2024 NFL Draft- Top 10 Cornerbacks

The NFL receivers are getting faster and the teams are finding more ways to use their weapons in innovative ways to score. Fast, long cornerbacks are a must-have these days, stifling the large x-receivers like D.K. Metcalf or Tee Higgins while twitchy slot receivers need to meet their match against equally fluid and agile slot corners. Last season there were four corners taken in the first round and thirty seven taken overall in the draft, underscoring their need and priority for all teams.

Complete list of every cornerback pick from the 2023 NFL 

Draft:

Round 1, Pick 5: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

Round 1, Pick 16: Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

Round 1, Pick 17: Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Round 1, Pick 24: Deonte Banks, Maryland

Round 2, Pick 32: Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State

Round 2, Pick 44: Julius Brents, Kansas State

Round 2, Pick 51: Cam Smith, South Carolina

Round 2, Pick 56: Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL)

Round 2, Pick 60: D.J. Turner, Michigan

Round 3, Pick 72: Garrett Williams, Syracuse

Round 3, Pick 83: Riley Moss, Iowa

Round 3, Pick 102: Mekhi Blackmon, USC

Round 3, Pick 104: Jakorian Bennett, Maryland

Round 3, Pick 105: Kelee Ringo, Georgia

Round 4, Pick 113: Clark Phillips III, Utah

Round 5, Pick 138: Darius Rush, South Carolina

Round 5, Pick 142: Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern

Round 5, Pick 155: Darrell Luter, Jr., South Alabama

Round 5, Pick 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford

Round 5, Pick 165: Terell Smith, Northwestern

Round 6, Pick 178: Eric Scott Jr., Southern Miss

Round 6, Pick 180: Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville

Round 6, Pick 181: Josh Hayes, Kansas State

Round 6, Pick 182: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU

Round 6, Pick 202: Christian Braswell, Rutgers

Round 6, Pick 204: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, LSU

Round 6, Pick 214: Ameer Speed, Michigan State

Round 6, Pick 216: Dee Winters, TCU

Round 7, Pick 218: Travis Bell, Kennesaw State

Round 7, Pick 221: Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M

Round 7, Pick 224: DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama

Round 7, Pick 232: Carrington Valentine, Kentucky

Round 7, Pick 241: Cory Trice, Purdue

Round 7, Pick 246: D.J. Ivey, Miami, Fla

Round 7, Pick 250: Nic Jones, Ball State

Round 7, Pick 252: Alex Austin, Oregon State

The 2024 cornerback class is very deep, and talented corners will be found throughout this draft by teams looking to upgrade. Look for at least four corners to come off the war room big boards in round one but don't sleep on the day two and three talent in this crop. Hidden gems will be found from the top to bottom of the selection process. 

Here is a look at our top 10 cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft:

1. Alabama- CB- Terrion Arnold (6’0” 196 lbs)

Strengths

• Length
• Athleticism
• Hard hitter
• Downhill play

Weaknesses

• Fluid movement
• Balance against faster WR’s
• Route recognition

Terrion Arnold has the tenacity and the skillset that NFL teams love. He will go by mid round one and could be the first cornerback off the board. Arnold's resume speaks for itself. He's an SEC talent playing for legendary coach Nick Saban. Saban's put some of the league's best DB's into the NFL in the last fifteen years and expect Arnold to be a CB1 for some lucky club on draft night.

Projection- 1st round 

 2. Toledo- Quinyon Mitchell (6’0” 196 lbs)

Strengths

• Big play ability
• Run-stopping ability
• Ball tracking
• Physicality

Weaknesses

• Pump fakes
• Competition
• Back pedal

Quinyon Mithchell's stock has risen since the end of the season, perhaps more than any other prospect in this draft. He flashed his physicality and coverage skills at the Senior Bowl and has steadily risen up the draft board with a 4.3 forty time and equally impressive combine workout. He may have the highest ceiling of any cornerback in this draft.

