DRAFT TRACKER 2024

Mitchell possesses a gumbo of traits, with size, strength and speed filling up the pot. He’s built like a running back, tackles like a safety and has the ball skills of a cornerback. Mitchell can play in a variety of coverages and was the clear-cut top cornerback at the Senior Bowl when working against the top receivers in practice. While he needs to trace a more efficient path when hounding the route, his burst to close and physicality at the catch point could create tougher throwing windows for quarterbacks. Mitchell’s traits, play demeanor and special-teams potential should make him attractive to teams in the market for CB help.

Twitchy man-cover corner with outstanding athletic ability and the skill set to bring in ball production at the professional level. Arnold possesses average size but plays with a desired level of aggression and competitiveness in both phases of his job. He’s fast and agile to match up against a variety of receiver flavors on the outside or in the slot. Arnold could squeeze routes tighter from off coverages and limit the yards after catch with a slightly different approach. His closing burst allows him to meet throws at the catch point with a natural feel for playing angles and attacking the receiver’s hands. Arnold will make mistakes with positioning and lose focus at times, but the athletic traits and nose for the ball create quality upside for him to be positioned as a CB1 within a couple of years.

Wiggins’ combination of coverage talent and traits could make him a defensive coordinator’s dream. He’s tall, long and fast with rare recovery speed when beaten. Silky smooth lower-body movement allows him to mirror releases and trace routes without much effort. He can squeeze a little tighter from off-man coverage, while his range as a Cover 3 cornerback makes him a dangerous option to throw near. He plays with good recognition and elite burst to the throw, which could lead to Pro Bowl production if he can play with more consistent decisiveness. He needs to become a tougher player in run support and when contesting catches against NFL size. Wiggins' speed, scheme versatility and playmaking instincts should make him the most sought after cornerback in the draft.

Three-year starter and former five-star prospect with a quirky name and consistent game. McKinstry is patient and well-groomed in matching the outside release and riding the inside release from press. He’s confident to handle business on an island and is able to stay in phase as the route travels vertically. He’s not overly fast but does play with plus acceleration to close out crossing routes or make aggressive plays on the catch point. As with most college corners, McKinstry will need to transition some of his open-field hand usage into quality footwork to avoid downfield penalties. He’s more aggressive in coverage than he is as a tackler and could find himself forced to prove his toughness in that area. McKinstry is more of a pure cover man than a playmaker, but his poise, intelligence and athleticism should lead him toward becoming a good outside corner with scheme versatility.

Highly competitive defensive back with plus ball skills and noteworthy special teams value. DeJean is big and bundled for a cornerback, with muscular arms and tight hips. He has fantastic interception production, but his movements are more linear than fluid, and he doesn’t have the easy change of direction needed in man coverage on the next level. His best football is played with his eyes forward, using his instincts to challenge quarterbacks and his big downhill burst to smack whatever needs smacking. He would seem to be a no-brainer as a punt returner and gunner in Year 1. DeJean should be a big athletic tester, which will help get the hype train going, but finding the proper schematic fit will be important in unlocking his best football as a zone corner or interchangeable safety.

Rakestraw plays the game with good physicality and a competitive tilt that defensive back coaches will enjoy. He’s strong but not as big or fast as teams usually like when picking within the first three rounds of the draft. However, he’s hard-nosed in press and has the body control and anticipation to play a sticky brand of man coverage over the first two levels. He’s quicker than fast and does a nice job of breaking quickly on throws in front of him with well-timed challenges to knock the ball free. He intercepted only one pass during his college career, which could be a concern, but his willingness and toughness in run support work in his favor. Rakestraw could become a good backup with eventual starter potential in the right scheme.

Pure press-man cornerback whose inspired coverage against LSU’s talented receiving corps should carry weight in his evaluation. Green is patient to match the release and possesses good agility to recover quickly when beaten. Elite body control allows him to phase double moves and route breaks. He’s quick to close and tackle when beaten. Physical play gets him flagged inside the route and he doesn’t find the football often enough when routes travel downfield. He can improve in run support, but he’s more than willing. Green might need safety help over the top, but his route tracing and catch restriction over the first two levels give him a good chance of becoming an above-average starter outside or from the slot.

