2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Cornerback

4/23/24: In 2023, Arnold totaled 61 tackles, five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. He has quality size to go along with instincts and good technique. A lack of speed is his only real flaw, and that presents some limitations for the NFL. Some team sources noted Arnold has ability and upside, but he needs to get tougher mentally, gain more confidence, and trigger on routes faster. Arnold seems to second-guess himself, but he is a good athlete with the body of an NFL starter. Arnold did not impress at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, which could lead to him not being the first cornerback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Arnold, however, is viewed as the safest cornerback prospect, based on his tape, so he could still be the first corner off the board.

9/2/23: Arnold played well for Alabama in 2022, recording 45 tackles, an interception and eight passes broken up. He has quality size to go along with quickness and athleticism. While Arnold has a really good skill set, he lacks instincts and makes some mental mistakes. Arnold struggles to find the ball in flight and has issues with awareness and feel. If Arnold can show improvement in his instincts, awareness and feel, he could rise.

4/23/24: Mitchell totaled 41 tackles, an interception and 18 passes defended in 2023. He was one of the most dynamic ball hawks in college football during 2022. That season, he racked up 42 tackles, five interceptions and 19 passes defended. Mitchell recorded 34 tackles, eight breakups, a sack and forced fumble in 2021.

Team sources love Mitchell’s combination of height, weight and speed. While he is raw and could use some development, he was superb at the Senior Bowl, blanketing and shutting down receivers. His ball skills are outstanding as well. Mitchell followed it up with an excellent performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He is in the running to go as a top-16 pick and be the first cornerback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: In 2023, Wiggins totaled 28 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and a sack. He broke into the starting lineup in 2022 and recorded 39 tackles, an interception and 11 passes defended. Wiggins has good height and length. He could stand to add a little weight to tackle and battle pro receivers, but team contacts said Wiggins’ weight was back in the 180s at his his pro day. Team sources said Wiggins’ run defense is weak and needs to improve, but in terms of true cover-corner ability, Wiggins is the most talented in this draft class. He is tall, fast, and fluid to run the route and prevent separation. Wiggins’ elite speed was put on display at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, but he has a skinny frame. Sources say minor character issues could cause him to slide somewhat in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: DeJean recorded 41 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up in 2023 before a season-ending lower leg injury. Multiple NFL team sources said they think DeJean’s best role in the pros would come as a safety and slot corner, although they do feel he could be a starting outside corner. However, a lack of juice could make him a better fit as a slot/safety hybrid. DeJean did not work at the combine, but he had an impressive workout in early April.

9/2/23: DeJean was all over the field for Iowa in 2022, making big plays on his way to totaling 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended. It was a breakout season for hum. DeJean is a gritty and instinctive defender. It will be interesting to see if DeJean is as large as his listed numbers and how well he is put together physically for the NFL. While he has played cornerback for Iowa, some team sources who have already done tape study on DeJean say they believe he would be a better fit at safety in the NFL.

4/23/24: McKinstry recorded 27 tackles and seven passes broken up in 2023. He really struggled against the Texas receivers, but performed better in other games. Team sources note McKinstry is big, has speed, and is good in press man, but he also is rigid and does not have good stop-start quickness or explosion. Those limit his versatility for different coverages in the NFL. Sources said McKinstry has a bad work ethic in training, a bad body, and is a lazy practice player who thinks he can get by because he is football smart. Hence, McKinstry is viewed as more of a late first- or second-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft.

9/2/23: Most freshman don’t play immediately for Nick Saban, but McKinstry was an anomaly. McKinstry notched 26 tackles, an interception, a pass broken up and a sack in 2021. In 2022, McKinstry recorded 35 tackles, a sack, an interception and 15 passes broken up.

There is no doubt that McKinstry has the size and talent to rise as he gains experience. He possesses upside and potential, but is more of a press-man corner only for the NFL. McKinstry is not a good fit to play zone or off-man coverage. Because of being an Alabama cornerback, McKinstry could get overhyped.

4/23/24: In 2023, Rakestraw recorded 35 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble. Team sources said they believe Rakestraw has the talent to be a potential second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rakestraw is regarded as being well-rounded, but not exceptional. Some in the media have projected him to go in the first round. In 2022 as a redshirt sophomore, Rakestraw started all 13 games and totaled 36 tackles, 12 passes broken up and an interception.

