Here are the criteria:
• Drafted in the third round or later, or signed as an undrafted free agent
• Entered the NFL between 2009 and 2011
• Fewer than five career games started
• Still on their initial contract
• Age 26 or younger in 2012
(For what it's worth, Mike Wallace topped this list in 2010 following his rookie campaign)
Here is what they had to say about Cortez:
4. Cortez Allen, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
When the Steelers drafted Allen in the fourth round out of The Citadel, he was considered by many to be a long-term project at corner. The Steelers had success picking Ike Taylor in the fourth round in similar circumstances. As a rookie, it was Allen who saw playing time in dime packages while third-round cornerback Curtis Brown stuck to special teams. In the Steelers' Week 8 win over the Patriots, Pittsburgh used Allen regularly to cover New England's athletic tight ends. Allen has long limbs, a very smooth backpedal and can play physical. He should move up to the nickel back role this year, but don't be surprised if he beats out Keenan Lewis for a starting CB job in training camp.
You can find the entire top-25 list here: [URL]http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8171533/nfl-ranking-nfl-top-prospects[/URL]
• Drafted in the third round or later, or signed as an undrafted free agent
• Entered the NFL between 2009 and 2011
• Fewer than five career games started
• Still on their initial contract
• Age 26 or younger in 2012
(For what it's worth, Mike Wallace topped this list in 2010 following his rookie campaign)
Here is what they had to say about Cortez:
4. Cortez Allen, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
When the Steelers drafted Allen in the fourth round out of The Citadel, he was considered by many to be a long-term project at corner. The Steelers had success picking Ike Taylor in the fourth round in similar circumstances. As a rookie, it was Allen who saw playing time in dime packages while third-round cornerback Curtis Brown stuck to special teams. In the Steelers' Week 8 win over the Patriots, Pittsburgh used Allen regularly to cover New England's athletic tight ends. Allen has long limbs, a very smooth backpedal and can play physical. He should move up to the nickel back role this year, but don't be surprised if he beats out Keenan Lewis for a starting CB job in training camp.
You can find the entire top-25 list here: [URL]http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8171533/nfl-ranking-nfl-top-prospects[/URL]
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