

[Luggi]

I think the Dolphins are way better than the Patriots, Bills, and Jets and will finish 19-0 and win the super bowl in Miami! Wooo hooo

[finfanrock]

golfito sucks NOT BOLT

[ricky ct]

You're right luggi, Tom Brady sucks, he is the most over-rated player in the NFL

[A.B.C.]

I think Dwayne Wade should play corner, forget about Bolt. Basketball season will be over by training camp. It will be easy for flash

[carbona]

I also agree luggi, dolphins are the best 19-0!

[Ricky CT]

Now we love you luggi your becomig a phin fan

[luggi]

Tom Brady and Bill Belicheat are horrible. They should just give miami the wins for the 2 games this year to reduce the risk of injuring their senior players

[chrisNY]

Luggi coming around to be a fin fan great job luggi

[a.b.c.]

yeah the bills and jets should just give up there 4 games too. thats 6 wins already for the dolphins. 19-0!

[nj phin fan]

we hate carlito and we love you luggi

[Luggi]

PFT is reporting that Tom Brady's wife will not allow him to play football this year. Pats 0-16 with the lions in 2009 and the dolphins 19-0 super bowl champs. sparano coach of the year. Chad Pennington league mvp, tedd ginn super bowl mvp. I'm on the bandwagon for go phins!!!

[GO PHINS]

carlito from golfito is WENDY WHINER ALEIENMAN CREEP

[carlito from golfito]

I agree with you luggi, 19-0 go phins! super bowl is sure thing! you can have as many names as you want now that you true fin fan!

[carlito from golfito]

I am luggi. go dolphins!

[larry]

there are no shutdown corners anywhere, draft or nfl. only corners with good pass rushing defenses do good in the nfl.