CB RANKINGS 1.0 2024 NFL DRAFT

This corner class has been hyped up heavily by every draft expert in the game. Everyone says there is top end talent that is blue chip, and that the class is extremely deep. Well is it true? Does this corner class live up to the hype? Yes. I think the top end talent doesn't beat some of the top corner prospects of years past, but the depth of this class in insane. I have 23 corners of a day 2 grade or higher. There is so much talent that I think everyteam should go get at least 1, because I believe they all have something to offer. Why is Stephon Gilmore not signed yet? (as of writing this 3/25/24) Because this class is THAT good.

39. Christian Roland-Wallace

USC

5'11

201

2023 STATS:

27 SOLO 2 INT 9 PBU

PROS:

Experience
Technique
Special teams

CONS:

Physical ceiling
Run defense

DAY 3 GRADE

Roland-Wallace is the lowest ranked one, and I STILL like him. That's how deep this class is. Roland-Wallace has played a lot of downs over the past 4 years in college, so he has loads of experience to bring to an NFL team. He also has good technique from his play-time, and he was a valuable contributer. Nothing stands out about him physically or his game, but I think he is worthy of some sort of roster spot.

38. Tarheeb Still

Maryland

6'0

189

2023 STATS:

31 SOLO 5 INT 2 PBU

PROS:

Zone coverage
Versatile
Anticipation

CONS:

Grabbing
Tackling

DAY 3 GRADE

Still has some good instincts as a zone coverage corner. He has versitility to play in the slot, or outside. I like him in zone a little more, because he can let his strengths and anticipation on plays go to work. He can play man coverage, but he tends to be a little too grabby, and out-bodied.

37. Josh Wallace

Michigan

5'11

185

2023 STATS:

22 SOLO 4 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Man coverage
IQ
Tackling

CONS:

Ball skills
Speed

DAY 3 GRADE

Wallace plays some really smart football, as his ability to mirror recievers in man coverage is NFL-ready. He is a little bit smaller, so bigger NFL recievers might out-play him to the ball. He can wrap up ball-carriers well, but lacks high-end speed to make up for blown coverages. Good potential.

36. Carlton Johnson

Fresno State

5'11

173

2023 STATS:

38 SOLO 4 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Zone coverage
Ball skills
Mirror

CONS:

Run defense
Deep coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Johnson has some really valuable coverage traits. He excels and is best in zone coverage, and has great ball skills to go and make plays. When in man coverage, or tracking a reciever, he is able to mirror him very well. His flaws are when a reciever gets vertical on him, he really struggles to keep pace, and he also won't help a ton in the run game either.

35. DeCamerion Richardson

Mississippi State

6'2

188

2023 STATS:

43 SOLO 7 PBU

PROS:

Measurables
Reovery
Tackling

CONS:

Coverage
Short-area coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Richardson is the type of prospect, where you are drafting him because of what he coud be, not what he is. He has really good measurables, and a sure tackler. What stands out about his game is his ability to recover and return to a reciever that fools him, the issue is he lacks coverage skills. It can be coached, but he is pretty raw, especially in short area.

34. Daequan Hardy

Penn State

5'9

179

2023 STATS:

12 SOLO 2 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Ball skills
Timing
Special teams
Footwork

CONS:

Size/Strength
Speed
Technique

DAY 3 GRADE

Hardy is a very raw yet strong nickel corner. He has good ball skills and timing, which allows him to make some special plays on occasion. He will also be an instant contributor to special teams. He is undersized, so he is limited to nickel only, and lacks top end speed and refined technique to have a high ceiling. I think he has a decent floor though.

33. Deantre Prince

Ole Miss

6'0

183

2023 STATS:

24 SOLO 1 INT 5 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Size
Run defense
Catch-point

CONS:

Hesitation
Press

DAY 3 GRADE

Prince is a very good run defending corner. His best traits all stem from his physical play style, his good block shed and ability to tackle ball carriers, and how aggressive he is at the catch-point. His physicality however doesn't translate well to press coverage. He also shows some hesitation, allowing plays happen in front of him.

