DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Lockdown, press-man cornerback with elite size, length and talent to match up with any brand of receiver from any place on the field. He was a five-star recruit coming in and he consistently competed for championships in high school and college. Surtain possesses elite physical and athletic traits with the rare combination of length and short-area quickness that allows him to play on a press-man island and phase routes on all three levels. He plays to his length with plus technique and cover skills that make winning downfield a very challenging proposition. He was beaten in true man-to-man battles for 29-plus yards just five times during his career. His ability to stay connected to the route allows him to shut down yards after catch very quickly as a strong, wrap-up tackler. Run support goes in the "strengths" column, as well. He's been well-schooled at home and at Alabama. He's wired like a future All-Pro cornerback.

Three-year starter with tantalizing combination of size and length that is clearly effective when matched in tight man coverage. Horn can line up in any cover scheme and often traveled with the opponent’s most talented target. He plays with desired eye discipline from zone and the talent to impede release from press. He does an above-average job of closing, crowding and eliminating comfortable windows for quarterbacks to throw into, but his route anticipation is average. Horn can play with solid technique, but he became too reliant on the college game’s tendency to allow mauling beyond five yards and that must be cleaned up moving forward. He needs more consistent effort in run support, but the traits and upside are extremely appealing despite a lack of high-end ball production. Horn offers immediate starting help with a high upside.

Long-limbed cornerback with angular frame and disruptive size and strength. Newsome is well-versed in Cover 3, quarters coverage and press man. He's equally adept at each, too. It's hard to get a gauge on his overall long speed, as most of the throws his way were underneath, but it's worth noting that he's above average with ball tracking and body positioning to defend the deep throw. While the takeaway totals are nothing special, his length, timing and sheer competitiveness make tape study of the contested catches he's allowed for completions a very short watch. He has the footwork and skill level to cover downfield without getting into receivers prematurely, but for now, those pass interference penalties from press-man are a concern. Newsome is a competitive, scheme-diverse outside cornerback with good size, speed and explosiveness. He has the talent to become a good starter within his first two seasons.

Farley possesses rare size for the position and does an excellent job of utilizing his frame and length to charge rent inside the catch space. While his traits and ball skills will be coveted, he’s still light on overall reps at the cornerback position. He needs to continue to improve his technique and discipline as he displays inconsistencies staying connected to routes at times. Farley is an ascending talent who fits more cleanly in a press-heavy scheme. Might require early patience as he continues to gain the polish necessary to become a quality NFL starter. Concerns surrounding his past injuries and latest back procedure could cause him to slip in the draft.

Outside cornerback with undeniable physical traits and athletic tools. Smooth hips and agile feet guide him around the field, but he doesn't always trust his footwork and overall technique, which leads to occasional bouts with imbalance in coverage. Length and quick-twitch agility could lead to robust improvement and success in man coverage. Poise and confidence in matching routes and playing deep throws are the first order of business and those areas might take a couple of seasons to fine-tune. Campbell's traits outweigh the lack of polish and could lead to a solid NFL career.

Depending upon scheme, need or preference, Stokes offers teams the potential to play him outside or from the slot. Speed and quickness should allow him to stay with route runners or within close-out distance when he gets behind. Stokes played with better press technique in 2020 and he's willing to get physical near the goal line, but his play strength is below average. While there have been mild flashes of playmaking potential, he's more likely to play the receiver rather than attacking the football and looking for takeaways. He's twitchy in tight quarters with the potential to become more disruptive in zone. His size, speed and athleticism could make him a Day 2 pick as a future CB3, but his weakness as a run defender will be challenged quickly by NFL offenses.

Melifonwu has the size and toughness of a starting safety but it's wrapped in an elite package of traits that makes him a very intriguing press-corner prospect. Tape can be a tale of two coverages. His length, strength and athleticism help him blanket and smother targets underneath when he's tighter to receivers off the snap. However, he allows excessive cushion from off-man and doesn't play with the instincts or recognition to stop quarterbacks and receivers from playing catch in front of his face. He's a physical, aggressive striker who ends the catch quickly as a tackler and should develop into a plus defender. He needs to become more consistently curious and instinctive in coverage, but has the potential to become a good starting press corner.

