Draft preview - the cornerbacks It was widely reported during the last week that aging cornerback Charles Woodson was visiting the Bucs. In the same reports they indicated that Woodson would be a free safety in Tampa (probably subject to a cap friendly contract) it indicates that the coaching staff are not completely happy with the Buccaneers secondary. Given the way that we use our corners especially Barber in blitz packages this makes the nickel back position of great importance and while some may view the free agent pick of Juran Bolden last year as a good signing (by the fact that we resigned him), the presence of a young speedy corner who could have an immediate impact on special teams and challenge Bolden for the 3rd corner position sometime in the near future is an attractive proposition. Michael Huff (Texas) – Huff has played just about every position in the secondary for the Longhorns, some scouts feel that he has pro bowl potential at all the positions in the secondary. However he has not lined up on the outside for two years, so it is a little difficult to get a good read on his potential as an NFL corner but he does have the speed and cover skills required. Huff is probably one of the safer picks in the draft, if he doesn’t move to corner he could contribute at either safety position almost straight away. Jonathan Joseph (South Carolina) – Has been rising up the draft boards recently much like former team mate Dunta Robinson did, Joseph has excelled in man-to-man coverage and has an almost ideal combination of size and speed (although not elite speed) to catch a scouts eye. Joseph was a JUCO transfer who has only started one year. He would have helped himself by staying for his senior season, rumours are that he is not very intelligent. Antonio Cromartie (Florida State) – Cromartie put in a much better than expected 40 time ( 4.37) at the recent FSU pro day and this could have pushed him back into the first round. It’s a brave scout who feels he can evaluate him effectively, going into his junior season he was pre season all American but a torn ACL in spring practice resulted in him missing his whole Junior campaign and then surprisingly he declared for the draft. Cromartie really needed to play another season just to prove he was past the injury. There is no doubt he has the physical skills of a first rounder but he has only played nickel back in his sophomore season therefore he has little experience as a starting corner and not a lot of game tape to evaluate. One of the worst aspects of draft time is the presence of mock drafts (don’t worry I’m not doing one) some are informative, some are plain guesswork and some are just amusing. Below is a list of some of the players mock drafts have the Bucs taking. Including the number of the more ‘reputable mocks’ that have the Bucs selecting that prospect. (Prospect must appear on more than one Mock draft) OT Marcus McNeil, Auburn (17) OT Eric Winston, Miami (9) LB Chad Greenway, Iowa (6) OT Jonathan Scott, Texas (5) LB Ernie Sims, Florida State (4) LB Demarco Ryans, Alabama (3) OG Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia (3) DE Manny Lawson, N.C State (3) WR Chad Jackson, Florida (3) CB Ashton Youboty, Ohio State (3) WR Sinorice Moss, Miami (2) DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College (2) OG Davin Joseph, Oklahoma (2) Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech) – Very physical and very fast and blessed with great football instincts however this guy has issues, he drove the coaching staff at Virginia Tech mad and doesn’t know what control means either on or off the field. In college he relied far too much on his physical gifts, he is undoubtedly talented but that isn’t the whole story with Williams, any team that drafts him must see more than just his physical gifts. Could be over drafted. Kelly Jenkins (Miami) – Very natural when in man-to-man coverage but he is physically undersized, fast enough to play corner in the NFL and often relies too much on his speed, but may never be better than a solid 3rd corner on any roster. Played his college career in one of the best secondaries in recent memories that included former first round picks Antrell Rolle and Sean Taylor. Jenkins is more of a good prospect rather than a great one, will be a solid pick late in day one but will probably drafted earlier than that. Tye Hill (Clemson) – Hill has elite speed but unfortunately that’s about all he has, he is also undersized a 5’9". Earlier in the scouting process his name was banded around as a potential first round pick but many feel that he is just not that good. Has very poor catching ability, takes poor angles and often mistimes his jumps (but he’s fast….) There is little doubt that he can run with any NFL wideout, I’m just not sure he can stop him catching the ball. Ashton Youboty (Ohio State) – He really should have stayed in college , while the buckeyes have had a good recent history in producing NFL corners he is just not ready for the NFL. He has the measurable’s to be a pro-bowl calibre corner (which should get him drafted high) however he got beat a number of times in big games, he could be coached up and with hindsight be an excellent pick but he will require a lot of work and some of that could have been done at Ohio State. There are a lot of prospects at the corner position beyond the 6 I have talked about. Below is a list of a few other prospects to look out for when the Bucs are on the clock. Alan Zemaitis (Penn State) – Often compared to Ronde Barber, doesn’t have top end speed. Richard Marshal (Fresno State) – Mid-Major school prospect who is moving up the board at speed, very good tackler. Cedric Griffin (Texas) – Perfect fit for a cover-2 defense. Demario Minter (Georgia) – Solid prospect with good size, lacks top speed, another cover-2 prospect. Dee Webb (Florida) - Physically excellent but played well below expectations. Will Blackmon (Boston College) – Moved to receiver last year but prefers to play corner, very good on kick returns. Tim Jennings (Georgia) – Speedy undersized prospect who would excel on special teams. Wayne Maw, March 2006