2025 NFL Draft: Cornerback Big Board

The NFL Draft is hours away from kicking off in Green Bay on Thursday evening. Who are the best cornerbacks that will soon be tasked with stopping the best receivers in the league, like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Malik Nabers? Are there any future legends like Patrick Peterson, Champ Bailey, and Deion Sanders populating the 2025 cornerback big board? How many first-round selections will be used on the position in a deep class?

Note: All RAS numbers are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb)

In case you miss any of the positional big boards, they will be listed below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

EDGE

IDL

Linebacker

Cornerback

1. Travis Hunter / 6’0 188 / Colorado

The Heisman Trophy winner is the top cornerback prospect on the board and a two-way superstar not seen since the days of Desmond Howard. He has excellent ball skills that align with his elite athleticism as a receiver. He’s made several highlight-reel catches on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see how his NFL team will utilize him. Hunter is a lock to go within the first five selections. Award season was cordial to Hunter as, in addition to the Heisman, he won the Biletnikoff and Bednarik Trophies. A generational athlete on the 2025 cornerback big board.

Round Projection: Top Five

Player Comparison: Darius Slay

RAS: N/A

2. Jahdae Barron / 5’10 194 / Texas

Barron is a superstar corner who blossomed into a three-year starter for the powerhouse Longhorns. Texas used him all over the secondary in various roles, which led to his impressive production. He posted over 200 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 32 passes defended, and eight interceptions. The Longhorns standout possesses plus instincts and the athleticism to keep up with faster receivers. He’s adept at allowing the receiver to make the first move and reacting accordingly. Ball production was hugely important to his success. Teams will love his positional and scheme versatility. He’s a surefire first-round selection. His athletic and stylistic profile resembles veteran Jonathan Joseph.

Round Projection: First

Player Comparison: Jonathan Joseph

RAS: 8.63

3. Maxwell Hairston / 5’11 183 / Kentucky

Hairston stood out at the Senior Bowl after two seasons, where he produced six interceptions (three touchdowns) and ten passes defended at Kentucky. He tested very well during the offseason, running a Combine best 4.28 40 with an incredible 39.5-inch vertical jump. The former Wildcats star developed nicely under Mark Stoops’ tutelage, showing off plus instincts to match his athleticism. He has the physical traits to play on the perimeter. While it’s likely that he won’t be a first-round selection, his wait into the second round will be short. He compares athletically to former Ohio State star Denzel Ward.

Round Projection: First to Second

Player Comparison: Denzel Ward

RAS: 9.63

4. Will Johnson / 6’2 194 / Michigan

Johnson is taking the Marvin Harrison Jr route of not testing much and letting his tape do the talking this offseason. He’s been hyped as the top prospect on the 2025 cornerback big board, but his stock has slipped due to injury. The Michigan Man is a three-year contributor who shone in 2023 as the Wolverines won the national title. If not for the injury, he would be ranked much higher. He was a productive cornerback with 19 passes defended and nine interceptions in 2.5 seasons. The former five-star signee is one of the most technically refined corners in the class and on the 2025 cornerback big board. He’s not the fastest athlete, but he wins with technique and footwork. Johnson will be a first-round selection due to his talent. His athletic and stylistic profile mirrors Falcons star A.J. Terrell.

Round Projection: First

Player Comparison: A.J. Terrell

RAS: N/A

5. Azareye’h Thomas / 6’1 197 / Florida State

Thomas has had a stellar offseason process that began at the Senior Bowl, where it could be argued that he was the best cornerback in Mobile. He possesses the size and athleticism to play both in the slot and outside with little dropoff. The Florida State star is the younger brother of NFL veteran safety Juanyeh Thomas. Azareyeh isn’t the quickest nor fastest athlete, but makes up for it with great technique and physicality at the line. His athletic and stylistic profile is similar to Saints standout cornerback Paulsen Adebo. Perhaps there is a chance that Thomas could go early on Day 2, but it will be a short wait for the Seminoles’ star on Friday, regardless.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comparison: Paulsen Adebo

RAS: 8.17

6. Benjamin Morrison / 6’0 193 / Notre Dame

Morrison’s family comes from an uber-athletic background, as his father, Daryl, was a former NFL safety with Washington. His siblings were all Division 1 athletes in various sports. He immediately contributed as a starter for the Fighting Irish, racking up 13 pass deflections, nine interceptions, and 64 tackles in two seasons. Unfortunately, Morrison was injured for most of the 2024 season, which lowers his stock somewhat. When healthy, he’s a dynamic athlete with the smarts to play the position for a long time. It’s clear in his play that he is his father’s son. The ND star corner has the instincts of a veteran corner, but the injuries will take some time to recover. He should be a Day 2 selection and compares stylistically to Florida State and Steelers standout Bryant McFadden.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comparison: Bryant McFadden

RAS: N/A

7. Trey Amos / 6’0 195 / Ole Miss

After spending one season at Alabama, the Ole Miss corner transferred to the Grove, which came after a three-year stay at Louisiana. He’s a quick-twitch athlete with some burst in his game. After a good Senior Bowl and Combine, the offseason process has elevated his stock. Amos has all the physical tools teams look for in cornerbacks, including height and length. His athletic profile presents a good opportunity for teams to pounce on Day 2. Amos’ comparison resembles former Kentucky standout Kelvin Joseph.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comparison: Kelvin Joseph

RAS: 8.37

8. Quincy Riley / 5’10 194 / Louisville

The Louisville cornerback started his career at Middle Tennessee State before transferring in 2022. He’s a ball-hawking corner with immense ball production on his CV. There are three seasons of double-digit passes defended and 15 interceptions in his career. Riley has the speed and lateral athleticism to remain competitive against any receiver thrown his way. The Cardinals could have another cornerback standout drafted relatively early, with Riley having an outside chance in the third round, but will likely settle for Day 3. He stood out at the Senior Bowl with an excellent week. His athletic and stylistic comparison profiles are similar to those of former Miami Hurricanes cornerback Brandon Harris.