4/23/24: Lassiter notched 37 tackles and eight passes broken up in 2023. He put together an impressive season of smothering receivers and preventing separation. Lassiter is a good player with very solid instincts. However, he is not a big corner, and he ran a horrific 40 time at the Georgia pro day. Lassiter was timed in the 4.6s, which is scary slow for a NFL cornerback. That 40 time at his size could be a deathblow to his hopes of being a first-round pick.

9/2/23: Lassiter was behind some more experienced players before, but he has a good skill set and could be a breakout cover corner for the Bulldogs in 2023. He recorded 38 tackles and four passes batted in 2022. Like some other recent Georgia corners, Tyson Campbell and Kelee Ringo, Lassiter has speed and good size. However, his instincts are lacking along with not making plays on the ball.

4/23/24: In 2023, Melton recorded 32 tackles, three interceptions and six passes broken up. He had an excellent showing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Melton is an excellent athlete with upside, and if he develops well, he could be a very good pro starter.

9/2/23: Before Melton decided to return to Rutgers, WalterFootball.com reported in the Hot Press that some team sources thought Melton could have ended up as their highest-graded corner for the 2023 NFL Draft. They also felt he could have had the best 2022 tape of any cornerback prospect eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. In 2022, Melton went under the radar because of playing for a bad Rutgers team that did not qualify for a bowl game. He totaled 33 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes broken up on the year.

Melton is listed at 6-foot, 190 pounds, but NFL team sources say he might be more like 5-foot-11, 188 pounds. They note that Melton has excellent speed. He is super fast, which lets him shut down the deep part of the field. Receivers can’t outrun him, and he is a superb athlete who can mirror the route to prevent separation. Melton is a tough competitor and has a lot of upside.

4/23/24: In 2023, Hart recorded 21 tackles, three forced fumbles and four passes broken up, but the numbers don’t truly illustrate how well Hart played as a senior. He had a superb game against Marvin Harrison Jr., matching up with him in both size and speed. Hart moves well for a big cornerback and can play press-man, off-man, or zone coverage. As a run defender, his tackling could stand to improve, and he is a bit leggy, hence he might be more of a second-day pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. With his skill set and experience, Hart could become a pro starter.

9/2/23: Hart was decent in 2022, but he did not make big plays. Hart recorded 25 tackles, zero interceptions and four passes defended in 2022. He needs to produce more in 2023.

4/23/24: Over the course of 2023, Dixon totaled 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception and three passes broken up. He is a gritty cover corner with size and impressive instincts.

9/2/23: Dixon could be a mid-round talent for the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2022, he recorded 23 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defended while forming an excellent trio with Joey Porter Jr. and Kalen King. With King as Penn State’s No. 1 corner for 2023, Dixon should see favorable matchups against No. 2 and 3 receivers. Dixon could stand to add some weight to his frame for the NFL.

4/23/24: Bullard notched 56 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up in 2023. He played well despite being banged up.

9/2/23: Bullard is a corner/safety hybrid who is similar to Detroit Lions defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Brian Branch. In 2022, Bullard recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions, three passes broken up and 3.5 sacks. Bullard is highly instinctive, tough and physical, and has excellent feel and awareness. Bullard has a thinner frame, so it would help him to gain some weight for the NFL.

4/23/24: In 2023, Brownlee recorded 28 tackles, an interception and five passes broken up. Team sources love Brownlee’s physicality, and he is a “pit bull” on the field for his defense. Brownlee has some stiffness, but he has starting potential as a man cover corner.

9/2/23: Brownlee has produced two solid seasons in a row. In 2022, he totaled 66 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes broken up. For Florida State in 2021, he recorded 51 tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended.

4/23/24: Pritchett has risen this spring, with teams feeling he is a good option to develop thanks to a nice combination of size and speed. Pritchett does well taking on taller, longer receivers and is able to cover them in both zone and man. Faster receivers give him problems, so that is something for him to be coached up on in the NFL. In 2023, Pritchett totaled 22 tackles, an interception and three passes broken up. Sources from a few teams said Pritchett is in play for them in the third or fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Smith-Wade impressed team sources with his coverage ability in 2023. While being a little undersized could push Smith-Wade out of the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, he can cover, and some evaluators shared they think he could be a really good value pick. In 2023, Smith-Wade collected 36 tackles, zero interceptions and six passes defended. He recorded 43 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes batted away and three forced fumbles in 2022. Smith-Wade had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl and finished it with two interceptions in the actual game.

