2025 NFL Draft: CB Rankings
1
Travis Hunter
School: Colorado
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
I said in my WR rankings that Hunter would be the first player I write up at two different positions. Well, here it is. That alone is one indication of how special of a player he is, and the stamina to be able to play both sides of the ball is impressive, to say the very least. As a CB, Hunter has a great blend of instincts and athleticism. He is very sticky in coverage. There is this spring to his step, and he almost instantly is able to match any movement made by the WR. Hunter is as instinctive as I’ve ever seen, and I’m sure his experience at WR helps. There is this 6th sense that he brings, and you see it when he jumps routes and forces interceptions. But it is not just in coverage where the IQ is on display. He also knows when it is time to break away from his coverage because the play is going elsewhere. Hunter is extremely quick to diagnose screen passes, and will burst downhill and make a stop for no additional gain. His acceleration is really evident on plays like this. Hunter is a decent tackler, and always puts in full effort. He makes a point of helping out in run support, and he’ll come from far away to still end up right near the football. For a guy who is playing both sides of the ball, you’d expect some fatigue, and staying on his own side of the field would be unsurprising. But there is none of that with him. He has no problem making that trip all the way across.
Weaknesses:
Hunter’s frame is on the lean side. He plays a scrappy game, but the wrong opponents in the NFL will give him a different challenge than what he’s faced. But more so than in coverage, I wonder how this will affect his tackling at the next level. I think he’ll need to fill out more if he wants to maintain his physical style, especially on the defensive side at CB. Hunter will also need to develop his technique, which can be a little inconsistent at times. His play was mostly good, but there was the odd game or two where he was getting burned often. Athletically, he is good, for the most part. Only complaint would be that I don’t think he is quite as twitchy as he gets credit for. At times, his movements can look a tad robotic, but it isn’t anything too worrisome. It is more so me pointing out an aspect that isn’t as good as it is made out to be.
Summary:
Getting down to it, Hunter has high upside at both CB and WR. I think he can do both, but if I had to pick one, I think he is a better CB. His stickiness in coverage is extremely impressive. As well, he has the IQ and ball skills to force a large number of turnovers. He will need to add weight and also improve his technique a little bit, but Hunter has the makings of an elite player. As a rookie, maybe there will be some bumps in the road, but I’d still expect him to be able to start right away.
| Grade: 87.1 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Trey Amos
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 195 lbs
Strengths:
Amos is a long, athletic CB with a knack for making plays on the ball. He’s got some power to his movements, and he can generate speed quickly. He’s also got the agility to blanket receivers in man coverage. In press, Amos will give a heavy jab to throw off the receiver’s timing. He brings good strength to his game, which also combines well with his long arms in contested situations. Amos can leap and also get his arm up to deflect away jump balls. On over the shoulder plays, he does well to get his head turned in time and will get his hand in between the ball and the receiver’s arms. His movement skills also translate to good performances in zone coverage, where he has the instincts and downhill burst to make plays.
Weaknesses:
Amos should be a better tackler than he is. It is hard to describe exactly what is going on there. It looks almost like he is going in for the wrap up tackle, but then will sort of just throw a hit and not actually do anything with his arms. In these instances, he isn’t getting everything into it, and the ball carrier has a chance to bounce off and keep the play alive. In coverage, he is generally good, but there are some times where he gets caught watching the QB, and can end up out of position.
Summary:
Amos has good speed, lateral mobility, and length to make him a real asset in coverage. He is at his best in press, where his powerful jabs are able to throw off the receiver’s route and timing. That said, he is also good in zone and off man. His ball skills stand out, and his playmaking ability should translate nicely. The main issue is his tackling. His technique is quite bad, and he is at risk of missing tackles at the next level and giving up unnecessary extra yards. He’ll need to fix his form, and wrap up properly in order to limit mistakes. Overall, his issues are fixable, and Amos has the coverage talent to be a CB1 in the league.
| Grade: 85.3 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Jahdae Barron
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
Barron is a scrappy CB with the instincts to make plays on the ball on a consistent basis. He has enough agility and twitch to blanket receivers in man coverage. On tape, I don’t think I see the 4.39 speed he put up at the combine, but it is good nonetheless. In zone coverage, his backpedal is smooth, and he can read the eyes of the QB to get an early jump on the ball. His toughness shows when he meets the receiver at the catch point and delivers a jarring hit to knock the ball free. Barron brings a lot of versatility that defensive coordinators will love. He can play on the outside or in the slot, and is good in both spots.
Weaknesses:
Barron is more than willing in run support, but his technique as a tackler is very off putting. There were many times where he would sort of just lower his head into the ball carrier. It generally did the trick, sure, but that is not the kind of technique I’d want to see him carry over into the NFL. Part of the reason for the tackling technique might be due to him having a leaner frame, and lacking the confidence to consistently attempt to wrap up ball carriers. In coverage, my one main issue is that he has a tendency to grab at times, which will attract flags at the next level.