A thin frame combined with questionable long speed could push James inside, where his pattern-matching and short-area athleticism should work to his advantage. James plays with excellent body control and disciplined footwork and is rarely out of position in coverage. He's instinctive with short-area twitch but has generated a little less ball production than expected for his traits. Both zone and man coverage comes naturally, but bigger bodies can give him trouble. Below-average run support will be targeted by play-callers, so that could come into consideration for some teams. James has the athleticism and coverage skills to become a starting nickel within a couple of years.

Abrams-Draine is a talented prospect with good football intelligence and the versatility to fit in with teams desiring to mix up coverages. He's on the slender side and will need to prove he can handle both man coverage and run-support duties against an upgrade in size. His confidence and cover skills improved last year, but his ball skills and instincts have always been good. He's very poised in one-on-ones down the field and has the range and field vision teams look for. Abrams-Draine's on-ball production and general consistency help mitigate concerns over size, and he could come off the board as a Day 2 selection, with the ability to compete for a role as a CB3.

Versatile inside/outside cornerback who displayed improvement every year at Rutgers. Melton carries good size and did a nice job staying with some of the better receiving options from the Big Ten. He's adequate from press and has the burst to make up ground when he gets behind early. He's at his best, however, when playing with his eyes forward from zone and searching for clues to jump in and make plays on the football. The ball skills can flip the field, and he's very aggressive in collapsing the catch point. He's capable in run support but needs to work on his angles of pursuit. His versatility, traits, instincts and ball skills could make him an eventual starter and an early CB3/4.

Reliable and tough with the athleticism and upside to keep getting better as a nickel corner. Sainristil is a former receiver who plays with surprising field awareness and attention to detail as a zone defender. He has the twitch and footwork to stay connected with routes in man coverage but needs more experience at the position to operate with better recognition and feel for the routes. He showed off top-notch ball skills with six interceptions (two for scores) in 2023 and has no problem stepping up and doing his part as a run defender. Sainristil isn't there yet but should keep improving and has a chance to become a starting nickel in time.

Physical cornerback with long arms and an above-average ability to ruin catch tries when he’s in the vicinity. Tampa has decent closing burst but appears to lack true top-end speed. He can charge up his press punch and does a nice job of staying connected to routes from trail technique. However, he allows separation windows to open when playing from a backpedal in off-man coverage. Tampa can handle some man matchups, but his last-second pass breakups will turn into completions against pro receivers. His demeanor, instincts and ball skills should make him a Day 2 target and eventual starter for a zone-heavy cover unit.

Scheme-dependent cornerback with excellent length and above-average ball skills to harass and overtake lesser receivers when it's time to make the catch. Jones is a slender press-man corner with Cover 3 potential. His press is more irritating than disruptive, but he does a solid job of tracing routes and attacking throws for forced incompletions and interceptions. He can be beaten by route runners in off-man and can be late to open and chase vertical routes, creating long-ball opportunities. His long arms should help him compete against more muscular receivers when it's time to stop the catch, but he won't offer much in run support. Teams valuing ball production and length will move him up the board as a Day 2 prospect with CB3 upside.

Phillips' tape features a high number of both completions and drops that should have been completions, but that could change in a different scheme and with additional experience. He's still green, with just two years of real game experience, and often played too loose in Kentucky's zone cover schemes. Phillips lacks the anticipation to contest catches at a high enough rate from zone but does have the athleticism to play more man coverage, with the tools to stay sticky on routes. He's an ardent run supporter with excellent toughness but needs to finish tackles at a higher rate. Scheme fit might be critical, along with proving he can play from the slot, but his best football could be ahead of him.

Carson's game is most suitable for press-man and Cover 2 looks, although he’s capable of handling most coverages. He doesn’t have as many snaps under his belt as some prospects, so his instincts and break anticipation aren't fully focused yet. He's much better from press than off-man coverage and does a nice job of utilizing his physicality to rough up the release and contest catches when he's in position. He works through route combinations from zone and will come downhill and strike with good purpose most of the time. Carson's angles to the throw and as a tackler can be spotty, leading to missed opportunities. Overall, the physical traits are ahead of the positional skills, but there is enough in place to project him as an eventual CB3 .