4/23/24: Abrams-Draine could have been a mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft before deciding to return to Missouri. In 2022, Abrams-Draine was a gritty defender, recording 48 tackles and 14 passes broken up. In 2021, he totaled 37 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended. Abrams-Draine could be more of a slot corner candidate for the NFL. In 2023, he had 51 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes broken up. Abrams-Draine played well for the Tigers and then had a solid performance at the Senior Bowl.

4/23/24: Sainristil came up with a lot of clutch plays during the 2023 season to help Michigan win a National Championship. On the year, Sainristil totaled 44 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and six passes batted. It was a huge season with a number of clutch moments. In 2022, he totaled 58 tackles, an interception, seven passes broken up and an interception. Sainristil has good instincts and is a willing tackler. As a pro, he would fit best as a slot corner.

4/23/24: Dial will continue the South Carolina tradition of producing draftable cornerbacks for the next level, as he flashed ability in 2022 in the starter role across from Cam Sutton. During 2022, Dial recorded three interceptions, 12 passes broken up and 45 tackles. He totaled 33 tackles and six breakups in the previous season. In 2023, he recorded 36 tackles and 10 passes broken up. Dial has a good skill set with speed and athleticism. However, some NFL team sources question his size and playing strength.

4/23/24: Tampa notched 44 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended over 2023.

9/2/23: Tampa is a big cornerback with size and length. In 2022, he recorded one interception, nine passes defended and 39 tackles. Tampa will need to show the ability to run with fast and twitchy receivers to rise for the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Green never had a big season of production in college, but he did work out well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. In 2023, Green notched 43 tackles, an interception and 12 passes broken up. He had 58 tackles and five breakups during the previous season. Green played well against LSU, showing some ability in press man.

4/23/24: Newton totaled 33 tackles, an interception and seven passes broken up in 2023. Team sources said they have Newton as a mid-rounder for the 2024 NFL Draft.

9/2/23: Newton played well in 2022, breaking out for the Horned Frogs. He totaled three interceptions, 15 passes broken up and 35 tackles. During the previous four seasons, he played at La.-Monroe. His beat season for La.-Monroe was in 2021 with eight breakups, two interceptions and 48 tackles.

4/23/24: Phillips was a solid cornerback for the Wildcats over the past two seasons. In 2023, Phillips recorded 48 tackles and five passes broken up. During 2022, he totaled 31 tackles and three breakups. Phillips has an adequate skill set to end up as a solid slot corner and special teams contributor. He worked out well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Team sources said Phillips was graded as a mid-rounder.

4/23/24: In 2023, Torrence recorded 37 tackles, one interception, two sacks and three passes broken up.

9/2/23: Torrence is a very tall and long cornerback who had an impressive 2022 season for the Sun Devils, recording 36 tackles, an interception and eight passes defended. Torrence’s fluidity and speed will be examined closely in 2023 to see if he can be more than a press-man corner.

4/23/24: Jackson is a big cornerback who is a gritty and competitive defender. He had only 14 tackles total over 2022 and 2021, but he broke out in 2023 with 34 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended. At the Senior Bowl, Jackson had a solid week of practice. Team sources said Jackson has a nice skill set, but he has major character problems that played a role in him getting kicked out of Alabama.

4/23/24: In 2023, Carson totaled 42 tackles, eight passes broken up and one forced fumble. He played well overall, but Florida State’s Keon Coleman got the better of him in their matchup. Carson is a tough and gritty corner, but his lack of speed led to him receiving some mid-round grades for the 2024 NFL Draft.

9/2/23: Carson was a solid corner for the Demon Deacons during the past two seasons. In 2022, he recorded 21 tackles, seven passes defended. He totaled 31 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups for 2021. Carson has good size, speed, and movement skills.

4/23/24: Jones is a tall cornerback with the length to defend on the outside. In 2023, he recorded 25 tackles, five interceptions and nine passes broken up. He totaled 34 tackles, two interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2022. Jones turned in a solid, if unimpressive, week of practice at the Senior Bowl. He then worked out well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

4/23/24: Hampton is a big cornerback who worked out well for a large corner at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. In 2023, he totaled 108 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes broken up. He could fit as a press-man cover in the NFL.

4/23/24: Drew turned in an impressive senior year, collecting 34 tackles, six interceptions and 16 passes broken up. That production landed Drew an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a decent week of practice. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Drew had a nice workout, which should help him. He previously played at James Madison.

4/23/24: McGlothern is a tall, skinny corner who needs to add some strength for the NFL. He showed ball skills with the Razorbacks, recording three interceptions in 2023 alongside six passes broken up. During the previous season, he notched four interceptions, 10 breakups, and 52 tackles. McGlothern is an interesting developmental prospect given his height, length, and ball skills.