32. Ryan Watts

Texas

6'3

208

2023 STATS:

30 SOLO 3 PBU

PROS:

Safety
Length
Size
Run defense

CONS:

Coverage
Ball tracking
Footwork

DAY 3 GRADE

Watts projects as a safety, and not a cornerback. He is listed as a corner in the draft because that's the position he played in college, but teams will have him transition to safety. As a safety, he possesses good size and run defense, but isn't great at tracking the reciever or ball carrier. The more run defense and in the box he can be, the better.

31. Willie Drew

Virginia State

6'0

191

2023 STATS:

28 SOLO 6 INT 16 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Length
Ball skills
Press

CONS:

Physicality
Deep coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Drew didn't play the greatest of competition, but that doesn't mean he doesn't stand out physically. He has great length that allows him to constantly get his hands on the ball. He struggles in deep coverage, but I like him underneath and across the middle of the field. A lot of traits to like as a prject player.

30. Marcellas Dial

South Carolina

6'0

190

2023 STATS:

25 SOLO 10 PBU

PROS:

Man coverage
Speed
Catch-point
Size

CONS:

Pre-snap
Run defense
Ball tracking

DAY 3 GRADE

Dial is a really good man coverage corner prospect. He is excellent at almost every aspect of man coverage, from being able to mirror recievers to a tee, and having the speed and size to match-up with any reciever. He is effective at making plays at catch-point and preventing the catch. The rest of his game is pretty shaky, as he is invaluable against the run, and doesn't track the ball super well. I still think his excellent man coverage skills are absolutely worth a selection.

29. MJ Devonshire

Pittsburgh

5'11

186

2023 STATS:

18 SOLO 4 INT 10 PBU

PROS:

Length
Ball skills
Instincts
Run defense

CONS:

Size
Tackling
Zone coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Devonshire, an instinctive corner who puts up solid numbers will have some attention thrown his way due to his length and how he uses it in the run game and how he uses it to make plays. I do think he struggles with tackling, and isn't good at sticking to his zones. Some can be coached out, some can't, but his instincts led him to a successful collegiant career.

28. Ro Torrence

Arizona State

6'3

208

2023 STATS:

23 SOLO 1 INT 3 PBU

PROS:

Press
Length
Physicality
Deep coverage

CONS:

Short-area coverage
Tackling
Instincts

DAY 3 GRADE

Torrence has good deep coverage skills, which you will come to see if you haven't already, is valuable in this year's class. He also uses his size to his advantage, as he is excellent in press coverage, and just out-bodying the reciever he is guarding. In the short area, he is more inconsistent, as he plays too tall, and struggles to wrap up ball carrriers, and can get twisted up by shifty recievers. However, his length and playstyle translates well to the NFL.

27. Johnny Dixon

Penn State

5'11

188

2023 STATS:

20 SOLO 1 INT 3 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Man/Press
Footwork
Physicality
Ball skills

CONS:

Speed
Deep coverage
Tackling

DAY 3 GRADE

Dixon is a similar prospect to Torrence, both are physical tall man corners. I think Dixon has better footwork and ball skills, but is a little slower and doesn't have the deep coverage. However, I think I would slightly prefer the technique of Dixon.

26. Myles Harden

South Dakota

5'11

195

2023 STATS:

27 SOLO 1 INT 2 PBU

PROS:

Zone Coverage
Man coverage
Physicality
Run defense

CONS:

Injuries
Length
Speed

DAY 3 GRADE

Harden would be a really good prospect, and probably day 2 if he was a tad faster. He has good coverage skills in both zone and man, which makes him scheme versatile. He plays with good intensity and physicality, and is a willing contributor in the run game. He falls because of his injury history and his speed, but I think those are overlook-able.

25. Dwight McGlothrn

Arkansas

6'2

185

2023 STATS:

19 SOLO 3 INT 6 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Instincts
Ball skills
Press
Zone coverage

CONS:

Run defense
Penalties
Footwork

DAY 3 GRADE

McGlothern has good versatility when it comes to schemes, and also has elite instincts and ball skills. He makes plays and is a safe player if you want NFL-ready coverage skills. He does need to contribute in the run game a bit more, and also needs to cut down on the penalties.