Summary:
Barron is a twitchy CB that brings a lot of energy. He is a spark plug type. His ability to lineup both on the outside and in the slot is a draw, and it is not a matter of him being primarily one position and merely being capable at the other. He could be a regular at either one. Obviously the boundary carries more value, but a team could also make that decision based on their depth. Barron is good in coverage, both man and zone, but he has more experience in zone coverage, so he might see more usage there. As he transitions to the next level, hopefully he can fill out his frame and improve his tackling technique. Overall, he projects as a quality starter, whether on the outside or in the slot.
| Grade: 85.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Shavon Revel
School: East Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
Revel is a CB prospect with a very intriguing blend of size and athletic traits. He is tall and long, giving him the ability to get a hand onto the ball for pass breakups. But it also allows him to excel in press coverage. His reach and his strength can really hold up the receiver’s route, and mess up the whole timing of his play. But Revel doesn’t always need to be in press. He can play in regular man, and has the speed to hang deep, and good enough agility to mirror the breaks. His twitch may not be completely perfect, but at 6’2”, it is still quite impressive and is not something that should hold him back at all. Revel’s size also allows him to make plays against the run. He can handle physicality, and his large tackle radius helps to limit misses.
Weaknesses
Ball skills are still a work in progress for Revel. He doesn’t always get his head turned on deep targets, instead opting to just read the eyes of the receiver and get his hand up when he thinks it is the right time. This not only leads to more receptions, but limits turnover opportunities. Revel also gets a little grabby at the top of routes. It is subtle, but you never know when it will get called. He has the skill set to be very good in zone, but he is a little inconsistent because he sometimes gets distracted by other happenings, and will drift. This takes him out of position and leaves a bigger opening for the pass to be completed.
Summary:
Overall, Revel projects as a quality starting CB on the boundary. His combination of size and speed are not always seen, and he is able to play a physical game, while also being sticky in coverage. His ball skills will have to improve, as well as his awareness in zone coverage. But enough is there for him to start on day 1.
| Grade: 84.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
5
Will Johnson
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson is a big CB who has great length, and good ball skills. He is able to tip the edge in his favour in contested situations, and it also gives him that extra little bit of reach when extending out to breakup a pass. Johnson does very well in zone coverage, where he is able to read the field and react based on instincts. He isn’t one of those players who needs his eyes to see it before he reacts. Johnson’s instincts show up in coverage when he is jumping routes and putting himself in position to create a turnover. He is decent in man coverage, though definitely better in off man, where the cushion is able to help. Johnson is a willing run supporter, and will look to get involved.
Weaknesses:
Johnson has the size, but his athleticism might be closer to middling, or just above it. His speed actually isn’t bad, it is more so his ability to transition out of his backpedal which is the problem. Some tightness shows up when he is flipping his hips, and WR’s were sometimes able to get an extra step because of it and go for a big play. He is still decent enough in man coverage, but I wouldn’t say he is a high end man CB. Johnson is a willing tackler and will come down in run support, but his tackling is a bit spotty. He misses from time to time, which is something that also occurs when he goes to tackle a receiver after the catch. Johnson’s instincts are generally good, but his knack for turnovers sometimes has the inverse effect, where he bites on a play and gets burned by a double move.
Summary:
Overall, Johnson plays a really solid game. He is a decent enough athlete to get good depth in zone coverage, and can break on the ball quickly when he needs to. Some stiffness does give him some issues in man coverage. It is enough for me to question if he is a 1st round guy, but it shouldn’t stop him from being a good player. He generally still did well in man coverage. At the next level, though, I do think zone will be his calling card. There were a few instances of him biting on fakes and getting burned, but that kind of stuff can be ironed out. His quickness in man coverage and tackling are the two main issues. I’d expect him to improve his tackling. As for his coverage, there isn’t any reason why he shouldn’t be a starter at the next level, but I’m not sure I see the elite upside that others seem to.
| Grade: 83.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Maxwell Hairston
School: Kentucky
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 183 lbs
Strengths:
Hairston is a twitched up, athletic CB who excels in coverage. He’s got a bit of a hop in his step, and he has both the speed and quickness to stick with his man on any route, short or long. His athleticism makes him an ideal man CB, but he also does very well in zone coverage. Hairston has a smooth backpedal, and can move laterally as needed. He can read the eyes of the QB well and has been able to undercut some passes. With his athleticism, he is a threat to create turnovers, and his ability to blanket in coverage often leads the QB to look the other way entirely. Hairston’s speed has also shown to make him an asset as a blitzer. He can shoot a gap up the middle with those kinds of traits, but where he really looked impressive on tape is coming off the edge, where he actually was able to bend around the offensive lineman. His good Senior Bowl performance should help his stock.
Weaknesses:
Hairston’s strengths in coverage will have to be balanced with his weaknesses as a tackler. His frame is very lean, and he has been prone to some missed tackles. This occurred for him as a run defender, but also when up against receivers who are running after the catch. Adding some mass to his frame will be important, not only for run support and tackling, but also for press coverage or handling bigger receivers who play a more physical brand. Hairston has good ball skills, but on deeper shots, he could sometimes turn his head faster to better track the ball. From an athletic standpoint, he is good, but to nitpick, there are instances where he has to take a few steps when slowing down before changing directions.
Summary:
Hairston has the athleticism and coverage talent to be a starting CB on the boundary. He is effective in man coverage, where he can blanket opponents. As well, he does some great work in zone, with his instincts showing in that area. Hairston has a lean frame, however, and can end up on the losing end when things get physical. He is shaky as a tackler, and can have trouble against bigger receivers. There are some technical things he needs to refine, as well, but Maxwell has the upside to be a starter at CB.
| Grade: 81.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Azareye’h Thomas
School: Florida State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
Thomas is a big, physical CB who is at his best in press coverage. His length, combined with a strong jab, makes it tough for receivers to even get started on their route. With enough disruption created, it makes it easier for him to shadow the route. Thomas is decent enough in man coverage, possessing enough speed and quickness to still play pretty tight. He has enough ball skills to breakup passes, and does a good job of getting the head turned. His physicality makes for a solid asset against the run, and his tackle radius comes in handy too.
