Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State is a consensus No. 1 cornerback and a potential top 10 pick who might be available when the Saints select at No. 14. But depending on the team, he might never play a down at cornerback because he also projects as a safety.

A cornerback has not been drafted in the top 10 since 2005, when Pacman Jones (Tennessee), Antrel Rolle (Arizona) and Carlos Rogers (Detroit) went sixth, eighth and ninth overall.

That trend is expected to continue if the Green Bay Packers don't take Jenkins at No. 9, or if a team doesn't trade up into the top 10 to take Jenkins. No other cornerback is projected by draft analysts to go in the top 10. Besides the Packers, no other team in the top 10 appears to be eyeing a cornerback with its first selection.

"This is not a good draft for teams in the market for a difference-maker at defensive back," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. "Ordinarily there are a handful of cornerbacks and safeties who project as immediate impact players. The only defensive back projected to come off the board in the first half of the first round this year is (Jenkins), and there's still debate over whether he fits best at cornerback or free safety in the NFL."

The draft is typically regarded as an inexact science anyway, regardless how much time, effort and money teams invest in preparation. But it seems that this year's top echelon of cornerbacks leaves a lot to be desired.

Three others appear to have a shot to go late in the first round -- Vontae Davis of Illinois, Darius Butler of Connecticut and Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest. But most draft analysts believe all three likely are to slide into the second or third rounds, where teams might get more bang for their bucks.

Davis' stock is said to be falling because of maturity issues at Illinois. Last season he was benched by Fighting Illini Coach Ron Zook, opening questions about Davis' work ethic.

Davis is the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, the sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft from Maryland. Vernon Davis was the target of Coach Mike Singletary's highly publicized sideline tirade during a game last season. Vernon Davis' slow development with the 49ers and personality issues with Singletary could have a trickle-down effect on the younger Davis, who decided to forego his final year of college eligibility and turn pro.

"Everybody's going to find a negative," Vontae Davis told reporters at the combine. "That's the main reason why I'm at the combine, so I can show these coaches I am a good person and that I have a good personality.

"I don't want to be known as Vernon Davis' little brother. I want Vernon to be known as Vontae Davis' big brother."

The Sporting News compares Davis to San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the 19th overall pick in the 2006 draft who made the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 10 interceptions in '07.

"Davis is a rare athlete with the combination of size, strength, explosiveness and elite speed that few NFL players have," TSN wrote. "But for all his athleticism, there are concerns about his desire and consistency. He lacks the intangibles of a first-round talent but is worth a second- or third-round pick and eventually should become an NFL starter. Some team, though, likely will gamble on him in the first round."

Butler, a cousin of Baltimore Ravens running back Willis MaGahee, appears to have fewer question marks than Davis and could go to the Miami Dolphins at No. 25.

"(Butler) has the best feet and change of direction of any cornerback in the draft; plus he has a 43-inch vertical jump," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "He would be hard to turn down (at No. 25) because of his feet and speed. But he is 5-10 and 183 pounds and somewhat selective in how physical he is."

Smith is relatively short (5-9), extremely quick (4.47 seconds in the 40) and supremely confident. Asked if he was a first-round draft pick, he replied: "Honestly, I think I'm the best corner in this draft. But I have certain things against me. My height; I played at Wake Forest; my top-end speed. I just know I've made plays, and I think I am."

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Brian Allee-Walsh can be reached at ballee-walsh@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3805.