NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Backs

(This is the seventh of an 8-part series leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft. For the next eight days we'll examine each position in the draft and rank our Top 10 at each position. The final installment will feature the Fanatics 2007 Mock Draft).

Cornerbacks are one of the darlings of the NFL Draft. Coaches, General Managers and Personnel Directors love to select corners, especially in the first round.

Because of the one-back and multiple-receiver sets, teams feel it's important to have three cornerbacks on the field a high percentage of the time in order to match up against all the fast receivers. Some teams played three cornerbacks as much as 62 percent of the time, with the least amount about 33.8 percent.

Over the past 10 NFL drafts, 43 cornerbacks have been selected in Round 1 -- the most of any position. During that time, 89 more were selected in Rounds 2 and 3 -- also the most of any position.

The feeling around the league is that you can never have too many good cornerbacks, especially considering how the game is played these days.

If you want more evidence of how important a good corner is to a team look no further than the big contracts given to Nate Clements and Dre Bly in the offseason.

As far as the top corner in this years class, there's a difference of opinion as to who's number one. The debate is between Pittsburgh's Darrelle Revis and Michigan's Leon Hall.

Revis has the size (6-0, 204) and speed (4.40) that you love to see in a corner. He is smart with great character. He's strong and will support the run, an intangible many cornerbacks don't like to do. He plays with a lot of confidence, is an excellent return man and could even play safety.

Hall is smart, mature and well-liked; he's an outstanding person. He can play press coverage and plays against the run well. He does not play as fast as his timed speed; you expect more from him as far as making plays. He has sure hands; he can return punts. He started 37 games at Michigan so he has a ton of big game experience.

Because of his size and ability to play the run so well, the Fanatics Blog puts Revis in the top spot - just a smidgen ahead of Hall.

The safety position seems to become more important every year, but it still ranks behind cornerback when the draft comes around. For the safety position, teams are looking for someone who can tackle, blitz and be able to run with receivers, tight ends and running backs.

In order to be a top player at this position, one needs to be a good tackler, as many teams now play eight defenders in the box against the run. You have to be a good blitzer and be able to cover big, fast tight ends, and speedy receivers. It also doesn't hurt to be a good special teams performer.

The 2007 NFL Draft has one of the deepest safety classes in a long time. As many as five could go in the first round.

The best of the best is LSU's LeRon Landry, perhaps the most complete NFL-ready performer in the draft. Landry has all the measurables: size (6-1, 213 pounds) and speed (4.35). He had a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches and a long jump of 10-3.

He started 10 games as a true freshman at LSU in 2003 and earned second-team All-SEC honors. He started 38 games over the next three years at both strong and free safety. Landry is a hard-working player who plays smart and is very instinctive. He is a big hitter, a very good tackler, and he has very good anticipation. He doesn't have great hands and will drop some interceptions. He should start as a rookie and play in a lot of Pro Bowls during his career.

Top 10 Cornerbacks:
1. Darrelle Revis - Pittsburgh
2. Leon Hall - Michigan
3. Aaron Ross - Texas
4. Marcus McCauley - Fresno State
5. Chris Houston - Arkansas
6. Eric Wright - UNLV
7. Josh Wilson - Maryland
8. Daymeion Hughes - California
9. Jonathan Wade - Tennessee
10. A.J. Davis - NC State

Best Pro Prospect: Revis
Sleeper: McCauley
Falling: Hughes

Top 10 Safeties:
1. LeRon Landry - LSU
2. Michael Griffin - Texas
3. Reggie Nelson - Florida
4. Brandon Merriweather - Miami, Fla.
5. Tanard Jackson - Syracuse
6. Eric Weddle - Utah
7. Josh Gattis - Wake Forest
8. Aaron Rouse - Virginia Tech
9. Gerald Alexander - Boise State
10. Sabby Piscitelli - Oregon State

Best Pro Prospect: Landry
Sleeper: Weddle
Falling: Merriweather