Final 2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Cornerbacks

We’re one week out from the first round and I have one last position to cover. Today we’re taking a look at cornerbacks, and it’s an interesting group. Unlike many of the other positions this year, I love the talent at the top — there are a handful of fantastic options in Round 1 and some great fallback options on Day 2. But the depth on Day 3 is lackluster, especially compared to previous years.

This list includes my top 15 cornerbacks for the 2025 draft. The top 10 have full scouting reports, while the rest have shorter write-ups that still explain their strengths, weaknesses, and why I have them ranked where I do. Check out the rest of the final position rankings series below now that it’s complete, and stay tuned for more draft coverage! My top 150 Big Board will be releasing on Sunday, and we’ll have plenty of coverage next week leading up to and during the draft itself.

Final Position Rankings:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Tackles
• Interior Offensive Line
• Edge Rushers
• Defensive Tackles
• Linebackers
• Safeties

1: Travis Hunter, Colorado

The reigning Heisman winner and the most electric player in college football, Hunter was the top overall recruit in the 2022 class and shocked the football world when he committed to Deion Sanders and Jackson State over a plethora of top programs. When Sanders took the job at Colorado, Hunter followed him there, playing both cornerback and wide receiver for the Buffaloes the last two seasons. Though he missed a few games in 2023 due to injury, he put together a quality season and elevated his game even further in 2024. As a junior, Hunter had 35 tackles, 11 passes defensed and four interceptions, all while winning the Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in college football.

When discussing Hunter, it’s always important to remember some context: he played a jaw-dropping 1,529 snaps in 2024 alone, by far the most for any one player in a season since at least 2014 (and it’s not close). Playing full-time on offense and defense takes a greater physical toll on the body, though to Hunter’s credit, he held up quite well, even down the stretch.

What Hunter’s done on defense while playing a full workload on offense is nothing short of incredible. His movement skills are off-the-charts good — silky-smooth transition ability when changing from his backpedal to break on a route or run with a receiver downfield. He practically runs routes for the receivers at times, beating them to their breaks and making plays on the ball. Short-area quickness, long speed and hip flexibility are all major pluses in Hunter’s game. The way he stays connected on routes, even against NFL-caliber competition, is impressive.

As you’d expect for a player who spends a lot of time at receiver, Hunter has great ball skills. He plays the cornerback position like a receiver, with advanced route recognition and high-pointing ability for a defensive player. At the catch point, Hunter digs into all his receiver skills to fight for the ball and has the cleanest hands you’ll ever scout on a defensive back. He’s also the best click-and-close corner I’ve seen. When he puts his foot in the ground, he bolts to the ball, interrupting the catch and saving yards.

About the only thing you could criticize in Hunter’s game is physicality. Naturally, at 6-0, 188, there are times when he’ll be outmatched size-wise by the receiver. He took major steps forward in this department in 2024, but he can still be bullied in contest-catch situations a little bit. Other than that, it’s just an issue of experience. More time focused on playing corner will help, for sure.

One of the big questions facing Hunter is where he’ll play in the NFL. He insists he wants to be given a chance to play both ways, but that will be difficult to do in the NFL. Setting aside the physical concerns, the mental side of things could be a problem. These meetings and practices are happening at the same time, and he can’t be in two places at once. For this to work, he would need to play corner full-time and have set packages and responsibilities on offense, which is what he did at Colorado. He practiced at corner all week, met with the defense, and would have his routes called in from the sideline on Saturdays when he was on offense.

Where Hunter plays will also be dictated by which team selects him. While he was the best player in college football last season, he could fall as far as No. 4 on draft night, as two quarterbacks and Penn State ED Abdul Carter could be taken above him. I stand by the fact that I think Hunter will be a better NFL cornerback than receiver. I think he’s a rarer prospect at this position, but he’d be a phenomenal receiver as well. His movement ability, play recognition, and ball skills would make him an All-Pro-caliber corner.

