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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

2/20/2013

Beyond Dee Milliner, corners can use NFL Combine to increase draft stock


Can an NFL team ever have too many cornerbacks? Not really.

The Lions, always in need at corner, will have a shot at Dee Milliner, the top corner in the draft, with the fifth overall pick. He could be gone or they could think he’s a reach with that pick.

 There’s quite a drop-off of talent at corner after Milliner. But with some good times at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend that could change.

 Many eyes will be on cornerbacks like Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State), Xavier Rhodes (Florida State) and Desmond Trufant (Washington) as they run the 40.

  “I need to see if Rhodes, Banks, Trufant (in photo), any of those guys run well.  Banks is the one that runs sub-4.5, I think he locks up a first round,’’ NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said this week. “If he runs 4.55, or 4.58, he's not going there. So for Banks it's a critical, critical weekend.’’

 Jordan Poyer is considered the fifth-best cornerback but there are others who could improve their stock at the Combine.

  Mayock said when he was watching tape on Banks, his eye went to his teammate Darius Slay who could be a third- or fourth-round pick.

 “After Milliner, nobody knows who the second corner is. That is one of the questions that could be answered this weekend.  Who runs fast, who looks the best?’’ the analyst said.

“There are four or five boundary corners in college that play that boundary corner,’’ Mayock said. “Typically that means a tough, smart guy that can tackle, but is speed deficient. And almost all the top corners this year are boundary guys coming out of college.’’ 

 Defensive backs will be tested and run at the Combine on Tuesday.

 (Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Join her for a live chat at 3 p.m. Thursday here.)



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