4/23/24: Jones put together a phenomenal workout at the NFL 2024 Scouting Combine. In 2023, he totaled 25 tackles, three interceptions and three passes broken up. Jones is a good athlete with speed and has upside to develop. He is a better athlete than football player, but he could improve with pro coaching.

4/23/24: After playing at the junior college level, Johnson landed at Fresno State and earned playing time in 2022. He recorded 28 tackles an interception and six passes defended over that first season. In 2023, he totaled 54 tackles, four interceptions and seven passes broken up. While undersized, Johnson is a gritty player who has enough coverage skills to be a potential slot corner.

4/23/24: After playing at a few schools, Hadden eventually landed at Tennessee. He had a good 2023 season for the Volunteers, limiting opposing receivers. Hadden totaled three interceptions, seven passes broken up and 19 tackles on the year. He recorded 51 tackles, two interceptions and three breakups in 2022.

4/23/24: Monroe put up 48 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defended in 2023. He had a good season for the Green Wave. Monroe did not receive an invitation to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

9/2/23: Monroe started out his career at Nicholls State before transferring to Tulane. In 2022, Monroe played well for the Green Wave, recording 50 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defended. Monroe is a big corner, and if he can show the ability to cover fast and twitchy receivers, he could be a riser for the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Wallace would probably fit best as a nickel cornerback in the NFL. In 2023, he totaled 33 tackles and four passes broken up. For 2022, Wallace totaled 41 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defended.

4/23/24: Devonshire was a solid corner for the Panthers over the past couple of seasons. In 2022, he recorded 32 tackles with three interceptions and seven passes defended. As a senior, he totaled 32 tackles, four interceptions and 10 passes broken up. Devonshire could fit as a nickel corner in the NFL.

4/23/24: Roland-Wallace has some size and the talent to compete to be a backup in the NFL. In 2023, he had 37 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defended. Previously, Roland-Wallace played at Arizona State.

4/23/24: Prince is a fast cornerback, but has a thin frame. In 2023, he recorded 36 tackles, an interception and five passes defended. Over the previous three seasons, he totaled five interceptions and 16 breakups.

4/23/24: King was a different player in 2023 compared to 2022, significantly disappointing. In 2023, King notched 29 tackles, zero interceptions and two passes broken up. He gave up a lot of plays in coverage on a weekly basis, and he really struggled with Ohio State and its future NFL receivers. King also produced some bad tape at the Senior Bowl practices and ran extremely slowly at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Thus, King will be a challenging evaluation thanks to having good 2022 tape and poor 2023 tape.

9/2/23: While Joey Porter Jr. received all of the attention, King was Penn State’s best cornerback in 2022 and made more big plays. King totaled 30 tackles, three interceptions, 21 passes defended and one forced fumble on the year. Teams avoided throwing at Porter at times, and King was phenomenal when targeted. The Detroit, Michigan product King has quality size, is physical, tough and instinctive, plus makes a lot of plays on the ball.

4/23/24: Hardy is fast, but he is undersized and limited to competing as a slot corner. In 2023, he totaled 22 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended.

4/23/24: Cooper was a starter for two seasons at the College of San Mateo before joining Oregon State. In 2023, he started 10 games for the Beavers, recording three interceptions, 11 passes broken up and 45 tackles. For the NFL, he could compete as a nickel corner.

4/23/24: James totaled 38 tackles, nine passes batted and two interceptions in 2023. He was responsible for the blown coverage on the Hail Mary that cost the Tigers the game in their epic loss to Alabama.

9/2/23: James started out his college career at Oregon before transferring to Auburn for the 2022 season. He had 37 tackles, an interception and nine passes broken up in his Tigers debut. Over three seasons with the Ducks, James totaled 70 tackles, two interceptions and six breakups. James needs to fill out his frame for the NFL.

4/23/24: Harden had two seasons of solid play to put himself on the radar of NFL scouts. In 2023, he totaled 46 tackles, an interception and two passes defended. Harden recorded 38 tackles, three interceptions and six passes broken up in 2022.

4/23/24: Battle collected 46 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended in 2023.

9/2/23: Battle started out his college career at Alabama before transferring to the Wolfpack for the 2022 season. In 2022, he had two interceptions, five passes broken up and 34 tackles. Battle recorded 36 tackles, an interception and 10 passes defended in 2020 with the Crimson Tide.