2024 NFL Draft: Cornerback Big Board

The 2024 NFL Draft is approaching quickly. We are mere days away from Thursday night’s party. Teams have wrapped up their “30” visits, checking over their big boards and making their final preparations. Who are the best cover men in the 2024 draft cycle? Which ones will ascend the ranks and join stars like Sauce Gardner, Devon Witherspoon, and Jaylon Johnson?

Note: All RAS scores are courtesy of @MathBomb

In case you missed the other positional rankings, they are below

• Quarterback
• Running Back
• Wide Receiver
• Offensive Line
• Defensive Line
• Linebacker

2024 Cornerback Rankings

“Rocketing Stock”

1. Quinyon Mitchell | 6’0 195 | Toledo

Mitchell has had a dream run this offseason that started with an outstanding Senior Bowl process. He’s the top cornerback in the class with all the traits and production teams want. Toledo had a three-year starter with an extensive CV of production that includes 45 passes defended and six interceptions. He’s an outstanding athlete with great speed and lateral fluidity. PFF ranked him as their top overall cornerback, scoring a remarkable 91.5. He has the size and speed to compete with every type of receiver. The former Toledo star compares athletically to former Washington Huskies star Kyler Gordon. His play style is similar to that of Saints stud Marshon Lattimore. Mitchell is a locked-in first-round draft pick with a chance to be selected in the top 15.

2023 Statistics: 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, 18 PBUs, and one interception

RAS: 9.79

Player Comp: Kyler Gordon (athletic) / Marshon Lattimore (play style)

Round Projection: Top 15

“Hey, Arnold!”

2. Terrion Arnold | 5’11 189 | Alabama

The former five-star signee was initially recruited to Tuscaloosa as a safety before transitioning to corner. He was a two-year starter for the vaunted Tide secondary group and the latest out of the long line of Alabama first-round caliber DBs. He is an elite athlete with great speed, lateral fluidity, and developing instincts. He’s very aggressive as a tackler and a fundamentally sound one. The athletic traits are tantalizing for teams high up in the first round that need a potential CB1. PFF graded him as the 13th-best corner with an overall grade of 88.4. Ball production in his two seasons is impressive, with six interceptions and 20 passes defended. Athletically and stylistically, he compares to former Alabama and current Ravens superstar Marlon Humphrey.

2023 Statistics: 63 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, 12 PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 9.27

Player Comp: Marlon Humphrey

Round Projection: Top 20

“The (NFL) Field of Dreams”

3. Cooper DeJean | 6’0 203 | Iowa

DeJean is a versatile cornerback prospect who can also provide special teams value as a returner. As the testing numbers indicate, he’s a big-time athlete with a 9.85 RAS. He suffered an injury late in the 2023 season that knocked him out for most of the offseason circuit, but he had an individual Pro Day. An impressive straight-line and explosive athlete, but he does have issues covering laterally due to hip stiffness. He’s an instinctive defender with enough top-end speed to play either in the slot or outside. He may get moved around by an innovative defensive coordinator like Tyrann Mathieu. He could be a better safety at the next level due to the lateral limitations. Athletically and stylistically, he compares to former Miami Hurricanes defensive back Antrel Rolle. There’s a good chance he will be selected during the first round’s top half.

2023 Statistics: 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and five PBUs

RAS: 9.85

Player Comp: Antrel Rolle

Round Projection: First

“The Official Drink of the NFL”

4. Kool-Aid McKinstry | 5’11 199 | Alabama

“Kool-Aid” is one of the best overall cornerback prospects in the class. He has all the tools to make teams drool over his talent. The former Crimson Tide star is a five-star recruit who more than lived up to the billing. He’s not the fastest athlete but has the lateral agility to compensate for it. McKinstry has gobs of instinctive and football IQ to get himself in position. Ball skills result from being in the right places against any receiver. He uses his length and physicality to excel in press coverage. He’s a patient cover corner who allows the receiver to declare their move early and react to it. PFF graded him as the 12th-best corner with an overall score of 88.8. He also provides return abilities as well. Kool-Aid is a surefire first-round selection. His athletic and stylistic comparison is that of former longtime veteran Janoris Jenkins.