2: Will Johnson, Michigan

A 6-2, 194-pound true junior and former five-star from Detroit, Johnson earned All-American recognition as a true freshman, then was selected as a first-team All-American with a breakout sophomore campaign. In 2022, he had 27 tackles, four forced incompletions and three interceptions. In 2023, he had another 27 tackles, this time with seven forced incompletions and four interceptions. As a junior in 2024, Johnson fought through a turf toe injury that was described as “severe,” playing five games and appearing in a sixth before missing the rest of the season.

Like Hunter, Johnson has rare movement skills for the position. He combines that with a big frame and a long wingspan, the perfect combination for elite press coverage skills. When Johnson lines up one-on-one against a receiver, he creates instant, disruptive contact off the snap, interrupting the timing of the route and playing physical within the allowed yardage. Down the field, he uses his size to contest at the catch point, with his length providing a major deterrent to receivers. It’s not just physicality, though, as Johnson has smooth ball skills and can pick off passes cleanly outside his frame like a receiver would.

As good as Johnson is in man coverage, he might be better in zone. He has elite vision in coverage, watching both the backfield and his area to make plays on the ball. His change-of-direction skills come into play here, as well, with good timing on his breaks and the recovery ability to make up ground on the rare occasions he loses a step. Whether he’s running stride-for-stride down the sideline or staying glued to his target on a jittery underneath crosser, Johnson is a hound in coverage who won’t let his assignment win the route.

Johnson’s play took a dip in 2024, likely due to his toe injury. He struggled with missed tackles and looked a step slow at times, both in straight-line speed and when attempting to cover receivers in smaller areas. It is a concern, but not a major one for me. Turf toe injuries can be difficult to play through, but don’t tend to linger or cause long-term damage once healed. What could be a bigger issue is his overall speed. He didn’t do much testing at the Combine or his pro day, and the few drills he did participate in didn’t go well. Athletic concerns linger with Johnson and they could keep him out of the top 10.

My top prospect on my preseason big board, Johnson remains in my top five. He’s such a clean, high-level prospect, the kind of player who you expect to compete for All-Pro honors once drafted. It’s a lofty standard to set, but that’s the kind of prospect Johnson is. I’d almost be surprised if he doesn’t become one of the best corners in the league in the next few years, and any drafting team can take a deep breath when he’s out there guarding an offense’s top target.

3: Jahdae Barron, Texas

A 5-11, 194-pound fifth-year senior from Austin, Barron stamped his name on the 2024 college football season like almost no other. Originally a four-star recruit, he chose to stay in his hometown and play for the Longhorns. After redshirting initially, he played some rotational snaps as a freshman before becoming the full-time starter at slot corner in 2022. That year, he racked up 74 tackles to go with a pair of interceptions, and he took a step forward as a junior. In 2023, he was named second-team All-Big 12 behind 59 tackles, five passes defensed and an interception. But that paled in comparison to his senior year, where was named consensus All-American, won the Jim Thorpe Award and totaled 67 tackles, 10 forced incompletions, five interceptions and eight run stops as one of the most versatile defensive backs in the country.

Although for his career Barron primarily played in the slot, he moved to the outside as a senior and thrived. He fires off his breaks, both in coverage and in run defense. When he comes up to make a tackle or break up a pass, he does so forcefully, with a physical brand of football that coaches love. He can plant his foot in the ground and really move, making him a headache for underneath passing attacks when he drives on receivers’ breaks. That speed and decisiveness show up in his recovery ability, as well, being able to close on receivers with the ball in the air to make plays.

In zone coverage, Barron showcases his experience in how he approaches the game. He can pass off routes and keep his priorities with ease, playing high-low and taking on difficult assignments. With clean footwork at all levels of the field, there isn’t wasted motion. Barron exhibits patience and deliberateness in how he covers one-on-one. When playing against the run, Barron is more than just physical — he displays an advanced understanding of leverage and can undercut blocks before they arrive.

I wouldn’t consider Barron to be an explosive short-area athlete, and this limits him in a few areas. Receivers are sometimes able to shake him on quick cuts, as he has a little stiffness in his hips when cutting and it takes him a few steps to recover. Additionally, being a little small for an outside corner, he could struggle against the NFL’s biggest receivers, particularly in the red zone.

