Crop of defensive backs lacking stars

Editor's note: This is the second in a nine-part series previewing the NFL draft on April 25-26. Today's installment is a look at the defensive backs.

With NFL teams spreading their offenses and throwing the ball more than ever, cornerbacks who are big and can run are currently at a premium.

Unfortunately for defensive coordinators hoping to slow down some of the league's high-powered passing attacks, there isn't a great or deep group of cornerbacks that will be available in next weekend's draft.

There haven't been any cornerbacks drafted in the top 10 since 2005 when Pacman Jones, of all people, went No. 6 to the Tennessee Titans. That streak will likely continue this year.

Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins has the best chance of being picked in the top 10, and he'll most likely be the first defensive back selected in the draft. Jenkins, who won the Thorpe award last season, was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, and he may be moved to free safety in the NFL.

Teams avoided Jenkins' side of the field at Ohio State, but he shined when given the chance. He recorded 10 tackles in the Buckeyes' loss to USC last September.

The only knock on Jenkins is his speed. But in an overall weak draft for defensive backs, there isn't a secondary player available that is without question marks.

Illinois' Vontae Davis, the younger brother of Vernon Davis, the 49ers' tight end, is faster than Jenkins, but there are questions about his character. He reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine in February, but his handlers quickly denied the reports.

Davis led the Big Ten with 78 tackles last season.

"The corners are interesting this year," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said in a conference call on Wednesday. "There are some people who really like [Davis], and there are some people who are lukewarm on him. But there's still a whole group that I really like after that."

Mayock added that Davis is a top 10 talent, but teams may shy away from him because of the off-field concerns

"There are also a lot of issues with (Davis), not necessarily drug-based," Mayock said, "where teams have to sit there and say, 'At what point does this become a viable decision for us?'"

Behind Jenkins and Davis are players such as Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith, who recorded 21 career interceptions, and Connecticut's Darius Butler, a four-year starter.

There might not be any true safeties drafted in the first round, but if anyone has a chance it's Western Michigan's Louis Delmas. He is the highest rated available safety in the draft, and he could be one of the last picks in the first round.