Spunky but slender with the mentality to sift through the highs and lows that come with the position. Lassiter has the athleticism and dog to play press-man coverage and all forms of zone. His instincts and play recognition are getting better to help shadow routes and pester catch points, but he hasn’t yet flashed as a corner looking to play the football and flip the field. Lassiter could see flags early in his career, as he struggles to keep up with deep throws and doesn't always trust his technique. He’s physical and well-coached with the potential to play as a nickel back or roving safety.

Traits-based cornerback with an impressive blend of size and athleticism that could lead teams to project what he could be rather than what he is. Hart's size advantage shows up when he's getting after receivers from press, but he doesn't always play big when it comes to run support and attacking the catch point. He has the agility to match releases and plays with pretty good route anticipation but lacks ideal make-up speed once he loses ground during the route. Hart doesn't display much of a playmaking gene when it comes to trusting his instincts and playing the football, but he did a terrific job of helping to hold Marvin Harrison Jr. in check. There are pieces missing from the puzzle, but cornerbacks with his traits tend to improve in the league with scheme consideration.

Long, slender outside corner who might have improved enough in off-man coverage for consideration in most coverage schemes. Pritchett has the length to stall the release and be a route bully underneath. He's fairly comfortable from press and will hug up on double moves and comebacks, using his length to impact throwing windows. He might need safety help over the top, as he can be a little sluggish to flip and sprint deep from his pedal, and his lateral transitions are average, allowing small separations at lateral break points. His size and length will be appealing on Day 2 of the draft, but he needs to become a more consistent tackler in run support to find consistent starting reps.

Extremely imposing outside cornerback with rare size and strength. Jackson’s measurables are a big plus, but he started just 14 games during his college career, so the technique is inconsistent. He can be hit-or-miss from press, but when he catches the receiver with his punch, it’s trouble. A lack of anticipation and sticky hips cause him to get lost at transition points at times. Contested catches tilt heavily in his favor and will continue to do so as he improves with more coaching and experience. Jackson’s size and physicality combined with his NFL-caliber run support should make him an early backup with a chance to climb the ladder into a starting role if he proves he has the necessary speed.

Harden's game is filled with competitiveness and aggression but missing any semblance of finesse. He stands out with his field awareness in zone coverages and his physicality at the catch point and against the run. He's capable as a man defender but figures to take on some water against NFL wideouts with above-average speed. He's cut low with good gather quickness and fluidity in lateral transitions. He's an A+ tackler whose blend of toughness and field vision could see teams push him into a role as a big nickel or safety.

Aggressive press cornerback with average size but above-average competitive fire. Scouts say Brownlee made a point of working hard on his body and his approach to improve his chances on the next level, and he did just that. He's extremely rugged and physical over the first 5 yards to disrupt route timing and can close the catch window if he's in position. Brownlee is just average as the route expands in man and could be prone to penalties and allowing explosive plays down the field. There is no lack of toughness in his run support, and he's an easy fit on special teams. Brownlee could have teams targeting him on Day 3 as a nickel defender with the potential to bump outside.

Devonshire is a cornerback with long arms and impressive ball production. He’s confident in press, allowing his athleticism to trace routes while instincts and agility key his work from zone. Devonshire locates the quarterback and ball flight fairly quickly with his back to the ball. He sits in the pocket of an average route runner and uses his length and reactive quickness to swat throws away. The long speed appears to be average and he picks up his share of flags with excessive grabbing against big targets downfield. A move to nickel is possible, and he has the athletic traits to make it work provided his run-support efforts don’t short-circuit his opportunity. 

Urgent cornerback with good size and above-average aggression in all aspects of his game. While Jones is all gas from snap to whistle, he can be clunky matching a receiver’s release and has a hard time transitioning through sharp break points without allowing glaring separation. His chase speed is average and he might require help over the top. He does a nice job of anticipating breaks from a shuffle and is effective from zone with a decent burst to close when playing forward. He’s aggressive in run support and battles for positioning in coverage. Jones’ limitations might be mitigated and his strengths maximized as a nickel cornerback playing forward from a zone-heavy cover scheme.

