With the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, let’s take a look at the rankings for each individual position. Here are the 10 best cornerbacks.
[Nate Tice’s NFL Draft top 100 big board ⊥ Top QBs ⊥ Top RBs ⊥ Top WRs ⊥ Top OL]
The first defenseman on my big board, and it’s a former MAC player who takes the honors. Mitchell dominated in Toledo and is more than just the classic riser of height, weight and speed. A standout athlete with notable production (he had a game with four interceptions and two pick-6s in college), Mitchell knows when to unleash his spring explosiveness and make plays with the ball, with that search-and-destroy mentality that he carries with him in support. execution.
After playing primarily with his eyes on the quarterback in college, his loose hips and ability to remain consistently sticky in man coverage showed during Senior Bowl practices and his athleticism shined in Indianapolis. Mitchell always looked like the best player on the field in Toledo and that makes a lot more sense after he tested as a high-level NFL athlete. Of course, he will have to adjust to the jump in level, but Mitchell has checked all the boxes of the process with vigor and has shut-down potential at the next level.
Arnold’s role and influence on Alabama’s defense expanded throughout the 2023 season. Whether on the outside or in the slot, Arnold loved to challenge wide receivers and was willing to vary his coverage looks while doing so. His ball skills are also an advantage, not only in interceptions but also in ball plays, which he helps create with his game recognition and very good burst with some ball strikes like Gary Payton.
Arnold is aggressive and can get burned from time to time, but he can play inside and outside and is willing to pressure wide receivers (and win, too). His length, edginess and aggressive style will win him a lot of fans across the league.
A top-tier athlete with Pro Bowl potential as an outside cornerback, slot, safety or punt returner. DeJean is competitive, a strong defender and loves to pressure receivers when working outside, with clean hands to avoid penalties and coordination and speed to stay in sync. He can rely on his rebounding ability too often, but when you have DeJean’s outburst, I think you can get away with it. I would like to see DeJean in a more run-heavy scheme because his ability to mirror wide receivers without using his hands would be a real asset.
A playmaker no matter where he is on the field, DeJean’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways will help any defensive back end or special teams unit.
Long and nervous, Wiggins already has the starting kit for an excellent NFL cornerback. Wiggins uses his restlessness to close down space for wide receivers, with an understanding of how to use his hands when trying to make a play on the ball. He constantly hampers vertical routes with his ability to keep up with wide receivers.
He is just okay against the run and doesn’t have the size to make a difference in the box, which is concerning at the next level as teams will pounce on any deficiencies that appear, but he has the ability to work well in man or zone without help, with length commensurate with the longest receivers in the NFL. It will be a sliding scale of how teams want to evaluate their coverage ability and lack of size.
McKinstry is a skilled cornerback who wins with control and understanding of the position and using his length and intelligence. McKinstry does a good job staying inside and close to receivers and having the ability to make plays on the ball.
The flip side of this is that McKinstry needs to be in perfect position because if he makes a misstep, he won’t have the ability to recover consistently due to his long average speed and explosiveness. He’s not a bad athlete, just one who doesn’t have the quickness you’d prefer to see. McKinstry’s awareness, technique and desire as a defender make him an interesting candidate in a heavier defense that would allow him to play more like a “cloud” cornerback in the flat.
Lassiter is not a great athlete and lacks ideal size, but he is a competitive and intelligent player who sees the game well and is constantly in the right position. He won’t be a good fit for every landing spot, but he could be a positive starter in the right role that allows him to use his intelligence and doesn’t require him to stay in man coverage all the time.
7. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Rakestraw’s game is infectious. He takes on every blocker like it’s an insult and loves being assigned man coverage or press assignments, whether inside or outside.
Rakestraw is undersized, weighing in at 183 pounds at the combine, and will still need to channel the energy he brings to the game, as his aggressive, no-nonsense style, lacking overwhelming athleticism, will draw penalties at the next level. His ability to defend against different types of wide receivers, with the potential to play snaps in the slot, gives Rakestraw a path as a starter. Carlton Davis is bigger, but is a good comparison at Rakestraw’s position.
Tampa has good size and length and can play inside or outside. He can match up with bigger receivers and is also a smart player when in zone coverages. He is a unique type of prospect.
Sainristil has below average size, but is a good athlete and smart player who can provide depth and be a possible starter at all five defensive back positions as well as on special teams. He is willing to run and his athleticism and awareness allow him to be a good coverage player. The lack of size limits his ceiling.
Melton is a supreme athlete with solid size who is best playing out of coverage. He is a willing defender in the run game. Melton doesn’t always play to his Test numbers because of his inconsistent technique, but there are tools to shape.