Weaknesses:
Thomas is a solid athlete for his size, but is still a bit limited. Certain matchups will expose him deep, and there are instances where he is a bit slow to flip the hips when transitioning from his backpedal. It wasn’t a huge issue in many exposures, but it wasn’t perfect either. Athletically, the bigger issue is recovery speed. When he is beaten early, this is where his athleticism looks a bit worse, as he doesn’t have enough juice to catch up and recover in time. Thomas can get a bit handsy at the top of routes, which invites penalties. He has talent and the frame to be a good tackler, which he generally is. However, he sometimes takes bad angles or can whiff. Thomas is generally solid in zone, but his lateral mobility isn’t perfectly fluid while patrolling space horizontally.
Summary:
Thomas has the size and strength to be a plus player on the outside, and good enough cover skills to make it last. He is very good in press coverage, with his strength and reach helping out a lot. He does have some blips in man, but generally is able to shadow routes well enough. His lateral mobility is a bit limited, which shows in his work in zone, as well as during times where he is taking bad angles to the ball or trying to flip his hips in coverage. Speedier players will threaten him, but as a whole, Thomas plays a liable game. There are some limitations, but he has enough coverage ability to be a starter on the outside fairly early on in his career.
| Grade: 80.8 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Darien Porter
School: Iowa State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 195 lbs
Strengths:
Porter is an interesting prospect. He comes with really good size and the ability to reach in and breakup passes. His length is absolutely outstanding. But it doesn’t just stop there. Porter also brings elite athleticism to the table. His transitions might not be perfectly fluid, but they are good for his size, while his straight line speed is elite. Porter was used a lot in zone coverage, and he has the twitch to move laterally, and his burts to get downhill quickly is very good. With his long reach and big frame, he is able to wrap up as a tackler. His tackling is very secure, and he doesn’t usually give the ball carrier a chance at all to break free. Although he has less experience in man coverage, he has the long speed and the size to stick with receivers tightly, and the ball skills to breakup passes at any point on the field. Further, his length and strength can be assets in press. He also comes with a ton of special teams experience, with some blocked punts included.
Weaknesses:
Porter is an overager entering the NFL, as a 6th year senior. But strangely, despite all the talent and his extended stay in the college ranks, he was never really a full time starter. So despite all the time spent there, he enters the NFL relatively inexperienced. Not something we see so often, at least from a player who is pretty highly touted. For the most part, Porter is a good tackler, but does have some inconsistencies when it comes to getting into position to make them. His frame is tall, but a little lean, and stronger players can make things a little bit challenging.
Summary:
A lot of times, overagers are dropped a little bit in the rankings. Sometimes because of age, but they also end up as later round guys in some cases because they had issues with their game and could not find consistent playing time until transferring. But with Porter, it is strange. He is highly talented, yet did not start until year 6. And even then, only 7 out of 12 games. The combination of age and lack of experience doesn’t bode well, but he seems to be an outlier from the rest, and I am comfortable with making a projection based on his talent and relatively limited play. He is a good player in zone, and he has the talent to be good in man. His combination of size and athleticism isn’t found every day, so I’m sure some teams will feel the same way. At the next level, I’d like to see him get a bit stronger, and he might need some time to adjust to the speed of the game. But he has the potential to be a quality starting CB on the outside.
| Grade: 79.0 | Round Grade: 3rd |
9
Caleb Ransaw
School: Tulane
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
Ransaw is a slot CB with elite athleticism to match up against some of the better athletes that play out of the slot. He has the quickness to mirror routes that have some east/west movements, and also has the speed to flip his hips and shadow in coverage on a deep vertical route too. Ransaw is a feisty player who plays with a bit of an edge. He is always buzzing around, and will look to help out in run support. Generally, he is a good tackler, even showing some value on short yardage plays by coming around the edge to stop a runner short on a run up the gut. He uses good wrap-up technique, which limits missed tackles. Ransaw is good in man, and also has the fluidity to be a good player in zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
Ransaw needs to do a better job of turning his head back to the football when being targeted down the field. He leaves pass breakups and potential turnovers on the field because of this. Sometimes, he also shows this bad habit of getting a bit handsy near the top of routes, which has cost his team some penalty yards. Ransaw is an aggressive player, but once in a while can be a little too revved up, and will overrun a ball carrier or miss when attempting to throw a hit. At the next level, Ransaw is a slot only guy, and likely won’t be playing on the outside, as he rarely ever did in college. Perhaps he could be a capable S, but that is more of a projection. The jump in competition from a small school to the NFL will be steep.