It feels like Stiggers' story should be a six-part streaming docuseries: After the death of his father, Stiggers dropped out of college, then played his way into draft relevance via semi-pro 7-on-7 indoor football and a breakout season in the CFL. But he’s a very real prospect. He has adequate size and speed. He plays with NFL-caliber instincts and ball skills. He’s a fluid athlete in space but will need plenty of practice reps to improve his knowledge of coverages and overall technique. While it could take a little while for him to acclimate to the league, Stiggers has the potential to become an NFL player.

A well-built cornerback with inside/outside versatility, Newton’s 2022 tape was slightly better than his 2023 film. He’s capable in press and is made for old-fashioned Cover 2 looks where he can redirect the release and sink into zone coverage. Newton plays tall in space, creating inconsistencies in transitioning to match routes and he will lose downfield to speedsters. He’s competitive and physical at the catch point and is willing to do his part in run support. He has good football makeup, but it seems like he’s more likely to be around an NFL receiver rather than actively making plays on the ball.

Ball-hawking cornerback with the eyes, instincts and ball skills to flip the field against careless quarterbacks. McGlothern can press a little bit and handle some man coverage. However, he might be at his best in zone coverages, where he can scan the field and play chess with the route combinations and quarterbacks. He overlaps coverage areas to make plays on the football and has Cover 3 cornerback written all over him. McGlothern is passive as a run defender, which will slide him down the board for some teams. He possesses average speed and athleticism, but the skills are there to label him a Day 3 prospect with upside.

Two-year starting cornerback with outstanding physical features but below-average coverage features. He’s leggy with below-average lateral transitions and change of direction in space. Richardson doesn’t play with enough anticipation or short-area burst to make plays on the ball but does have a big make-up gear in a straight line. He’s OK as a tackler but should get better with a greater focus in that department. Richardson’s size and top-end speed will immediately garner attention, but he doesn’t appear to have the skill set to play safety and will be limited by a narrow scheme fit.

Rangy cornerback whose length often makes up for a lack of play strength when it's time to challenge the 50/50 ball. Drew mirrors the release with accuracy from press and has the fluidity and agility to maneuver naturally around the field from a backpedal. He played against a lower level of competition, but his ball skills are translatable at a higher level. He's instinctive pre-throw and competitive at the catch point with natural hands to flip the field on interceptions. Drew will need to improve his play strength and prove he can run with vertical challengers, but he has the tools to make it in the league.

Inside/outside cornerback prospect who might be relied upon more heavily from the slot due to his lack of size and length. Still is scheme-independent, with the processing for zone and the foot quickness to play press and off-man. He plays with good anticipation to steal throws from zone and stay tight to route breaks over the first two levels. While he’s capable in press, he doesn’t have the burst to make up ground quickly when he whiffs against the release. Below-average make-up speed and length could be a concern, but Still has the coverage talent and scheme versatility to make a roster as a backup with some upside.

Feisty man cover cornerback with above-average competitiveness in coverage but missing some key attributes that might be necessary for true NFL success. Dixon gives out bumpy rides against press release and does a nice job of creating coverage leverage with his footwork, but he struggles to get his hips opened when crossed up or when flipping to match a vertical route. He has below-average speed deep but can smother routes with physicality and ball skills when he stays attached. His technique and effort as a tackler needs to improve. The cover skills are fine, but questionable NFL speed and fluidity could create too many coverage inconsistencies as a pro.

Based purely on the cornerback tape, it would be easy to dismiss Watts as an NFL prospect, but once we fit the pieces together and project him as a safety, it changes the evaluation. Watts simply doesn’t have the quickness and agility to stay at cornerback with much success in man coverage. However, he’s already built like a safety and possesses tremendous length with a willingness to lean into the aggression for the position change. Watts' measurables and demeanor will work in his favor, but his impressive NFL Scouting Combine testing should create additional push for his draft stock and chances of becoming a backup safety with core special teams value.

A slender cornerback with plus athleticism and speed, Smith-Wade is a capable defender in zone or man coverages. He’s below the desired NFL mark on height and weight for an outside cornerback, which could hurt his draft slotting. Smith-Wade is a sticky man-cover corner when he gets into the receiver and he has closing burst that can make up for lost ground. He can be feast-or-famine in zone coverage, as he tends to look to jump short throws and loses his deep-cover responsibility. He could end up outplaying his draft slot due to his ball skills, competitiveness and athletic traits.

