Best DB in 2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 20 Defensive Backs
Zack Cook
Host · Writer
1. Nate Wiggins - Clemson
There's much to like about Clemson product Nate Wiggins, which was highlighted by a solid 4.28-second 40-yard dash. Although Wiggins suffered an injury at the combine, he only increased his stock in our eyes.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 17 Overall
25. Caelen Carson - Wake Forest
There's much to build on with the potential that Caelen Carson brings out of Wake Forest. Carson is a strong run defender with a solid frame, helping him be a physical presence in the secondary.
24. Khyree Jackson - Oregon
Khyree Jackson has been through his fair share of adversity leading to the 2024 NFL Draft. At Oregon, Jackson demonstrated an ability to be a yes man and find ways to impact games in multiple ways. His versatility makes him a unique weapon.
23. Cole Bishop - Utah
When discussing football IQ with this 2024 draft class, Cole Bishop is near the top of the list when you're looking in the secondary. Bishop also brings versatility, which makes him someone who could be a riser on draft day.
22. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson - Texas Tech
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is great with adjustments, making him a player whose football IQ immediately pops when you watch him on tape. The former Texas Tech Red Raider is typically one step ahead on defense, making him someone who continues to build steam.
21. Andru Phillips - Kentucky
Although we're not as high as some on Andru Phillips, he's still a very quality prospect in his own right. Phillips has the tools to be an excellent pro at the next level. We're just waiting for him to put together the package we know he's capable of.
20. Calen Bullock - USC
Calen Bullock showed a lot of strong ball hawk tendencies at USC. There are some DBs that know how to make plays and create turnovers, which Bullock showed on a consistent basis as a Trojan.
19. Jaden Hicks - Washington State
An underrated skill of a DB is to have a strong football IQ, which Jaden Hicks possesses in spades. The former Washington State Cougar is a versatile weapon in the secondary, which teams will undoubtedly take notice of.
18. Kris Abrams-Draine - Missouri
Kris Abrams-Draine is a prospect who's stock continued to grow throughout his collegiate career. Players that show a knack for learning and are on a positive trajectory typically create buzz come draft weekend.
17. Renardo Green - Florida State
Although he's not a perfect prospect, the athleticism that Renardo Green displayed on a consistent basis at Florida State makes him interesting. He's far from a finished product, and a team that selects him will have a potential upside prospect on their hands.
16. DJ James - Auburn
If you're looking for one of the top coverage DBs in this draft class, DJ James is exactly that. He doesn't bring ideal size to the table, but more than makes up for it with his football IQ.
15. Kamren Kinchens - Miami
Kamren Kinchens has a lot of high-end center-field traits that make him pop in the secondary. Kinchens has strong ball-hawking skills and is an excellent under-the-radar prospect who should probably be getting more attention. A lackluster performance at the NFL Scouting Combine did him no favors.
14. Tyler Owens - Texas Tech
Tyler Owens is a new entrant into the top ten after a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He nearly set a record at the broad jump with a 12-foot-2, highlighting his athleticism, paired with his size.
13. Daequan Hardy - Penn State
Daequan Hardy is a prospect that has garnered attention of late. He might not have the ideal size, but he more than makes up for it with his speed, which allowed him to run a 40-yard dash with a time of 4.38 seconds. Hardy's stock is on the rise.
12. T.J. Tampa - Iowa State
T.J. Tampa plays a very tight press coverage and has the physicality which makes him pop on tape. Tampa has an old school football mentality, which hasn't gone out of style overnight.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 72 Overall
11. Javon Bullard - Georgia
It's not hard to be impressed about Javon Bullard's athleticism and versatility when looking at his game tape. Bullard popped for Georgia last year and was a key member of their secondary.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 71 Overall
10. Mike Sainristil - Michigan
Mike Sainristil was initially touted as an offensive player, but the switch to defense has paid off. His strong football IQ has helped elevate his skillset on defense, which makes him an interesting prospect to follow out of Michigan.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 60 Overall
9. Max Melton - Rutgers
With where the NFL currently sits from a defensive scheme standpoint, Max Melton does many things well that should make him an appealing prospect.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 45 Overall
8. Kamari Lassiter - Georgia
Kamari Lassiter is a cornerback from the University of Georgia who grew on us the more we watched him play. Lassiter is a high-end athlete who can add value on special teams and knows how to cover the perimeter. His combine numbers came in about where we expected, meaning there wasn't any movement on our list.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 36 Overall
7. Terrion Arnold - Alabama
Terrion Arnold brings a pro frame to the table, paired with high-end speed, which showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine. He didn't quite hit the number we expected in the 40-yard dash, but his speed still plays a significant role in his projection at the next level.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 30 Overall
6. Kool-Aid McKinstry - Alabama
With Kool-Aid McKinstry unable to test due to injury, this didn't help his overall draft stock. He'll be healthy and ready to go next season, but having a better idea of what needs work with this Alabama product would have been nice.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 28 Overall
5. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. - Missouri
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is a cornerback with a high football IQ and strong coverage skills. His physicality separates him in this draft class. Rakestraw Jr. didn't test well, but it shouldn't hinder his draft position a ton because of his key attributes.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 26 Overall
4. Tyler Nubin - Minnesota
Tyler Nubin could be higher on this list, but this is an appropriate range for the Minnesota product. Nubin is physically strong and is a high-end tackler with a good football IQ. His showing at the combine didn't leave us second-guessing him, which is what we expected.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 24 Overall
3. Cooper DeJean - Iowa
If you want to place Cooper DeJean as the top corner in this class, we won't fight you on it. Nothing that transpired over the weekend altered how we viewed the former Iowa Hawkeye. DeJean is still right there at the top of this DB class.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 23 Overall
2. Quinyon Mitchell - Toledo
If you're looking for a prospect who was thought of highly and tested well, Quinyon Mitchell is your guy. Mitchell's elite athleticism, strong vision, and great football IQ all popped over the weekend.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 19 Overall
1. Nate Wiggins - Clemson
There's much to like about Clemson product Nate Wiggins, which was highlighted by a solid 4.28-second 40-yard dash. Although Wiggins suffered an injury at the combine, he only increased his stock in our eyes.
SportsGrid Big Board No. 17 Overall
25. Caelen Carson - Wake Forest
There's much to build on with the potential that Caelen Carson brings out of Wake Forest. Carson is a strong run defender with a solid frame, helping him be a physical presence in the secondary.
