This is my fourth year covering the Philadelphia Eagles for Philly Sports Network. During my time analyzing every game and trying to further my knowledge of the sport itself, I’ve developed a real secondary love and passion for the defensive back, more notably, cornerbacks. I can’t exactly explain where that love came from, but from running a series that analyzed tape of the Eagles corners on a weekly basis in 2016 certainly helped me understand what it takes to play the position successfully. It’s the hardest position to play on defense. Trusted on an Island, it’s a position that will turn a player into a hero or a villain. A position that will see their play highlighted for years to come, or lost in the depths of an angry fanbase. Reputations as a lockdown corner or burned toast loom large over players willing to put themselves in a one-on-one against the NFL’s elite receivers and that’s what excites me. When the Eagles signed Patrick Robinson and I turned on the tape for the first time, I was mesmerized. How a player can be so strong for the Colts yet so weak one season later puzzled me. His backpedal was the smoothest I had ever seen and his instincts were just remarkable. But what changed? Why was he struggling so much in Training Camp? I’d figured it out, realizing that his potential lay inside, where he played his best football of his career, as opposed to his weaknesses being exploited beyond the numbers. This was the first bold take I’d really made; that Robinson was the team’s most underrated signing. A prediction made in the midst of being absolutely drilled by writers and fans alike during Training Camp. But then came the Ronald Darby trade. A move that pushed Robinson inside by default. The rest, as they say, was history. I wanted to really expand my knowledge. I talked to various DB coaches throughout the CFL and college ranks as well as a few NFL scouts and analysts. Keen to find out what makes a great corner, a ‘system corner’, a ‘breakfast corner’ a ‘dinner corner’, I became almost obsessed with seeing how these men could recover from embarrassing plays. Could they overcome adversity to make an impact just moments later? What’s the difference between a good and bad backpedal? Does length really matter? After a year of asking so many questions and trying to learn as much about what is asked of corners in a variety of defenses, I turned to this year’s draft class and wanted to put something together. This guide isn’t written for anybody in particular, but I devoted so much time and effort into breaking down 3 games of every cornerback who was invited to the NFL Combine so that I could further understand the intricacies that make the position one of the most exciting to watch on any given Sunday. I couldn’t have done this without the help of draftbreakdown.com. I don’t know who runs this website or how many dedicate hours and hours into creating player-specific tape videos, but they really are changing the landscape as we know it. These videos are all over YouTube and of course on their website and I could not urge you to visit them enough. They do some marvelous work and without them, this guide would simply not have been made and I would not have been able to sink so many hours into analyzing prospects over and over again. I also wanted to thank my family, my friends and my fellow Philly Sports Network writers for being so patient. These last few months have been beyond challenging personally and to be working two jobs and find the time to put this together has been a real grind. I’d like to think it’s shaped me into a better person and more importantly given this guide a sense of analysis you won’t find anywhere else. But without their support keeping me on track, motivated and hungry, it would never have been completed. Finally, I wanted to thank you. For taking the time to download this. I’m a 23-year old writer based in England, to think that people actually want to read what I write is still a little bit staggering to me and I don’t think I’ll ever quite get over it. But it means the world to me and I really hope this guide gives you a different perspective on these players. Blood, sweat and tears went into this. Literally. This is a free guide because I believe that everybody should have access to something like this and I would absolutely hate to make anyone feel they have to pay for subjective analysis. However, if you do feel that you want to donate a little something, my PayPal is [email protected]. Alternatively, if you wish to contact me with regards to anything in or about this guide or Philly Sports Network, please email [email protected] or [email protected]. My Twitter handle is @LiamJenkins21. I feel incredibly proud of this guide. It’s something I’ve devoted near enough every ounce of free time to over the last two months and I really do hope you enjoy it. Thank you for believing in me and for taking time out of your busy schedules to download this. Enjoy! - Liam MINKAH FITZPATRICK ALABAMA Is he a cornerback? Is he a Safety? Nobody FItzpatrick proved to be a reliable option in the really knows. The one thing we do know nickel and as a replacement Safety for Eddie however is that the Alabama defensive back Jackson for the Crimson Tide throughout his is a certified first rounder. Fitzpatrick fits the time there, but he can often show an mold of an emerging protoype in the NFL, a indecisiveness in his play when tasked with special breed of player who can rush the covering bigger wideouts, with hesitance in his quarterback, cover in the slot or play as a backpedal which can often create separation safety over the top. However, he doesn’t at the line of scrimmage. just fit this mold well, the DB who led the team in interceptions in 2016 arguably fits it The former Freshman All-SEC honoree better than anyone else. possesses quick footwork that allows him to stick his foot in the ground and adjust on the Fitzpatrick reminds me a lot of Malcolm fly with ease, but his movement in transition is Jenkins. A relentless motor and an a little rigid which at the next level would be exceptional Football IQ headline the list of punished by some of the quicker and more exceptional traits possessed by the New precise route-runners. But when playing over Jersey Native. With 8 tackles for a loss in the top, those weaknesses become 2017, Fitzpatrick was used all over the marginalized and his strengths emphasized. defense. A swiss-army knife who forces offenses to account for his presence While his ability to keep his eyes fixed in the wherever he lines up, Fitzpatrick has the backfield are a blessing in some areas, in ability to sting you from anywhere others, they’re a curse, especially in man- coverage. But that is something that can and He consistently takes good tackling angles will be coached up at the next level. in the open field and is able to keep plays HEIGHT/ 6’1/201 lbs WEIGHT PROJ TOP 10 COMBINE 40-yard dash Vertical Broad Bench 4.46 seconds 33 inches 121 inches 14 reps In a dream scenario, a team would utilize the ridiculous versatility possessed by Fitzpatrick to become the X-factor in their defense. A sixth defensive back who can be just as dominant in coming off the edge as he can be picking up screens and commanding the defense. He may not be a true outside cornerback, but Fitzpatrick has the potential to be one of the best hybrid defensive backs in the NFL should he be drafted into the right system. + Good tackling angles -Allows separation in press + Willing in the run -Quite jittery and indecisive in movement + possible slot CB ⁃Poor punch at line + Keeps eyes on QB a lot ⁃Eyes in the backfield a little too often + Read and react IMG +Knocks WR off routes, keeps play YEAR YEAR TACKLES TFL FF SACKS PD INT 2015 45 3 0 2 10 2 2016 66 5.5 1 1.5 7 2 2017 60 8 1 1.5 7 0 DENZEL WARD OHIO STATE Those of you who have followed Philly Sports Ward is a phenomenal athlete and this goes Network for a while will know I LOVE corners hand-in-hand with with what we see on the who thrive in press coverage. Defensive backs field. His ability to force wideouts onto a who aren’t afraid to show their teeth and win tightrope, using the boundary to his advantage the battle at the line will always hold a special is eyebrow raising to say the least and it’s very rare to see a mental mistake in press place in my heart and Ohio State’s Denzel Ward situations. But he isn’t perfect. is one of those players. He’s not the strongest tackler in the world and Ward had big boots to fill. After Marshon this can often hinder him in the open field or Lattimore and Gareon Conley left for the NFL, when playing zone.