2017 NFL Draft: Big Ten’s All-Draft Team

Cornerback

1st Team: Desmond King, Iowa
1st Team: Gareon Conley, Ohio State (junior)
1st Team Nickel: Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
2nd Team: Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State (redshirt sophomore)
2nd Team: Channing Stribling, Michigan
2nd Team Nickel: Jalen Myrick, Minnesota
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Clark, Michigan
Honorable Mention: Greg Maybin, Iowa
Honorable Mention: Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin

Desmond King won the Thorpe award in 2015, returned to school in 2016 and has cemented his status as one of the top cornerbacks in a loaded class. King has strong ball skills and is a technical tackler who rarely misses. He has shown a nose for the ball throughout his career, 13 interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 33 pass breakups. He is in the first round conversation.

Gareon Conley combines, length, athleticism, and ball skills to effectively play on the outside. Conley has the skill set to be better than former teammate Eli Apple (New York Giants) who went in the first round last year, but he isn’t quite there yet. Right now he looks like a solid day two prospect but could sneak into the first round if the right team falls in love with him.

Jourdan Lewis is 5’9 5/8″ and 182 pounds. If he was two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier he’d be a first round lock. But he’s not, and the in the NFL players of his stature usually struggle with the pro game. This will give teams pause.

Despite his frame limitations, his instincts are on another level. He plays bigger than his size and has shown the ability to adapt his game to make an impact in each game he plays. A day one starter at nickelback in the NFL, Lewis will likely hear his name called in the second round.

Marshon Lattimore is just a redshirt sophomore but several draft analysts think he could be the best player in this group. He is rangy and physical, and started the season looking like a first-round pick. Lattimore got exposed a bit at the end of the season, and he has seen his stock drop because of it. He has only started for one season and still has a lot to learn but he has the skills set to play in the NFL, possibly even this upcoming season.

Channing Stribling entered 2016 with questions around his abilities. He put those questions to bed in spring camp and entered the season as a starter. His ability to cover is as good any anyone in this conference. But he lacks a physical element to his game, specifically in run support, that will be required at the next level. His coverage skills will get him drafted but he will be limited to nickel and dime packages in the NFL, until he rounds out his skills.

Jalen Myrick biggest asset is his speed. According to NFL.com, Myrick is one of the fastest players in college football. Minnesota uses GPS devices to track their player speeds and have clocked him as fast as 23.4 miles per hour, that should put him somewhere in the 4.3’s. That type of speed puts you in draftable range.

Jeremy Clark broke his leg early in the season and has applied for a medical redshirt so that he could return to Michigan for a sixth year. It is still unclear if that will be approved, but if it is not he will have no trouble finding a home in the NFL. At 6’3 1/4″ and 220 ponds, Clark has the size and coverage skills that teams covet at the next level. His stock has taken a hit because of the injury, but I could see a team that covets length, like Seattle, take a flyer on him and try to get a steal.

Greg Maybin broke his leg a month ago and the timing couldn’t be worse for the 6’1″ senior. He would have been invited to an All-star game where he could have showcased his skills, but that opportunity has passed. He’ll get a shot at the NFL but his road will be a bit harder until he is healthy.

Sojourn Shelton is an undersized corner who will likely need to be a nickelback if he is going to succeed in the NFL. He doesn’t have ideal nickel speed but he is a sure tackler which is a necessity on the inside. He’s likely a priority undrafted free agent, but his strong work ethic will give him a shot to stick.