Cornerback prospect with inside/outside potential featuring good size and adequate speed. The former four-star prospect possesses quality athletic ability with good transition quickness and foot agility. He has press potential with the ability to open and connect with routes. However, he does have issues losing patience and opening his hips too soon against release and route fakes. He's a willing tackler and proved to be much more consistent in that area in 2020. Robinson possesses the size and traits to garner attention as a Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) cornerback, but teams will have to decide whether he has the speed to play outside or if he's a better fit for nickel duties.

Joseph has physical dimensions and natural athletic talent that are easy to get excited about, but his lack of experience might be a secondary concern to the lack of maturity that is sometimes shown on the field. He has the length and strength to re-route and bully the early stages of the release from press and displays a sudden twitch to attack throws if asked to play an off coverage. He has the size and ball skills to create real challenges at the catch point, but lacks the discipline and route recognition to stay consistently connected to routes. While he improved as the 2020 season went on, the Ole Miss game showed just how much work and experience he still needs. The traits and ability in run support could push him up the board for some teams, while others might be turned off by the penalties and undisciplined plays he put on tape. Either way, he has talent to work with.

Evaluators will love his instincts, pedigree and elite football character. Some teams might worry about his long speed and whether he can play down the field as a man-to-man nickel while others will see him as a little short to be playing safety. However, there will likely be more teams who see it the other way, viewing Molden as a versatile defender whose competitive nature, play strength and anticipation help him play as big and fast as he needs to. He's a team leader with NFL-caliber play recognition and feel for the game. While he does lack plus acceleration out of transitions, he has fast feet and plays with good balance around the field in both coverage and as a steady, open-field tackler. Molden plays in the mold of a Washington defensive back: with urgency and a nose for the football. He is a Day 2 talent with the intangibles to help elevate a defense.

A freakish athlete with outstanding size, length and explosiveness, Rochell has evaluators buzzing about his expected testing numbers. He typically works as a press-man corner but has all the tools necessary to play in a variety of coverages, including Cover 3, where he has displayed an ability to excel with his range and ball skills. His technique and spotty transitions will be quickly discovered and exploited by pro talent so he might require a year for additional work and polish. He attacks throws like the former wideout he is and could become successful at baiting quarterbacks into throws they shouldn't make. The ball production and rare physical traits/abilities could make him a fast riser in this draft as a Day 2 talent.

Cornerback with NFL bloodlines and disruptive strength to make contested catches a true challenge for wide receivers. Samuel has good feet, but average size and transition burst to shadow breaks. He allowed too many catches in front of his face, especially early in the 2020 season. He plays with good technique in closing out and crowding receivers headed down the field but has a tendency to go overboard when face-guarding, turning his coverage into flags. He has the traits and talent to turn some catches into incompletions with a change in approach. Samuel has nickel talent, but might just be average as a pro.

High-cut, verified ballhawk with a long, angular frame that is challenging to navigate in cramped quarters. Adebo's size and ball skills give him a distinct advantage when the ball is in the air and he attacks throws with a receiver's mindset. He plays upright and lacks desired fluidity to shadow sharp route breaks and double moves. However, his ability to recover and make it home to the catch point could excite GMs and secondary coaches. His 2019 tape was a bit disappointing compared to 2018 and he opted out of the 2020 campaign. He still has football and technique to learn -- versus the run and pass -- and teams might have to live with the same ups and downs that were evident on his 2019 tape. He’s more playmaker than lockdown corner, but can range in Cover 3 or play physical in press-man.

Athletic and instinctive, Brown offers inside/outside cornerback skill and experience, but his average size and speed might make the slot a more likely home. He plays the game like an angry hornet with a relentless, edgy play demeanor. Brown plays with ideal eye balance and field awareness that complements his short-area twitch and anticipatory skills to challenge throws. He has the strength, athleticism and football intelligence to play any coverage technique and often traveled with the opponent's best wideout. He will eventually lose some ground deep and can be overtaken by big receivers. He's often chippy against opposing receivers and loves to come downhill as a run defender. Brown plays with the competitive spirit and talent to leave an imprint on the game as a starting nickel with CB2 potential.

