Gilbert vs. Dennard
 

We've had Planeteers here in the Draft forum pine for either cornerback.

Here's a great piece detailing what to like in either corner.

It comes from a Giants' perspective, however. Live with it.

http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyor...ustin-gilbert/

Comparing Potential New York Giants Draft Targets: Darqueze Dennard Vs. Justin Gilbert
by axr29
January 6th, 2014 at 4:00 PM

As we head into the offseason of what was a disappointing 2013-2014 season for the New York Giants, there is some work to do. The Giants will be looking to fill several holes in this May's NFL Draft and one of those holes is at cornerback, where they are in need of another top flight cornerback.

Terrell Thomas, Truman McBride and Jayron Hosley provide solid depth, but with Corey Webster likely moving on, the Giants will be for a cornerback to play opposite Prince Amukamara. There should be a few cornerback options available at the No. 12 pick, and here will be compare the top two options: Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State and Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State.

Coverage Skills:

Gilbert and Dennard come from two drastically different schemes but both excel in man coverage. At Michigan State, cornerbacks were left one on one with wide receivers on the outside with no safety help at all over the top. Given how he had to play in college, Dennard is probably the more likely of the two to develop into a true shutdown corner. Gilbert has experience playing in both man and zone coverage, and faced better receivers this year than Dennard did. Gilbert played on outstanding game in the Cotton Bowl, where Missouri's three top wide receivers all measured over 6'5". Gilbert did a great job on Dorial Green-Beckham, one of the elite wide receivers in college this year, while spending most of the night on an island. Where Gilbert has an advantage over Dennard is that Dennard does not have the elite speed that Gilbert has, so Dennard will have trouble recovering if he does get beat by a faster receiver. Overall, Dennard's skills are more polished, and has a slight advantage in this area.

Edge: Dennard

Run Support:

Both players are also excellent in run support, and Dennard did a great job against Stanford in the Rose Bowl. He seemed to be in the middle of every running play, which was a good sign for NFL scouts. Gilbert's bigger frame will probably help him adjust better to NFL running games, until at least Dennard puts on some more weight. Both players shed their blocks well and know how to wrap up and finish a tackle. Dennard and Gilbert seem to be pretty equal in run support.

Edge: Push

Ball Skills:

Dennard had limited opportunities to make interceptions, as quarterbacks did their best to avoid him in his great career at Michigan State. Dennard has an exceptional feel for knowing when to turn and make a play on the ball. However, he doesn't have the elite athleticism to make the tough interceptions or the strength at the moment to win most one on one balls at the NFL level. Much like Dennard, Gilbert also has a great feel for turning and making a play on the ball. Where Gilbert has the edge on Dennard is that his elite athleticism and strength for a corner will help him in one on one jump ball situations. His hands wouldn't be considered elite, but his top end speed will help turn his interceptions into big plays and possible scores.

Edge: Gilbert

Instincts:

Both players posses great instincts, but Dennard has a clear edge in this area. Gilbert is great at anticipating plays, however he gambles a lot and that can get taken advantage of on double moves at the next level. Dennard rarely finds himself out of position and doesn't fall victim to the double move.

Edge: Dennard

Intangibles:

Dennard had issues with injuries at Michigan State (shoulder in 2012, concussion and ankle in 2011, knee surgery in 2010), which is always a concern. Gilbert stayed healthy his whole career, never missing a game. Gilbert's height and weight is ideal for the NFL (6', 200 pounds) and has longer than average arms for the position. His elite speed gives him the edge here, as he will end up clocking in the high 4.4 to low 4.5 range.

Edge: Gilbert

Conclusion:

The New York Giants really can't go wrong picking either guy. Gilbert probably fits Fewell's system better, as Dennard has played little to no zone coverage in his career. There is a chance Dennard could end up like Revis did in Tampa Bay, but if the Deoin Sanders comparison is correct it would be worth Fewell adjusting the system. Gilbert's playmaking ability in the a secondary with Antrell Rolle and Will Hill could make the secondary extremely dangerous. At the moment, there really is no right or wrong choice between the two, so we will see how they perform at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.

