NFL · 11 months ago

2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Best 40 Cornerbacks Available

John Canady

Host · Writer

40) Warren Burrell, Georgia Tech
Warren Burrell spent five seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Georgia Tech. The Georgia native showed flashes throughout his college career, but could never put it all together. Now, he looks to try his luck at the next level.
1) Travis Hunter, Colorado
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Travis Hunter is undeniably one of, if not the most versatile players in this NFL Draft class. The playmaker showed out at both corner and wide receiver in college, and he hopes to play both positions in the NFL. Between his size, athleticism, and ball skills, Hunter ranks at the top of this list, as he will likely be selected as a top-three pick when it's all said and done.
2) Will Johnson, Michigan
Will Johnson is a polished corner with good size and top-notch instincts. It wouldn't be surprising if many ranked him as the top corner in this draft class. Still, some of the inconsistencies as a run defender and deep ball coverage slot him in at No. 2 for me. Nonetheless, with his traits, Johnson has all the tools in the toolshed to develop into the top corner of this class at the next level.

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3) Jahdae Barron, Texas
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Jahdae Barron can play anywhere on the field and proved that in college. The defender lined up outside, in the slot, and even in the box as a dime linebacker throughout the season for the Texas Longhorns. Barron was one of the biggest reasons that Texas had a top defense in the nation this past season, and he looks to bring the same dynamic ability to the NFL.
4) Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
Azareye'h Thomas is a name not many people have paid attention to heading into this draft, but his tape speaks for itself. At six-foot-two, his size matches his physical play style, a dream combination for many NFL head coaches and general managers. Thomas has areas that need improvement, but he has all the tools to improve in every area and be a lockdown corner in the pros.

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5) Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Wide Receivers

Maxwell Hairston has confidence off the field, which directly translates to his play on the field. The corner takes each challenge on the field personally and consistently looks to prove he's one of the best players. He's quick, athletic, and has the size to be a dynamic playmaker at the next level. Like nearly every prospect on this list, Hairston has areas that need improvement, but he might adapt quickly as he develops in the pros.
6) Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Benjamin Morrison is one of the most talented corners in this upcoming draft class but is also one of the scariest options in the drafts. The Notre Dame defender looked like an absolute stud for the Fighting Irish, but after two hip injuries that each required surgery, the biggest question is how often he would be on the field. If he can put the injury history in the past, he could be a major steal, but he also has tremendous bust concerns due to his medical problems.

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7) Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
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Following a dominant season in 2023 for Shavon Revel Jr., the corner entered this past season with first-round buzz for when the NFL Draft came around this April. However, an ACL injury ended his final year in college and now looks to be a driving factor for why he's falling on many team's draft boards. Despite the injury, the six-foot-three has the tools and physicality to be a proper lockdown corner at the next level, and if he can return to his play of 2023 form, Revel Jr. could make a lot of teams wish they didn't let his injury keep them from taking the gamble.
8) Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Trey Amos played for three teams in five seasons throughout his college journey. The corner finally found a fit with Ole Miss, where he got the opportunity to prove how impactful he can be in the secondary. Amos totaled 50 tackles, 13 pass defenses, three interceptions, and a forced fumble in his lone season playing for Lane Kiffin, and he put his name on the map for this upcoming draft class.

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9) Denzel Burke, Ohio State
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Denzel Burke spent four seasons at Ohio State, where he had an up-and-down career in a Buckeyes jersey. The Arizona native has shown flashes of his versatility in the secondary with his instincts and athleticism. Still, his aggressive play style has caused him to be burnt in coverage. If he can continue to develop and fine-tune his decision-making when to gamble on plays and when to play it safe in coverage, Burke has it all to be a corner that can be relied on at the next level.
10) Darien Porter, Iowa State
Darien Porter spent five seasons at Iowa State before finally entering the NFL Draft. The six-foot-four corner is raw, and his stats don't pop out at you, at least not for box score watchers. However, the versatile defensive back has shown strides in his development, and his RAS score has NFL teams raving about his potential. At the next level, under the right coaching staff, Porter has everything he could need to be a top-tier corner.