Intriguing cornerback with impressive measurables and a competitive spirit that shines through at the catch point and in run support. As a Canadian import with limited college experience at both Michigan and Minnesota, St-Juste is behind in terms of his feel and instincts. His route recognition is below average and his change of direction in coverage can be clunky, but those areas can improve with more experiences and technique work. He's a brute at the catch point, tilting contested catches in his favor, and he has some excellent tape as a tackler who finishes what he starts with form and strength. Finding the proper scheme fit will be important and a move to safety is a possibility. A team could see a noticeable improvement in his play within the first two years, but he's a developmental prospect with good upside at this juncture.

Slot corner with average size but exceptional speed and athleticism. He could see his draft stock rise given his workout potential. Vincent has the hips, feet and burst to stay tight with routes as a pro, but only if he shows marked improvement with pattern recognition and his coverage technique. He's played (and practiced) against NFL-caliber competition and brings a resume full of experience against quality competition. His best football could be ahead of him, but he needs to fully transition from athlete to cornerback for that to happen.

Feisty press-man cornerback who plays the role of nuisance underneath. Plays with good patience and feel for mirroring the release and gets hands on his target within the first five yards. Thomas tends to be physical in coverage, which sometimes leads to penalties. He's a former high school receiver with natural tracking and ball skills. He does a solid job of crowding opponents down the field. He's not as long or explosive as teams might like outside and might lack the twitch to handle certain slot receivers as a nickel. Thomas plays with above-average awareness and consistency, though, and he's a very willing and capable tackler who can also play on special teams. His best fit could be as a future starting nickel back for a zone-heavy cover unit.

Rangy cornerback with unique combination of size and length that could allow him to play outside or over matchup tight ends. He has the strength and tools in press-man, but leggy transitions and modest recovery burst diminish his margin for error against the release. His wingspan makes him a human skyscraper who can hassle the passing lane in Cover 2 and fluster deep ball attempts in Cover 3. The instincts are average, making him less likely to jump a route than simply play what he sees. He's a capable tackler, but needs to amp up the aggression in run support whether teams view him as a cornerback or safety at the next level. Mukuamu has the potential to develop into a starter.

Teams could still be intrigued with Wade's size and length, but he looked slow in recovery mode and lacked confidence and body control when attempting to match routes and stay connected in man coverage this past season. He doesn't have shifty, short-area footwork to match quicker slots and was beaten badly as an outside corner when matched against future NFL talent. Wade needs to get his fundamentals right and find the right position and scheme fit in order to be more than an average backup in the league.

Penn State transfer with two seasons as a starter at Texas Tech. McPhearson plays the position with good physicality in coverage, at the catch point and when it's time to do his part in run support. His ball skills are on point and he does a good job of maintaining positioning once he's there, but he has some issues anticipating route breaks and maintaining feel for the pattern from trail position in man coverage. He has decent play speed, but appears to lack the ups for jump-ball battles. He has the feet and competitiveness to potentially back up outside or inside and should compete for special teams reps early on.

Ingredients like size, speed, strength and athleticism are all present, but Wilson hasn't been able to combine them and make a meal since early in his career. He clearly has the athletic talent and skill set to be a much better man defender than he showed in 2020. His size and strength are big advantages when it's time to play the 50-50 balls, but he needs to do a more consistent job of crowding his targets and maintaining his positioning through the rep. There are times when the coverage pursuit simply looks too lackadaisical and not consistently competitive from game to game. Wilson's run-support effort needs a lot of work, as teams will find and exploit it if he is on the field. He has the traits and athleticism of a Day 2 starter, but with the tape of a Day 3 backup with inside/outside versatility.

Thompson can be spun by quality route-runners and is still learning to anticipate route breaks from off-coverage, but his instincts and recognition of play development from zone are both worthy of consideration. With just three years under his belt at cornerback, it's reasonable to assume that his best football is still ahead of him after putting together a solid campaign in the SEC. He has adequate long speed and plays with the field discipline and closing burst that could put him in position to make plays at the next level. He has enough talent to come in and challenge for a spot at CB4 and the upside to earn more snaps.

