Cornerback again features multiple first-round talents and excellent depth

Fifth in a series

Over the past decade it seems cornerback has been one of the strongest positions at the top of the draft and one of the deepest.

While this year will be no exception, the Top 20 have unusual size.

Day 1 prospect

1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama (6-2, 208, Junior)

His dad, Patrick Surtain, was a Pro Bowl cornerback and now a high school coach so as you'd hope, Surtain is more than just a special athlete with outstanding size for the position. He appears to be NFL ready with excellent technique and outstanding man-to-man cover abilities. He started Alabama's last 38 consecutive games.

Potential Bears targets

2. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina (6-1, 206, Junior)

Horn is another plus size corner with NFL genes (dad Joe was a wide receiver for the Saints) and he is outstanding in man coverage. He was sturdy and dependable with 19 consecutive starts before opting out after Week 7 last season. He'll need to prove he can get a bit more physical.

3. Greg Newsome, Northwestern (6-feet, 190, Junior)

Newsome has very good size but is a notch below the big two at the top. He has all of the skill and technique you look for in a first-round corner, but injuries have been an issue, causing him to miss half his freshman year in Evanston and all of his sophomore season. He was then injured in game seven of the 2020 season, causing him to miss the Big Ten Championship game and then sit out the Citrus Bowl to get ready for the draft.

4. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech (6-2, 197, Junior)

Farley would be right there with Surtain and Horn but a history of injuries and recent back surgery make him difficult to project. He has great speed, but he needs coaching and technique to make up for time lost to injury and opting out in 2020.

Second-round targets

5. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse (6-2½, 205, Junior)

Another big corner with excellent traits and exceptional toughness. He is a big hitter some teams will think about at safety, but his coverage skills and size could make him special on the corner.

6. Eric Stokes, Georgia (6-1, 194, Junior)

Stokes isn't just fast; he's quick as a hiccup and could fit either on the boundary or in the slot. Not sure if he's physical enough to handle NFL studs in press and bump-and-run coverages, but he is an exciting slot prospect who could excel with coaching and patience.

7. Tyson Campbell, Georgia (6-1, 193, Junior)

Physically he's a clone of his teammate, Eric Stokes, but he'll have to play outside until he gains confidence and technique to play inside.

8. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky (5-11 ½, 197, Sophomore)

Special traits but only nine games as a starting corner in college. He has a ton to work with and a lot left to prove.

9. Elijah Molden, Washington (5-9½, 192, Senior)

Another protégé - dad Alex was an NFL DB - Molden is more a sky-high character gym rat than special athlete.

10. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida St. (5-10, 180, Junior)

You know him because his dad of the same name is a four-time Pro Bowler with two rings. He's the same size as dad but not quite the athlete.

11. Aaron Robinson, Central Florida (5-11½, 186, Senior)

12. Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas (6-feet, 193, Senior)

Third round/high Day 3

13. Paulson Adebo, Stanford (6-1, 198, Junior)

14. Shakur Brown, Michigan St. (5-10, 185, Junior)

15. Kary Vincent Jr., LSU (5-10, 185, Senior)

16. Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota (6-feet, 202, Junior)

17. Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina (6-4, 212, Junior)

18. Ambry Thomas, Michigan (6-feet, 191, Senior)

19. Shaun Wade, Ohio St. (6-1, 196, Junior)

20. Marco Wilson, Florida (6-feet, 191, Junior)

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