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Heading into the upcoming NFL Draft, the Ravens have had their eye on several cornerback prospects, and one of the closest monitored has been Boise State's Kyle Wilson.
According to media reports, Ravens secondary coach **Chuck Pagano** was in attendance at Wilson's Pro Day, where the former Bronco seemingly cemented his first-round status.
The Ravens could use a playmaker of Wilson's ilk considering **Fabian Washington** and **Lardarius Webb**, two of their top cornerbacks, are coming off season-ending knee injuries.
While the Ravens are keeping their draft plans close to the vest, Wilson remains an intriguing option – if he's still around.
Could Wilson be available when the Ravens pick at No. 25? If he is, there is no doubt Wilson's playmaking ability, speed and strength would help them.
"I was happy how everything went," Wilson said about his Pro Day performance. "I know I'm as fast as they come, so hey, I'll trust my speed versus anybody."
Wilson, 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine by bench pressing 225 pounds 25 times, five more than any other cornerback and second-most among all defensive backs.
A strained hamstring kept him out of the 40-yard dash, leaving his speed as a lingering question.
Wilson's answer was a blazing time on his home turf, as he was clocked between 4.39 and 4.47 seconds.
"I don't have any excuses," he said at the time. "I trained hard, I was ready to go and I came out here and did my best."
It's not that Wilson is a surprise riser, though. He was good enough in college to earn all-conference or All-American honors all four years. Wilson emerged on the national radar as a junior, when he led Boise State with five interceptions and 10 pass breakups, adding three punt returns for touchdowns.
Wilson followed that with three picks as a senior, taking two of them to the end zone.
"He's shown some quickness and speed and ability to finish and tackle well. He's a good prospect," Ravens director of player personnel **Eric DeCosta** told the Carroll County Times at the Senior Bowl in January.
With that in mind, here are some other cornerbacks to watch towards the end of the first round:
Devin McCourty, Rutgers5-foot-11, 193 pounds
2009 Stats:80 tackles, 10 pass breakups, one interception
The Skinny: Reports also placed Ravens representatives at McCourty's Pro Day. McCourty already has NFL bloodlines, as his identical twin, Jason, currently plays for the Tennessee Titans. But, according to NFLDraftScout.com, Devin McCourty is pro-caliber in his own right. Known for his physical play and brains – he made multiple Big East All-Academic teams – his top-end speed has been questioned, even though he ran a 4.41-second 40 at the Combine.
Kareem Jackson, Alabama
5-foot-11, 196 pounds
2009 Stats:49 tackles, 13 pass breakups, one interception
The Skinny:Jackson is the highly-competitive player NFL teams love. The junior asked for his grade from the NFL Advisory Committee but didn't read it until after the BCS Championship game so it wouldn't be a distraction. He is aggressive and physical, which could be hindered by pro pass interference rules. Jackson does use his hands well and was officially clocked at 4.48 seconds at the Combine.
Patrick Robinson, Florida State5-foot-11, 190 pounds
2009 Stats:47 tackles, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, zero interceptions
The Skinny:A lanky athlete, Robinson isn't known for his run-support skills, according to NFLDraftScout.com. But, he does possess good hands, instincts, quickness and speed – Robinson was clocked at 4.48 seconds in the 40 at his Pro Day. He burst onto the scene in 2007 with six picks, but trailed off to be shut out last year. Consistency is
the question with the former Seminole.
And, here is one more intriguing potential corner that may slip past the first round:
Earl Thomas, Texas5-foot-10, 202 pounds
2009 Stats:63 tackles, 16 pass breakups, eight interceptions
The Skinny:An All-American last season, Thomas scored two touchdowns out of his eight picks. He played safety at Texas, but many pundits believe he will move to corner at the next level. After only two years in school, Thomas is young, but his roots as the son of a pastor and Hurricane Rita evacuee add another level of maturity. The former Longhorn is also really fast, clocking a 4.37-second 40 last week.