Nickel cornerback with desired size and athleticism to match up from the slot. Carter has adequate transition quickness and recovery speed to play near the line and still handle man coverage down the field. He's capable in zone, but could struggle in off-man technique. His ball skills from trail will need work but he generally maintains feel for the route. He needs to play a little more physically in run support duties as an NFL nickel but he has both the toughness and play strength for it. Carter has Day 3 draft value and could eventually find snaps in sub packages.

Boundary corner who stays in the receiver's business all day long. He's a little undersized to be taking on big NFL wideouts, but he's a feisty cover man with good foot agility and short-area quickness and his coverage movement is fairly fluid. He's going to lose some battles due to his lack of size and length, but he plays with route recognition and ball timing to make finishing catches a contested effort. He's a little below average in run support, which could be exploited. He's better in man coverage, but capable in zone, as well, and should find work as a quality backup with CB4/5 potential.

A challenging evaluation, as Daniel looks a little smaller than his listed size and isn't the most polished cover cornerback. However, he does a pretty solid job of staying within reach of the action. He has loads of experience in press man and some Cover 3 bail-and-shuffle. He's working with agile feet, average hips and good recovery speed, but struggles to maintain poise against big receivers down the field. Daniel plays with a competitive demeanor, but simply lacks the desired levels of recognition and anticipation to pounce on top of route breaks and contest more throws. He might be able to handle snaps inside and outside, which could add to his value. His lack of playmaking potential could cap his ceiling as a solid backup to average CB3/4, though.

Hall plays with inconsistent technique but a natural feel for making a play on the football. He lacks restraint and has head-first play qualities that create risk-reward in coverage. He loses positioning when trailing routes and is missing top-end speed to keep from being stacked by talented targets. However, his timing and accuracy to affect the catch-point offers hope that he can improve his technique. That said, he has limitations that might push him toward a zone-based defense where he can focus on playing downhill both in coverage and with plus run support.

Potential backup cornerback who could earn his keep thanks to maniacal effort as a special teams ace. Possesses a stout, strong frame and loves to turn press release into a physical challenge no matter how big the man is across from him. He's twitchy and quick for short-area attacks when allowed to play forward but gets overwhelmed by bigger receivers downfield, resulting in penalties and jump-ball losses. Brown is an excellent option on kick and punt coverage and can compete for kick return duties, but he must convince teams he has enough value as a backup slot corner to provide roster flexibility.

Mills' size, length and toughness make him an intriguing draft prospect but he's much more of a "potential" prospect than a projectable one. He possesses very good ball skills and disruption potential but his fundamentals and technique will need to be overhauled if he wants to make it as a press corner, which is his best chance. He lacks true long speed and finds himself scrambling into catch-up mode too often due to a lack of patience and footwork, but he's not without talent to mold. Mills succeeds on a lower level with natural ability and NFL traits. He has Cover 2 and Cover 3 characteristics and could become a quality backup if he can get his technique squared away.

There is much to process with the tape and the traits of Pinnock. He looks the part, with size, length and strength, and his testing confirmed the athleticism that can be found on tape. He has the potential to roadblock receivers from press but struggles to maintain his poise and pace when he gets beaten early in the route. He has ball skills when playing with his eyes forward, but his success rate and accuracy to challenge the catch-point goes way down with his back to the ball. He has the athleticism and physical tools that fit into Cover 3 and press-man concepts, but he shouldn't be left on an island.

His size and expected straight-line speed will work in his favor. However, Williams might be lacking the natural athletic attributes to handle press duties and the instincts needed for zone. If coaching can tighten up his press technique, he might be in consideration as a Cover 2 cornerback with the ability to step up and support the run. He's become better at staying in phase with the route and can be a handful to deal with on 50-50 throws due to his size and physical nature. Finding a good scheme fit will be key, but he has a decent chance of earning a spot as a backup.

