NFL draft analysis: Defensive backs

Expectations will be high for Peterson as he enters the NFL, but he would expect nothing less. Peterson's desire is to follow in the footsteps of versatile Green Bay Packers star defensive back and 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson.

"I definitely want to pattern my game after Charles Woodson," Peterson said in February at the NFL Scouting Combine. "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."

Peterson left LSU after a standout junior season in which he had four interceptions, 42 tackles and six pass breakups in 13 games. He also averaged 29.1 yards on 32 kickoff returns and 16.1 yards with two touchdowns on 26 punt returns.

Peterson, 6-feet and 219 pounds, won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defender in the nation and the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. He also was voted the Defensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year by coaches in the Southeastern Conference.

Considered the complete package in many ways when it comes to his abilities, Peterson will be capable of playing either cornerback or safety in the NFL and will prove valuable as a return man. Mike Mayock, the respected draft analyst for the NFL Network, has been among those who feel Peterson could be an All-Pro player at safety.

Peterson is just focused on improving his game. "I want to work on my zone coverage," he said. "We barely did that at LSU. A lot of people are saying I can't backpedal and things like that, but I definitely can."

A cornerback in college, the 5-11, 204-pound Williams might be best suited to play free safety in the NFL. He displayed versatility last season as a junior at Texas, starting four games at the nickel, three at left corner and two at right corner. He finished with 46 tackles and three forced fumbles but did not have an interception. The feeling was he did not look as comfortable when playing inside in the nickel. Averaged 7.8 yards on 11 punt returns last season.

Projected as a first- or second-round pick by Pro Football Weekly, Harris left school after a junior season in which he had one interception, two forced fumbles and 44 tackles in 13 games. The 5-9, 191-pounder could have his lack of height used against him by bigger wide receivers in the NFL. However, he does have excellent instincts and is good in run support.

Smith has good size (6-2, 211 pounds) and speed and is strong enough to reroute wide receivers. He started all 24 games in the past two seasons and had two interceptions in that time (both in 2009). Pro Football Weekly calls Smith "a first-round pick based on measurables," before adding, "but risk-reward ratio, intermittent intensity and suspect intangibles do not justify such a lofty investment."