Round Projection: Late Day 2 to Early Day 3

Player Comparison: Brandon Harris

RAS: N/A

9. Shavon Revel, Jr / 6’1 194 / East Carolina

Revel garnered significant hype as one of the top five cornerback prospects until he tore his ACL early in 2024. He has excellent ball skills, as evidenced by his 16 pass deflections and three interceptions. The East-West Shrine Game invited him to the event despite his limitations. His size and speed present an intriguing option for teams willing to give him a redshirt season to recover from his injury. Could Revel be a first-round selection despite the injury history? He likely ends up a Day 2 selection. His physical and stylistic comparison resembles Pierre Desir.

Round Projection: Day 2

Player Comparison: Pierre Desir

RAS: N/A

10. Darien Porter / 6’2 195 / Iowa State

Porter presents an intriguing skill set for teams to develop his potential. He only started for the Cyclones one year after converting from receiver in college. He tested out of this world at the Combine, earning a near-perfect 10 on the RAS scale. The Senior Bowl invited him to the event, where he stood out, which was surprising given his lack of reps. Porter has the physical traits that tantalize teams, but can his mental traits catch up? He presents elite speed (4.30 40 and greater than 23 MPH). The jumps at the Combine were impressive as well, which indicates his lateral agility. He compares athletically to Isaiah Johnson and could be an Early Day 3 selection. Porter is the most potential-filled prospect on the 2025 cornerback big board.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comparison: Isaiah Johnson

RAS: 9.99

11. Jacob Parrish / 5’9 191 / Kansas State

Parrish is an undersized prospect from Kansas State with tremendous speed that will wow teams looking for a middle-round cornerback. His size works against him at times against bigger receivers, but he fights hard to make it a non-issue. The two-year starter is a productive corner with 94 tackles, 21 passes defensed, and five interceptions. He brings a significant amount of physicality to the field. The Combine showed off a lot of his speed and quick-twitch ability when he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump. Parrish should be an early Day 3 selection and profiles similarly to Richard Marshall, who had several seasons in the league.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comparison: Richard Marshall

RAS: 8.82

12. Nohl Williams / 6’0 199 / Cal

Williams began his career at UNLV before transferring to Cal before the 2023 season. He produced 31 pass deflections and 12 interceptions with 145 tackles in three seasons. The former Golden Bears cornerback parlayed an invitation to the Shrine Game with a breakout performance. He has all the physical traits to become a starting nickel at the next level. While he isn’t a plus lateral athlete, Williams does have enough long speed to compete with the quicker receivers in the league. He’s a natural athlete who plays bigger than his size. The 2025 cornerback big board projects him as a middle Day 3 selection. His athletic and stylistic comparison profiles are similar to Steven Nelson’s.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: Steven Nelson

RAS: 7.13

13. Dorian Strong / 6’1 195 / Virginia Tech

Strong is a throwback to an era when Hokies’ defensive backs reigned supreme under former defensive coordinator Bud Foster. He was a four-year productive starter who missed significant time in 2022 due to injury. In his three healthy seasons, he produced 26 pass deflections and six interceptions. While he isn’t the most athletic cornerback, he gets by with his wits and size. Strong is very competitive at the catch point and competes hard with the receiver at release off the line. The former Virginia Tech standout earned a Senior Bowl invitation and used it well. He projects as a middle Day 3 selection compared to Stephen Gilmore.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: Stephon Gilmore

RAS: 8.33

14. Upton Stout / 5’8 181 / Western Kentucky

The Western Kentucky star earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl with three outstanding seasons at WKU. He spent two seasons at North Texas before his stint with the Hilltoppers. Teams will likely have pored over his medical file as he suffered a shoulder injury during the 2023 season. He’s a great athlete who tested well at the Combine, running a 4.40 40 and posting a 37.5″ vertical jump. He’s a smaller corner but makes up for it with plus instincts and tenacious combativeness. Stout will likely be relegated to the slot due to his size and athleticism. He projects as a late Day 3 selection on the 2025 cornerback big board. The WKU cornerback is similar athletically and stylistically to 49ers rookie standout Renardo Green.

Round Projection: Sixth to Seventh

Player Comparison: Renardo Green

RAS: 7.61

15. Mac McWilliams / 5’10 191 / UCF

McWilliams transferred to UCF after spending four seasons at UAB. He broke out as a junior with the Blazers by producing 52 tackles and nine passes defended. He’s a versatile cornerback prospect with experience on the perimeter and in the slot. The former Knights’ corner gained 11 pounds between the Combine and UCF’s Pro Day, which is interesting. Despite being a relative unknown prospect, he dominated at the Senior Bowl, earning plaudits as the corner in Mobile. He’s a natural athlete who knows what the receiver will do as a receiver convert. He is also a tremendous athlete for the position, and his instincts are top-tier. The offseason process was very kind to him. He compares physically and stylistically to longtime veteran Janoris Jenkins.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: Janoris Jenkins

RAS: 7.38