The Pick: Inconclusive

If one of these guys is there at #23 they'll probably be the BPA and if that's the case we should make him the pick.

I honestly don't see Gilbert as being much faster than Dennard. I wouldn't be surprised if they both clocked in the 4.5 range at the combine.

Eesh. They both better be in the 4.4 range or better, otherwise Dorsey ain't taking them at 23.

It's irrelevant.

They are both under six feet.

The Chiefs won't be taking either one of them as they don't fit what Sutton wants in his corners.

And I think that they are happy going forward with Sean Smith and Cooper and the outside guys and Flowers in the nickel. I expect big things from Cooper in 2014.

They might look at either Jean-Baptiste or McGill in the third round, but they will most likely not be considering either Dennard or Gilbert in the first. They'd go OL, DL, S or WR before CB.

Dunta Robinson says what

You saw how much Robinson played this year and where he was in the hierarchy of Chiefs defensive backs.

Sutton loves big corners to play his press man scheme. So much so that a guy of Flowers ability was pushed into the nickel back slot in favor of a seventh round free agent rookie (Cooper).

While you never say never, I think it would be a definite long shot for the team to consider either of these two CB's, especially with their first round pick.

How does Gilbert not fit? Six foot 200 lbs is pretty good size.

Wasn't his height that was the problem.

Well, there is the inability to cover anybody that factors in, but we all know Flowers can cover and you saw who was starting at LCB at the end of the season.

I like both players and think that Dennard is very good, but I can envisioning them liking both McGill and Jean-Baptiste a little more with their third round pick versus spending a first on a 5'11" guy who will, most likely, put down a 40time that's slower than the 6'3", 215 lbs. guy.

It's why they prioritized Sean Smith in free agency and pushed Cooper into the games quickly.

The problem is, when McGill runs a 4.4 at the Combine, he's most likely a high second rounder and it seems that everyone is loving Jean-Baptiste right now. I don't think either will be available when the Chiefs select in the third.

And, as I stated, I think that they'll be pretty happy with Smith, Cooper and Flowers going into the 2014 season. You're looking for some quality backups at this point and I just don't see them using a first rounder on a CB when they obviously need another starter at WR, FS and OG.

I agree with you that the pick is most likely going to be an OL guy. Kouandjio, Zach Martin, Yankey, Sua-filo, Richardson and Jackson are all very real possibilities.

However, WR or S is the single biggest need on the team. Nobody past Bowe has proven themselves. Avery has horrible hands. Hemmingway is slow. Jenkins no one knows anything about and Dexter is a free agent.

And the safety position is in limbo past Berry in terms of contracts. But there isn't a real standout (at this point) in the draft at the FS position past Clinton-Dix, and I don't really know if he's even as good as some of the free agents that will be available, two of which Dorsey and Reid have familiarity with in Green Bay's Morgan Burnett and the Eagles' Nate Allen. I'd be shocked if they don't address that position in free agency versus the draft and resign one or more of the current Chiefs FA's (Abdullah, Demps, Lewis) and try to bring along Sanders Commings as quickly as possible.

I think that Reid and Dorsey are pragmatists and will end up picking the best player available at a position of high need. The did this in the 2013 draft to a "T," and, at this point, I would think that it's either going to be WR or OL.

If McGill runs a 4.4 at the combine, we should probably take him.

If they want them that bad, they'll trade up.

I haven't seen any conversation about Loucheiz Purifoy. 6' CB that runs a 4.41. What's the scoop on Lou?

Good project, probably goes in the second round. Won't have a shot at him.

And people need to remember that both Chancellor and Sherman dropped in the draft because of their poor 40 times at the combine.

However, they were still excellent football players who kept their speed in pads. They certainly play fast enough on the field. And their length helps them a ton. A lot of guys at those positions get caught up if they are too long, but both of those guys use it to their advantage.

Utah's Keith McGill has all the tools. (And he's purportedly fast as shit.) The thing I worry about is his football acumen. I don't know if he's a killer or not, and that goes a long way at the next level.