13 finest cornerbacks in 2024 NFL Draft, ranked

The 2024 NFL Draft contains a slew of thrilling cornerback prospects. From high-end first-rounders to late-round gems, there may be loads of expertise to be positioned all through all seven rounds.

SB Nation polled a number of of its draft analysts to find out the consensus top-ranked cornerbacks. Numerous variation was current with one participant’s vote unfold going from eight to 18, and one other going from three to 9.

Due to the variation, we recognized the 13 high cornerbacks by together with each prospect that obtained a top-10 vote.

13. Max Melton, Rutgers

Melton earned one eighth-place vote. The Scarlet Knights standout was among the finest performers on the NFL Mix. Melton posted the very best broad soar amongst all cornerbacks at 11-foot-4, his 40.5-inch vertical positioned third, and he ran a 4.39 40. Melton possesses eye-popping athleticism., and changing into a extra technically superior participant may assist Melton attain his efficiency ceiling.

12. Cam Hart, Notre Dame

Hart possesses eye-popping dimension for the place at 6-foot-3 and 202 kilos. The Baltimore native was among the many best cornerbacks in attendance on the Senior Bowl. Athleticism is clearly current after Hart posted a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad. Hart is flexible sufficient to thrive in man- or zone-heavy techniques, however he’s at his finest when allowed to cowl floor and work downhill in zone.

11. Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri

Abrams-Draine is one other versatile cornerback that’s prone to kick inside to the nickel. Abrams-Draine loved a standout efficiency at this 12 months’s Senior Bowl, showcasing competitiveness all through one-versus-one apply reps. The Cell, Alabama, native then ran a 4.42 on the NFL Mix. Uncommon ball abilities are on the forefront of Abrams-Draine’s ability set. He collected an impressive 40 profession passes defended and 7 interceptions at Missouri. Particular groups versatility can be current with Abrams-Draine having returned 32 kicks and punts in faculty.

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10. Mike Sainristil, Michigan

Measurement is the one query mark that qualifies as a destructive all through Sainristil’s scouting report. Sainristil sadly lacks the scale required to play boundary cornerback at 5-foot-9 and 182 kilos, doubtless making him a role-specific participant for an NFL protection. He nonetheless managed to earn one eighth-place vote. He was a key cog on a traditionally spectacular Michigan protection that led this system to the Nationwide Championship. Sainristil is among the many smartest defenders within the draft with an innate skill to diagnose route ideas.

9. Khyree Jackson, Oregon

He’s being underrated by many, and Jackson earned one seventh-place vote in our polling. Jackson firstly possesses excellent dimension for the place at 6-foot-3 and 194 kilos. Decrease-body explosion allowed Jackson to put up an 11-foot-1 broad soar on the NFL Mix, the third-best consequence amongst all collaborating cornerbacks. A former Alabama switch, Jackson produced 10 move breakups and three interceptions at Oregon this previous season.

8. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

There are dimension considerations current as Lassiter measured underneath 6-feet and weighing simply 186 kilos. Lassiter performs considerably larger on tape although. The Bulldogs defender is extraordinarily aggressive and bodily within the contact window. Lassiter can be versatile sufficient to play each nickel and boundary nook. That positional flexibility will endear itself to NFL defensive coordinators all through this course of.

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7. T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

One among our voters had Tampa all the way in which up at quantity three on the CB board, however nobody else had him top-six. Tampa possesses a close to 79-inch wingspan, which locations within the 89th percentile traditionally. Tampa makes use of that size to contend the catch level with 22 profession passes defensed. Instincts that allowed Tampa to thrive in Iowa State’s zone-heavy scheme are on the forefront of his enchantment.

6. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri

Rakestraw Jr. didn’t check notably nicely, however he’s one helluva soccer participant. Rakestraw Jr. showcases lightning-quick toes in protection and he makes fluid transitions to reflect his receiving task out and in of their breaks. Rakestraw Jr. has good size for the place and he likes to disrupt a receiver’s timing on the line of scrimmage.

5. Kool-Assist McKinstry, Alabama

McKinstry’s pre-draft course of has been difficult by harm. Widespread stories point out the proficient Alabama cowl man is scheduled to bear surgical procedure for a Jones fracture harm in his proper foot. The naturally gifted McKinstry nonetheless managed to run a 4.47 at Professional Day whereas nursing the harm. A crew could obtain a draft-weekend low cost on McKinstry, who blends athleticism, dimension and quickness to thrive in press-man protection.

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4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Whereas DeJean earned one second-place vote, he ranked decrease on each different poll. It’s a disgrace that DeJean wasn’t wholesome sufficient to carry out on the NFL Mix. League-wide whispers indicated he was able to working a 4.3 consequence. On tape, DeJean possesses the instincts essential to thrive a zone-heavy scheme.

3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Wiggins earned one in all our first-place votes, however nobody else had him greater than three. There are honest the explanation why Wiggins is a divisive prospect. The Clemson standout ran a position-best 4.28 on the NFL Mix, a consequence that was bested solely by Xavier Worthy’s record-setting 4.21. Play energy is a priority nevertheless after Wiggins weighed 173 kilos, a two-percentile quantity per MockDraftable, in Indianapolis.

2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Arnold obtained two first-place votes, however was additional down the listing for others. Arnold is a extremely athletic cornerback that possesses each software required to develop right into a high-end beginning nook. The Tallahassee native reportedly ran a 6.65 3-cone at Alabama’s Professional Day final week, which might have been the second-fastest consequence on the NFL Mix. Arnold is my private favourite to be the primary cornerback drafted in April.

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1. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Mitchell entered the pre-draft course of as an intriguing prospect after totaling 52 move breakups and 6 interceptions at Toledo, however NFL scouts needed to see how he’d carry out in opposition to higher competitors. Mitchell answered these questions by arguably being the very best general performer at this 12 months’s Senior Bowl. Mitchell continued impressing choice makers by working a 4.33 in Indianapolis. Mitchell has firmly established himself as a first-round decide.

All of our 2024 NFL Draft positional rankings