*Janoris Jenkins and Landon Collins were named by NFL.com as Top-10 second round picks since 2012: *
The 2017 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. Only five weeks remain until 253 college prospects will hear their names called in the City of Brotherly Love.
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The consensus among many draft experts is this year's draft is one of the strongest and deepest if you are a team in the market for a defensive player.
"The 2017 NFL Draft features the deepest group of cornerbacks and safeties that I've seen since I began scouting 14 years ago," NFL Media analyst Danial Jeremiah wrote this week.
"I have 17 secondary players in my top 50 (10 cornerbacks and seven safeties), and I could make a case for a handful of other players to crack the list." "I think it's one of the best defensive drafts I've ever seen," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said at last month's combine. "I think the defensive edge rusher, whether it's 4-3 or 3-4. Then as far as the corner situation is concerned, this is a great corner class. If you don't get one in the first round, you can come back in the second or third round and really help yourself."
NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt agrees it's a talented field. Brandt, the vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys from 1960-1989, sees what he calls unbelievable depth.
"There are about 50 players who all look equally promising, meaning there is a preponderance of first-round-caliber talent that will be available in Round 2," Brandt wrote.
Brandt also went back and looked at the 10-best second-round draft picks from the past five years, and two current members of the Giants secondary made the list – Landon Collins at No. 8 and Janoris Jenkins at No. 3.
Here's Brandt's write-up on what each player has become since they were drafted:
Landon Collins
"Collins wasn't very good as a rookie; he didn't look very quick, his instincts were a problem and he was burned too many times. And then, of course, he underwent about the most radical change I've ever seen a player undergo, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors with what looked like a reworked body in 2016. The quickness and instincts were there, and he made himself look like a real steal for New York's revamped defense."
Janoris Jenkins
"Part of the Giants' big free-agent spending spree last offseason, Jenkins is an outstanding defender who has great coverage skills and tackling ability. He's posted 13 interceptions over the past five seasons, including three in 2016. He tied a rookie record by posting three pick-sixes in 2012."
Here's Brandt's full list of the Top 10 Round 2 draft picks of the last five years:
- OLB Kelechi Osemele – 2012 by Baltimore Ravens (60th overall)
9. DL Kawann Short – 2013 by Carolina Panthers (44th overall)
8. Safety Landon Collins – 2015 by New York Giants (33rd overall)- WR Alshon Jeffery – 2012 by Chicago Bears (44th overall)
- WR Michael Thomas – 2016 by New Orleans Saints (47th overall)
- WR Jarvis Landry – 2014 by Miami Dolphins (63rd overall)
- LB Bobby Wagner – 2012 by Seattle Seahawks (47th overall)
3. CB Janoris Jenkins – 2012 by St. Louis Rams (39th overall)- QB Derek Carr – 2014 by Oakland Raiders (36th overall)
- RB Le'Veon Bell – 2013 by Pittsburgh Steelers (48th overall)
