With the NFL becoming more and more focused on throwing the football, every defense needs solid cornerbacks, and having just one won't do.
There are so many different types of wide receivers, all with different skill sets and different ways they can beat coverage.
Corners have to be versatile in how they defend the pass, and providing run support is a bonus, not a requirement for some teams.
Here are the five best CB prospects in this year's NFL draft class.
5. Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
A big, physical defender at 6'1″ 199lbs, Mullen also has good speed as he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds.
His footwork needs improvement and he isn't the most instinctive player in zone coverage, but in man he does well to follow his receiver closely.
Mullen has good ball skills in spite of the fact that he had just four interceptions and seven passes defended in his career.
He can start right away as a press man corner and can give a secondary some legitimate size and physicality, which will be important with the influx of large WR talent this year.
4. Justin Layne, Michigan State
Layne began his career at Michigan State as a wide receiver before making the switch to defense, and it's paid off for him.
A bit of a late riser, Layne has great size at 6'2″ 192lbs and his history as a WR gives him a unique perspective as a DB. He has a very good feel for routes, as it wasn't too long ago that he was the one running them.
He isn't the fastest player, but he makes up for what he lacks in speed with good ball skills and physicality.
He is best used in press man at this point, but if he is able to improve his feel for zones, he can become a top-tier zone corner.
3. Deandre Baker, Georgia
The main job of a cornerback is to not allow touchdowns, and Baker does that better than anyone.
He allowed one touchdown in his four years in college, and zero in 870 coverage snaps since 2016. He is good in zone and great in man, and is a very physical player. He is undersized at 5'11” 193lbs and ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, so his stock has dropped since the season ended.
Some mock drafts even have him falling out of the first round entirely. His size and athleticism are not ideal, but his performance can't really get much better.
Even if he has to move to the slot, that's still a very important starting role, as nickel CBs are tasked with covering players like Adam Thielen, Jarvis Landry, and Doug Baldwin.
If NFL teams are as down on Baker as the draft community is, one team is going to get a major steal and a boon for their secondary.
2. Byron Murphy, Washington
While Baker's stock has dropped due to his athletic testing, Murphy's has remained more or less constant, even though he ran a slower 40-yard dash (4.55 seconds) while weighing three pounds lighter.
He has great instincts and ball skills, and while he was a great man corner at Washington, he will likely play primarily zone in the NFL, where he could be an elite player.
He also has size and athletic limitations, but again, like Baker, his film shows he is perfectly capable of overcoming them.
Depending on a team's defensive scheme, Murphy has the potential to be the first CB taken this year.
1. Greedy Williams, LSU
From a physical standpoint, Williams should be a dominant player.
He stands 6'2″ 185lbs with 31 1/2″ arms, and runs a 4.37-second 40-yard dash. He has plenty of room to fill out his frame, and his pure length allows him to blanket most receivers. Williams was a great man corner in college, and should retain that role in the pros.
The problem with Williams that will give teams pause on taking him early is his physicality, or lack thereof. Williams is thin and rather weak, but that can be fixed with an NFL training regimen. What is more concerning is his lack of effort.
He has an extreme aversion to tackling, and doesn't get off blocks to help in run support. He can get bodied by big, physical receivers, and overalls shows an unwillingness to take on contact. He will be a liability against the run if he doesn't improve his effort.
Williams has some major issues, but a team will almost certainly fall in love with his potential and take him early, hoping they can fix his problems to unlock his potential, which is as high as best CB in the league.
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