2015 NFL Draft Top 5 Positional Rankings: Defensive Backs

Cornerbacks 

1. TRAE WAYNES-MICHIGAN ST. 
6-0/186
NFL Comparison: Stephon Gilmore
Likely Career Role: Starting #1 CB with Pro Bowl potential, excellent man corner but will be a liability against the run.
Draft Range: 10-22

2. KEVIN JOHNSON-WAKE FOREST
6-0/188
NFL Comparison: Sam Shields
Likely Career Role: Starting #1 CB that can fit both man and zone schemes
Draft Range: 20-32

3. MARCUS PETERS-WASHINGTON
6-0/197
NFL Comparison: Vontae Davis/Aqib Talib
Likely Career Role: Starting #1 CB with Pro Bowl potential, that can play man or zone but is probably best fit to play press man. He has major immaturity issues but if he can grow as a man and as a player he could become the best DB in this draft class.
Draft Range: 15-Early 2nd

4. BYRON JONES-UCONN 
6-1/199
NFL Comparison: Chris Culliver/Richard Sherman coming out of college
Likely Career Role: Starting CB with great length that fits best as a zone corner.
Draft Range: Late 1st-2nd

5. JALEN COLLINS-LSU
6-2/203
NFL Comparison: Antonio Cromartie
Likely Career Role: Starting CB with the perfect blend of size. speed and athletic traits. Still very raw but has all the tools to be a #1 CB for many years. At the very worst, he has the size to move to free safety if he cannot become a starting CB.
Draft Range: Late 1st-Early 3rd


JUST OUTSIDE THE TOP 5: 
QUINTEN ROLLINS-MIAMI (OH)
5-11/195
Draft Range: 2nd-3rd
RONALD DARBY-FSU 
5-11/193
Draft Range: 2nd-3rd
PJ WILLIAMS-FSU 
6-0/194 
Draft Range: 3rd
ALEX CARTER-STANFORD
6-0/196
Draft Range: 3rd-4th
D'JOUN SMITH-FAU
5-10/197 
Draft Range: 3rd-4th

Safeties

1. LANDON COLLINS-BAMA 
6-0/228
NFL Comparison: Bernard Pollard/Troy Polamalu
Likely Career Role: Starting box safety that will be a monster in run support and will be solid in coverage especially against tight ends
Draft Range: Mid-Late 1st

2. SHAQ THOMPSON-WASHINGTON 
6-0/228
NFL Comparison: Kam Chancellor
Likely Career Role: Played LB, SS and RB at Washington. His size and athletic ability fit best as a box safety but has enough toughness and experience to play weak side line backer
Draft Range: Late 1st-2nd

3. ERIC ROWE-UTAH 
6-1/205
NFL Comparison: Jarius Byrd/Rahim Moore
Likely Career Role: Starting FS or zone CB, has size and ability to play both, like Bryd should be able to make the transition to becoming an elite FS.
Draft Range: Late 1st-2nd

4. DAMARIOUS RANDALL-ARIZONA ST.
5-11/196
NFL Comparison: Devin McCourty  
Likely Career Role: Starting FS that is undersized but makes up for it with great production, coverage skills, toughness and football IQ. Has nearly identical size and athletic ability to McCourty
Draft Range: 2nd

5. JAQUISKI TARTT-SAMFORD
6-1/221
NFL Comparison: Reshad Jones
Likely Career Role: Solid starting strong safety with the size and physical tools to play in the box or in a cover 2 zone
Draft Range: 3rd-4th