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11) Cobee Bryant, Kansas
Cobee Bryant may not have had as flashy of stats as some of the top names in the draft class, but the Kansas product put together three solid seasons for the Jayhawks, improving each year. In 2024, the corner finished with 37 total tackles, seven pass defenses, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks. With good size and more than capable speed, Bryant has the tools to succeed at the next level.
12) Zy Alexander, LSU
Zy Alexander spent three seasons at SE Louisiana before transferring to LSU in 2023. In his two seasons with the Tigers, the corner showed NFL-level flashes but struggled with consistency. Alexander is a big-framed corner with plenty to work with as a secondary project in the NFL.
13) Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan
Bilhal Kone is another prospect who may not get the recognition he deserves playing for a smaller school, but that doesn't take away from his talent. The Western Michigan product racked up 70 total tackles, eight pass defenses, and an interception this past season. He could be a steal in the later rounds with his impressive tackling ability and instincts.
14) Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
Jacob Parrish entered 2024 with high expectations following a strong season in 2023, where he totaled nine pass defenses and four interceptions. The corner didn't duplicate the production this past season, but it wasn't due to a lack of trying. Many teams did their best to avoid passing in the defender's direction, but even then, he racked up seven pass defenses and an interception in his final season with the Wildcats. Parrish relies on his ball skills as a smaller corner, which could come in handy on the next level.
15) Jaylin Smith, USC
Jaylin Smith spent four seasons at USC, seemingly improving each year. The corner wasn't known for his ability to force turnovers, but he proved to be a more than capable tackler with the Trojans. Keep an eye on Smith in the later rounds, but impress similarly to the start of Jaylon Jones's career with the Colts.
16) Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
Alijah Huzzie started his college career at ETSU before landing at UNC after an impressive 2022 campaign. The experienced defender has continued producing at a high level with the Tar Heels, showing off his instincts in coverage and underrated tackling ability. As a bit of a smaller corner, he uses his IQ to win reps, but at the next level, that alone could earn him plenty of playing time.
17) Quincy Riley, Louisville
Quincy Riley is one of the more experienced defensive backs in the draft, and his six years of college football have benefited his development. The Louisville defender has been a reliable secondary option for the Cardinals, and his versatility is a big reason why. Riley could be a steal in the later rounds.
18) Justin Walley, Minnesota
Justin Walley is another four-year player set to enter the NFL Draft next month. The defensive back impressed during his time with the Golden Gophers, especially this past year, totaling 42 tackles, 10 pass defenses, and a very impressive 32-yard pick-six. Although he may not be a star corner at the next level, he has the traits to develop into a reliable starter.
19) Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
Upton Stout spent two seasons at North Texas before transferring to Western Kentucky in 2022. Last offseason, many expected the talented corner to enter the NFL Draft, but he chose to return for another season with the Hilltoppers. Doing so, the Texas native proved to make a wise decision, putting together a career year.
20) Nohl Williams, Cal
Nohl Williams spent three years at UNLV before transferring to Cal, where he spent his final two seasons of college football. The defensive back has been a reliable playmaker on each squad, and he looks to build off his seven-interception season heading into the NFL. Williams may be a sleeper pick to keep an eye on.
21) Mello Dotson, Kansas
Mello Dotson spent five seasons at Kansas, and he showed improvement throughout each year. In his final season with the Jayhawks, the defensive back totaled 49 tackles, six pass defenses, five interceptions, and a forced fumble. He has all the tools to be a reliable secondary option at the next level.
22) O'Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
O'Donnell Fortune spent five years at South Carolina, but he didn't start making a noticeable impact until his senior year. The six-foot-one corner put together a career-year in 2024, totaling 47 tackles, three interceptions, three pass defenses, and a forced fumble. Fortune could be an intriguing prospect for multiple teams at the next level.
23) Tommi Hill, Nebraska
Tommi Hill started his college career at Arizona State before transferring to Nebraska in 2022. The defensive back didn't show much in his senior year, but the flashes in his junior year could be why a team drafts him. Hill will be a raw prospect, but he has the talent to succeed.
24) Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
Robert Longerbeam enters the NFL Draft after four solid seasons at Rutgers. As a bit of an undersized corner back, the Scarlet Knights' product tends to rely on his football IQ, but often it works out in his favor. Expect teams to be interested in Longerbeam in the later rounds of the draft.
25) Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
