Scouting the pro prospects: Defensive backs

Last year's defensive back crop was deep, but lacked the truly elite shut-down corner NFL teams covet. The opposite might be true in 2007.

Michigan's Leon Hall and Fresno State's Marcus McCauley have established themselves at the top of a strong class of cornerbacks. Both hail from schools with established patterns of producing quality defensive backs and have the legitimate size, speed and quickness in man coverage to move into potential top 10 status with strong senior seasons.

Leon Hall: Best Michigan corner since Charles Woodson? (Getty Images)

The safety class also features exciting talent at the top. Virginia Tech's Aaron Rouse plays with a linebacker's body and track star's speed. Miami's Brandon Meriweather, LSU's LaRon Landry, Texas' Michael Griffin and Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski are considered early round prospects as well.

An in-depth analysis of the country's elite defensive backs:

1. Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
5-11, 195 pounds, Sr.

Hall has been called Michigan's top cornerback since Heisman winner Charles Woodson. A veteran of 37 career games and 24 starts, Hall has broken up 25 passes and hauled in nine interceptions, both leading all current Wolverines. He has earned Big Ten honors after each of the past two seasons and could be in line for All-America honors in 2006.

Hall has shown the ability to play both zone and man coverage, but is clearly at his best when on an island -- one-on-one against the receiver. Hall's speed, quickness and anticipation separate him from the other cornerbacks on this list. He can blanket receivers, but also shows the big-play potential when the ball is up for grabs that could make him an elite prospect for the next level. He enters 2006 having earned postseason accolades after each of his first three seasons.

2. Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State, 6-1, 198, Sr.

Marcus McCauley (Getty Images)

In last year's preview series, I described Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall as perhaps the "top cornerback on the West Coast." Marshall went on to become the 58th overall pick by Carolina, but he might not have been the top cornerback on his own team. McCauley emerged from Marshall's shadow to develop into one of the elite defensive backs in the entire country.

Until last season, McCauley had been viewed as an exceptional athlete, but still a raw player. A veteran of 11 starts, he had proven to be a dangerous alternative for quarterbacks hesitant to throw against Marshall, but McCauley had not yet fully established himself. Then he leaped to the forefront, stringing together a far more consistent and reliable season than his more heralded teammate.

McCauley's great size and estimated 4.40-second speed in the 40-yard dash make him intriguing enough, but only through film work can one begin to appreciate the grace and instincts of his play.

3. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Antoine Cason (Getty Images)

Considered by some to be the top cornerback prospect in the country despite being only a junior, Cason has established himself as a shut-down performer in a conference known for producing dynamic passing numbers. Even with receivers like Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Hass in the Pac-10, most offenses chose to pass away from Cason, whose blend of size, speed and quickness has earned comparisons to Derrick Strait, a stalwart at Oklahoma under then-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, now Arizona's head coach.

Cason has earned Pac-10 accolades after each of the past two seasons and has good bloodlines -- his father, Wendell, and cousins Ken-Yon Rambo and Aveion Cason played in the NFL.

4. Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh, 6-0, 190, Jr.

Darrelle Revis (Getty Images)

Revis is an exciting young cornerback who established himself as a quality prospect almost immediately. He earned freshman All-American honors in 2004, starting all 11 games and finishing with 14 passes broken up. Opponents learned not to test Revis last season, instead choosing to pass against future sixth-round pick Josh Lay. Revis was the only sophomore to earn first-team Big East honors, coming through with four interceptions and nine passes broken up. He also became one of the better young return specialists, averaging 11.6 yards per punt return.

Revis not only has the size teams like, but his short-area burst, vertical speed and flair for the dramatic are noteworthy. Like Arizona's Cason, Revis has NFL bloodlines. His uncle is former Pitt defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, who went on to play for four teams in the NFL.

5. Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech, 6-4, 215, Sr.

Aaron Rouse (Getty Images)

Rouse is a former linebacker who has taken the scouting world by storm with his unbelievable combination of size, 4.3 speed and easy agility in the open field.

