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The 2012 NFL Draft is just a day away, and with that in mind SB Nation New York continues its series of position-by-position draft previews. Today, we focus on cornerbacks.
With NFL offenses using more and more three, four and five-wide receiver sets the value of cornerbacks has risen accordingly. Defenses have to have players capable of matching up with all of those receivers, so collecting cornerbacks is a must. Fortunately for NFL defenses, 2012 looks like a year during which there is a lot of depth. Somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen corners could be chosen in the draft's first two days.
Let's take a closer look.
Top 5 Cornerbacks [Rated by SI.com]
1. Morris Claiborne, LSU
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
NOTES: Will be one of the first six players selected. Could he go as high as No. 3 to Minnesota?
2. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
NOTES: Has risen from a late-first to early-second round pick to a guy who may be one of the first 10 players selected.
3. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
4. Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
NOTES: A top 15 talent, according to most analysts, who could slide well into the second round due to character concerns.
5. Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SI.com Profile
Other Players To Watch
Trumaine Johnson, Montana; Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska; Josh Robinson, Central Florida; Brandon Boykin, Georgia; Josh Robinson, Coastal Carolina; Omar Bolden, Arizona State; Chase Minnifield, Virginia.
The defending Super Bowl champions drafted Prince Amukamara with their first-round selection a year ago. They also have Corey Webster. That, however, does not mean the position will be ignored by the Giants in 2012. New York lost Aaron Ross to free agency, signed Antwaun Molden and has veteran Terrell Thomas returning from knee surgery. They also have a plethora of other cornerbacks who spent all or most of 2011 on injured reserve.
Health concerns make pretty much every corner the Giants have other than Webster somewhat of a question. So, adding some depth and competition here would not be surprising.
The Giants have had Kirkpatrick and Bolden in for visits.
The Jets have Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson. Thus, corner does not seem like a priority position for Gang Green. The Jets, though, have hosted both Hosley and Johnson for visits.