24. Jarrian Jones

Florida State

6'0

190

2023 STATS:

16 SOLO 3 INT 3 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Speed
Versatile
Run defense
Zone coverage

CONS:

Footwork
Tackling
Deep coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Jones has good speed and is scheme versatile, while also being a contributor in the run game. I like him most in zone coverage, as it plays to his strengths. He does need to work on his deep coverage against bigger wide-outs, and needs to work more on finishing tackles, but very coachable things.

23. Kamal Hadden

Tennessee

6'1

196

2023 STATS:

13 SOLO 3 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Size
Ball skills
Press
Zone coverage

CONS:

Injuries
Effort/Tackling
Grabby

DAY 2 GRADE

Hadden might be one of my favorite prospects in this year's draft. He has the size of an NFL corner, the ball skills of an NFL corner, and the coverage versatility of an NFL corner. Everything about his game screams NFL ready, so why is he ranked 23rd? He has some scary injury history, which hopefully won't flare up again, and his effort as a tackler lacks something to be desired. He also can be a little grabby when he is beat. However, I like him because these things can be coached out of his game.

22. Nehemiah Prichett

Auburn

6'0

190

2023 STATS:

18 SOLO 1 INT 3 PBU

PROS:

Size
Length
Mirror
Catch-point

CONS:

Run defense
Change of direction
Tackling

DAY 2 GRADE

Now we can start getting into the day 2 guys that will slide to day 3 most likely, and create good value. Prichett is a good place to start, as he has elite size and length, with great man coverage skills. He isn't great in run defense, but I think with his size he can surely get better at it.

21. Chau Smith-Wade

Washington State

5'10

184

2023 STATS:

23 SOLO 6 PBU

PROS:

Versatile
Speed
Man coverage
Ball Skills

CONS:

Size
Tackling
Deep coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Smith-Wade possesses the versatility to play any scheme, but he also has elite coverage traits, I like his ball skills, but not his production. I think he is at his best when he can run man on man and be with him every step. He can get beat by the more vertical recievers due to his size, but I think he is absolutely worth it to work on and develop his game.

20. Josh Newton

TCU

5'11

190

2023 STATS:

26 SOLO 1 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Versatile
IQ
Run defense
Physicality

CONS:

Length
Deep coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

19. Khyree Jackson

Oregon

6'4

194

2023 STATS:

25 SOLO 3 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Size/Measurables
Tackling
Physicality
Length

CONS:

Speed
Experience

DAY 2 GRADE

Jackson has the tools to be a starting cornerback in the NFL, he will just need to put them together. He has the measurables, the length, and the tenacity. He lacks experience at the positon, but with experience he will be able to put together solid NFL seasons. He may be a project year 1.

18. Jarvis Brownlee Jr.

Louisville

5'10

194

2023 STATS:

16 SOLO 1 INT 6 PBU

PROS:

Press
Effort
Versatile
Run defense

CONS:

Grabby
Deep coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Brownlee Jr, is a very hard working corner who gives his all in the run game and in coverage. I think he is best when he presses recievers, and will show the ability to stick with most receivers. Like other corners in the class, he isn't great when asked to guard recievers deep down field, and can get a little grabby, but overall Brownlee is a very solid and safe prospect.

17. Andru Phillips

Kentucky

5'11

190

2023 STATS:

33 SOLO 5 PBU

PROS:

Run defense
Man coverage
Toughness
Ball skills

CONS:

Experience
Zone coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Phillips didn't set the world on fire at Kentucky, but he displayed traits that can translate well to the NFL. I think he is a very tough run defender and contributes well, but I think his ability to not get out-bodied by receivers and mirror them effectively will get him drafted. He has ball skills, just didn't come up with much production. I don't see him venturing to zone coverage, but he might, he just has a lack of playing experience for the position.

16. Elijah Jones

Boston College

6'1

185

2023 STATS:

18 SOLO 5 INT 9 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Length
Ball skills
Press
Speed

CONS:

Run defense
Slender frame

DAY 2 GRADE

Jones is one of the best pure press corners in the class. Not because of his punch, but because of his ability to adjust after the press, and keep step with receivers. He is fast, and has long arms to make plays on the ball consistently. He can get out-bodied on occasion due to his more slender frame, and he also isn't great in the run game, but I think his production is the type of production that will translate to the NFL.

