2025 NFL Draft: Top 10 cornerbacks

In today’s NFL, you better have a solid secondary. That starts with two solid cornerbacks. The 2024 NFL draft saw three cornerbacks selected in round one, and 35 taken overall. Here is a look at the top cornerbacks heading into the 2024 season.

10- Jordan Hancock, Ohio State

Hancock is an explosive athlete who does an effective job of opening up his hips to stay with receivers on routes. He has strong route recognition and his anticipation is a huge reason for his success. He has a thin frame and can use some weight and muscle to help his transition to the NFL. He has a habit of clutching and grabbing a receiver when separation starts to occur, instead of trusting his speed.

9- Cobee Byrant, Kansas

Bryant is a playmaking corner who seems to create turnovers when they are needed the most. Versatile enough to play outside or in the slot without losing a step. He does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and has shown overall improvement from year to year. He is only 170 pounds and will need to add some mass to help him become more physical without fear of injury. He is a willing tackler but needs to work on his tackling technique, he missed tackles by not wrapping up.

8- Quincy Riley, Louisville

Riley has elite ball skills and reads and reacts quickly to be able to jump routes. His route recognition is solid and he has versatility in both man-to-man and in zone coverages. His run support is lacking and he needs to show more effort in this part of his game. His aggressiveness can be a problem at times. He can bite on an occasional pump fake and will take a penalty when beaten.

7- Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon

Muhammad has played at Oklahoma State and Washington before transferring to Oregon for the 2024 season. In man-to-man coverage he does an excellent job of being able to mirror the receivers. He is a fluid cornerback who has exceptional control of his hip and feet. Like many other cornerback prospects he needs to work on his overall tackling skills. Muhammad is only 5-foot-10 so the questions will be asked if he can handle the bigger and more physical receivers.

6- Jason Marshall, Jr., Florida

Marshall has had back-to-back solid seasons for the Gators, totalling 18 breakups. He is more effective in man-to-man coverage where he can use his athleticism to make plays on the ball. He is one of the top athletes at the position and he does an excellent job of high-pointing passes and finding the ball. He struggles in zone coverages due to his aggressiveness. He will overcommit and lose his area of coverage. He is not as proficient at reading plays as other top prospects.

5- Tacario Davis, Arizona

Davis is a force at 6-foot-4 and uses his length to his advantage, especially in zone coverage. Davis plays with a high motor and can be dominant in press coverage. He uses his length to land instant punches on receivers. For a taller player, he is smooth in his backpedal and he transitions towards the ball with downhill speed immediately. He does not read plays well and lacks high end instincts. Faster receivers may be an issue for Davis one-on-one.

4- Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Burke is another Buckeye who came back to Columbus to improve his draft stock. He was considered a top three round pick entering the 2023 season. Burke is a competitor who will make plays all over the field against the run or pass. His movements are smooth and his transitions are effortless. He breaks on the ball as well as anyone in this class. He can get too grabby and take penalties from time to time. When tackling he can use better mechanics and tends to throw his body towards a runner instead of wrapping up.

3- Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Morrison is a very smart cornerback who does an effective job of being able to bait passers and then making a play on the ball. He is able to change direction on a dime and mirrors receivers on double-moves effectively. Benjamin is not a physical cornerback and has a tough time when pressing receivers. In zone coverage he tends to look into the backfield and lose track of who is around him. 

2- Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter has man-to-man coverage skills that project to him being a shutdown cornerback in the NFL. It does not hurt that his college coach (Deion Sanders) is one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time. Hunter can play on both sides of the ball, and his receiving skills give him elite ball skills. He high points passes and is a playmaker in the secondary. He understands routes and has the footwork and change of direction skills to anticipate passes. He has a thin body build and will struggle against bigger receivers. His tackling in open space leaves something to be desired, he grabs jerseys more than he wraps up. His upside is as high as anybody in this draft class.

1- Will Johnson, Michigan

Johnson has the perfect combination of size and athleticism. At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds he can play a physical game and dictate where receivers go. Has an instant explosion and stop and go speed that cannot be taught. He has the physicality to jar the football out when he puts a hit on a receiver. His skills at man-to-man and zone coverage are as good as it gets in this class. On the downside, he can lose his bend when backpedaling against faster receivers. Johnson should be the first cornerback off the board, possibly a top 10 pick.