By Jared Stanger

I’ve been spending a lot of time over the last week looking deeper into this really good cornerback class. The high end is pretty special, with names: Marlon Humphrey, Teez Tabor, Cordrea Tankersley, Sidney Jones already well-known. Draftscout has all four of those players ranked in their current top-45 prospects. Those guys are all listed 6’0″ and 181 lbs and up. I think Quincy Wilson will soon be joining them. But those aren’t the names I’m going to talk about.

The next tier of names come from the slightly smaller of stature. The 5’10”-5’11” guys like Adoree Jackson, Cameron Sutton, Tre’davious White, and Jourdan Lewis ranked in the 2nd- 3rd round range. But those aren’t the names I’m going to talk about.

No, I’m only going to talk about the guys that fall after pick number 96 overall, and in the 4th round down. Names like Brandon Facyson and Kevin King that you’ve heard from me before, but I’ve also dug up a plethora of new names That I think deserve further examination.

Brandon Facyson – 6’2″/197, ranked #109

Facyson burst onto the scene of a notoriously quality Virginia Tech secondary in 2013 when he posted 5 INT, and 8 PBU as a freshman. After dealing with injury off-and-on the last couple years, Facyson currently sits at 16 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 5 PBU, and 1 FF in 2016.

Kevin King – 6’3″/192, ranked #169

Playing at UW, I’ve been aware of King for a while, but it was when I saw him last spring at the UW “combine” when I really started to get a sense that he has all of the qualities Seattle looks for in a corner.

Obviously, the size is great, but he also brings pretty elite athleticism with 4.4 speed, almost 40″ vertical, and pretty ridiculous agility testing. Most of the CB in this story I will highlight their cover technique…I think King has great cover skills, too…but I think an important distinguishing characteristic for him, is his tackling ability.

I’ve often wondered why King isn’t used outside more often, but the answer might be simply that Coach Petersen likes having him closer to the box because he’s so useful in the run game. King currently has 18 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 4 PBU.

Des Lawrence – 6’1″/185, ranked #230 overall

I’m still forming my opinion on Des. I was hoping his matchup vs Isaiah Ford would be enlightening, but due to the hurricane the weather limited the passing game. 18 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 5 PBU.

Ahkello Witherspoon – 6’3″/195, ranked #235

Colorado is starting to get some buzz on their other CB Chidobe Awuzie, but I’m keeping my eye on Witherspoon. Speaking of keeping eyes on things…watch how ‘Kello reads Darren Carrington’s eyes, then turns to locate the ball, and gets the pick.

Witherspoon: 8 tackles, 1 INT, 8 PBU.

David Rivers III – 6’1″/185, ranked #709

Just a guy that I stumbled upon while messing around on youtube, but there is something to this guy that made me keep digging. This week I found a copy of Youngstown State playing West Virginia, and in it Rivers has snaps vs the talented Shelton Gibson and Kevin White’s younger brother Ka’raun White. I really like his technique and continue to wonder if Bo Pelini teaches the step-kick.

Rasul Douglas – 6’1″/208, ranked #767

I first spotted Rasul while watching Tyler Orlosky (WVU’s center) vs BYU. Suddenly, there’s this play while WVU’s on defense that bore striking resemblance to a pretty famous Seattle CB play.

I think Rasul has a bit of work to do in his technique, but he’s showing enough in instincts, athleticism, toughness, and intelligence to merit close watch the rest of the year. Douglas so far: 25 tackles (a pretty big number for a CB), 1.0 TFL, 2 INT, 4 PBU.

Tyree Robinson – 6’4″/205, ranked the #8 FS for 2018

Robinson is a Junior and he’s played a bit of both CB and FS, but this week vs UW I primarily noted him at CB. And he was pretty solid against very good WR.

I like his technique, and seeing that big CB frame along the right redline totally brought to mind Deshawn Shead. I’d really like to see him play at 210-212 pounds. 32 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 3 PBU.

I mean, this is a very cool list of players with upside that are all currently fitting the Seahawks’ usual size and draft value requirements. And I haven’t even studied all of the names I plan to cover. I certainly don’t know who I’d favor Seattle drafting. But, then again, I kind of think Seattle will draft two CB in 2017.