CORNERBACKS
1. Fred Smoot, Mississippi State -- Proven big-play CB, intercepting 10 passes and breaking up 28 others during his two seasons in Starkville. While he's just 173 pounds, Smoot hangs tough against physical wideouts while showing the ability on a consistent basis to come through with game-changing plays at key moments. Drafted by Washington, second round (45th)

2. Nate Clements, Ohio State -- Struggled some in coverage last season and is not yet a finished product, but the physically gifted 5-foot-11, 209-pounder has moved at or near the top of the CB class due to his impressive potential. Drafted by Buffalo, first round (21st)

3. Will Allen, Syracuse -- Blanketed wideouts on a more consistent basis in 1999 than he did last season, but when you combine his experience with his 4.35 recovery speed, it's easy to see why Allen should figure in the mid-to-late portion of Round One. Drafted by NY Giants, first round (22nd)

4. Ken Lucas, Mississippi -- The former WR started strong last season, then his play leveled off some down the stretch. But he has ideal size at 6-foot-0¼, 200 pounds and is a quality athletic talent. Lucas looked like a sure first-rounder early in 2000, but now it looks like he could present nice value early in Round Two. Drafted by Seattle, second round (40th)

6. Willie Middlebrooks, Minnesota -- With his 6-foot-1½, 202-pound frame and impressive recovery speed, Middlebrooks has been able to enjoy a steady rise up the draft board over the last month or so. While he missed the last four games of the season with an ankle injury, his effort prior to going down was enough to solidify a spot for Middlebrooks in the latter portion of Round One. Drafted by Denver, first round (24th)

7. Anthony Henry, South Florida -- Worked at both FS and CB with the Bulls, comparing favorably to Green Bay Packer DB Darren Sharper with his versatility and all-around athletic ability. His dual potential could make Henry an excellent third-round choice. Drafted by Cleveland, fourth round (97th)

8. Brock Williams, Notre Dame -- One of the toughest, more aggressive CBs in the draft, he's willing to sell out in run support or deliver a bone-jarring hit in coverage. The 5-9½, 183-pounder also runs just under 4.40 and has an eye-catching 42½-inch vertical jump. Drafted by New England, third round (86th)

9. William Peterson, Western Illinois -- The former Michigan Wolverine has been able to gain a great deal of momentum over the last two months, figuring as a strong possibility for Round Two. The 6-foot, 197-pound Peterson has ideal size, runs in the 4.45 range and is a top-flight natural athlete. Keep in mind, during the early portion of his college career at Michigan, Peterson looked like a star of the future and eventual first-round draft choice. Drafted by NY Giants, third round (78th)

10. Andre Dyson, Utah -- Technically sound and extremely smooth out of his backpedal, Dyson also runs in the 4.38 range and proved to be a big-play cover man during his fine stay with the Utes. While he lacked a little consistency this past season, Dyson figures as a solid choice in the late second- or early-to-mid third-round area. Drafted by Tennessee, second round (60th)

11. Tay Cody, Florida State -- While only 5-9¼, 181 pounds and lacking top recovery speed, all Cody does is show up big with the pads on. He's opportunistic, understands the position and has proven his mettle in huge games. Drafted by San Diego, third round (67th)

12. Jamie Henderson, Georgia -- Player on the rise, able to figure at either CB or free safety in the NFL. The 6-1½, 203-pounder is an extremely physical CB, getting high marks as a tackler. It looks like Henderson has moved up into the late first-day or early second-day area. Drafted by NY Jets, fourth round (101st)

Other late first-day or early-to-mid second-day possibilities:
Jimmy Williams, Vanderbilt (Drafted by Buffalo, sixth round (196th))
Michael Stone, Memphis (Drafted by Arizona, second round (54th))
Bhawoh Jue, Penn State (Drafted by Green Bay, third round (71st))
Dwight Smith, Akron (Drafted by Tampa Bay, third round (84th))
Jerametrius Butler, Kansas State (Drafted by St. Louis, fifth round (145th))

