NFL Draft News & Analysis

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Cornerbacks

2RWN74E Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) returns a punt during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The 2024 cornerback group could produce multiple starters at the NFL level.

Toledo‘s Quinyon Mitchell looks to be the odds-on favorite for the CB1 title, but players such as Terrion Arnold and Nate Wiggins could also be in that mix.

Cooper DeJean is a multi-position defensive back who could be very high on certain boards. There will also be a handful of cornerbacks drafted outside of Round 1 who will be contributors.

Here are the top 10 cornerbacks in the class.

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1. CB COOPER DEJEANIOWA

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 8

The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it's because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


2. CB QUINYON MITCHELLTOLEDO

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 9

Mitchell has some of the best advanced coverage metrics PFF has ever recorded for a two-year sample size. He has all the ability in the world to be a CB1 at the next level.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


3. CB TERRION ARNOLDALABAMA

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 14

Arnold isn't the most polished cornerback in this class, but his high-percentile athletic abilities give him as high of a ceiling as any cornerback in man or zone systems.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


4. CB NATE WIGGINSCLEMSON

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 24

Wiggins has the tools of a first-round, high-impact cornerback. His athleticism will never be in question, nor will his competitiveness. Those two characteristics should yield a long-term starting player.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


5. CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRYALABAMA

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 26

McKinstry plays one of the most difficult positions in the game with so much poise and production. He might not be an elite athlete, but he is one of the smartest cornerback prospects you'll find. He can play in any defensive scheme and is the type of player you draft in the first round.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


6. CB MIKE SAINRISTILMICHIGAN

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 34

Every NFL team would love to have a player like Sainristil. He brings a great skill set and mentality to be a starting slot cornerback, with safety and special teams versatility to boot. He should be viewed as one of the top “football players” in this draft, regardless of position.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


7. CB ENNIS RAKESTRAW JR.MISSOURI

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 46

Rakestraw possesses a high football IQ and does great work in off-coverage when he can anticipate with space. He is a quick and controlled cornerback who will provide reliability as a run defender. His traits are worthy of a top-50 draft pick, but his lack of production might mean that he falls out of that range.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


8. CB T.J. TAMPAIOWA STATE

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 51

Tampa's unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick. If he can clean up his footwork, he can be a starting outside cornerback with the potential to be an impact player.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


9. CB KAMARI LASSITERGEORGIA

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 56

Lassiter is a competitive, scheme-versatile cornerback who can succeed in both man and zone assignments. While he isn't the best athlete at the position, he makes up for it in many ways, including through instincts and anticipation. He projects as a priority Day 2 selection as a future CB2.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board


10. CB Andru PhillipsKentucky

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 64

Phillips' physical profile makes him an interesting cornerback for a team that likes to play a lot of press coverage. He projects as a mid-round rotation player early in his career.

Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board

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