Summary:
Ransaw has elite athleticism and plays with an edge that will help him be effective against the run. As long as he is able to control it, like avoiding overruns as a tackler and avoiding unnecessary early contact at the top of routes, it will be an asset for his drafting team. Ransaw’s coverage talent is plentiful, but he is likely a slot only guy–which is fine if that is what you need. His awareness overall, including in zone coverage, can stand to improve, and he’ll face a learning curve going from a small school to the NFL. That being said, Ransaw has enough talent to end up starting, potentially at some point during the first half of his rookie contract.
| Grade: 75.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Quincy Riley
School: Louisville
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
Riley has all the tools to be a quality starter in the NFL. He has the fluidity to get transition out of his backpedal smoothly, and the quickness to mirror the receiver’s route breaks. As well, he has the speed to hang deep, and will make every throw contested, sticking to his guy like glue until the whistle. Riley is also a tough, feisty player. He’ll jam at the line, but also shows that he can get off blocks to support the run. Slightly erratic as a tackler at times, but used good technique more often than not. I would say he is a good tackler in space. Riley’s strength allows him to matchup against most targets, even if the receiver is a bit bigger. His ball skills are outstanding. He can make acrobatic pass breakups, and also snag eye catching interceptions. He has the ability to quickly secure the football, even after having just gotten his head turned a second earlier. Very good reaction time in that situation.
Weaknesses:
Riley is an overager, entering the NFL as a 6th year senior. All the physical traits are there, but despite the experience, the mental game is still where he struggles at times. He is generally good in man coverage, but zone is where he can get caught and have some problems. There were quite a few times where he ended up out of position, sometimes being distracted by some traffic, sometimes because his eyes were in the backfield and not where they needed to be, and sometimes because he bit on some kind of fake. For having so much experience, he ideally wouldn’t have as many mental mistakes.
Summary:
Riley has the talent to become a CB1 in the NFL. However, an abundance of mental mistakes, despite being a 6th year senior, will have people questioning whether that ceiling is realistically attainable. Well, in theory it is. But it will be up to his next coaches to do some rewiring, and he’ll have to continue to develop his game, both mentally and physically. The upside is big if Riley can put it all together. If he doesn’t quite get there, he might be too volatile to see a starting lineup. But still, his talent should be enough to see him land as a depth guy higher up on the chart.
| Grade: 75.1 | Round Grade: 3rd |
11
Jacob Parrish
School: Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 191 lbs
Strengths:
Parrish is a small but scrappy player. He is very physical at the catch point, doing his best to dislodge the ball any way he can. His tackling is also pretty solid. There were a couple of close shoestring tackles, but for the most part, he does well to wrap up. This makes him an asset as a run defender, as he has ability in addition to the willingness to play in those dirty areas. His straight line speed is elite, and he can run with any receiver on a go route. Parrish’s acceleration is also an asset for him in zone coverage. He is able to track back down to make a play on the ball when the receiver is in front of him.
Weaknesses:
Parrish is a weird case of being undersized, having elite speed, while not having great change of direction skills. As they say, two out of three aint bad, but when the missing third is change of direction skills, it will cause some issues. It is primarily noticeable when he is challenged with complicated routes. He can hang on the go routes, but on comebacks or hitches, the receiver is able to create some separation to make the catch. Parrish’s undersized frame likely pushes him inside to the slot, despite being an outside guy in college. This will help limit any issues it can cause. But still, some issues taking on blocks down low are likely to continue, even though his tenacity somewhat makes up for it. The other area in coverage where he could improve is zone, specifically regarding his instincts and play recognition. There are times where he either drifts out of position or is just late to react. It is something that has to be corrected. In college, he faced a lot of small school competition and will be making a big leap at the NFL level.
Summary:
Parrish projects as a slot corner at the NFL level, and has enough going for him that he might be able to start early on. He is generally good in man coverage on linear routes, and his straight line speed can match anyone. His change of directions skills are not great, however, and will cause some limitations. Parrish plays the run well, but his size may cause some issues when taking on blocks. His awareness in zone coverage also must improve. He isn’t a perfect prospect, but Parrish has enough speed and scrappiness to earn looks as a potential starter in the slot. Will have some up and down moments, but I think there is more to like than dislike.
| Grade: 74.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
12
Benjamin Morrison
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 193 lbs
Strengths:
Morrison is a high IQ player, showing the ability to anticipate routes and the versatility to play on the boundary or in the slot. His anticipation has earned him a reputation as a playmaker. Morrison is able to cut in front of receivers to make a play on the ball, sometimes leading to a turnover. Ball skills are outstanding. He is not afraid of physicality throughout the route, and will contest the ball at the catch point. Morrison keeps his head up and is always looking for that perfect moment to get his hand in the way of a pass. In the run game, he uses his toughness and decent size to help out. Though not always perfect against bigger players, he is capable of taking guys on down low, and can make some solid tackles.
Weaknesses:
Morrison has average speed, and his change of direction skills are teetering very close even to below that. Shifty receivers are able to create separation on comebacks and in-breaking routes, and he lacks the athleticism to recover. His play making skills are nice, but his there is sort of a love-hate relationship with his tape, given the amount of separation he gives up on some routes. Elite athletes at the WR position will make it very hard for him to mirror their routes. In zone coverage, Morrison occasionally bites on fakes and the thought of turnovers seems to take over. This has led to some bigger plays against.
