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2015 Dolphins Draft: The Forgotten Cornerbacks

The consensus throughout league circles is that the 2015 NFL Draft offers depth, rather than top-shelf talent. The cornerback class is no different.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Much has been made about the depth of the running backs, wide receivers, linebackers, offensive guards.....

But what about the corners?

The cornerback position is a glaring need that the Miami Dolphins absolutely must address in order to fill the void opposite Pro Bowler Brent Grimes. The front office pursued the veteran route in Cortland Finnegan, and that failed.  Two more corners - Jamar Taylor and Will Davis - were drafted only two years ago, but have so far failed to prosper.

Despite this, the position is not a hotly contested topic among Dolphins fans and the media.

Many yearn for the flashy wide receiver in the upcoming draft.  Devante Parker seems to get the top vote, and for good reason.  While he appears to be the red zone threat that Ryan Tannehill really could use, he's also just about the only player that is worthy of the pick at No. 14.

This is the main problem for Miami.  The draft offers a tremendous amount of depth, but lacks star quality.  In fact, from the middle of the first round to the early second round, there really isn't much difference in talent.

Take Trae Waynes out of Michigan State, who many regard as the top cornerback prospect in the draft.  He's clearly a talented player with blazing speed and experience at playing on an island, two key attributes to succeed in many NFL defenses.  But is he really that good?  It could even be suggested that he's the top prospect at the position more by accident than design, with concerns about Marcus Peters' character off the field.

Yet, when delving into the tape beyond the two players above, and perhaps Kevin Johnson, who may get over-drafted due to the premium placed on the position, there emerges a talented second group that sits neatly in the second round.

Fancy a big physical corner that can play in press coverage?  Look no further than Byron Jones, Quinten Rollins or Jalen Collins.  How about a corner more adept at zone?  P.J. Williams, Ronald Darby, DJoun Smith and Alex Carter instantly spring to mind.

The point being: the second-round corners offer better value than those in the first round that can challenge, and start, from day one. Don't be surprised if Miami chooses one.

Alex Parish is an Associate Editor at The Phinsider. Be sure to follow me on Twitter@AlexParish89.