2009 NFL Combine: Cornerbacks and Safeties Open Thread

Vontae Davis - CB

Illinois

5'11"

203 lbs.

Vontae Davis is by far the popular mock draft consensus for the Saints as their first round draft pick. Davis is supposed to be an incredible athlete above all else so todays workouts should be a breeze for him. A good day at the Combine could even make him the most desired cornerback in the draft.

Malcolm Jenkins - CB

Ohio State

6'0"

204 lbs.

Though he's been a popular choice as the Saints first round pick in a few mock drafts, he's already off the board in many others. As it stands now, Jenkins is considered the best cornerback in the draft which, unfortunately, means he's got nowhere to go but down. He will need to do well today to back up all the hype.

Alphonso Smith - CB

Wake Forest

5'9"

193 lbs.

I'll admit that I'm not crazy about Smith's height but he really turned heads during the Senior Bowl last month. He will do wonders for his draft stock If he can excel during todays workouts. Still, 14th overall might be a stretch for the Saints depending on who is left on the board.

Louis Delmas - CB

Western Michigan

5'11"

202 lbs.

Delmas has the disadvantage of coming from a small school. Nothing does more to put those small school stereotypes to bed better than an awesome Combine performance. Currently, Delmas doesn't project to be a first round pick so he might be a more likely option for the Saints if he's still on the board in the middle rounds.

Darius Butler - CB

Connecticut

5'10"

183 lbs.

Darius Butler helped his draft stock immensely with consistently solid play at this years Senior Bowl. Though he is a longshot to be picked by the Saints at the 14th spot or even in the first round, Butler could definitely help his case by putting up respectable numbers today. We should also keep an eye on him in case the Saints do trade down and want to pick up a cornerback in the second or third round.

Patrick Chung - Strong Safety

Oregon

5'11"

212 lbs.

Like Darius Butler, Chung was a relative unknown until he made a name for himself during last month's Senior Bowl where he played very well. His popularity has risen among Saints fans recently and a solid performance at the Combine would do wonders for his draft stock.

William Moore - Safety

Missouri

6'0"

221 lbs.

Of all the safeties being discussed as possible Saints draft picks, William Moore has the best size to match up against the tall receivers of the NFL. Moore's Senior Bowl performance certainly didn't help his stock so I'm sure he'll be looking for redemption today. A good day today could solidify him as the top safety in the draft, a position that's been questionable lately.

Rashad Johnson - Free Safety

Alabama

5'11"

203 lbs.

Johnson definitely has the ability to be one of the top safeties chosen in this years draft with a good day at the Combine. If the Saints did in fact draft Rashad, he would join fellow Crimson Tide alum Roman Harper in the backfield at safety.

Target Numbers

Below are target numbers, put together by Gil Brandt, that both cornerbacks and safeties should be looking to hit or surpass in their Combine performance today.

Cornerback
Drill	Target
40-yard dash	4.55 seconds
10-yard split (40)	1.60 seconds
20-yard split (40)	2.65 seconds
Bench press	15 reps at 225 pounds
Vertical jump	36 inches
Broad jump	10 feet, 0 inches
20-yard shuttle	4.00 seconds
60-yard shuttle	11.2
3-cone drill	7.00 seconds

Safetey
Drill	Target
40-yard dash	4.60 seconds
10-yard split (40)	1.65 seconds
20-yard split (40)	2.60 seconds
Bench press	18 reps at 225 pounds
Vertical jump	36 inches
Broad jump	10 feet, 0 inches
20-yard shuttle	4.05 seconds
60-yard shuttle	11.2
3-cone drill	7.10 seconds