NFL Draft 2007: The Top 15 DBs

Last time, we took a look at the top wide receivers in the upcoming NFL draft. Now it is time to scan through the top 15 defensive backs that will have to play against those guys. This year’s defensive back crop has some very good talent. There could be as many as seven defensive backs taken in the first round. Although the second-tier guys here drop off a little from the upper echelon, expect most of these guys to be gone by the end of day one.

1. Laron Landry, S, LSU (6’2” 202lbs) – Laron Landry is far and away the best defensive back. Landry is fast and physical. His best attribute is that he is a playmaker. Teams will need to account for him at all times. He’ll develop into the next Ed Reed or Brian Dawkins, plus he’ll do it before Sean Taylor. Landry may be the "sure thing" prospect on the entire defensive side of the ball in this draft. He's probably even a better prospect than his former teammate JaMarcus Russell. Landry will be a top 10 pick for certain.

2. Leon Hall, CB, Michigan (5’11” 193lbs) – The only shutdown corner in this year’s draft, Hall has been the top corner since the beginning of the year. He had a fantastic pro day and settled some of the questions about his speed. Though he is not a burner, Hall is smart, physical, and athletic. He played at an elite level for most of his career at Michigan and is easily a notch above the other corners in this year's draft. Hall will go in the top 15 picks, if not the top 10.

3. Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh (6’0” 190lbs) – Revis is the top underclassmen amongst the defensive backs. Revis has outstanding speed and leaping ability. There are not many holes in his game. He didn’t match up against many elite receivers while at Pittsburgh, but he’s shown he has the potential to try it in the NFL. He is a fluid athlete, who will be relied upon to be a shutdown corner in the future. He’ll be a mid first round selection for sure.

4. Reggie Nelson, S, Florida (6’0” 198lbs) – Nelson burst on to the scene this past college season. Nelson lives up to the term “ball-hawking safety.” He came through and answered questions about his speed at Florida’s pro day. The biggest knock on Nelson is his lack of size and his ability to help in the run game. Nelson should be selected in the area of 15-25 in the upcoming draft.

5. Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas (5’11” 185lbs) – Houston lacks bulk, but he had a tremendous workout at the combine. Houston showed he had the speed and the strength to play at the next level. He also has a good upside after declaring following his junior season. Teams like the Broncos and the Giants will take long looks at Houston in the first round.

6. Michael Griffin, S, Texas (5’11” 195lbs) – Griffin may be considered slightly undersized, but his numbers speak loudly about his game. Griffin recorded over 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons at Texas. He possesses average speed and has shown the ability to make big plays on defense and special teams (8 blocked kicks in college). Griffin could go at the end of the first round and most certainly by the early second round.

7. Aaron Ross, CB, Texas (6’0” 192lbs) – Ross comes from a great system at Texas and will be an excellent corner at the next level. He’s quick and agile, with good speed. Ross will also turn teams on because he has experience returning punts. He looks a little thin and could use some added bulk to make him better in the NFL. Ross will start getting attention from the 23rd pick and on in the first round.

8. Eric Weddle, S, Utah (5’11” 205lbs) – Weddle is a superb athlete who did a little bit of everything in college. He played safety, corner, running back, returned punts and even tossed a few passes. He has good speed (though not elite) and great awareness. Weddle is a proven leader with exceptional instincts. There’s not much to knock about his game. It may shock some people if he is a first round pick, but he has the talent, though he’ll most likely be taken very early in round two.

9. Daymeion Hughes, CB, California (5’10” 190lbs) – Hughes has bounced around the draft already. Early last season, he was considered to be in the same class as Leon Hall, but he’s barely hanging on to the first round right now. Hughes was a first team All-American who has solid fundamentals, but lacks speed. He could still find a home in round one, but he’ll probably come off the board in round two.

10. Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami (5’10” 192lbs) – Meriweather certainly has athletic ability. The questions about him stem from his injury history and his character. Meriweather is quick and physical. He also provides versatility having played all over the defensive backfield while at Miami. Meriweather will be taken in the second round unless his off the field transgressions cause him to fall into the third.

11. Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse (6’0” 192lbs) – Jackson is another versatile guy who can play multiple positions in the secondary. He has adequate speed and is a fluid athlete. Jackson is another player who didn’t face much elite competition in college and may take some time to adjust to the NFL. He’ll be a solid second to third round selection for any team.

12. Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St (6’1” 200lbs) – McCauley has very good speed and more size than most of the other prospects on this list. Though he’s not overly physical, he can hold his own. He is a good athlete that spent a lot of time in coverage in the pass-happy WAC. McCauley could be a real steal for a team anywhere from the mid-second round to the third round.

13. Josh Wilson, CB, Maryland (5’9” 188lbs) – Wilson can be a blur on the field at times. He’s has tremendous speed and is a very smooth athlete. Although he lacks height and bulk, he has held his own playing against some sizeable targets in the SEC. He could develop into a Lito Sheppard type player with some coaching. Wilson should be a third round selection to a team that can let him develop, and then replace an aging veteran.

14. C.J. Gaddis, CB, Clemson (6’0” 208lbs) – Gaddis is an intriguing prospect who surprised many people by leaving school early. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s a physical corner who also runs well. Gaddis is a solid athlete who could possibly find a home as a safety in the NFL. A potential selection in the third round, he’s more likely to go in the fourth round and could develop into an excellent starter if given some time to learn.

15. Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech (6’3” 218lbs) – Rouse is an imposing presence who actually began his VT career as a linebacker. Rouse is not very good in coverage, but he’s a huge player in the run game. If he wants to play safety in the NFL, he’ll have to improve his coverage skills or he’ll have to bulk up and move back to linebacker. He plays aggressive and will make receivers fear the middle. He also has solid speed for his size. Expect Rouse to be a late third to early fourth round selection.

That wraps up this week’s position breakdown.

Next Week: The Top 20 Defensive Lineman