Barron’s stock jumped even higher when he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the Combine. As if his tape wasn’t good enough, he tested fast and explosive even by NFL standards. He’ll be a favorite of fans and coaches alike, playing with a brand of physicality and competitive fire. There’s a chance he will be the first true corner taken, and don’t rule him out in the top 10. Teams looking for cornerback help would love to add the scheme-versatile Barron to their squad.

4: Shavon Revel, East Carolina

A JUCO transfer from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Revel has one of the best stories in the 2025 draft. He worked the night shift at an Amazon warehouse to put himself through school and play football at Louisburg College, eventually showing up to an East Carolina tryout following the 2021 season. The Pirates coaches were so enamored with Revel’s performance that he got an offer to transfer immediately. He broke out in 2023, with a monster 55 tackles and 12 forced incompletions. Over the summer, draft evaluators began taking notice, and he was off to a great start in 2024 with eight tackles, two interceptions, and four forced incompletions across just three games. Unfortunately, Revel tore his ACL in practice back in September, cutting his senior year short. He attended the Shrine Bowl and Combine to meet with teams but was unable to participate in the practices and drills.

Listed at 6-2, 194, Revel is a long, solidly built cornerback. He plays a ton of press coverage, using that length to disrupt receivers off the line and make them uncomfortable. It’s difficult for receivers to deal with, especially at the catch point, where Revel can out-leverage his opponents to make plays on the ball. I like Revel’s coverage instincts, as well, specifically his ball skills. He has a knack for timing his breaks well and playing the ball, not the receiver, helping him avoid penalties. There’s an air of physicality in Revel’s play, both in coverage and run support. He’s a brutal tackler who isn’t afraid to mix it up in traffic and deliver big hits, fighting through blocks and wrapping up his target.

What makes Revel especially dangerous is his fluidity and speed at that size. The way he can flip his hips and change directions on a dime is reminiscent of much smaller corners — that combination of length and lateral agility is hard to come by. Recovery speed is also a plus with Revel. He has no issue keeping up with speedster receivers down the field, nor closing to make a play on the ball even if he’s a few steps behind. His football IQ is impressive, especially for someone with limited starting experience like Revel. He’s still learning, but the jumps he took in his understanding of routes and receiver tendencies year-over-year is visible on tape.

Revel can be over-aggressive at times, occasionally giving up big plays as a result. You love the competitive fire and the big-play mentality, but that could be abused by a savvy quarterback in the NFL. He can also be a little grabby at the tops of routes, which will draw more penalties at the next level. It’s not that he lacks the athleticism to keep up, he’s just not as disciplined with his hands as he needs to be, indicating that this can be cleaned up. Lastly, he’s still developing a feel for zone coverages. He loses routes a little too often when he’s tasked with playing an area rather than a specific man.

That said, all these issues can be cleaned up with more experience. Early in his career, Revel will be best deployed in an aggressive scheme that asks him to play press coverage and cover one-on-one down the field. I don’t doubt his ability to adjust to other schemes with time, however. The big thing for Revel’s draft stock is his medical evaluation. Though he’s on track to be ready for the start of the 2025 season, teams will need to make their own determinations. He’s trending towards a Day 2 selection and could be a steal for the team that takes a chance on him in that range.

5: Trey Amos, Ole Miss

The well-traveled Amos was a surprise breakout in 2024. A fifth-year senior and former three-star recruit, Amos spent three seasons at Louisiana before transferring to Alabama in 2023. After seeing regular playing time but only getting one start for the Crimson Tide, Amos took his skills to the Rebels, earning a starting spot for HC Lane Kiffin on the Ole Miss defense. He had an incredible season, earning first-team All-SEC honors with 50 tackles, 15 forced incompletions and three interceptions, emphatically putting his name on the NFL radar.

A 6-1, 195-pound outside corner, Amos thrives best in man schemes, particularly when asked to play press coverage. Amos possesses the quick-twitch athleticism and smooth hips necessary to blanket receivers down the field, following them through their breaks and cuts. With the speed to keep up down the field and the length to be disruptive off the line and at the catch point, Amos is ideally suited to that role. His hands have power on contact, moving receivers and creating timing issues for the offense.