Summary:
Morrison’s ball skills, turnover potential, and versatility are all appealing. He makes a number of sphashy plays, thanks to his ability to read routes and get his hands on the ball. His straight line speed is solid enough, but his poor change of direction skills expose him in man coverage, where he allows quite a bit of separation to things like comeback routes and in-breakers. He gives up more than I’d like, so it is tough to weigh that in with all the ball production. For some, he may grade higher because of his ability to create turnovers and his versatility. For me, day 1 or 2 is a little rich, given the inconsistencies. But he brings enough to the table to be a solid value early on day 3.
| Grade: 73.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
13
Dorian Strong
School: Virginia Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 185 lbs
Strengths:
Strong is a long CB who seems to be at his best in press coverage. His length allows him to be the one to initiate contact in many matchups, and can give him an early upper hand. He shows glimpses of instinctiveness, where he is jumping routes and forcing turnovers. His long reach also allows him to make a bid in contested situations, and he is able to win a good chunk of them. Strong also does well to get his head turned when the ball is in the air, giving him a better chance to make a play on it. His frame and decent strength helps him out when playing the run. He is a pretty solid tackler, overall.
Weaknesses:
From an athletic standpoint, Strong will get tested. He lacks high end speed, and especially lacks high end twitch. In a footrace with a speedy receiver on a go route, he’ll lose. He’ll also lose out on more complex in-breaking routes. Even some of your “quicker than fast” types can put him to the test. Strong needs to compensate by playing smart and being in position. Sometimes he does that, and these moments are highlighted by his turnovers. However, he also bites on a long of fakes. Double moves, pump fakes etc. He is always going for the turnover, but gets burned just as much as he gets rewarded. At the next level, teams will take advantage and the burns will be hotter, while the rewards will be less. As a run defender, his angles aren’t always the best, and his speed doesn’t always get him to where he needs to go on time.
Summary:
Strong’s middling athleticism will lower his ceiling quite a bit. However, he is long and can play in press coverage. The flashy plays, meanwhile, are what teams look for. If he can cut out the recklessness, and learn to be more calculated with his risks, he might be able to find more consistency in his game. The limitations will be there, but in the right system, he offers enough to potentially develop into a solid starter on the outside.
| Grade: 71.2 | Round Grade: 4th |
14
Upton Stout
School: Western Kentucky
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 181 lbs
Strengths:
Stout is an extremely athletic player–twitch, speed etc. He’s got it all. Stout is smooth in his backpedal and back stick with any sort of receiver in man coverage, mirroring their steps. He can make sudden breaks on the ball from zone, and his feisty, hard hitting mentality somewhat makes up for his lack of size or length. He sees the field so well too, which also helps put him in position so that he doesn’t always have to rely on physical traits. Stout’s speed and quickness made him a great asset as a blitzer, and I would expect this to still be the case. He can also make plays as a run defender by bursting around the edge and clipping him from behind.
Weaknesses:
Size is the obvious glaring issue here. To cut to the chase, he won’t be great in contested situations, big slot receivers will have chances to create mismatches, and bigger RB’s might be hard to tackle. All the usual stuff you see with smaller players. Outside of that, one thing he can improve on is being less handsy during routes. He can also do a better job of getting his head turned to the ball when in coverage.
Summary:
Stout projects as a starting slot CB at the next level. His coverage ability is in the upper tier, with great movement skills and the ability to shadow the fastest and quickest receivers. His size will be an issue, but that should be somewhat mitigated in the slot. As well, he may have some inconsistencies tackling, but his technique should also help limit those. Upton can be a dynamic player, not only in coverage, but also as a blitzer. It also wouldn’t surprise me to see him become a great special teamer early on, as he likely won’t be a day 1 starter, coming from a small school. But he has the chance to start within the first half of his rookie deal.
| Grade: 70.5 | Round Grade: 4th |
15
Korie Black
School: Oklahoma State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 192 lbs
Strengths:
Black has the size, speed, and twitch to be a very good player in the NFL. He has shown the ability to blankiet receivers in man coverage, mirroring every step along the way. The change of direction skills are there, and he is fluid as he transitions out of his backpedal. His well built frame and long reach also make it tough for receivers to contend at the catch point, as he is pretty overpowering. His length also helps him get in there to breakup the pass. His skill set will translate nicely to special teams at the NFL level.
Weaknesses:
Black is a hard hitter, but inconsistent tackler. He throws his frame at the target, but does so recklessly, and misses too often for my liking. His technique needs to be cleaned up. With his build, he can wrap up without issue, so the poor technique needs to be tossed out. Black also has some bad habits in coverage. One is that he gets a bit handsy at the top of routes, which opens up the possibility of penaltis. As well, he sometimes bites on fakes.
Summary:
Black is a high upside player, possessing elite speed, quickness, and size. It is his technique and mental game that need work. He’ll need to ditch the missile tackling and start wrapping up in order to limit misses. As well, he needs to stop getting handsy at the top of routes, especially when he thinks he might be beaten, and trust his technique. Black is a developmental prospect right now, but his skill set has CB1 upside. Now, it will be tough to get there. But even if he doesn’t the range is anywhere from good backup to good starter. Definitely worth a shot on day 3.
| Grade: 70.3 | Round Grade: 4th |
16
Bilhal Kone
School: Western Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 190 lbs
Strengths:
Kone has a long frame with good overall athleticism for his size. He plays a calm, patient game in coverage, showing good footwork to match the movements of his opponent. Kone is solid in man coverage in the short and intermediate levels. He makes sure to prioritize his opponent first, but also takes the odd peek into the backfield, and will consider jumping an underneath route if he thinks the ball is coming his way. Kone is useful in press coverage, and when playing in press-zone, it probably is where he is at his best. His length can disrupt the route, before then dropping into zone and letting his IQ do the work. Those short area movements aren’t a problem for him when playing this kind of coverage. When the ball is thrown his way, he has the length to contest it.