Projection- 1st round

3. Clemson- CB- Nate Wiggins (6’2” 185 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed
• Length
• Athleticism
• Man Coverage

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Zone coverage
• Physicality
• Penalties

Nate Wiggins's 4.28 speed, long arms and "Sauce Gardner" body type will shut down NFL receivers one-on-one. He is not as physical as the other prospects and will be counted on to shadow and travel with the opposing team's best receiver. If he filled out and added weight, Wiggins would be the top CB taken this year. An NFL weight room and regimen will help his game. 

Projection- 1st round

4. Iowa- CB- Cooper DeJean (6’1” 207)

Strengths

• Versatility
• Instincts
• Playmaker
• Balance

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Angles
• Physicality
• Play fakes

Cooper DeJean is a versatile performer that can be used in several different defensive positions including corner, slot, safety and punt/kick returner. He is always around the ball and is one of the top playmakers in this class. He should go later in the first round or very early on day two.

Projection- Round 1 or round 2

5. Alabama- CB- Kool-Aid McKinstry (6’1” 195 lbs)

Strengths

• Quickness
• Footwork
• Length
• Size

Weaknesses

• Play action aggressiveness
• Game motor

Kool-Aid McKinstry has been a shutdown cornerback at Alabama, so much so that teammate Terrion Arnold saw a lot of action as teams actively game planned to go away from McKinstry. He lost some traction with his draft stock after suffering an injury and not being able to perform extensively at the NFL Combin but bounced back at his pro day. He's still going to be a shut-down cornerback in the NFL and some lucky team will get a value pick with him late in round one or early in round two.

Projection- Round 1 or round 2

6. Rutgers- CB- Max Melton (6’0” 190 lbs)

Strengths

• Quickness
• Physicality
• Burst
• Willing tackler

Weaknesses

• Zone coverage
• Ball tracking
• Fluid movement
• Penalties

Max Melton has flown under the radar but after running a 4.39 at the combine he has opened up some eyes to his potential. His speed and willingness as a tackler will have teams calling his name in round two. Melton has NFL bloodlines and has done well against the Big Ten's best receivers. No longer a sleeper, he could be a longtime starter in the league for the right team.

Projection- Round 2

7. Missouri- CB- Ennis Rakestraw (6’0” 188 lbs)

Strengths

• Length
• Man coverage
• Press coverage

Weaknesses

• Zone coverage
• Angles
• Injury history
• Penalties

Rakestraw has had some injury concerns at Missouri, and can be penalty prone by being overly handsy with receivers. He plays with a high energy and has long limbs for only being 6’0”. While not the fastest of corners, Rakestraw played well against SEC talent and will be a solid day two pick.

Projection- 2nd round

8- Georgia- CB- Kamari Lassiter (6’0” 180 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Run-stopping ability
• Versatility
• Football I.Q.

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Nickelback
• Average height
• Trouble against larger opponents

Kamari Lassiter was a big part of the Georgia championship teams but slid slightly in recent mock drafts. With better technique and footwork, Lassiter would be a first rounder, but he will have to prove he can line up one-on-one with faster and larger opponents starting in training camp. Lassiter as a ton of upside and could be a star with a little experience. A quality second day pick.

Projection- 2nd round 

9- Michigan- CB- Mike Sainristil (5’10” 182 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands 
• Athleticism
• Zone coverage
• Styles

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Size
• Aggressiveness

Mike Sainristil plays a multitude of positions—corner, slot and even some rover back. He can be physical and is effective at press coverage. Many teams believe he can step into an NFL's nickel package right away and be productive. He is on the smaller side and he can, at times, be overaggressive. He is a player that any organization would love to have in their secondary room and is reminiscent of Detroit Lion's Brian Branch. 

Projection- 2nd round

10. Iowa State- CB- T.J. Tampa (6’2” 200 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Run-stopping ability
• Locates ball
• Playmaker

Weaknesses

• Mechanics
• Man coverage
• Back pedal
• Inconsistent game motor

T.J. Tampa has all the tools to succeed in the NFL. He needs to work on his footwork and his man-to-man coverage but Tampa will be successful at the next level. He doesn't have the flair of a Nate Wiggins or the rising star of Quinyon Mitchell, but he will make some team happy in round two for a long time. He's a solid performer with a ton of upside once he works out the kinks. 

Projection- 2nd round