Starter for the better part of three years while at Ole Miss. Prince plays with an upright posture and lacks desired hip fluidity in his transitions. He could become a more effective press corner but needs to play with greater physicality and effort. He allows receivers ample workspace as route runners due to the amount of deep zone coverage Ole Miss runs but might have the athletic ability to squeeze routes tighter if asked to play more man. He has average instincts and an average nose for the football. His size and willingness in run support help and could make him a Day 3 selection with a chance to become a CB4/5.

Highly athletic cornerback with a ball-hawking mindset. Funderburk’s coverage technique needs work, but he has the fluidity and make-up speed to overcome early missteps. He is constantly searching for chances to make plays and has the instincts and burst to do just that. He can be unsound in maintaining positioning and finding the ball when routes head downfield. Funderburk has the foot quickness and hips to reduce inside to the slot and he is wired to handle run support when it’s time. Funderburk’s athletic profile and ball production might be indicators of an ability to make a roster and eventually earn playing time.

Anusiem is a big, strong outside cornerback whose lack of ball production could cancel out his favorable size. He doesn’t have ideal top-end speed or closing burst, but he’s a decent athlete in space. He’s more interested in covering than finding the football and taking it away, and that is unlikely to change in the NFL. He might not have the necessary speed to stick at cornerback, but his tackling success and size give him a chance to try his hand at safety.

Ball-hawking cover man with impressive instincts and rare ball production. Abraham is highly experienced as a wide corner, but a lack of size will necessitate a move to the slot. He plays with greedy eyes and is constantly looking to make a play on the football. He looks twitchier on tape than he did at his pro day and already possesses NFL-caliber ball skills. His technique and pad level can be sloppy, and that must be ironed out if he is to have a shot at covering NFL slot targets. His aggressive mindset extends to his hitting and tackling. Abraham is capable in man or zone coverage, but zone might give him the best chance to shine at the next level.

Finesse nickel cornerback with above-average ball skills to help make up for average speed and explosiveness. Hardy will need to play with better route anticipation in man to make up for his average acceleration and recovery when beaten. He plays with excellent positioning and timing to disrupt catch attempts down the field and in tight quarters, but handling the physicality of the NFL could be a steep challenge for him. Hardy is a solid punt returner and can compete for gunner reps but might not have the suddenness and size to stand out in those respective roles.

A full-time starter at Cincinnati in 2022 and Maryland in 2023, Sheppard is an outside cornerback with above-average size and adequate length. However, he lacks the technique and experience to handle NFL opponents right now. Sheppard can slow the release from press but struggles to maintain both his balance and composure as the route travels downfield. He lacks instincts and anticipation from off coverages but should improve his route squeeze with additional training. Size isn’t teachable, so if he proves he can run with enough speed, Sheppard will have a chance to potentially land on a practice squad for a longer runway of development.

Nickel cornerback with the traits and toughness for consideration as a fill-in safety if needed. Harper’s only season as a starter came in his single year at Notre Dame but he looked capable in his role. He’s tenacious in coverage and as a run defender. He has above-average explosiveness and the ability to make up ground when needed. He stays hyper focused on his man in coverage and lacks ideal eye balance and length to make plays on the football. Harper needs work in both man and zone coverages, but he has the traits, toughness and upside to have a chance once he gets into a camp.

Highly experienced cornerback with good build and average speed. Roland-Wallace has the athleticism and play strength to disrupt the catch, but tight hips and average instincts limit opportunities for takeaways. He allows too much pitch and catch in front of him in off-man but is a much tougher matchup when pressing. He has the patience and footwork to match releases and is quick to get into the receiver's face from there. Roland-Wallace is just average shadowing patterns and doesn't have a big make-up burst in recovery. The size, strength and talent are worthy of a Day 3 selection and future backup opportunity.

An explosive cornerback prospect with intoxicating long speed, Lovely fails to fully capitalize on his dynamic athletic traits. His tape can be frustrating, as he simply doesn’t play with enough anticipation or aggression to squeeze the route and jump the throws. He can make up ground when he falls behind and has an instant accelerator to break downhill on throws. Lovely’s athleticism, speed and potential might be worth a look, but he will likely need to show more of a willingness to take chances in coverage before he can earn a roster spot.