2023 Statistics: 32 tackles, two tackles for loss, and seven PBUs

RAS: 7.55

Player Comp: Janoris Jenkins

Round Projection: First

“An Orange Fast Attack Tiger”

5. Nate Wiggins | 6’1 173 | Clemson

Wiggins burst onto the scene as a sophomore standout for the Tigers’ defense. He’s a more than capable athlete with all the physical traits that teams will love. He was timed with a swift 4.28 40-yard dash. His instincts and football IQ are some of the best in the class. Wiggins is a brilliantly intelligent prospect who can quickly diagnose and attack the play. The former Clemson cornerback had 24 ball involvements in the past two seasons, so the ball skills are evident. Tackle production was consistent despite missing several games in 2023 due to injury. He’s a supreme athlete, as evidenced by the RAS. He compares to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as both an athlete and play style. Wiggins should be an early Day 2 selection.

2023 Statistics: 29 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, two interceptions (one TD), six PBUs, and two forced fumbles

RAS: 9.44

Player Comp: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Round Projection: Second

“Seeing Green in Tallahassee”

6. Renardo Green | 5’11 186 | Florida State

Green is a versatile prospect who started games at both safety and corner in his career in Tallahassee. He initially began his career at the safety spot before moving to the outside later. The Seminole defender is a solid athlete who tested very well at the Combine, cementing his on-tape athleticism. There’s a lot of versatility in his instincts as he approaches cornerback with a safety mentality and vice versa. He can turn and run with smaller, more fleet-footed receivers just as well as he can put up a fight against bigger receivers. The feather in his cap is shutting down LSU’s bevy of talented receivers in consecutive seasons. Teams will love his versatility and overall athleticism. He compares athletically and stylistically to former Auburn DB Noah Igbinoghene.

2023 Statistics: 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, and 13 PBUs

RAS: 8.21

Player Comp: Noah Igbinoghene

Round Projection: Third

“Raking up the Receivers in Columbia”

7. Ennis Rakestraw, Jr | 5’11 183 | Missouri

The other half of the dynamic Missouri cornerback duo, Rakestraw, is the more excitable of the pair. He didn’t test as well at the Combine, which hurt his RAS. Mizzou had a solid athlete with the length to combat bigger receivers. He is also an outstanding lateral athlete. His college production was consistent regarding tackles, but PBUs fell dramatically from the 2022 campaign. Man coverage is where his bread is buttered, as he can use his length and overall athleticism to stymie receivers at the line. His athletic and stylistic profile resembles former Alabama cornerback Anthony Averett. Rakestraw has been trending towards a Day 2 selection.

2023 Statistics: 35 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and four PBUs

RAS: 6.17

Player Comp: Anthony Averett

Round Projection: Third

“There’s a Cyclone in Tampa”

8. T.J. Tampa | 6’0 189 | Iowa State

Tampa is an intriguing prospect who has been hyped up as an early Day 2 prospect but has had some hard times since then. He’s a terrific athlete with much lateral fluidity in his game. The ISU product has the total package of speed and length to go up against any receiver and be successful. His football IQ and instincts are a plus as well. His RAS is middling due to the lack of explosion testing and a subpar 40 time. A consistently productive two-year starter with 84 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 16 passes defended, and three interceptions. He currently projects as a third-round selection. Tampa’s athletic and play style profile resembles Jordan Poyer, who transitioned to safety as a college corner.

