By Omar Kelly
There’s a reason cornerbacks are viewed as one of the five premiere positions in football, justifying why the NFL has selected 22 in the first round the past five years.
Much like defensive ends, the only other primary position on defense, cornerbacks have a direct impact on the pass-heavy game played today because one bad snap might lead to seven points.
And unlike quarterback, offensive tackle, and defensive end, teams typically need three at a time to counter the three-receiver sets, and franchises generally lean on five or six cornerbacks a season because of injury and wear and tear..
That’s why cornerback is one of the most selected positions annually each draft, no matter the caliber of talent the college game produces.
This year’s cornerback class features 8-10 defensive backs who could become rookie starters, so expect a second day run on the position as NFL teams jockey to select the style of cornerback they prefer.
Top prospects
▪ Colorado’s Travis Hunter — We have never seen another player in draft history be the top-ranked player at two positions, but that’s the case for Hunter, who is also viewed as this draft’s best receiver. Because of his phenomenal athleticism and great instincts, Hunter’s usually running the routes for the receivers, and his break on the ball has allowed him to pull down nine interceptions in his three collegiate seasons.
▪ Michigan’s Will Johnson — Johnson is a big (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), strong, fluid cornerback who is excellent in zone coverage. He has a nose for the ball, which is indicated by the nine interceptions he has pulled down in the 32 games he has played the past three seasons. Talent wise, he’s a top-10 pick in this draft class, but medical red flags (turf toe, hamstring and a possible knee injury) have soiled his stock, and whatever team selects him is gambling that his best days are ahead of him, and not behind him.
▪ Texas’ Jahdae Barron — The Jim Thorpe Award winner is a well-built zone cornerback, who excels when working in the nickel spot. He’s respected for how smart and coachable he is, and he has the speed (4.39 in the 40) to cover the fastest receivers in the NFL. His physicality is a positive trait, so much so some teams believe he can become a safety. But he can get a bit too handsy at times, and that might lead to quite a few holding calls.
▪ Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston — Cornerbacks with Hairston’s size, length (6-1, 186) and speed (4.28 in the 40) will always get a ton of attention from NFL teams. He showcases great instincts and special awareness in zone. But Hairston lacks the physicality needed to press and do hand combat with the NFL’s more physical receivers, which could push him into the second round.
▪ OIe Miss’ Trey Amos — Amos has the perfect skill set and physical traits to become an immediate starter for an NFL team that runs a Cover 2 defense. His smooth footwork and fluid hips should lead to him being a top-50 selection. There are some concerns about Amos’ tackling ability.
▪ Sleeper: East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr. — Cornerbacks with Revel’s blend of size, length (6-3, 193 pounds) and athleticism typically go early in the draft. Especially for athletes such as Revel who are fluid and concise with their footwork, and have the physicality to match up with bigger receivers. But Revel tore his ACL in September and might have to begin the 2025 season on injured reserve, which could push him into the third day of the draft.
▪ Best of the rest: Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas, LSU’s Zy Alexander, Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish, Virginia Tech’s Dorian Strong, Iowa’s Darien Porter, Nebraska’s Tommy Hill, Ohio State’s Denzel Burke, Louisville’s Quincy Riley, California’s Nohl Williams, Western Michigan’s Bihlal Kone, and UCF’s B.J. Adams will all be selected at some point in this week’s NFL draft.
▪ Teams in need: Cleveland, New York Giants, Las Vegas, Carolina, New Orleans, San Francisco, Miami, Arizona, Cincinnati, Tampa, Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore, Washington, Buffalo and Philadelphia are the teams expected to select cornerbacks in the first two days of the NFL draft. And some teams need more than one.
▪ Dolphins focus: The Dolphins released Kendall Fuller and plan to trade Jalen Ramsey, which means the two returning starters from last season need to be replaced. Good thing cornerback is the one position general manager Chris Grier has a great history of drafting, or finding as undrafted free agents. Miami can’t afford to leave this draft empty-handed at the position because that would mean Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Storm Duck and Ethan Bonner are the team’s top cornerbacks. Miami would benefit from adding a nickel cornerback because Kohou becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
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Omar Kelly
Miami Herald