Weaknesses:
His quickness is good in the short areas, but he can sometimes be a tad slow transitioning out of his backpedal, which can impact his ability to stick with a receiver on deep routes. As well, his long speed might be a little bit questionable. He might not be able to make it playing tighter man coverage on downfield passes. He needs to give some cushion. Kone generally reads things well, but you do still see the odd moment of hesitation or a false step that can put him behind the eight ball. His frame is long, but also lean. He’ll need to get stronger and add bulk to better hold up against the run and in contested situations against bigger receivers.
Summary:
Kone is a very solid player, and his instincts prove him right more often than not. He is patient when playing in off man or press-zone, and will carefully time when to make his move. At the shorter and intermediate levels, he can blanked receivers, but he might be a little slow getting out of his backpedal to not have the odd issue at the deeper portion of the field. Nevertheless, Kone is a solid all around player. He can get stronger and improve in the run game, but has the chance to be a starter at some point in the right system. But the question is how high is his ceiling, given that he often had to give cushion when in man coverage?
| Grade: 70.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
17
Denzel Burke
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 186 lbs
Strengths:
Burke has solid short area quickness and good enough speed to handle himself on the boundary. He has enough size to have some decent moments in press coverage, and is able to blanked receivers when he is on his game. Similarly, when Burke is on his game, he has enough twitch and change of direction skills to make plays in zone coverage. Burke has good ball skills, and you can see that he is hungry to make plays. His overall production has been good, and he is someone that can create game changing turnovers. Burke is also very solid in run support. Though not the biggest guy out there, he plays heavier than his frame would suggest, and he is able to make clean tackles on the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Overall athleticism is good but not great, which is fine, as long as he keeps himself in good position. Only problem is… he is out of position quite often. This goes back to that hungriness to create turnovers that I mentioned earlier. Sure, that is great when it works out. However, his risks are not calculated, and he has a bad play to go with every good one. He’ll sometimes dive to try to get his hands on a pass, even when the angle he had wasn’t favourable. This would leave him on the ground while the receiver is racking up extra yards. As well, he bites often on double moves and route fakes, getting burned for deep plays.
Summary:
Burke has some talent to play in various coverages, but he doesn’t have enough athleticism to be out of position as often as he is. In search of turnovers and ball production, he has cost his team several times. Now, these gambles do work out sometimes too, but he needs to be a lot more calculated. I think he has enough to potentially make it as a starter, but his solid but not great athleticism won’t be able to atone for mistakes. I’d consider him a project right now that needs to work on technique and instincts. If all goes well, his ceiling is probably an average starter that can make some splash plays. Otherwise, he might top out as a flashy but inconsistent depth guy.
| Grade: 67.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
18
Nohl Williams
School: Cal
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 199 lbs
Strengths:
Williams is a big CB who is at his best in press coverage. He’s got long enough arms and enough strength to really disrupt the route of his opponent and throw off timing. Williams absolutely filled up the stat sheet with interceptions in college, showing his knack for the ball. When he is reading the play well, he won’t hesitate to jump it, which helps him generate turnovers. These instincts also show up in zone coverage. Williams’ length also helps him in contested situations. He does a pretty good job of going up and battling for it, and has been able to win a good chunk of these.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism is one of his biggest weaknesses. Speed, quickness, change of direction etc. Williams needs to play press, as giving his opponent a free release will leave him vulnerable to getting beat deep. In some cases, even when he gets a good jab in, he doesn’t have enough juice to keep up. Double moves and route fakes further cause trouble for Williams, and he has given up his fair share of big plays. On other occasions, he plays with too much contact, and can get flagged. For a guy with a relatively big frame, he doesn’t seem to do enough in run support, and plays a bit more passive than I’d like to see.
Summary:
Williams has some ball hawking tendencies, and created a lot of turnovers as a result. But while the splashy plays are all fun and games, his own game lacks consistency. Williams does not have great overall athleticism, and has been burned for big plays. His habit of playing with too much contact at the top of routes also is costly in terms of penalty yardage. To further rain on the parade, he isn’t great against the run. I’m not sure I see starter upside, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a solid NFL player. In addition to his instincts to create turnovers, he has his good moments in press coverage, and is an asset against contested catch receivers. He could be used situationally, but more likely will serve as a depth option that can give you decent fill-in snaps if he is able to continue developing and show further improvement.
| Grade: 65.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
19
Justin Walley
School: Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 190 lbs
Strengths:
Walley is a very fluid mover who is able to blanked his opponent in man coverage in the short and intermediate portions of the field. He makes a good and noticeable effort to play bigger than his size, making things tough in the receiver right off the snap. Walley also makes sure to play through the receiver at the catch point, increasing his chances of having the ball dislodged. The physicality he displays is also evident in the run game, where he will make an aggressive effort to help bring down the ball carrier. His twitch makes him an ideal candidate for the slot at the next level.
Weaknesses:
Walley’s size will be a bit of an issue at the next level. Right now, despite him playing a tough style, bigger players can still have their way. This goes for receivers making plays down the field and bigger RB’s running in his direction. He is inconsistent dealing with size, and his need to fire in shoulder first leads to missed tackles. Walley has good speed, but his long speed might not match his twitch. By the time the route gets to the third level, the receiver is able to create a bit more separation. There were also instances of him biting on double moves.