Until this past season, Rouse split time on Virginia Tech's outstanding linebacker corps, but was viewed by the coaching staff as athletic enough to handle the strong safety position. Clearly, Frank Beamer and Co. knew what they were doing, as Rouse finished with 77 tackles, 4½ tackles for loss and four interceptions in becoming one of the more versatile, if unnoticed, defenders in the country. Despite leading the team in interceptions, Rouse did not receive any postseason conference honors.

The lack of recognition and the fact Rouse only has 13 career starts haven't limited the attention he's receiving from NFL scouts. In fact, Rouse earned one of the highest grades given to any defender, according to one scouting service relied upon by NFL teams. Rouse isn't necessarily viewed as consistent as some of the other safeties available in 2007, but his natural attributes are tough to ignore.

6. LaRon Landry, S, LSU, 6-2, 205, Sr.

LaRon Landry (Getty Images)

Landry has been one of the top defensive backs in the country since he first stepped onto the field for the Bayou Bengals, earning SEC accolades since his freshman season. He is an athletic, instinctive and incredibly productive free safety who led LSU in tackles in 2003 and '04 and enters his senior season with 241 career tackles to go along with nine interceptions and 18 passes broken up.

LaRon is the younger brother of former Georgia Tech standout Dawan Landry, a fifth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens (146th overall) last April. LaRon is the more athletic and instinctive of the two, and with a strong senior season will compete to be the first safety selected in 2007.

7. Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami, 6-0, 190, Sr.

B. Meriweather (Getty Images)

The latest in a long line of talented Miami defensive backs, Meriweather enters his senior season as one of the elite safeties in the country. A veteran of 19 starts over 40 games, Meriweather has seen action at both strong and free safety and some feel he has the athleticism to eventually move to cornerback. His career numbers include 202 tackles, with 15 for loss, 17 passes broken up and six interceptions.

Though Miami players are often lauded for their athleticism -- and Meriweather certainly deserves recognition in that regard -- where he stands out is in his instinctive play. Rarely caught out of position, Meriweather has shown a feel for the game and flair for the dramatic similar to what former Miami star Ed Reed displayed throughout his illustrious career.

8. Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame, 5-11, 210, Sr.

Tom Zbikowski (Getty Images)

As good as Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija were for the Irish offense in 2005, Zbikowski might have been just as effective for Notre Dame in the deep secondary. The third-team All-American finished with 71 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions last season. His instincts and recovery speed set him apart from an otherwise leaky Notre Dame pass defense.

Astute fans might remember when Zbikowski signed with Notre Dame as a highly touted prep quarterback. His transition first to strong safety and then to free safety over the past few seasons has been an impressive one.

Zbikowski isn't satisfied with just his performance on the gridiron, however, as he is also pursuing opportunities as a boxer. An accomplished amateur with a 75-15 record in 90 career fights, Zbikowski was featured on the undercard of a professional heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden in June.

Despite knocking out Robert Bell in only 49 seconds, "Tommy Z" still lists playing safety at Notre Dame as his top priority.

9. Michael Griffin, S, Texas, 6-0, 205, Sr.

Michael Griffin (Getty Images)

Penn State is often referred to as Linebacker U. Perhaps Texas should be referred to as Defensive Back U, considering its remarkable track record for producing high-quality cornerbacks and safeties. The trend continues with Griffin, a veteran of 37 career games who is already in the UT record books before he plays a single snap of his senior season.

Though Griffin only has 15 starts to his credit, he has seen action throughout his career with the Longhorns. In fact, to this point his numbers are quite staggering when considering he has only been a starter for one season. Overall, he has posted 238 tackles, 11 for loss, three sacks, four interceptions, 13 passes broken up, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Griffin has also shown a remarkable ability to time his leap against punts, blocking a school-record six during his career.

Griffin's breakout season came last year, when as the starting free safety he led the team with 124 tackles along with four tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight passes broken up, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

10. Eric Weddle, S, Utah, 6-0, 202, Sr.

Utah's Eric Weddle (Getty Images)

While there are safeties across the country with more acclaim, Weddle deserves to be on this list. A first-team freshman All-American as a cornerback, Weddle was moved to strong safety and earned conference honors in his first season at the new position. Last year, with a second year at strong safety under his belt, he was recognized as the Mountain West Conference's Defensive Player of the Year with 78 tackles, 11 for loss, four sacks, four interceptions, 12 passes broken up and three forced fumbles.

