Three Pack 2025 NFL Draft Prospects- Cornerbacks

The 2024 college football season is coming to an end, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of cornerbacks who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

Cornerback Jahdae Barron, Texas

• 5-foot-11 198 lbs
• 15 games 61 tackles 5 interceptions

What to like about Jahdae Barron

In college, Barron has played safety, nickel, and linebacker and understands each position's assignments. He is very instinctual and reads routes well. He does an effective job at being able to jump routes and break up passes. Barron is old-school when it comes to his hustle and he plays every snap with a high motor, never giving up on the play. He plays a physical style and has excellent straight line speed when he attacks the ball carrier. Barron's mix of hustle and not stop motor allows him to be able to make plays all over the field. 

Reason for concern

Although Barron is a hustler he needs to improve his tackling mechanics and do a better job of wrapping up runners. Too many times he looks to lower his shoulder and knock the runner out. His aggressive approach can be used against him at times. A quarterback with a good pump fake can get Barron to commit and leave his zone coverage. Barron is quick but not fast, and he lacks the recovery speed if he is fooled by a fake or a misdirection.

NFL Comparison

Amani Hooker

Amani Hooker is a perfect pro comparison for Jahdae Barron. Hooker also played the "STAR" position while at Iowa and shares the same traits as Barron when it comes to a non-stop motor who isn't the fastest guy on the field. Hooker has had a solid six-year career since being chosen in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the Tennessee Titans.

Draft Projection

3rd round pick

Cornerback Trey Amos, Ole Miss

• 6-foot-1 190 lbs
• 13 games 50 tackles 3 interceptions

What to like about Trey Amos

Amos is a patient cornerback who does not bite on play actions and pump fakes. He is fluid in his back pedal and opens his hips up smoothly when he transitions into a sprint. In zone coverage, he reads the quarterback's eyes well and has the ability to react to throws and make plays on the ball. 

Amos is a willing tackler and does an effective job of disengaging blockers and turning in pursuit of the ball carrier. He is physical enough to play press cover and can dominate smaller wide receivers. The 6-foot-1 cornerback uses his length to disrupt routes and should be able to match up against the NFL's bigger receivers.

Reason for concern

On the downside, Amos can be overly patient and give up too much of a cushion to receivers. Although he is quick, his recovery speed cannot make up for the separation he gives up at times. Although a willing tackler, Amos tends to try and arm tackle and needs to improve his overall tackling mechanics. 

Amos is better suited to cover in zone and may struggle at the next level trying to match up man to man on the outside. His projection may be more a nickel back than an outside starting cornerback. Amos looks more comfortable on short and medium passes and is prone to getting beat by the long ball from time to time. 

NFL Comparison

Carrington Valentine

Valentine was a 7th round draft pick out of Kentucky in 2023, and has become a contributing piece to the Packers secondary, both at cornerback and in nickel and dime packages. Draft Nation believes Amos will be an instant contributor to an NFL secondary as a situational and package defensive back but may take longer to make his mark at the starting cornerback position.

Draft Projection

3rd round pick

Cornerback Zy Alexander, LSU

• 6-foot-2 194 lbs
•  11 games 33 tackles 2 interceptions

What to like about Zy Alexander

Zy Alexander's tracks passes and makes plays on the ball as well as anyone in this class. He has plus length that he uses well to disrupt passing windows and is capable of shut down press coverage. He's a reliable tackler who is not afraid to take on blockers and has a non-stop motor and will not stop competing until the whistle is blown. 

The Tiger corner is fluid in his movement and excels at transitioning out of his back pedal at full speed. He was able to learn a new defense and adapt from a FCS to a Power 5 team in one off-season, showing his ability to learn quickly. Has played on kicking teams and offers versatility to a team's roster. 

Reason for concern

On the downside, Alexander has a lean frame and needs to add mass to be able to match up against the bigger and stronger NFL receivers. His body frame along with his injury history will have NFL teams wondering if he can hold up for a full 17-game season. Although he is a smooth-moving athlete, he has trouble with long speed and may have issues against the receivers with elite speed. Coming into 2024, he has only played eight games against Power 5 competition and team's will want to see how he performs in 2024. 

NFL Comparison

A.J. Terrell

Zy Alexander has some serious upside and reminds Draft Nation of former first-round pick A.J. Terrell. The difference between the two is the fact that Terrell played against top competition over a longer period. Alexander has the skillset to become a solid shutdown cornerback in the NFL, but won't get drafted as high as the former Clemson Tiger.

Draft Projection

3rd round pick