Round Three (no pick)
James Bradberry, 6-1, 211, Samford
Xavien Howard, 6-0, 201, Baylor
The one I like best here is Xavien Howard out of Baylor. Some want to overstate his height at 6-foot-2 but he measured 6-foot-0 at the combine. However, if you watch him play, the important thing you’ll notice is that, he’s very good at using his quickness when the ball is in the air to make all the plays necessary to win… and he can use those skills to succeed in the big leagues. You may question his 4.58 speed but Howard plays fast much like Marcus Peters who gives a wide receiver some space if he thinks he’ll go long. I love the fact that he had to go up against Corey Coleman in practice every day and we’d all be shocked if Coleman didn’t go in the top 20. As much as any corner in this draft, Howard fights for the ball with good positioning once it is in the air. That’s why he’s high on my list for the Chiefs. Since Howard plays big… you can go ahead and say he’s 6-foot-2 if you want… you have my permission. For more combine information on Xavien Howard go here.
James Bradberry played for little Samford University outside of Birmingham Alabama. During Senior Bowl week Bradberry made me sit up and pay attention and at 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds with long arms and an 11 foot long jump it’s easy to see why he should make a good NFL corner because of his leg explosion. BuffaloBill.com said Bradberry had an excellent Senior Bowl week,
"“The most impressive big corner may have been James Bradberry of Samford College. He’s 6-1, 209 pounds. He did a good job in press coverage during Senior Bowl practices and used his 33-inch long arms to jam receivers and hold them up at the line of scrimmage during one on one drills.”"
For more combine information on James Bradberry go here.
While watching Senior Bowl week on the NFL Channel, Bradberry caught my eye as well and while I think he’ll end up making a good corner, or possibly a safety, I think it’s going to take a year or two for him to come into his own.
Although I prefer to watch game tape on prospects, please accept my highlight apology with this Xavien Howard highlight reel.
My Third Round Pick:
I think Xavien Howard is the best cornerback option for the Chiefs out of all of the corners mentioned here today, including those mentioned in the first and second rounds. Obviously the Chiefs don’t have a third round pick at this point so, John Dorsey may have to take him in the second round, but I think he’d be well worth the value at that point.
Next: Do Chiefs take one of these corners in the 4th round?