Nine Defensive Backs selected in the first round is the modern record- Will we see it again this year?

Yet as much as this was a rarity, we find ourselves in a position where that might happen again. I see at least 12 corners that I think will be NFL starters in their first years on the team. Draft priorities, salary caps and free agent money have brought us an era where DBs could be on the rise again and this year could produce 9 drafted in the first round.

Why you didn't notice the first record

The great 2014 NFL Draft had tons of storylines. Johnny Manziel slipping in the draft and falling to the Browns. Rumors that Jerry Jones had to have the phone ripped away from him to keep him from taking Manziel. Rumors that Manziel called the Browns and said come up and get me. Michael Sam being the first openly gay player drafted were a few of the stories. 

Draft Hits

The first round produced Pro Bowlers at almost every position. Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr, Jake Matthews, Taylor Lawan, Zach Martin, Teddy Bridgewater, and Eric Ebron were all first round Pro Bowl selections on Offense. Defensively Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr, Ryan Shazier, Kyle Fuller, C.J. Mosely, Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Dee Ford, and Jason Verrett all made Pro Bowls. 

First-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney came in with the buzz of being the most elite defensive prospect since Lawrence Taylor. From High school to college, he was picked to be "the" guy. He made the Pro Bowl and despite never recording a 10-sack year, has been a very solid NFL Player. However, the All Time Great drafted that day was not Clowney. It was Pitt Panther Aaron Donald. Donald and Martin are probably looking at First Ballot Hall of Fame selections. 

The draft was deep. Davante Adams is another likely first Ballot HOF selection and he was a second-rounder. Fresno State teammate Derek Carr was also a second-rounder and a Pro Bowl selection. Joel Botinio and DeMarcus Lawrence made Pro Bowls and as well as Allen Robinson, Jarvis Landry, and a ton of two contract starters in the NFL. 

All things being told it was easy to overlook how rare it was to see 9 defensive backs taken in the first round of a draft. Yet the climate in the NFL has changed and the factors are right to see it again. 

Free agency

There were many excellent defensive backs to enter free agency this year. Jordan Poyer, Jessie Bates, future HOFer Patrick Peterson, Byron Murphy and Chauncey Gardner Johnson to name a few. Yet as the musical chairs placed each talent in their home, there was an obvious theme, these are not major contracts. Most contracts were one or two-year deals that were very small cap hits. The NFL is a weird beast. How is it that the number of passes have gone up so the pay for passers has also gone up. Yet the pass defenders are seeing more passes and their fee is going nowhere? No need worrying about understanding it, just know that it means more teams are prioritizing the draft for defensive backs because the rookie contract is easier to carry. Better to get a player for 4-5 years for cheap, than to pay big money on the second contract. This logic means that they will prioritize keeping and pursuing offensive Tackles, edge rushers, and quarterbacks with big money and draft more DBs instead of keeping old ones. 

Justin Gilbert

The main reason why most forget about this defensive back draft class is because of the shortcomings of Justin Gilbert. On paper, it makes no sense that a player with Gilbert's talent would not make it in the NFL. Marcus Spears once said that because he was a first-rounder, he would get more chances than a player drafted in later rounds. Even if it didn't work out with the Cowboys, he would get moved to another team and get a shot there. Yet Justin was out of the league in two years. He had one steller game and then disappeared after a trade and a failed drug test. When people think of 2014 DBs, they think of him and dismiss the rest. 

Kyle Fuller was a Pro Bowler and a strong starter in the NFL. Jason Verrett was also voted to a Pro Bowl and was a very good starter. One could say that Dennard didn't work out, but he had a unique situation where he was drafted to a team that was deep at his position. Also Calvin Poyer only showed exceptional play in 2015 year. I would argue that the others had very solid careers. Deone Bucannon was a very good starter for Arizona and put up solid numbers as a tackler. Ha Ha Clinton Dix made huge plays in his time as a starter for Green Bay. Jimmy Ward is still a big playmaker in the NFL to this day and having a very good career. The final defensive back drafted was cornerback Bradley Roby. Roby has played well as a slot corner and situational starter. He is still in the league to this day. 

This draft, like that draft, had all the early signs to make history. I would argue that this draft is even deeper than that draft, especially at the cornerback position. The no-brainers are Devin Weatherspoon, the shutdown man-man corner who is a physical tackler. He is joined by Christian Gonzalez who is a Jalen Ramsey level athlete and playmaking. Joey Porter Jr. is a combination of his NFL father's genes, his length, and his ability to be violent through the hands when competing for passes. Two-time National Champion Keelee Ringo brings his size and crazy speed to the first round. He will be joined by fellow SEC cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who like Fred Smoot in the early 2000s is very light on the scale, but he has blazing speed and returned 6 interceptions for touchdowns. I believe these five are first round locks. 

Now things get interesting. The bottom of the draft is Seattle, LA Chargers, Baltimore, Minnesota, Jacksonville, NY Giants, Dallas, Buffalo, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Kansas City. Of these teams, I imagine that Philadelphia and Kansas City will not draft a defensive back. Thanks to free agency signings and drafting success last year at the position, they are good. I also think Dallas will not draft a defensive back due to getting Stephon Gilmore in a trade and the return of key players from injuries in the slot and safety returning to the team. Buffalo is a maybe, as they get White back and they re-sign Poyer. But Hamlin's is questionable(though he should recover fully) so they could consider going safety. I just don't think they will do it round one. Those four teams are likely good on defensive backs. This leaves 7 other teams to possibly draft 4 guys if we are going to see the record tied. 

Let's start with Seattle. They drafted well last year, seeing Tariq Woolen have a Pro Bowl rookie campaign. They could be better on the other side of him. Chargers have Asante Samuel Jr. and Derwin James. They could use a fresh face on the other side of both. Baltimore went with Hamilton last year and it was a great division. They could go DB again to have someone opposite Marlon Humprey. Minnesota lost Patrick Peterson and gained Bryon Murphy. Yet they struggled against the pass so look for them to go defensive back for sure. The Giants lost Love, Cincinnati could use another corner to go with later draft pick success Britt. 

If those teams want defensive backs, this draft class has their back. Maryland's Deonte Banks is a bully at corner with great speed and good one on one coverage skills. Michigan's DJ Turner played great for two years and has burning speed that he showed off at the combine. His 4.2 speed shows up on the film and he is a solid tackler. Eli Ricks would be a top 15 pick if he returned to college for one more year. Nevertheless, he is long and has great man coverage skills and violent hands. Cam Smith was once thought of as the best corner in this draft. Others emerged as top candidates, but he has all the confidence and the skill to be drafted in round one. Julius Brents is huge. The 6'3 200-pounder got better as the season went on and his size and speed might make someone take him early. Thanks to Patrick Surtain, Woolen and Sauce Gardner, length is in. So many of these guys could be drafted in round one because they fit the current trend. 

At Safety, Brian Branch is the only one I consider a first-round lock. Don't look at the 4.5 40 as much as you look at the play. This is Tyrann Mathieu with his ability to get around the ball and tackle in space. Antonio Johnson isn't a ball hawk, but man does he make plays in the box. In a game where tackling is so important, he is a true talent. Jordan Battle has the best film of all the safeties, making big plays in the passing game and as a sure tackler. These three have the best chance to be first-rounders. 

If the record is tied or broken this is the ideal year to do it. It is rare to have a draft with so many guys I feel will be day-one starters even if they do slip to the second or third round. However I like history, so I am rooting for 9 defensive backs to be tied or broken this year.