Underwear Olympics: Stock up/down on cornerbacks after testing
This 2023 NFL Draft cornerback class is a good and intriguing one with plenty of talent for teams looking for corner help. Though corner is a strength of the Cleveland Browns they still need to figure out the nickel corner role. Greg Newsome II doesn’t seem to want to play the position and neither Martin Emerson Jr. nor Denzel Ward is suited for the role. The Browns got a better look at these guys at the NFL Scouting Combine.
With plenty of talent at the outside corner position as well as some intriguing options for teams like the Browns looking for a slot cornerback. Let’s take a look at the biggest movers after the scouting combine and athletic testing for corners are completed.
Stock Up: Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez was already one of the draft’s top corners but his athletic testing solidified him as a first-round prospect. Running an impressive 4.38 40-yard dash to go with a 41.5-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-1 broad jump.
Athletically Gonzalez put himself in elite territory getting a 9.95 Relative Athletic Score based on his combine testing. The tape matches the testing and Gonzalez should firmly be one of the first corners off the board in April.
Stock Down: Clark Phillips III, Utah
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Clark Phillips’s athletic testing didn’t do good things for his draft stock after running a middle-of-the-pack 4.51 40-yard dash. He also didn’t jump well at 5-foot-9 only managing a 33-inch vertical though he did show some good strength being able to do 18 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press event.
Stock Up: DJ Turner, Michigan
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
What a show Michigan’s DJ Turner put on in Indianapolis as the Wolverine slot corner shined with his athleticism. He has the speed and athleticism to play in the slot in the NFL running a blazing 4.26-second 40-yard dash.
He showed a nice change of direction and mobility in his hips while also having an impressive vertical at 38.5 inches to go with a 10-foot-11 broad jump and an overall Relative Athletic Score of 9.13. If the Browns turn to the draft for a slot corner early Turner should be on that list of prospects.
Stock Down: Alex Austin, Oregon State
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn’t a good event for Oregon State’s Alex Austin who ran just a 4.55 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. His vertical was not good either with just a 33-inch vertical and a middle-of-the-pack broad jump at 10-foot-2. Athletic testing is far from the only important aspect of testing but Austin hurt his stock in Indy.
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