It’s not just physical attributes with Amos, however. He plays the position with a veteran’s understanding of receiver tendencies and route combinations. In zone, he plays off multiple routes well, tracking receivers through his area and keeping an eye in the backfield. At the catch point, Amos has the length to contest and the ball skills to make plays. Fifteen forced incompletions is a high mark, and it speaks to how well he times his breaks and the opportunistic nature of his play.

Amos lacks some technique and punch as a tackler. He had as many missed tackles as run stops as a senior, and that will be an issue in the NFL. Defenses rely on their cornerbacks to make plays on the outside and prevent running backs from breaking big plays down the sideline, and Amos will need to wrap up better to make it as an NFL starter. Additionally, he has some issues transitioning from his backpedal, leading to some open windows on underneath throws as he can’t react in time to contest the catch.

As a Day 2 cornerback prospect, there’s a lot to like with Amos’s game. While he’s best in a man scheme, he’s versatile enough to succeed as an off-cover zone corner as well. He displays an advanced understanding of the position, critical for an older prospect, and he has consistent production across multiple stops in college. All told, Amos would be a great pick for cornerback-needy teams, and there’s a chance he sneaks into the end of the first round.

6: Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

A native of Olathe, Kansas, and a former three-star recruit, Parrish is a true junior who started on the outside the last two seasons for the Wildcats. He picked off four passes as a sophomore, upping his game as a junior with 50 tackles, nine forced incompletions and an interception. With a reputation as one of the Big 12’s most physical defenders, Parrish played well at the Senior Bowl and impressed at the Combine with his testing.

At 5-10, 191, Parrish is built more like an NFL slot cornerback, but he doesn’t let that stop him on the outside. He racks up a ton of forced incompletions with some of the best click-and-close abilities in this class. When he wants to make a play on the ball, nothing stops him, and he can put his foot in the ground and beat the receiver to the break in a flash. Physicality shows up in every area of Parrish’s game but with surprising subtlety for a younger player. He’ll establish early contact in the legal zone and ease up enough to avoid drawing a flag while still disrupting the receiver’s rhythm. Some of that he won’t get away with at the next level, but with a few adjustments, he can continue pestering receivers on their routes.

While Parrish hounds underneath routes, he also plays with discipline and a veteran’s savvy down the field. As routes develop, he knows how to play off them, often baiting quarterbacks into throws he’s in position to break on by manipulating the spacing in his zone. For how aggressively he attacks underneath routes, Parrish displays remarkable restraint and discipline too, rarely falling for double-moves or trick plays. If you’re going to beat Parrish on a route, it won’t be that easy. As a run defender, Parrish brings that same nasty demeanor coaches love, truly playing with a chip on his shoulder and matching that energy with strong fundamentals in his tackling form.

There are two reasons why I think Parrish will be better in the slot in the NFL. First, there are times when he struggles to cover routes deep down the field. More importantly, his frame does hinder him at times, and you can see this on tape. Being smaller doesn’t impact his game on most snaps, but there are times taller receivers simply outreach him on a play.

Much of this would be mitigated by a move inside in the NFL. Just this last year, we saw a number of elite rookie slot corners enter the league and have an immediate impact, including the Commanders’ Mike Sainristil, the Giants’ Andru Phillips, and the Chargers’ Tarheeb Still. I see Parrish in that same mold, a versatile slot weapon for a defense and someone who can be transformative for the unit as a whole through their play. Parrish is in my top 50 and would be a great choice in the second round.

7: Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

One of the top draft prospects entering the season, Morrison suffered a hip injury that limited him to just six games in 2024. Originally a four-star recruit from Phoenix, he was an immediate starter for the Fighting Irish, with 33 tackles and six interceptions in 2022. As a sophomore, Morrison was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, racking up 31 tackles, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions. In his injury-shortened senior year, he had another 20 tackles and three passes defensed.

