NFL Draft prospects to watch in National Championship Game
By Brad Weiss
Cordrea Tankersley
CB, Clemson
The 2017 NFL Draft is loaded at the cornerback position, and as many as five or six could go in the first round. One of those prospects in Cordrea Tankersley, who scouts believe will be either a late first-round pick, or early second-round. He has all the physical talent to be an outside cornerback at the next level, and has proven to be a shutdown player during his time with the Clemson Tigers.
After the 2015 season, Tankersley toyed with the idea of heading to the NFL, but wisely chose to come back to Clemson. He had some flaws in his game that he needed to work on, and with the added experience, is now a legitimate first-round prospect. He has stepped up big as of late for the Tigers, intercepting three passes between the ACC Championship and College Football Semifinal.
There is so much depth at this position that Tankersley may fall out of the first round, but NFL teams love his ballhawking ability. He is going to be a very good player at the next level, and if he can work on his discipline, he could turn into an elite cornerback. He has the size and speed to cause fits in man coverage, and has played in some huge games throughout his career.
The cornerback position is at such a premium in the NFL, as the league has really turned into a quarterback-driven league. Teams are going to want someone with the physical tools to come right in and play right away. Of all the cornerbacks in this draft, there are only a few that project higher than Tankersley, who should be covering the Tides’ best receiver on Monday night.