15. Cam Hart

Notre Dame

6'3

202

2023 STATS:

15 SOLO 4 PBU 3 FF

PROS:

Size advantage
Press
Anticipation
Fluid
Physicality

CONS:

Ball production
Injuries

DAY 2 GRADE

Hart is another one of my favorite prospects. He is a size nightmare for smaller recievers, as he can press them and take them out of the play. He makes a lot of anticipation plays, that are risky, but always comes at the right time. I think he plays fluidly and never gets lost with the reciever. His concerns are his injury history, and his production, but I think teams will see that as not a good enough reason NOT to draft him.

14. Renardo Green

Florida State

6'0

186

2023 STATS:

32 SOLO 1 INT 12 PBU

PROS:

Press
Body control
Tackler
Route tracking

CONS:

Penalties
Deep coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Green is a name I don't see a lot in terms of corner prospects this year, and I don't really see why. I think his body control and route tracking makes him an incredibly smart corner, and doesn't let himself get beat often. He has issues with deep coverage, but not as much as others in this class. He committed a lot of penalties in college, so he will have to clean that aspect up, but other than that a solid corner prospect.

13. D.J. James

Auburn

6'0

175

2023 STATS:

30 SOLO 2 INT 9 PBU

PROS:

Short-area coverage
Body control
Footwork
Instinctive

CONS:

Run defense
Length

DAY 2 GRADE

James played boundary corner, but I think he would be massively productive in the slot. He is phenomenal in short area, and has body control to not get beat and step in and make plays before they happen. He is technically refined with good instincts, but will have to commit more to the run game.

12. Kris Abrams-Draine

Missouri

5'11

179

2023 STATS:

38 SOLO 4 INT 12 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

IQ
Versatile
Instincts
Ball skills
Off coverage

CONS:

Size
Physicality

DAY 2 GRADE

Abrams-Draine is a very smart corner, who offers versatility. He isn't necessarily eilte in much coverage traits, but he is good in all of them. He is someone who I could see transitioning to nickel due to size, but I think he could hold his own on the boundary, since he did in the SEC.

11. Caelen Carson

Wake Forest

6'0

199

2023 STATS:

29 SOLO 8 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Press
Physicality
Zone coverage
Tackling/Hitting
Footwork

CONS:

Injuries
Man

DAY 2 GRADE

Carson, another under-appreciated corner prospect gives me a little hint of the Leigon of Boom. Big hitter, plays with intensity, and has great press and zone coverage skills? If Pete Carroll was still the Hawks head coach, I think he would draft this guy round 1. He is a little scheme dependent and doesn't play great man coverage, and has an injury history, but he is such a fun prospect to watch.

10. Max Melton

Rutgers

5'11

187

2023 STATS:

22 SOLO 3 INT 6 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Versatile
Press
Burst
Zone coverage
Ball skills
Instincts

CONS:

Pursuit
Short-area coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Melton is a very, very safe pick in this year's draft class. He doesn't have the short area coverage you might want, but everything else, he provides. I think he is both good in zone and in man, and has the burst plus instincts to make him a special corner in the league.

9. Mike Sainristil

Michigan

5'9

182

2023 STATS:

26 SOLO 6 INT 6 PBU 2 FF

PROS:

Tough nickel
Zone coverage
Ball skills
Run defense

CONS:

Experience
Press

DAY 2 GRADE

Sainristil is the second best nickel corner in this draft class. He has the zone coverage skills that make him NFL ready, but not only that he is tough and contributes to the run game often. He has ball skills and will make plays, but he doesn't have the experience to match up man on man quite yet, although I could see him doing so in the future.

8. T.J. Tampa

Iowa State

6'1

189

2023 STATS:

33 SOLO 2 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Long arms
Physicality
Instincts
Ball skills

CONS:

Top gear speed
Open field tackling

PRO COMPARISON:

Carlton Davis

DAY 1/2 GRADE

Tampa is my first day 1 prospect. He has some truly special physicality for a corner, and freakishly long arms. That alone makes him special, but his instincts and ball skills will allow him to start in the NFL right away.

7. Kamari Lassiter

Georgia

5'11

186

2023 STATS:

21 SOLO 8 PBU

PROS:

Fluid
Versatile
Tackling
Nickel
Run defense

CONS:

Press
Physicality

PRO COMPARISON:
Byron Murphy

DAY 1 GRADE

Lassiter is the best nickel prospect in the class, but I think if a team wants they could move him outside. He is a very fluid and natural athlete, who can run seamless man or zone coverage when asked. Isn't elite at press coverage nor out-bodying wide-outs, but that's not his game. He is a really fun watch and will start in the nickel for any team that drafts him.