At 6-0, 193, Morrison isn’t a big corner but I wouldn’t describe him as undersized, either. His 2023 tape showcased a smooth mover, someone who could stay sticky in coverage in short areas and down the field. He can flip his hips and run with anyone, but it’s not just straight-line speed. Elite quickness and agility let him hound receivers on underneath routes and stay connected at all three levels of the field.

Morrison is comfortable in both zone and man coverages, with experience playing press and the awareness to be effective passing off routes in zone. He has good ball skills, with high numbers of interceptions and forced incompletions in all three of his college seasons. A knack for big plays and the ability to pay them off are hallmarks of Morrison’s game — he picks his spots well and is smart about avoiding penalties.

With only six games played in 2024, much of Morrison’s evaluation comes from what he did in 2023. He wasn’t playing well before the injury this year, either, highlighting some of his struggles. Physicality can get to him during the route and at the catch point. He gave up a lot of yards on quick slants and other short passes as a junior, relying more on his natural athleticism rather than technique to cover his man.

Morrison is just a tough player to evaluate. He had a great 2023 and a bad 2024 that ended with a hip injury, one we still don’t have a ton of clarity on. You can’t take away his traits, however, as few cornerback prospects move the way this guy does. I wouldn’t touch this guy on Day 1, but if I’m a team that runs a lot of press coverage, he’d be an intriguing second- or third-round prospect. Essentially, you’re taking a flier on a guy with rare athleticism and hoping he bounces back from his injury to become the player he was in 2023.

8: Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

A three-star high school recruit from Michigan, Hairston redshirted initially and had a minor role as a freshman before dominating the competition as a sophomore in 2023. That year, he earned second-team All-SEC honors and had 60 tackles, five interceptions — including two pick-sixes — six passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He was expected to take a step forward as a junior but had an up-and-down season that ended early due to a shoulder injury. Even so, he had 19 tackles, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a pick-six in just seven games. Hairston stuffs the stat sheet in every way imaginable and impressed at the Combine, soaring his stock into fringe first-round territory.

A bit undersized for an NFL corner, Hairston stands at 5-11, 183 pounds. He wowed at the Combine, running a 4.28 40-yard dash and excelling in the jumps as well. That speed and explosiveness pops on tape. The click-and-close ability with him is off the charts, and he can cover a ton of ground in an instant to make a play on the ball. There are plenty of reps where he’s seemingly out of position and recovers to make a play the quarterback didn’t expect he could. At the catch point, he plays tough and feisty, breaking up passes despite his limited frame. Hairston possesses excellent ball skills, with high interception and pass breakup numbers backing up what I see on film.

Hairston is best deployed in zone coverage, where his cerebral playstyle and natural instincts take over. He can read the quarterback’s eyes to make plays, covering large areas of the field. He can track multiple routes in his area and knows when to follow routes that his teammates can’t cover. Hairston’s elite change-of-direction ability shows up in man coverage, as he stays sticky with even the trickiest receivers and is right there at the catch point. What also stands out on film is how much joy Hairston plays with. He loves the game of football and that level of energy brings out the best in himself and his teammates.

Press coverage is not Hairston’s ideal fit. He lacks the length and power to disrupt receivers off the line, usually getting pushed around himself. Against bigger receivers, he gets bullied at times, boxed out at the catch point and shouldered on the route. Although lots of young corners are guilty of this, Hairston is often too aggressive, looking to jump routes for big plays. He gambles often, leaving himself vulnerable to double moves and trick plays.

That 40 time took Hairston from a solid second-round player into the first-round conversation. I still have a Day 2 grade on him, as I think he’s a slot corner in the NFL, and one that is best deployed in zone. The athletic testing numbers Hairston put out there could see him go early, though, and teams that take corners early usually want them playing on the outside. I have concerns with this approach, but there’s also a ton to love on Hairston’s tape. His athleticism, instincts, savvy, and competitive juice is a great combo for success in the pros.

9: Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

A former four-star recruit, Thomas is a true junior and an intriguing draft prospect. After joining the Seminoles in 2022, he played extensively but only saw one start over his first two seasons. That changed in 2024, as Thomas became a weekly starter and made an impact, recording 53 tackles, eight forced incompletions, and an interception. Thomas’ work earned him an honorable mention All-ACC nod, and he was invited to the Senior Bowl to continue his ascent to the NFL.

