Patriots Draft Option: Darius Slay (CB- Miss St.)

Drafting cornerbacks hasn't exactly worked out well for the Pats recently, but it's definitely a possible position of need in this years draft.  If Talib leaves via free agency and Dennard ends up having to miss time, there are going to be huge holes to fill at the position.  Darius Slay has been rising on draft boards and has had a great combine thus far.  If you haven't heard of him you've probably heard of his college teammate Johnathan Banks.  Banks played opposite of Slay at cornerback for Mississippi State and had the better college career and is the sexier name.  But a poor combine and doubt as to whether he could be a good pro player has caused his stock to fall.  Scouts have said they believe Slay has more pro potential but Banks would be the safe pick.  Also, recent rumors have stated that the Pats have expressed interest in drafting Johnathan Banks in the first round.

Well guess what...Skinny Sports doesn't fall for these typical Patriots booby traps.  The Patriots publicly expressing interest in Banks is nothing more than a smokescreen.  Belichick wants the attention off of Darius Slay so that he can draft him.  Slay, who stands at 6'0 192 has good size to be physical in the pros, and has exceptional speed as he ran a 4.3 40.  If cornerback is the direction the Pats want to go in the first or second rounds, I see Slay as being a very likely candidate to be taken, as he is still being projected to be in the 25-50 pick area.

Two other cornerbacks to keep on your radar: Xavier Rhodes (Florida St.), Blidi Wreh-Wilson (UConn)