2023 Statistics: 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and seven PBUs

RAS: 6.35

Player Comp: Jordan Poyer

Round Projection: Third

“Drain(e)ing the Receiver Gas Tank”

9. Kris Abrams-Draine | 5’11 179 | Missouri

The former Missouri star had a vast three-year career for the Tigers, primarily playing outside. He’s a versatile corner prospect who plays in any position or scheme. KAD was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he put on a show as the best cornerback in Mobile. His ball skills are dynamic, with 41 involvements over the past three seasons. Abrams-Draine is a solid, willing tackler who excels in closing to the ball carrier. Despite some speed limitations, he has a great football IQ and instincts in coverage. He converted to cornerback from receiver as a freshman. PFF graded him as the 31st-best corner with an overall score of 85.8. His athletic profile is almost an exact copy of Greg Stroman but his style of play resembles Taron Johnson. KAD is tracking to be an early Day 3 selection.

2023 Statistics: 51 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 13 PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 4.69

Player Comp: Greg Stroman / Taron Johnson

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

“O Brother, Where art you going?”

10. Max Melton | 5’11 187 | Rutgers

The Rutgers star is a monster athlete who tested off the charts this offseason, especially in the explosion drills. He participated in the Senior Bowl and showed well in Mobile, winning a large share of his battles. He’s a versatile chess piece that can be moved around from the outside, nickel, to even safety in particular looks. Melton has a good football IQ and instincts in man and zone concepts. Lateral agility, length, and deep speed are big pluses in his toolkit. He is a physical presence that doesn’t back down to any receiver. Longtime veteran standout Robert Alford is his athletic and stylistic comparison. He should be an early Day 3 selection, and teams will love the overall package. The younger brother of receiver Bo Melton.

2023 Statistics: 32 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, six PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 9.09

Player Comp: Robert Alford

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

“Aged like a Fine Kentucky Bourbon”

11. Andru Phillips | 5’10 190 | Kentucky

Phillips was one of the few underclassmen invited to the Senior Bowl in this cycle, and he was solid there. The former Wildcats cornerback has two years of production but no interceptions, which is concerning. He’s an explosive athlete who tested well during the offseason, including a 42-inch vertical jump and a whopping 11-foot, 3-inch broad jump. The testing numbers matched the tape as he isn’t the biggest but is very explosion-based. He is also a fundamentally sound and willing tackler in the run game. Versatility is the name of his game, as he can play inside and outside with little dropoff. Phillips has the speed to quickly close on a receiver once the ball is in the air and stay stride for stride deep. He projects as an early Day 3 selection. His athletic and stylistic profile resembles former SDSU corner Darren Hall.

2023 Statistics: 47 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and five PBUs

RAS: 8.13

Player Comp: Darren Hall

Round Projection: Fifth

“Jonesing for a Draft Pick”

12. Elijah Jones | 6’1 185 | Boston College

Jones is an uber-athletic prospect who stood out at the Hula Bowl and merited a promotion to the Senior Bowl. As expected, he jumped out of the gym at the Combine with a 42.5-inch vertical jump and ran a fast 4.44 40. His tackling fundamentals are very sound, and he rarely doesn’t wrap up properly. Jones also has great ball skills, with seven interceptions and 21 passes defended in two seasons. The Senior Bowl invitee is a consistent tackler who averaged 30 tackles a year in five seasons of productivity. PFF graded him as the 22nd-best corner in the country, with an overall score of 86.9. Teams will love his athletic traits and technical ability, likely leading to an early Day 3 selection. His athletic and play style profile compares to that of Bucs/Titans/Cardinals defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting.

2023 Statistics: 25 tackles, five interceptions, eight PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 8.96

Player Comp: Sean Murphy-Bunting

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

“This Irish Has All H(e)art”

13. Cam Hart | 6’3 202 | Notre Dame

The former Notre Dame defender is another big cornerback with impressive physical traits. As the offseason testing bore out, he has great athleticism. His hips are loose and fluid for a bigger cornerback. Short area and deep speed are significant pluses to his arsenal. Ball skills are evident, but the statistics were light, to put it mildly, through his career, with only two interceptions. Hart is technically sound in both man and zone coverage. He was primarily used as an outside corner, shutting down nearly everyone he faced. Instincts and football IQ are top-notch as well. The Senior Bowl extended an invite, and he took full advantage and stood out at the event. His athletic and play style profile compares to that of Ahkello Witherspoon. He projects to be an early to middle Day 3 selection. Teams will love his size and athletic traits enough to take him early.