Summary:
Walley is an undersized CB, but his twitch and scrappiness will give a chance to one day start in the slot. It is hard to gauge his upside because on one hand, he is a very twitchy, fluid athlete. But on the other hand, his long speed doesn’t quite match. He should be able to handle quick routes and even intermediate ones before more inconsistencies begin to show up at the third level. To maximize his chances, he’ll have to set stronger and add some bulk in hopes of improving against the run, and better handling bigger receivers. He has a chance to start, but he has the talent to be a quality backup if he doesn’t get that far.
| Grade: 65.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
20
Zy Alexander
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 187 lbs
Strengths:
Alexander has a long frame that helps him make plays on the ball. His long reach is good for when he is a half step behind, as it allows him to potentially still get a hand on it. As well, he can contest jump balls. For his size, he’s got pretty smooth footwork, and he has shown the ability to stick with receivers in man coverage in the short, and sometimes intermediate levels of the field. With his length, he shows flashes in press coverage, where the receiver has to dodge his hand strike. Alexander is solid against the run. His large tackle radius limits the risk of the ball carrier slipping out of his grasp.
Weaknesses:
Alexander has the length for press coverage, but is too passive and fails to land an effective strike a lot of the time. When this happens, his momentum carries him forward a little bit, while the receiver is able to get an early head start on his route, leaving Alexander behind. As well, he does not have the long speed to hang with fast receivers on deep routes. He can last well enough on the shorter stuff, but is vulnerable on go routes and other similar ones. Alexander enters the NFL with an injury history, having an ACL injury from a couple of years ago on his record.
Summary:
Alexander has decent traits to potentially develop into a quality depth guy or possibly a lower end starter. He is pretty quick for his size, and his long reach and ball skills allow him to breakup passes and threaten to create turnovers. That said, his play in press coverage (and in general, really) is too passive, which has caused him to get burned quite a bit. As well, he lacks the long speed to stick with fast receivers on deep routes. Low ceiling, but could be a good depth guy with some development.
| Grade: 65.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
21
Marcus Harris
School: Cal
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 189 lbs
Strengths:
Harris has a good level of compete and looks to make plays on the ball, despite not having great length. If the receiver has trapped it in his hands, Harris will punch it out if he can, preventing the completion. He is an intelligent player on the field. Pass catchers have tried to bait him with double moves and head fakes, but he stays cool and doesn’t bite. He has enough quickness to play in man or zone on the short-intermediate portions of the field with decent success.
Weaknesses:
Harris is an undersized player, both in terms of length and overall mass. He played on the outside in college, but likely gets kicked inside to the slot at the next level. Harris shows solid speed and quickness in the shorter areas, but as the route goes further downfield, he can allow more separation. His lack of length prevents him from being able to reach in over the receiver’s shoulder or to go reach in from around the side, whereas longer CB’s might be able to get a finger tip on the ball. But a player like Harris is easier to box out. He does knock the ball out of the receiver’s hands when he is facing the front of him, but this isn’t always how it ends up. Contested situations won’t be an area of strength for Harris, and he’ll also have his struggles as a tackler against the run.
Summary:
Harris can be a solid player in a more sheltered role. He has enough speed and quickness for moderate zone and man coverage in the shorter areas, but does tend to allow more separation on deeper routes and some in-breaking routes. He’ll be moved to the slot at the next level, where his lack of size and length won’t be as big an issue. But “big slot” receivers might prove to be a mismatch. Overall, Harris is a smart player and does some things well. He might be a little bit too limited to start, but he can be a good backup slot CB. Should be able to make a roster.
| Grade: 60.5 | Round Grade: 6th |
22
Cobee Bryant
School: Kansas
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 180 lbs
Strengths:
Bryant is a long CB who plays with good instincts, allowing him to make quite a few plays on the ball. He shows some ball hawking tendencies, and will jump passes if he is in the vicinity. Bryant has good short area quickness to handle receivers on quicker routes, and his long reach is an asset when looking to breakup the pass. He also has good enough burst to get downhill and make a tackle if the catch is made in front of him. Bryant’s long reach also helps him as a tackler, as it limits the risk of misses. His tenacity also helps him get off blocks when fighting to get to the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Bryant is a decent athlete, but his movements look very leggy, and I wonder if he has the fluidity to hang with receivers on more complex routes. As well, he has length, but his frame is very lean. At his current state, Bryant will have a tough time matching up against bigger, more physical receivers. Further, contested catches are likely to be tough for him, despite his length. He will have to add bulk to his frame.
Summary:
Bryant has some likable traits, including his length, tenacity, and instincts. He is able to make plays on the football, and can also help out in run support. That said, his movement skills are not super fluid, and he might be limited a little bit in coverage. As well, his light frame will offer mismatch opportunities for the offence. Bryant projects as a depth guy at the next level, and will need to add bulk to his frame to maximize his chances.
| Grade: 60.1 | Round Grade: 6th |
23
Tommi Hill
School: Nebraska
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 213 lbs
Strengths:
Hill is a big, well built CB who can really lay down the wood. He is a physical defender in just about every phase. Hill is great at jamming the receiver at the line and he is physical at the catch point, which can dislodge the ball from the grasp of the receiver. As well, he is very willing in the run game, and will deliver a big hit. Despite getting a lot of power in his hits, Hill does not sacrifice technique, and is a good wrap up tackler. Hill also has great instincts. This, along with his high end straight line speed allows him to burst downhill from zone coverage to tackle the receiver. As well, he has been able to jump some underneath routes and throws to the far hash, including one which he took for a pick 6.