6. Cooper DeJean

Iowa

6'0

203

2023 STATS:

26 SOLO 2 INT 5 PBU

PROS:

Defensive weapon
Speed
Run defense
Blitzing
Off coverage
Tackling

CONS:

Grabby
Boundary

PRO COMPARISON:

Eric Weddle

DAY 1 GRADE

DeJean is more of a weapon on defense, as he is the next within a line of 'positionless' players. I think you just drop him at safety, in the slot, at linebacker, or on the boundary, and he will make plays, no question. His main appeal is his physicality and his play style, which is very reminiscent of Eric Weddle. He can blitz, stop the run, and guard recievers, a very all around talent. He isn't as great on the boundary as he is inside, as he can get beat, and result to grabbing, but that's the only flaw that jumps out to me on film.

5. Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Missouri

5'11

183

2023 STATS:

24 SOLO 4 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Rangy
Fluid
Press
Effort
Run defense

CONS:

Ball skills

PRO COMPARISON:

Jaylon Johnson Prototype

DAY 1 GRADE

Rakestraw is my number 5 corner, and it could be shocking. His name isn't brought up that much when talking about how good this class is, but I think he is one of the best athletes in the whole class. He is also so technically refined that his ceiling is sky high, but you also know you are getting a boundary corner who will make plays and play great defense all around.

4. Nate Wiggins

Clemson

6'1

173

2023 STATS:

22 SOLO 2 INT 6 PBU 2 FF

PROS:

Speed
Press
Fluid
Physical traits
Versatile

CONS:

Run defense
Grabby

PRO COMPARISON:

AJ Terrell

DAY 1 GRADE

Maybe the fastest corner in the class, Wiggins is a do it all corner, as all the remaining corners are. He is excellent in man coverage, as it seems he was never lost on a play. He is a pure athlete with scheme and positional versatility, that will make him instantly valuable in this years class. He does need to contribute in the run game a bit more, but he has lockdown corner upside.

3. Quinyon Mitchell

Toledo

6'0

195

2023 STATS:

32 SOLO 1 INT 18 PBU

PROS:

Speed
Ball Skills
Physicality
Run defense
Size
Man coverage

CONS:

Hip tightness

PRO COMPARISON:

Sauce Gardner

DAY 1 GRADE

Shout-out my buddy Jacob who told me about this guy months ago. Mitchell is screaming Sauce Gardner to me anytime I turn on his tape. It may seem like an outlandish pro comp, until you see how physical and rangy this corner is. He is fast, has NFL size and ball skills, and contributes in the run game better than most in this class. He can also be a lockdown corner in man or zone coverage, I don't really see a true flaw in his game, and that's why he is flying up draft boards.

2. Kool-Aid McKinstry

Alabama

5'11

199

2023 STATS:

24 SOLO 7 PBU

PROS:

IQ
Smooth
Twitch
Press
Tackling
Aggressive
Versatile

CONS:

Injuries

PRO COMPARISON:

Jaire Alexander

DAY 1 GRADE

Kool-Aid was initially thought to be the best corner in this class a year ago, but injuries have hindered that possibility. He is incredibly smart, makes plays naturally, and has a special twitch and smoothness to his playstyle. He has HUGE upside if his injuries don't hinder him, because his talents just don't come around that often.

1. Terrion Arnold

Alabama

6'0

189

2023 STATS:

40 SOLO 5 INT 12 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Versitile
Instincts
Speed
Ball Skills
Physicality
Press
Off coverage

CONS:

Experience

PRO COMPARISON:

Marshon Lattimore

DAY 1 GRADE

Arnold is CB1 in this class, and I don't know how shocking that is to some. He is the safest corner in the class to draft, you know you are getting a plus starter for awhile when drafting him. I don't think his upside is as high as other corners in the class, but that isn't to say he doesn't have a very high and attainable upside. I can see a Marshon Lattimore type career out of him, as he simply does just about everything well on the field.

Google Sites

Report abuse