2023 Statistics: 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, four PBUs, and three forced fumbles

RAS: 9.00

Player Comp: Ahkello Witherspoon

Round Projection: Fifth

“A Feisty Wolverine”

14. Mike Sainristil | 5’9 182 | Michigan

Sainristil was a two-year starter at cornerback after converting from wide receiver. He has excellent ball skills, with 13 passes defended and seven interceptions in that time. However, due to his size, he’ll likely be limited to the slot/nickel role at the next level. He’s a prime-time athlete to make up for any size shortcomings and is still developing as a cornerback. The receiver experience has helped him by allowing him to see what they are seeing and react to offensive schemes. Lateral agility is a major plus in his tool kit. A willing tackler that backs down from no one. If teams can be patient with his development process, he can be a starter in the NFL. He compares athletically and stylistically to B.W. Webb, who starred at William & Mary. Sainistril should be an early Day 3 selection.

2023 Statistics: 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions (one TD), six PBUs, and two forced fumbles

RAS: 8.45

Player Comp: B.W. Webb

Round Projection: Fifth

“The Duck Defender”

15. Khyree Jackson | 6’3 194 | Oregon

Jackon transferred to Oregon from Alabama for the 2023 season, where he was starting for the Ducks. He’s one of the taller corners in the class, at 6’3 but a light 194. Teams will love his size and length traits, thinking they can mold him into a viable starter. He is physical at the line, using his H/W/L to press receivers. The former Duck participated in the Senior Bowl, where he was solid during the practices. He displays great ball skills with ten involvements in 2023. The football IQ is almost prescient. However, he doesn’t have that extra gear like some of his colleagues. Oregon used him in various looks, including blitzing from the corner spot and in the slot. He primarily aligned outside. His play style and athletic comparison are that of Pierre Desir. The outcomes range is probably from early to late Day 3 for him.

2023 Statistics: 34 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, and seven PBUs

RAS: 7.86

Player Comp: Pierre Desir

Round Projection: Sixth

“The Spear-It of Tallahassee”

16. Jarrian Jones | 5’11 190 | Florida State

Jones transferred to Florida State for a four-year career in Tallahassee. He’s a good athlete who tested very well during the offseason. FSU deployed him as a versatile cornerback in the slot and outside. He plays with a relentless motor, no matter the level of competition. An aggressive corner who loves to compete with any receiver and presses very well at the line. His instincts and IQ are the calling cards in his game. The former MSU transfer was steady in his production, averaging 21 tackles, 2.5 passes defended, and five interceptions. He compares athletically and stylistically to Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby. An early Day 3 selection should be his ceiling at this point. PFF graded him as the seventh-highest cornerback with an overall score of 90.1.

2023 Statistics: 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions (one TD), and three PBUs

RAS: 9.61

Player Comp: Ronald Darby

Round Projection: Sixth

“From Canada with Love”

17. Qwan’Tez Stiggers | 5’11 204 | Toronto Argonauts

Stiggers has one of the most unique stories in the annals of draft prospects. He began his journey in Fan-Controlled Football, which led to a contract with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and now as a draft prospect. He won the CFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award for the 2023 season. The Georgia native didn’t receive a Combine invite despite performing well in Canada. His “Pro Day” was held at an Atlanta workout facility where he tested very well, running a 4.45 40 and posting a 36-inch vertical jump. His athletic profile is similar to that of former Texas defensive back Kris Boyd. Given his physical traits and story, the reigning CFL ROY should be a late Day 3 selection, if not higher.

2023 Statistics: 53 tackles and five interceptions

RAS: 9.34

Player Comp: Kris Boyd

Round Projection: Seventh