Jason Marshall Jr. is another four-year corner set to enter the NFL Draft. The Miami native showed flashes during his time with the Gators, but never could put it all together. Marshall Jr. could be a late-round draft pick or a priority undrafted free agent.
26) Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
Jordan Hancock spent five seasons at Ohio State, where he developed each year. The Buckeyes defender put together a career-year in 2024, totaling 48 tackles, eight pass defenses, two forced fumbles, an interception, and 0.5 sacks. Now, he enters his name into the NFL Draft.
27) Brandon Adams, UCF
Brandon Adams spent four seasons at UCF, where he showed flashes but struggled to put it all together. At six-foot-three, the defender has the traits to be a big-time playmaker at the next level. However, potential doesn't always get you drafted, especially if you struggled to produce.
28) Mac McWilliams, UCF
Another UCF defender to enter the NFL Draft is Mac McWilliams. The defender joined the Knights ahead of the 2024 season after spending four years at UAB. McWilliams has the tools and instincts to be a reliable player at the next level, but he also has areas to clean up to stay on a roster.
29) Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
Jabbar Muhammad played for three teams over five seasons in college. In his recent stop at Oregon, the Texas native showed NFL-caliber play. Like any other late-round defender, Muhammad has weaknesses. However, he also has strengths that could work in his favor come draft day.
30) Jermari Harris, Iowa
Jermari Harris spent four seasons at Iowa before deciding to enter the NFL Draft. The six-foot-one corner reeled in eight interceptions throughout college, showcasing his ball-hawk instincts. That alone could get home looked at in the later rounds of the draft as a flier pick.
31) Isas Waxter, Villanova
Isas Waxter has spent the last three seasons at Villanova. In his final year with the Wildcats, the six-foot-two defender totaled 29 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two pass defenses. Now, he'll put his name in the upcoming draft class.
32) Johnathan Edwards, Tulane
Johnathan Edwards spent his first three seasons at Indiana State before transferring to Tulane ahead of the 2024 season. In his lone year with the Green Wave, the corner racked up 24 tackles and one pass defense. Edwards will likely be a flier pick in the late rounds.
33) Shamari Simmons, Arizona State
Shamari Simmons transferred to Arizona State in 2023 after two impressive seasons at Austin Peay. The defender spent two seasons with the Sun Devils, where he impressed with his versatility. Simmons can play both safety and corner, but he'll likely be asked to spend more time at corner at the next level.
34) Corey Thornton, Louisville
Corey Thornton started his college journey at UCF, where he spent four seasons before transferring to Louisville. The corner put together an impressive season in his one year with the Cardinals, totaling 38 tackles, six pass defenses, and two interceptions. Thornton could be a solid option in the later rounds of the draft.
35) Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
Jordan Oladokun enters the draft after spending three seasons at Bowling Green. This past year, the six-foot corner totaled 35 tackles, seven pass defenses, and five interceptions for the Falcons. With natural instincts in coverage, Oladokun could be an intriguing developmental prospect.
36) Melvin Smith Jr., Southern Arkansas
Melvin Smith Jr. spent this past season at Southern Arkansas. Despite playing at a small school, the talented defender got the chance to prove he belongs at the Senior Bowl. He heads to the NFL Draft, where he'll likely be an intriguing prospect in later rounds.
37) Cameron Oliver, UNLV
Cameron Oliver spent four seasons at UNLV, where he flashed his ability to be a reliable secondary defender. The Texas native totaled 33 tackles, 10 pass defenses, three interceptions, and a sack for the Rebels this past season. Oliver could hear his name called on Day 3.
38) Tyron Herring, Delaware
Tyron Herring spent the last two seasons at Delaware, where he put his name on the map. The six-foot-two corner totaled 30 tackles, two pass defenses, and one interception this past year. Although his stats don't stand out, the defender's instincts could earn him a spot at the next level.
39) Cam Lockridge, Fresno State
Cam Lockridge started his college career at Hawaii before transferring to Fresno State. The Florida native impressed this past season with the Bulldogs, totaling seven pass defenses and five interceptions. Lockridge could be a steal in the later rounds.
40) Warren Burrell, Georgia Tech
Warren Burrell spent five seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Georgia Tech. The Georgia native showed flashes throughout his college career, but could never put it all together. Now, he looks to try his luck at the next level.
1) Travis Hunter, Colorado
NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Safeties

Travis Hunter is undeniably one of, if not the most versatile players in this NFL Draft class. The playmaker showed out at both corner and wide receiver in college, and he hopes to play both positions in the NFL. Between his size, athleticism, and ball skills, Hunter ranks at the top of this list, as he will likely be selected as a top-three pick when it's all said and done.

2025 NFL Draft Rankings: Best 40 Cornerbacks Available

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