Others to watch

Tarell Brown, CB, Texas, 5-11, 192, Sr.: Despite all of the attention lauded upon Michael Huff, Cedric Griffin and Michael Griffin, there are those who feel Brown could be the best defender of the bunch over the long term. Athletic and tough, Brown is a well-rounded cornerback capable of playing both man and zone coverages and isn't afraid to come up and support the run. He broke his arm in the Rose Bowl against Southern California and missed the spring, but is expected to be the starter this fall, just as he has been each of the past two seasons.

Fred Bennett, CB, South Carolina, 6-2, 190, Sr.: With Dunta Robinson, Jonathan Joseph and Ko Simpson establishing themselves as top-flight defensive backs over the past few seasons, it might be easy to forget about Bennett. He has the size and athleticism teams are looking for and quietly led the team last season with 10 passes broken up. Bennett hasn't played the physical brand of football one would anticipate for a player of his size, but he enters the 2006 season as the featured corner and could be on the verge of a breakout season.

Travarous Bain, CB, Hampton, 6-0, 178, Sr.: In scouting defensive backs, there are two nearly annual rites of passage. First, there will be a small-school cornerback with the athleticism and size to warrant a potential first-day selection. Bain certainly qualifies. The other is that a Miami Hurricane is among the top talents at the position. Some might recall Bain qualifies in this regard, as well, as he originally signed with the 'Canes as a highly touted prep athlete. A veteran of 34 games (though only nine starts), Bain should stand out this season.

Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal, 6-2, 198, Sr.: The Pac-10 has a bit of a reputation for being the pass-happy conference of the BCS. While that might be the case, it certainly isn't Hughes' fault, a first-team all-conference cornerback in 2005. Hughes finished with 62 tackles last season and challenged quarterbacks to throw his way. They weren't often successful. The angular corner finished with 12 passes broken up, including five interceptions.

Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon State, 6-3, 225, Sr.: Productive safety with a superb combination of size and speed. Is a bit of an enigma. Piscitelli is faster than he looks and seems to enjoy baiting quarterbacks, as his nine interceptions and 16 pass breakups over the past two seasons indicate. However, despite his spectacular frame, Piscitelli isn't the run-stuffing enforcer some teams like at strong safety. Has earned honorable mention Pac-10 honors after each of the past two seasons.

A.J. Davis, CB, North Carolina State, 5-10, 188, Sr.: Despite becoming a full-time starter just last season, Davis has been a key contributor to the defensive backfield throughout his career. Blessed with superb athleticism, Davis is also a standout performer in track. As a corner, Davis shows the speed and quickness to stick with receivers in man-to-man coverage.

John Wendling, S, Wyoming, 6-1, 222, Sr.: Many were surprised when Wyoming cornerback Derrick Martin elected to skip his senior year in favor of the NFL after last season. Martin went on to be drafted in the sixth round by Baltimore, but there are plenty who believe he wasn't even the most gifted defensive back on the Cowboys' roster. Wendling, a free safety, has finished either first or second on the team in tackles each of the past two seasons and has been clocked in the 4.3s.

David Irons, CB, Auburn, 5-10, 188, Sr.: Talented player whose history of knee injuries cloud what could be a high draft standing. A juco prospect from Butler Community College, Irons was granted a sixth year of eligibility after missing the 2001 (juco) and 2004 (Auburn) seasons with knee injuries. A second-team All-SEC performer in his first season at the D-I level, Irons led the Tigers with 11 passes broken up and chipped in 48 tackles. David is the older brother of blue chip running back prospect Kenny Irons, also with the Tigers.

John Talley, CB, Duke, 6-0, 190, Sr.: Productive collegiate performer whose ability to make big plays has scouts intrigued. Has earned second-team All-ACC honors after each of the past two seasons despite playing for a Duke squad that has mustered only three victories over that span. Lacks spectacular speed or physicality, but has rare instincts and body control when the ball is in the air.

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.