Other cornerbacks of note: Raymond Walls, So. Mississippi (Drafted by Indianapolis, fifth round (152nd))
Fred Booker, LSU
Ligarius Jennings, Tennessee State
Leonard Myers, Miami (Fla.) (Drafted by New England, sixth round (200th))
Eric Kelly, Kentucky (Drafted by Minnesota, third round (69th))
David Mitchell, Ohio State
Larry Casher, Auburn
Corey Hall, Appalachian State
Nijrell Eason, Arizona State
Harold Blackmon, Northwestern (Drafted by Seattle, seventh round (210th))
Delvin Hughley, Jacksonville State
Renaldo Hill, Michigan State (Drafted by Arizona, seventh round (202nd))
Keon Moore, So. Mississippi
Troy Grant, Tennessee Tech
Dempsy Dees, Boise State
Clevan Thomas, Florida State
Rodney Crayton, Auburn
Carey Scott, Kentucky State
Alex Ardley, Clemson

SAFETIES
1. Adam Archuleta, Arizona State -- As was the case with former Sun Devils Darren Woodson and Pat Tillman, the 6-foot, 210-pound Archuleta will be looking to make the successful transition from a rover/OLB spot to either SS or FS in the NFL. At ASU, Archuleta was a tackling machine, combining with his 4.43 speed and incredible strength (31 reps) to make him a possible late first-round draft choice. Drafted by St. Louis, first round (20th)

3. Hakim Akbar, Washington -- Enjoyed an excellent junior campaign with the Huskies, with his productivity rivaling former UW standouts Lawyer Milloy and Tony Parrish. The 6-foot-0½, 210-pounder is around the ball a great deal and has developed into a reliable tackler. Drafted by New England, fifth round (163th)

4. Adrian Wilson, N.C. State -- While he intercepted just two passes over the last two years, Wilson has far too much talent and upside potential not to ultimately project as a quality starter at SS in the NFL. Drafted by Arizona, third round (64th)

5. Idrees Bashir, Memphis -- With his size (6-foot-2¼, 205) and overall physical ability, along with the toughness he brings to either the FS or SS position, it's easy to see why Bashir has emerged as an intriguing prospect who is deserving of late first-day or early second-day consideration. Drafted by Indianapolis, second round (37th)

6. James Boyd, Penn State -- Although he lacks ideal height (5-11) and may appear a little stiff at times, Boyd is a true warrior who makes things happen on the football field. If he slides past the fourth round, you are looking at a major bargain. Drafted by Jacksonville, third round (94th)

7. Gary Baxter, Baylor -- Entered the 2000 season with a mid-first-round grade as a CB. After a decent but unspectacular campaign, his rating slipped to the point where he may still be available in the late second- or early third-round area. Even so, depending upon coverage schemes, Baxter has the size (6-foot-1½, 205 pounds) and aggressive approach to match up against big wideouts from a CB spot or shift inside to a FS position, where he also saw some action last year. Drafted by Baltimore, second round (62nd)

Other safeties of note:
Randy Black, UNLV
Jarrod Cooper, Kansas State (Drafted by Carolina, fifth round (143th))
Marlon McCree, Kentucky
Tony Dixon, Alabama (Drafted by Dallas, second round (56th))
Damian Demps, Central Florida
Leo Barnes, So. Mississippi
Richard Newsome, Michigan State
Tony Driver, Notre Dame (Drafted by Buffalo, sixth round (178th))
Jason Doering, Wisconsin (Drafted by Indianapolis, sixth round (193rd))
Cory Bird, Virginia Tech (Drafted by Indianapolis, third round (91st))
Al Blades, Miami (Fla.)
John Howell, Colorado State (Drafted by Tampa Bay, fourth round (117th))
Shaunard Harts, Boise State
Robert Carswell, Clemson
Terrence Carroll, Oregon State
Shawn Forte, Maryland
DeJuan Gossett, Cincinnati
Michael Jameson, Texas A&M
Russell Gary, TCU
J.T. Thatcher, Oklahoma
Marcus Spencer, Alabama
Curtis Fuller, TCU
Ifeanyi Ohalete, USC
Lamont Thompson, Washington State
Carl Nesmith, Kansas