Nov 5, 2011; Fayetteville, AR, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Stephon Gilmore (5) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated South Carolina 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

There is no doubt that LSU’s Morris Claiborne is the best prospect at cornerback in this year’s NFL Draft.  After that, many experts debate on who is behind Claiborne.  The debate is usually between two names; Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick and ex-Florida Gator Janoris Jenkins.  A name that should be added to the discussion is South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore.

Yesterday, South Carolina held their Pro Day.  While most eyes were on WR Alshon Jeffery and DE Melvin Ingram, Stephon Gilmore has continued to impress scouts for the past couple of months.

Gilmore is leaving South Carolina early to enter the NFL Draft.  Gilmore has decent size for a cornerback at 6’0 tall and weighing in at 190.  What scouts really like about Gilmore is his athleticism.  At the Combine, only one cornerback (Ron Brooks) was faster than him in the 40-yard dash.  Gilmore was clocked at 4.40 seconds.

So is Stephon Gilmore worth being picked by the Detroit Lions ahead of Janoris Jenkins or Dre Kirkpatrick if either are available at 23rd pick?

NFL.com’s Draft guru Mike Mayock think so.  Here is what he had to say after watching Gilmore work out yesterday:

“Trust me, six-foot corners with long arms are rare, especially when they run 4.4 with his movement skills,” Mayock said of Gilmore. “I’ve got him as the No. 2 corner for a reason. I think he’s a Top 10 to Top 15 pick. Not a lot of people have him that high, but I saw it again today.”

Next time you are discussing between Janoris Jenkins or Dre Kirkpatrick, add Stephen Gilmore’s name in the debate.