Standing at 6-1 and a half, 197, Thomas is a long corner with a strong core. He’s a smooth mover at that size, too, sliding in and out of his breaks with ease. His length causes problems for offenses, as he can shrink passing lanes in zone and make plays on the ball at the catch point. Not only that, but he packs a real punch, too, with a noticeable jolt when he makes initial contact in press coverage.

Thomas has nice ball skills, with his high school offensive background translating into how he plays the ball in the air, able to high-point it with soft hands. It also translates to how he reads and reacts to receivers — he’s a natural defender in zone coverages who can cover multiple routes entering his zone without losing focus. Plus change-of-direction ability gives him a high ceiling, as he can flip his hips and run on a dime.

Now, all that said, Thomas is essentially just traits at the moment. He’s still learning press techniques, with his punches not always landing, and he can get off-balance by overextending. And his long speed isn’t ideal, raising questions about his ability to cover down the field one-on-one in the NFL. Overall, Thomas’s game is more athleticism and feel than developed technique right now. With only one year of starting experience, there’s hope that Thomas can refine his game with more reps and some time in an NFL system.

Although he’s not the type of prospect you’d want starting right away, I’m intrigued by Thomas’s skills. While there’s a chance he goes in the first round, it’s probably a safer bet to assume he comes off the board in the second. As a developmental Day 2 player, you won’t find a guy with a higher ceiling than what he offers. The smooth movement, length, and feel for the game are all superb. Corners like Thomas aren’t made every day, and teams will believe in their ability to get the best out of him moving forward.

10: Zy Alexander, LSU

A fifth-year senior, Alexander started his career at Southeastern Louisiana, redshirting initially before being named an FCS All-American as a freshman. He transferred to LSU before the 2023 season, only playing eight games before suffering a season-ending injury. In 2024, he bounced back, playing in 10 games and recording 33 tackles, 10 forced incompletions and two interceptions.

At 6-1, 187, Alexander has an ideal build for an NFL corner. That length gives him an advantage in press coverage, where he can create initial contact off the line and play physical at the catch point. In man coverage, he displays good burst and lateral agility, with the change-of-direction skills necessary to stay sticky in coverage at the next level. Whether he’s transitioning from his backpedal, flying down off a break to cover underneath, or flipping his hips on a downfield route, Alexander is butter smooth in how he plays.

In zone coverage, Alexander has the awareness and route recognition skills to be a problem for offenses. He stays in-phase when getting to his zone, with good eye discipline and the length to disrupt throwing lanes. When coming up in run support or tackling in the open field, Alexander plays with solid fundamentals and an aggression that allows him to make plays. He had five run stops and only one missed tackle in 2024, showing his reliability and playmaking in this area.

Alexander isn’t a burner and gets beaten over the top. When playing the fastest receivers in the NFL, he’ll likely need to play off-coverage, and you might want to give him some safety help. The athletic testing at the Combine was poor, running a slow 40 and putting up bad jump numbers. It’s tough for unathletic corners to make it in the NFL. Additionally, he can be bullied at the catch point at times, lacking the mass to fight through the box-outs from bigger receivers.

I like Alexander’s tape a lot, but he won’t be a fit in every scheme. He’s a zone corner who probably needs safety help, and those guys rarely get starting opportunities out of the gate. Personally, I like his upside as a guy who’s still coming into his own and has an upward trajectory. But he projects as a mid-round backup who could work his way into a starting role should the opportunity arise.

The Next Five

11 — Darien Porter, Iowa State:

A 6-3, 195-pound corner from Bettendorf, Iowa, Porter tested like a freak athlete at the Combine. He ran a 4.3-flat 40-yard dash and put up great numbers across the board. That level of speed and explosiveness at his size is a real weapon, and he can run with anyone down the field. Great ball skills and natural feel in zone coverage allow him to make plays on the ball and be disruptive at all levels of the field. He can reroute effectively in press and uses his length to his advantage against receivers of all sizes.