Athletic cornerback with quality ball skills but missing the functional size for the league. Johnson plays with good mirror-and-match footwork from press and has some talent to make plays on the throw from trail positioning. He’s athletic in space and transitions on route breaks with adequate quickness. He struggled staying with Colorado’s deep threats but the speed he showed at his pro day alleviated concerns about his ability to carry vertical threats. His size and build should force him to play inside, and his limitations in run support could be a major red flag for teams.

King's 2022 performance was significantly better than what he put on tape in 2023, but it might not be enough to sway some evaluators. King was consistently rocked out of position by route breaks over the first two levels and didn't find the ball frequently enough with his back to the passer on deep shots. He doesn't have the fluidity to just mirror and match routes, so he'll need to get back to playing more physically from press to slow down route momentum. King is more than capable of tilting 50/50 balls in his favor when he's in position, but finding positioning in man or zone coverages as a pro could be very challenging.

Long-limbed press corner with physical attributes certain teams are sure to covet. Torrence is a menace from press, where he crouches and jabs the release with relative consistency. He has the tools to smother simple routes but gives away separation at sharper break points. He can stride with deep routes and has the make-up speed to close ground when beaten. He’s not built for mirror-and-match coverage and is very average in deep zones. Torrence can flip the 50/50 ball in his favor but might not have the instincts or ball-tracking to post the production one might expect from a player with his traits. He will be at his best working with limited coverage focus in press-man, but his execution as a tackler is a concern.

The evaluation of Cooper will come down to what a team is willing to live with. He has decent size with good athletic ability to play both inside and outside. He’s a quick responder to route breaks and can be smothering in man coverage underneath. He feels smaller than his listed height and weight and can be exploited by big targets on contested catches. Cooper’s speed at his pro day was very disappointing, and his tape is littered with missed and broken tackles that led to way too many additional yards. The tape has positive flashes, but he might have to make a roster as an undrafted free agent.

Tall nickel cornerback who could get some looks as a backup safety. Johnson is a relatively fluid athlete with good explosion numbers and adequate top-end speed. He frequently covers the slot in man or zone but allows too much operating space for opponents in his man coverage. He doesn’t play with the burst or instincts to make many plays on the football but he’s usually in pretty good position to make quick tackles. He does a good job of playing with vision and recognition from zone but falls below average in run support. Johnson’s traits give him a chance to fight for a practice-squad spot.

Man-cover cornerback with adequate size and toughness and above-average speed. Dial has the physical attributes for consideration as a pro, but he needs to improve his technique and pad level to prevent so many pitch and catch throws on the pro level. He’s tenacious when the route travels vertically but he’s an inconsistent ball-tracker and relies on face guarding on most throws. Dial’s pre-snap recognition and instincts fall below the mark and his run support is below average. He could be a late-round pick but might struggle to make a team.

Undersized safety and below-average tackler who might be better served by a full-time move to nickel corner. He can flip his hips and match patterns but has average lateral burst to stay connected to the route. Banks is unreliable as a tackler in both run support and when racing after plays from his high-safety positioning. His size and athletic profile help, but his lack of starting experience and ball production could hurt his prospects to be drafted.

After six years and three college stops, Bishop burst on the scene with major ball production in 2023. He was frequently targeted as an undersized outside corner at West Virginia and gave up his share of catch yardage. Bishop struggles with a lack of speed and length when beaten early in man coverage and allows easy catches in front of him from shuffle technique. When in phase, Bishop’s quick feet and burst to close allow him to attack passing lanes and disrupt the catch. He plays with adequate aggression against the run and is best suited playing from the slot with his eyes forward from short-zone and off-man coverages.

Draftable prospect with slightly undersized frame as a wide cornerback. Wallace was a three-time captain at UMass before transferring to Michigan. He’s a natural leader with a history of searching out challenges and putting in the work to succeed. He plays with adequate athleticism in man but lacks the size and length to control bigger NFL targets. Wallace is a natural route-reader, which creates opportunities for early jumps and pass breakups but an average closing burst limits his takeaway total. He’s smart, can play in a variety of cover schemes and was a good tackle-finisher at Michigan. Wallace does his job and has the intangibles to compete for a backup spot but needs to put a decent 40-yard dash time on the board.