Meet the Prospects: Ramsey, Hargreaves highlight star-studded DB group

Get to know all the top prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft, most of whom will be taking the field at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 23-29 in Indianapolis.

Top Prospects by Position

Cornerbacks

Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 202 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 stats: 37 tackles, 1 sack, 9 passes defensed

Ramsey is considered by many to be the premier defensive back in a loaded class, vacillating from cornerback to safety in his final collegiate season. The Florida State standout displays outstanding ball skills and is equally adept in run support. Often disguised in blitz packages, Ramsey could be the extension of a modern defensive back in the mold of Kam Chancellor or Deone Bucannon. At this juncture, it appears that Ramsey could be the highest-drafted cornerback since Patrick Peterson went fifth overall in 2011.

Vernon Hargreaves, Florida

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 199 lbs.
Age: 20

2015 stats: 33 tackles, 4 INTs

Hargreaves was a first-team All-SEC selection in all three of his collegiate seasons, proving to be the next great defensive back out of Florida. An explosive player, Hargreaves combines outstanding athleticism with tremendous ball skills and diagnostic ability. Aggressive at the line of scrimmage, Hargreaves can play man or zone coverage with equal fluency, and would be an ideal fit for numerous teams selecting in the top 10.

Mackensie Alexander, Clemson

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Age: 22

2015 stats: 23 total tackles, 5 passes defensed

Alexander excels in man coverage and starred in Clemson's run to the national title game. The standout cornerback can afford to make risks that few others can due to his outstanding recovery speed, and shows great diagnostic ability at the line of scrimmage. Alexander rotates his hips very well, and could be the latest cornerback out of Clemson to take the NFL by storm, following in Bashaud Breeland and Stephon Gilmore's footsteps.

Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 197 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 stats: 7 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 pass defensed

Fuller's final collegiate season was cut short due to a knee injury, but he is the most promising talent of a family that sent three brothers to the NFL. For a player his size, Fuller proved to be an excellent open-field tackler and isn't afraid of playing a physical game. Although he gets caught ball-watching for too long, Fuller is both athletic and intelligent enough to start in the pros.

Eli Apple, Ohio State

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Age: 20

2015 stats: 23 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 7 passes defensed

Apple was a pivotal member of Ohio State's defense, capturing defensive MVP honors at the Fiesta Bowl. The cornerback is a highly physical player who will be able to fend off some of the NFL's most bruising wide receiver talents. Apple will need to work on his hip rotation and closing down smaller, speedier receivers in the open field, but could be able to crack a starting lineup come September.

Artie Burns, Miami

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 20

2015 stats: 26 total tackles, 6 INTs, 5 passes defensed

Burns was an All-American track-and-field athlete in high school and possesses world-class speed, an attribute that cannot be underrated in the modern NFL. Although he's known primarily for his athleticism, Burns excelled in press coverage. Burns is adept at jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage but will need to work on his tackling ability.

Safeties

Karl Joseph, West Virginia

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 197 lbs.
Age: 20

2015 stats: 15 total tackles, 1 sack, 5 INTs

Joseph possesses tremendous ball skills, recording five interceptions in four games. There may be some concern over Joseph's health after suffering a season-ending knee injury during a non-contact drill in October. Nonetheless, Joseph is known as a devastating open-field hitter and may possess the most upside of any safety prospect in this year's class.

Darian Thompson, Boise State

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 215 lbs.
Age: 22

2015 stats: 60 total tackles, 1 sack, 5 INTs, 4 passes defensed

Thompson sports excellent diagnostic ability at the line of scrimmage, a trait that should serve him well at the next level. The standout safety displays great ball skills and will prove to be disruptive in the passing game. Thompson needs to improve as a tackler if he is to actualize his potential, but could sneak into the first round.

Vonn Bell, Ohio State

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 stats: 65 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 9 passes defensed

Bell played two years in Ohio State's prolific backfield and excels in man coverage, while adapting well in nickel packages. A five-star recruit, Bell's athleticism will be his entry ticket to the NFL and the safety made a number of highlight-caliber plays at the right time. Although there are concerns he's slightly undersized, Bell could go late in the first round.

Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Age: 22-23

2015 stats: 132 tackles

Killebrew is the embodiment of the modern strong safety, working as a de facto linebacker. At numerous times this season, Killebrew was compared favorably to Kam Chancellor, Deone Bucannon, and Shaq Thompson. Known for outstanding ball skills and excellent tackling ability, the only concern about Killebrew is about the lack of quality competition he faced in college.