Could see a similar career journey as current Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Jamal Agnew, who transitioned from cornerback to the offensive side of the ball in Detroit, all while thriving as a dangerous return specialist. Williams was a talented high school running back, so a move to a hybrid gadget player with run and pass-catching potential isn't a crazy notion. His lack of size could be exploited as a corner, which will be a concern for teams who prefer not to carry strictly return specialists on their roster. He's athletic and smooth with fluidity to turn, cut or wiggle without losing his speed. He's been a home run hitter as a returner and he's a legitimate threat to block a kick and must be accounted for. Teams would be wise to draft Williams with a late Day 3 selection and figure out where to play him in camp.

Stephens is big, strong and athletic and his position switch from running back to cornerback two years ago means he should keep improving at his craft. He flashes, but he is still in the very early stages of learning the position. The basic fundamentals of press, route recognition and finding positioning will take time to develop, but his traits make him an intriguing draft and stash developmental prospect. He has special teams coverage potential to help him play right away and he could come off the board on Day 3.

Athletic cornerback with excellent combination of size and speed for the NFL game. Hobbs has plenty of experience in Cover 3 and press-man techniques. His size and length can be a major factor in wrecking contested catches but he rarely locates the football when phasing downfield. From zone, his foot quickness and athletic ability stand out, but his route recognition and instincts need to improve. His tackle strength is a big plus in his favor, but his game took a step back in 2020, which was a little disappointing. There are enough traits and tools to warrant a Day 3 look.

Outside cornerback with thin build, good length and solid ball skills to make effective challenges on the football when he's in position. His slim frame can be exploited by bigger wide receivers, not only when stacking him in tight quarters, but also when driving him around the field as a run blocker. He's a linear cover man with tight hips who is best-suited to side-shuffle coverages that allow him to stay on top of the route and drive forward on route turns to maintain his fluidity. Echols has some holes in his coverage but he's an aggressive ball-challenger with elite athletic traits who should be a Day 3 selection.

Compact corner with short arms, but often makes up for it with a high degree of physicality. His tight hips prevent fluid transitions from off-man or mirror-and-match techniques and he lacks the chase speed to make up the necessary ground quickly. His toughness and physicality can be rewarded in bump-and-run and zone coverages where he can bang on receivers in the first 5 yards and bully the catch-point underneath. He needs to improve his eye discipline, as well as his poise when his back is to the football or he'll be flagged time and again. His frame and run-support toughness could have teams eyeing him as a zone nickel, but a move to safety could be in consideration, too.

Long-limbed, explosive leaper who has the coverage traits to create tighter throwing windows in a variety of schemes. Twitchy feet and explosive leaping are two very good starting points for defending underneath or down the field. He needs to improve his route recognition and instincts in order to do more with his length and make more plays on the football. His injury history and slender frame are sure to cause concerns for teams, as run support will have them holding their breaths. He could find early backup work as a CB4/CB5 but does have some upside.

Long and lean, Parker is a three-year starter with inside/outside coverage experience. He lacks top-end speed but rarely finds himself getting left behind by route separation as he plays fast and with good foot agility to match route breaks. He's well-versed in press man and zone coverages. He uses his anticipation and eye discipline to pounce quickly on throws from off coverages. While Parker has good ball skills and a ball-hawking demeanor, he might lack the burst and length to make enough plays on the ball at the next level. He's fearless and tough when it's time to tackle but his slender frame could take a beating as a pro run defender. Parker wasn't a big tester at his pro day, but he knows how to play and could become a factor in camp competition for a nickel spot.

Graham features a good build and plus play strength in coverage, but he really struggles when tasked with transitioning against route breaks. He lacks the recovery speed to handle deficits early in the route against NFL wideouts. His best chance will be as a zone corner where his instincts and tackling might give him a shot.

Press corner with prototypical height, weight and length that should garner some attention from traits-hungry general managers. Webb played against a lower level of competition, but had good ball production at that level. He can press and crowd receivers from off the snap, but needs to improve his technique and trust it a little more often to keep from drawing penalties down the field. His transition and footwork can be too sloppy from off coverage, so scheme-fit will matter for him. He needs to transfer his physical coverage style over to his run support if he wants to stick around as a developmental press corner.