For all his straight-line speed and burst, Porter isn’t smooth when changing directions. It takes him a beat longer to cycle down and cut, creating opportunities for receivers to get open. He struggles to tackle consistently, something of a liability on the outside. He’s also a raw prospect, despite his age. With only one year of starting experience of six in college, he doesn’t yet have the reps he needs to refine his game. Porter’s athletic gifts are evident, but his is a risky profile to bet on. He probably comes off the board in the second round just due to his testing alone.

12 — Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech:

Continuing the long-standing pipeline from the DMV area to the Hokies, Strong is a 6-1, 185-pound veteran from Maryland. He thrives in press-man situations, with silky-smooth hips and transition ability that lets him flow seamlessly through a receiver’s breaks, staying right on his hip. Strong is a master of hand-fighting off the snap, establishing early position and disrupting the timing of quick routes. Down the field, he plays the ball extremely well, with great awareness and soft hands to come up with big plays.

Strong can be undisciplined at the tops of routes, risking drawing flags when he grabs instead of getting his head around. Despite his experience, he still plays far too aggressively, giving up big plays when he sacrifices position for the chance at a pick. While he has adequate long speed, faster receivers can gain separation on him when he needs to sell out to keep up with them and can’t decelerate as quickly as a result. I can’t shake the similarities Strong has to other recent success stories in the NFL, and I like his skillset in certain schemes. In the third or fourth round, Strong will be a great add and compete to start right away.

13 — Denzel Burke, Ohio State:

A four-year starter for the Buckeyes, Burke checks in at 5-11, 186 pounds. He’s powerful in every aspect of his game, bringing the boom against the run and getting his hands on receivers off the snap. He plays zone with advanced read and react ability, using his burst to close on passes quickly and can track multiple routes in his area. In man coverage, he has the change-of-direction ability to stay sticky in coverage, keeping connected to his man down the field.

Burke struggles to transition from his backpedal quickly, giving up a lot of underneath yards as a result. When he can keep everything in front of him, he’s excellent at timing his breaks and getting downhill, but he can’t cut on a dime to do that. I also don’t think he’s the fastest down the field, which tends to show up when he needs to bail out more quickly than other corners. I really like Burke as a mid-round depth option in this draft, as I think he can be a valuable part of a team’s depth chart and provide a stable floor when he’s on the field.

14 — Nohl Williams, California:

A 6-0, 199-pound prospect who stayed in his home state of California, Williams has exceptional ball skills and coverage instincts that jump off the screen when watching him. He’s a natural in press coverage, timing his initial punch well and playing physical off the line of scrimmage. When the ball is in the air, he high-points it like a receiver, using the sideline effectively to cut off throwing angles when he can’t make a play directly. In zone, he keeps his eyes in the backfield without losing track of his area, leading to more plays on the ball.

Lateral agility is not Williams’ strong suit. He struggles to transition from his backpedal and doesn’t really stay sticky through the receiver’s breaks. His tackling technique needs work, as he misses too many tackles to be out there consistently in the NFL. Additionally, his top speed is a question mark for me, as I think he gets beat over the top too often despite his average timed speed. Another depth option, Williams plays the kinds of fundamentals that coaches love in their backups.

15 — O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina:

The Shrine Bowl MVP, Fortune checks in at 6-1, 185 pounds. His feel in zone coverage is excellent, and he’s able to read the quarterback while maintaining position and keeping track of multiple routes. He can match and fall off routes smoothly, bouncing between receivers in his zone assignments. Solid ball skills give him the ability to make plays when the opportunities present themselves, and he can play inside or outside. Toughness and physicality are big parts of his game — he’s a beast at the catch point while providing value as a run defender.

For as competitive as he is, Fortune can be bodied by bigger receivers due to his underdeveloped frame. He lacks the fluid change-of-direction ability and long speed to thrive in man coverage, often losing his man through their cuts or getting beat down the field. As a tackler, his form is inconsistent, and he dives at too many ankles. Another Day 3 player, Fortune offers special teams value and is a solid backup option in the middle rounds.