Weaknesses:
Hill has great straight line speed, but unfortunately, his fluidity is lacking to the same extent. He is a clunky mover, and can allow quick separation in man coverage if his initial jab is unsuccessful. The ability to cover deeper down the field just isn’t there. Similar issues also show up in zone, where his lack of lateral mobility sees him arriving late to where he needs to be. Hill dealt with a foot injury last year and missed portions of the season. The medicals will have to check out.
Summary:
Hill is kind of a disappointing evaluation. This being because he has elite speed, size, strength, and instincts, but it all sort of gets ruined by his lack of lateral movement skills. You see the flashes that are derived by his anticipation, as well as some of the hard hits and physicality that he brings. But his lack of fluidity leaves him very vulnerable in both man and zone coverage. I think a team will still take a late round flyer because he does have multiple high end traits. But his deficiency is a big one and will be a lot to overcome. Perhaps a team will be able to find a nice role for him where they can use some of strengths while masking his limitations. Either way, he should be a good special teamer.
| Grade: 57.9 | Round Grade: 7th |
24
BJ Adams
School: UCF
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 182 lbs
Strengths:
Adams is a big player, both in terms of length and overall frame. He has some good moments in press coverage, where his two handed jabs can be extremely effective in throwing off the receiver’s route. His length makes it tough for the receiver to initiate, so Adams is able to get that early upper hand. He has enough fluidity for shallow zone and is able to shift from a disguised man look into his zone coverage. He also does well passing off targets cleanly. Adams is solid as a tackler when he has the chance.
Weaknesses:
Adams is a below average athlete overall, and when it comes to plays deeper down the field, whether man or zone, he can get exposed. Speedier receivers should have the ability to create downfield separation, as long as they are able to beat him at the line of scrimmage. He also lacks the instincts to consistently make plays in zone, and more often gets caught out of position. Adams is inconsistent when it comes to ball skills. He’ll lose track of things, and panic at the end, putting himself in prime position to take a big pass interference penalty.
Summary:
Adams has size that will interest scouts, and his large wingspan and ability to jam at the line should give him a chance to crack a roster as a depth option. But his sub par athleticism will make it tough for him to elevate very high up the depth chart. Perhaps if his instincts improve and he is less of a penalty risk, he might be able to grab one of the middle spots on a roster. However, I don’t imagine the ceiling being too high. If he ever does end up on the field, he’ll probably need to be sheltered a little, but his best bet is in a scheme that allows him to play a lot of press.
| Grade: 56.6 | Round Grade: 7th |
25
Jordan Hancock
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 195 lbs
Strengths:
Hancock brings some versatility, having played slot CB and S. He is decent against the run, with the instincts to sniff plays out, and the frame and technique to secure the tackle. Hancock is solid in zone coverage, with enough short area quickness to patrol his area and break on the ball if he has to. His coverage against TE’s in the flats is also good.
Weaknesses:
Man coverage talent is questionable. His athleticism isn’t bad, but he definitely isn’t a blazer out there. But still, he just doesn’t seem to have the ability from a technical standpoint to track speedier receivers in the slot. He has been burned over the top a few times. Hancock is solid in zone coverage, but can get mixed up from time to time.
Summary:
Hancock brings positional versatility, good enough play against the run and in zone coverage to get a shot in camp to crack a roster. However, his blips in man coverage are pretty big and hard to overlook. He will have a chance to make it as a backup DB with CB/S versatility, and special teams could be his key. If he can prove himself there, he will help his chances quite a bit.
| Grade: 54.0 | Round Grade: UDFA |
CB Rankings:
- Travis Hunter (87.1, Rd 1)
- Trey Amos (85.3, Rd 1)
- Jahdae Barron (85.0, Rd 1)
- Shavon Revel (84.4, Rd 2)
- Will Johnson (83.1, Rd 2)
- Maxwell Hairston (81.4, Rd 2)
- Azareye’h Thomas (80.8, Rd 2)
- Darien Porter (79.0, Rd 3)
- Caleb Ransaw (75.3, Rd 3)
- Quincy Riley (75.1, Rd 3)
- Jacob Parrish (74.4, Rd 4)
- Benjamin Morrison (73.6, Rd 4)
- Dorian Strong (71.2, Rd 4)
- Upton Stout (70.5, Rd 4)
- Korie Black (70.3, Rd 4)
- Bilhal Kone (70.1, Rd 4)
- Denzel Burke (67.2, Rd 5)
- Nohl Williams (65.8, Rd 5)
- Justin Walley (65.3, Rd 5)
- Zy Alexander (65.1, Rd 5)
- Marcus Harris (60.5, Rd 6)
- Cobee Bryant (60.1, Rd 6)
- Tommi Hill (57.9, Rd 7)
- BJ Adams (56.6, Rd 7)
- Jordan Hancock (54.0, UDFA)
Notables Not Graded:
- Melvin Smith
- Donte Kent
- Johnathan Edwards
- Zah Frazier
- Mac McWilliams
- Alijah Huzzie
- Jason Marshall
- Nikko Reed
- BJ Mayes
- Jaylin Smith
- Trikweze Bridges
- Robert Longerbeam
- O’Donnell Fortune
See Also: S Rankings
Thumbnail Image Via: Maize & Blue Nation (CC)