Outside cornerback who will struggle to stay connected to routes against speed or quality route runners. He does a nice job of crowding underneath routes and has the length and ball instincts to make receivers really work for it on contested catches. Gowan needs to get stronger, but has good size and length to work with. His area of effectiveness will be limited at the next level. He might need to be paired with defenses utilizing more Cover 2 or Cover 3 schemes.

Productive outside cornerback with a penchant for making plays on the football. McCain is smart and plays with solid instincts. He lacks the smooth hips and chase speed to hang with NFL vertical targets, which is a major concern. While he's instinctive, his losses to double moves might cause some hesitancy at times. He will struggle to maintain top position against size, but his length does help him out somewhat. His best shot could be on a practice squad of a zone-heavy cover unit.

The measurables show Dunn is fast and has good length, but he doesn't always play like it. He's an inside/outside cornerback prospect possessing explosive traits but no career interceptions to show for it. Dunn has played outside for most of his career but might be better suited as a slot in the NFL. He's extremely twitchy with the ability to mirror route breaks, but he just doesn't find his way into passing lanes often enough. The intriguing athletic ability is worth a look and could earn him a stay in the league if he can improve his ball production.

Scouts rave about the personal character of Bynum, but concerns over his athletic ability and speed are very real. Despite his time as a press corner, his poor recovery speed and inability to match NFL receivers in man coverage will likely pigeonhole him into a zone-heavy scheme or force him to flip to safety.

Height/weight/speed prospect with developmental traits, but the fundamentals and feel for the position are way behind. Despite his straight-line speed, Wilcox has long legs paired with average feet, creating awkward, clunky transitions when he's not allowed to just phase the downfield route. His testing could create an opening for a practice-squad role, but the lack of experience, consistency and the history of injuries plant him firmly in the "project" pile.

Despite his size and ball production at the end of the year, there is too much tape (including the Senior Bowl) that put his struggles on display as it pertains to fluidity and stickiness in coverage. He lacks recovery speed and open-field athleticism to deal with NFL man coverage, but his 2020 experience at safety could open the door for a position change at the next level. He wasn't asked to do much more than basic two-deep drops, but he clearly has the coverage experience to adapt to more than that. However, he will have to become both tougher and more consistent as a tackle finisher in order to make that switch a full-time job opportunity.

Bootle has played outside as a three-year starter but will need to prove himself inside for a chance to play in the league. He has good speed and is fluid enough to compete in man coverage on the first two levels. He's more effective from press than off-man coverage but becomes a target once he is matched up with size down the field. He lacks the length and size for jump-ball situations but has the footwork and aggression to make it tough on 50-50 catches underneath. His speed and athleticism give him a shot even if he goes undrafted, but scheme fit will matter.

Lanky, angular cornerback with good length but bad speed. Wright possesses above-average instincts and shows some ability to squat, burst and smother shorter routes from off coverage, but he will need help over the top because his recovery speed is lacking. He doesn't have the instant acceleration or agility to stay connected to NFL route runners, which will limit his scheme fits. His length and play traits could make him a target for Cover 3 defenses who care less about long speed and more about ball skills.

Stout and muscular with a build that is better suited for safety than cornerback. Jacobs has played press man and zone but lacks the top-end speed and agility to handle man duties as a pro. He has decent eyes from zone and gets downhill quickly to strike and finish before things can get started. While there will be a temptation to try him at safety, his inconsistencies as an open-field tackler could complicate matters.

Explosive athlete with good speed and plenty of edge in his game. McClain-Sapp is best suited to play tighter man coverage, where he can use his foot quickness to stay connected to the routes from snap to whistle. His instincts and eyes are below average, causing him to struggle to read clues and jump routes. He has acceleration to stay with deep routes but rarely finds the football, which is a big concern. His run support is adequate, but he will be flagged at the next level if he continues to make late hits on blocking receivers. The traits will get him a look in a camp.

Intriguing height and length but his lack of instincts and burst to close on the throw are clearly the culprits for no career interceptions and a lack of ball production. He's not a very physical run supporter and lacks speed to carry vertical threats down the field. While he has some tools to work with as a press corner, he's just not sticky enough in coverage to make much of a difference.