By Charean Williams
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Patrick Peterson doesn't have a Heisman Trophy like Charles Woodson or the style of Deion Sanders.
But Peterson's athleticism and his return skills rank right up there with Woodson and Sanders when they entered the NFL.
More than one scout calls the LSU cornerback "the safest pick in the draft." He is atop some draft boards.
"He is a great athlete and not only as a [defensive] player, but as a returner. He is special as a returner," said John Elway, the Broncos' executive vice president for football operations. He is a guy that can do a lot of different things for you. Athletically, he is as good as anybody in the draft. He can run, and he has good size for a corner. He is a guy that can make some big plays."
Peterson has a chance to become the highest-drafted cornerback in modern league history. Ohio State's Shawn Springs was selected third overall by Seattle in 1997.
It is more likely Peterson will go somewhere between the fourth and seventh picks. Sanders was the fifth overall pick in 1989, and Woodson went fourth overall in 1998.
Peterson doesn't care when he goes -- or where he goes -- he's just ready to prove the team that drafts him right.
"I don't pay too much attention to the mock drafts or where I think I may end up," he said. "I just want this all to be over with. I'm looking just to get drafted, to put myself and the team who picks me in the position to win games."
Peterson won the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defender and the Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. He also was the SEC's defensive and special teams MVP.
He had 42 tackles, six pass breakups and four interceptions. He also set a school record with 932 kickoff-return yards and had a 16.1-yard average on 26 punt returns, taking two for touchdowns.
"He's an impact guy at both spots," Rams general manager Billy Devaney said. "That's extremely valuable."
Peterson compares himself to Woodson, who, in 13 seasons, has made 47 interceptions and forced 22 fumbles.
"I don't want to be the next Charles Woodson, but I definitely want to pattern my game after Charles Woodson," Peterson said. "He can play each and every defensive position on the field. If they gave him the opportunity to play D-tackle or D-end, he'd definitely do it.
"That's something I want to show the world -- that I can learn the scheme and understand the scheme as well. Playing if they need me to play dime, if they need me to play corner, strong safety, rover, I'm definitely down for it."
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Patrick Peterson doesn't have a Heisman Trophy like Charles Woodson or the style of Deion Sanders.
But Peterson's athleticism and his return skills rank right up there with Woodson and Sanders when they entered the NFL.
More than one scout calls the LSU cornerback "the safest pick in the draft." He is atop some draft boards.
"He is a great athlete and not only as a [defensive] player, but as a returner. He is special as a returner," said John Elway, the Broncos' executive vice president for football operations. He is a guy that can do a lot of different things for you. Athletically, he is as good as anybody in the draft. He can run, and he has good size for a corner. He is a guy that can make some big plays."
Peterson has a chance to become the highest-drafted cornerback in modern league history. Ohio State's Shawn Springs was selected third overall by Seattle in 1997.
It is more likely Peterson will go somewhere between the fourth and seventh picks. Sanders was the fifth overall pick in 1989, and Woodson went fourth overall in 1998.
Peterson doesn't care when he goes -- or where he goes -- he's just ready to prove the team that drafts him right.
"I don't pay too much attention to the mock drafts or where I think I may end up," he said. "I just want this all to be over with. I'm looking just to get drafted, to put myself and the team who picks me in the position to win games."
Peterson won the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defender and the Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. He also was the SEC's defensive and special teams MVP.
He had 42 tackles, six pass breakups and four interceptions. He also set a school record with 932 kickoff-return yards and had a 16.1-yard average on 26 punt returns, taking two for touchdowns.
"He's an impact guy at both spots," Rams general manager Billy Devaney said. "That's extremely valuable."
Peterson compares himself to Woodson, who, in 13 seasons, has made 47 interceptions and forced 22 fumbles.
"I don't want to be the next Charles Woodson, but I definitely want to pattern my game after Charles Woodson," Peterson said. "He can play each and every defensive position on the field. If they gave him the opportunity to play D-tackle or D-end, he'd definitely do it.
"That's something I want to show the world -- that I can learn the scheme and understand the scheme as well. Playing if they need me to play dime, if they need me to play corner, strong safety, rover, I'm definitely down for it."
