Cornerback 

LSU

6-0 219

Draft Board Overall Cornerback Rank: #1

Draft Board Overall Prospect Rank: #1

Rating: 98 (elite) 

40 time: 4.32

3/7/11: Patrick Peterson is the most hyped cornerback prospect since Charles Woodson, the 1997 Heisman winner who went 4^th overall to the Raiders in 1998. No cornerback has ever gone in the top 2 picks, let alone #1, but Peterson could be the first to go in the top 2 and, in a year with no elite #1 quarterback, the first to go #1 overall. He could be the first defensive back to go top 2 since Eric Turner, a safety, went 2^nd to the Browns in 1991. Turner was an elite safety before his untimely death. Peterson could be the first defensive back to go top 3 since Shaun Springs, a cornerback, went 3^rd to the Seattle Seahawks in 1997.

Peterson’s chances to go #1 exist as a result of his once in a generation talent and a draft class largely devoid of elite #1 talent. Peterson seems to be the consensus #1 prospect across most “experts” Big Boards right now and he’s #1 on mine. He is the complete package. He’s someone who took away the opponent’s top receiver often in college. He was rarely thrown on and he’s above average against the run.

He has amazing size at 6-0 219 and excellent speed, 4.32, to accompany that. He’s a workout wonder and he contributes on special teams as well. He didn’t have a ton of picks in college because opposing quarterbacks tended to throw away from him, but when he was thrown on, he showed above average ball skills and ability to make a play on the ball in the air. He also might be the best playmaker in the open field of any defensive back in this draft class. He can turn any pick into a pick six.

He has the speed to keep up with faster receivers and the size and vertical ability to match up with bigger receivers. He’s best as a bump and run corner. He can have some trouble with craftier receivers and quick fast receivers, as he doesn’t have elite hip fluidity and he doesn’t change directions all that well. He’s quicker than fast and needs some work on mirroring elite route runners. This is something that will likely improve with age. He also isn’t as good in zone coverage as he is in man coverage, where he uses his combination of athleticism and football smarts to blanket most receivers one-on-one.

NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson