2021 NFL Draft cornerback rankings: Patrick Surtain II leads strong group

One of the best positions in the 2021 NFL Draft is cornerback. The class has five players with first-round grades and ten players graded as either first or second-day selections. The group also includes some possible day three steals in Elijah Molden and Robert Rochell. In this post, we will rank all draftable cornerback prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Let’s get started.

1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
6-foot-2, 202 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round

Patrick Surtain II has been one of the highest regarded recruits ever since he came out of high school and was rated as the top corner in the 2018 recruiting class. As a freshman, he was named a Freshman All-American and started 12 games for the Tide. This past season Surtain was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after allowing fewer than 25 yards receiving against him in 10 of the 13 games he started.

The thing that stands out as soon as you turn on the film with Surtain is how technically sound he is especially in press coverage. He shows great feet while playing press coverage and also uses his hands extremely well in this area. He has the length the NFL craves as well and uses his long arms to redirect receivers extremely well. One other positive with him is how willing he is to come up and support the run.

One of the few issues with Surtain is his short-area quickness. While he timed a 4.42 40-yard dash, he only posted average numbers on the 20 and 10-yard shuttles and did not do the three-cone drill. This lack of quickness also shows up on film since he is not great at closing the cushion a receiver gets on him as quickly as some other corners can. One more issue with Surtain is he only has four career interceptions, however, he does do a good job of breaking up passes evident by his a12 pass breakups last season.

While Surtain might not be the playmaker some corners are, he is worth a high first-round pick. He would make a ton of sense for the Cowboys who hold the 10th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

2. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
6-foot-1, 207 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round

A player who is still learning the cornerback position is Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech. Farley was a high school quarterback and spent his first year in college as a wide receiver. He made the switch from wide receiver to corner in 2018 and has been an impact player ever since. The best year of his career was in 2019 he was named first-team All-ACC and led the conference in passes defended with 16. Overall, Farley finished with 25 passes defended and six interceptions in just 24 games played.

The thing that has scouts so impressed with Farley is his physical skills. He recently ran a 4.28 40-yard dash which is amazing for someone 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds. He shows this speed on film as well, as he is very rarely beat deep and also has the quickness to get in and out of his cuts with the best of them. Another positive with Farley is his ball skills. He does a very good job of playing the ball for a prospect who has only played corner for two years evident by his high number of passes defended.

The biggest issue with Farley is his injury history. He has battled numerous back injuries in college and will be coming off back surgery this offseason. Farley also missed the 2017 season with a torn ACL. Farley will need some time in the NFL to live up to his potential since his technique is still very raw and he tends to play high at times. One more area Farley needs to improve is on his tackling due to him missing his share of tackles.

Overall, Farley has the most upside of any cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, his history of injuries and the fact he still needs time to learn the finer aspects of the corner position could push him down to the later part of the first round.

3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
6-foot-1, 200 pounds
2021 NFL draft grade: First round

Another corner who made an impact from day one in the SEC is Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina. As a freshman, he started 10 games and became just the seventh true freshman to start in the season opener in Gamecock history. In 2019, he started all 12 games and led the team with nine pass breakups. This past season he only played in seven games but still was named second-team All-SEC. He wrapped up his career with South Carolina with a strong pro day where he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and had a 41.5-inch vertical jump.

A team looking for a long, athletic and fast corner will love what Horn has to offer. According to Kent Lee Platte of Pro Football Network, Horn posted the most impressive testing numbers of any cornerback in the past 34 years at his pro day. To go along with these impressive testing numbers Horn is a physical corner who does an outstanding job of breaking up the pass with his physical coverage.

While Horn does an outstanding job of playing man-to-man, he does have some troubles in zone coverage. This is due to him only showing average awareness when it comes to mirroring receiver routes. Another concern with him is that despite breaking up 23 passes over the past three years he has only intercepted two passes over the same time frame. One more thing Horn can work on is how well he plays the run. He is not very aggressive when it comes to getting off blocks and also misses his share of tackles.

Two teams that seem to be showing a lot of interest in Horn are the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals. Both of these teams pick in the middle of the first round where Horn will likely come off the board and his playing style would be a good fit for both teams.

4. Eric Stokes, Georgia
6-foot-1, 185 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round

Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes is a player who keeps improving each year. As a freshman, Stokes started three games for the Bulldogs and was also a key member of the team’s special team unit. In 2019 Stokes was named a second-team All-SEC pick after leading the team in pass breakups with nine. This past season he finished with four picks and was named an All-American. Stokes finished his college career with a great pro day where he ran a 4.29 40-yard dash.

As a prospect one of the pluses with Stokes is his length. Coming in at 6-foot-1 and with 32 ¾ inch arms, he has the size to play press coverage in the NFL. To go along with his size Stokes is also physical at the line of scrimmage. However, the top trait with this prospect is his speed evident by his 40-yard dash and overall quick play on the field.

While Stokes has held up well in press coverage in the NFL he will need to work on his footwork in the NFL, to play it at a similar level. His poor footwork tends to lead to him grabbing receivers at times which will surely get called in the NFL. While Stokes is physical in coverage he is not the most physical player when it comes to stopping the run, which could cause concerns for some teams.

5. Greg Newsome, Northwestern
6-foot-1, 190 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round

Northwestern’s Greg Newsome has had back-to-back strong seasons, which could be enough to earn himself a first-round draft grade. In 2019, Newsome led the Wildcats and finished second in the Big Ten with 11 pass breakups. He built on that strong season in 2020 when he was named first-team All-Big 10 after allowing over 50 yards receiving in a game only once that season.

Part of the reason Newsome has risen so much up draft boards lately is his strong numbers at his Pro Day. These numbers include a 4.38 40-yard dash and a vertical jump of 40-inches. When watching his game he shows good awareness as well in Northwestern’s cover-3 defense. Yet another reason why teams are so high on him is his ability to make plays on the ball evident by his 20 pass breakups over the past two seasons.

One concern teams have with Newsome is that he did not face very many top-level receivers while at Northwestern. This past season he did not face any receivers who will be drafted on the first or second day of the 2021 NFL Draft. Another issue with him is he has battled injuries each year he has been in college, including a groin injury that limited his time in the Big Ten Championship game.

6. Tyson Campbell, Georgia
6-foot-2, 185 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Second round

A prospect who has not put up great college production but is still highly thought of is Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell. Over his career at Georgia, Campbell has only recorded one interception and nine passes defended during his three years as a starter. Despite this lack of production he is still projected to go late in the first round or early second-round due to his measurables.

At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Campbell has the ideal size to play in the NFL. He moves well for someone his size and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day. Another benefit with him is he is solid in man-to-man coverage and has the size and speed to match up with most receivers in the NFL.

The biggest issue with Campbell has been his up and down play during his career with the Bulldogs. He was never named even an honorable mention All-SEC selection and he was beaten numerous times when going up against NFL-caliber players last year. Some of the biggest deficiencies in his game include a lack of awareness, questionable ball skills and overall raw technique.

While some projections have Campbell going at the end of round one that would be a major reach. This is too high for him as he is more of just a player with great tools instead of a productive good football player. The skillset Campbell offers would make the most sense at the end of the second round.

7. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
6-foot-2, 205 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Third round

2020 was a breakout year for Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu who was named to the 2020 All-ACC team. This past season he finished the year with 55 tackles and finished 5th in the ACC in pass breakups with nine. In 2019 he led the team in pass breakups with eight but missed two games due to injury. He also missed several games in 2018 due to injury.

The first positive with Melifonwu is his size, and he could be the ideal match for a team that plays cover-two due to this. Unlike some corners in this draft who have good size, he moves very well for a player with his length. He was able to put up some strong testing numbers including a 41.5-inch vertical jump. One other reason he has the potential to be a starting corner in the NFL is how physically he plays. He has no trouble coming up and jamming a receiver or supporting the run.

While Melifonwu has the physical traits to play at the next level he needs to improve his mental game. He shows average awareness in coverage and at times loses track of the man he is supposed to be covering in zone coverage. He tends to give a big cushion when lined up in man coverage as well. It is also not working in his favor that he has missed multiple games due to injury in two of his three years at Syracuse.

8. Asante Samuel Jr, Florida State
5-10, 184 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Third round

Florida State’s Asante Samuel Jr. is another prospect in this draft class who has great bloodlines as his dad Asante Samuel Sr. played 11 years in the NFL. Samuel has been a productive starter in the Seminoles lineup being named an All-ACC pick in 2019 and 2020. Over these two years, Samuel has broken up 20 passes and picked off six balls.

The top trait Samuel possesses is his football IQ. He shows good awareness in coverage and also plays with sound technique. His ball skills are another thing he has working in his favor. He shows good drive when it comes to breaking up the pass and also has the athletic ability to make the tough interception. One other plus with Samuel is his competitive attitude as he is not afraid to challenge receivers or come up to stop the run.

The reason Samuel has a third-round draft grade comes down to his size, and how he will likely be limited to a nickel corner due to his lack of height and bulk. He has had issues with bigger receivers during his time at Florida State and was downright bullied by Notre Dame’s bigger receivers. Samuel is not the greatest tackler in the 2021 NFL Draft and needs to do a better job of wrapping up when tackling.

9. Ambry Thomas, Michigan
6-foot, 189 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Third round

Ambry Thomas did not see much playing time his first couple of years at Michigan. As a freshman, he primarily played on special teams and as a sophomore, he saw limited action on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Going into his junior season he lost nearly 30 pounds due to getting colitis. However, he was able to rebound from this and have his most productive year registering 38 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three picks.

Thomas has all the physical skills needed to play corner in the NFL. He is a decent-sized corner coming in at 6-foot and also has the long arms teams like to see. He moves well for his size evident by his 4.37 40-yard dash at Michigan’s pro day. Teams also like the ball skills he shows and the fact he is a natural at catching the football. One more positive with Thomas is he has the ability to return kicks having averaged over 20 yards per kickoff return at Michigan.

While Thomas did prove he is an NFL caliber corner in 2019, it was his only year he saw significant playing time. He likely would have raised his stock in 2020 by getting more playing time but decided to sit out the year. On the field, he needs to improve as a tackler as he can come up empty in this area at times.

10. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky
6-foot-1, 191 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Third round

One of the more interesting players in the 2021 NFL Draft class is Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph. What makes Joseph such an interesting case is his limited playing time but excellent production when he has been on the field. Joseph has only started nine games during his career but in those nine games picked up four interceptions and held his own against some of the top players in the SEC.

The fact Joseph has picked off so many passes in such a short time definitely is a positive when it comes to his ball skills. Another positive with Joseph is the attitude he plays with as he shows the confidence you want to see from an NFL caliber corner. One more bonus with this prospect is his size coming in at 6-foot-1, he is one of the larger corners in the draft.

In terms of negatives with Joseph the fact he has only started nine games is the primary concern. Another issue with him is how he started off his college career as he started off at LSU, but was suspended from the team which led to him transferring to Kentucky. Joseph displays only average athletic ability on the field as well, which is why he carries a third-round grade.

11. Kary Vincent Jr., LSU
5-foot-10, 185 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

Despite never being a full-time starter at LSU, Kary Vincent Jr. is a player with exciting upside. What makes Vincent such a promising prospect is his speed. He was part of the track team at LSU and ran a blistering 4.33 40-yard dash at LSU’s pro day. On top of his speed, he has shown good ball skill coming away with four interceptions in 2019. One more positive with him is that he has the versatility to play either a nickel corner role or free safety in the NFL.

While he does have the potential to develop into a very solid player he is far from a finished product. He needs to improve his route recognition and overall football IQ. Another issue with him is he is not the most physical corner in the 2021 NFL Draft and is below average when it comes to supporting the run. Part of the reason he is not the most physical corner in the draft is due to a lack of strength evident by him only getting eight reps on the bench press.

12. Olaijah Griffin, USC
6-foot, 175 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

A prospect who is flying under the radar that has the potential to become an NFL starter is Olaijah Griffin of USC. Griffin led the Trojans in pass deflections in 2019 and finished third on the team in this category last season. Part of the reason he was able to be so productive is how smooth of an athlete he is. He has very fluid hips and also shows the athletic ability to outmaneuver a wide receiver in coverage. Scouts also like his confident attitude he plays with and how he is not afraid to help out vs. the run.

The only reason Griffin carries a day three grade instead of a day two grade is his injury history. In 2019, he battled back issues and in 2018 he missed time due to a shoulder injury. It doesn’t help he has a slight frame which raises questions on if he can take the pounding the NFL hands out. It is also worth noting that despite breaking 13 passes over the past two seasons he has only been able to come away with one interception.

13. Elijah Molden, Washington
5-foot-9, 192 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

A team looking for an extremely productive cornerback on day three of the draft will love what they find in Elijah Molden. Last season, Molden was named Pro Football Focus Pac-12 Player of the Year and in 2019 had an eye-popping 17 pass deflections. Part of the reason he has been so productive is his high football intelligence. He does a great job of pattern reading and being in the correct position. Another positive with Molden is he has experience playing both corner and safety.

The main reason Molden will fall so far in the draft comes down to his measurables. At 5-foot-9and 192 pounds he lacks the size to be a starting corner. His lack of size even forced him to play nickel corner for the Huskies the past couple of seasons. Then when you factor in he ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at his pro day it is even easier to see why he would fall to this point in the 2021 NFL Draft.

14. Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech
5-foot-11, 196 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

Zech McPherson started his career off at Penn State but after not seeing much playing time his first two seasons he decided to transfer to Texas Tech. His best year with the Red Raiders was last season when he picked off four passes. As a prospect, he shows good ball skills, athletic ability and physicality.

While McPherson carries a fourth-round grade on this board not everyone is as high on him and he is graded as a late-round pick by quite a few draftniks. One of the reasons people are lower on him is his lack of size and the fact he has trouble in jump ball situations. He also will not put up the best testing numbers. McPherson will likely start off as a core special teams player in the NFL which is something he has been very good at in college having blocked two kicks in 2019.

15. Shaun Wade, Ohio State
6-foot-1 194 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

Perhaps no prospect saw his stock fall more this past season than Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade. Going into the 2020 season Wade was widely projected as a first-round pick, but after a disappointing year, he is now regarded as a day-three prospect. Part of the reason he fell so much this year is that he seemed to only go at half speed. He also had some very tough games this year including giving up over 200 yards to both Alabama’s Devonta Smith and Indiana’s Ty Fryfogle.

However, when you go back and look at his 2019 film he looked like a player who should have an outstanding pro career. He displayed a physical style of play and the quickness to shutdown most NFL wide receivers. When it comes to the player Wade will be in the NFL it really just comes down to if you get the motivated player we saw in 2019 or the non-motivated player we saw in 2020.

16. Tre Brown, Oklahoma
5-foot-10, 188 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

A player who fits the mold of a nickel corner is Oklahoma’s Tre Brown. Brown shows outstanding quickness and should be able to matchup against the quick slot receivers he will see at the next level. He is an aggressive corner and plays with the confidence you want to see out of a corner. Another plus with Brown is his ability to return kicks. Over his career, he averaged over 20 yards per kickoff return and should be a good return man in the NFL.

One of the main reasons why Brown is projected more as a nickel corner instead of a starting cornerback is his lack of size. He comes in at only 5-foot-10 and at times can have trouble with bigger receivers. He also has a habit of getting grabby in coverage which will lead to him getting penalized in the NFL.

17. Keith Taylor, Washington
6-foot-2, 191 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

While Washington cornerback Elijah Molden put up better production in college the prospect in Washington’s secondary with a higher upside is Keith Taylor. What makes Taylor such a promising prospect is his size and physical style of play. This combination should make him a very intriguing option to teams that like to have their corners play press coverage.

While Taylor has the tools to be a starting corner in the NFL, his lack of production does raise some concerns. Does Taylor the ball skills needed to succeed in the NFL? Over his career, he did not record a single interception and only had five pass breakups. He also needs to clean up his footwork and do a better job of breaking on the ball.

18. Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas
5-foot-11, 196 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

One of the top small school prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft is Central Arkansas cornerback Robert Rochell. Over his career, he has broken up 35 passes and collected ten interceptions. What makes Rochell a standout even more than his college production is his testing numbers running a 4.39 40-yard dash and posting a 43-inch vertical jump. Yet another positive with Rochell is he has been a key contributor on special teams.

While Rochell has a high upside he is going to need some time to adjust to the NFL. Part of the reason he will need time is his low level of competition he played against in college. It could also scare teams that when matched up against NFL-caliber players at the Senior Bowl he struggled. He will also need to work on his technique especially when it comes to breaking on the ball. Overall, Rochell has the physical tools to be a starting corner but will need to be coached up to reach this upside.

19. Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon
5-foot-11, 197 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

Going into the 2020 season no player had been more productive when it came to breaking up passes than Oregon’s Thomas Graham. Going into last season Graham was the FBS active leader in passes defended (40) and pass breakups (32). While he decided to sit out the 2020 season he did have a strong Senior Bowl week. As a prospect, he shows outstanding ball skills and good overall technique.

While teams love the production Graham has put up there are some concerns about how good of an athlete he is. He lacks great deep speed and also only shows average quickness when it comes to breaking on the ball. He also can be a tad slow when it comes to getting out of his breaks, which could cause him issues with smaller wide receivers.

20. Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota
6-foot-3, 200 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

One of the bigger corners in the 2021 NFL Draft is Minnesota’s Benjamin St-Juste. St-Juste has the size and strength to be a good developmental cornerback in a cover-two scheme. He moves well for his size and was able to stick with the more agile receivers he saw at the Senior Bowl. He is willing to play the run as well and has no issue coming up to make the tackle.

While St-Juste does have the traits to be a good press corner he might not be a great fit for every defensive scheme. This is mainly due to his lack of overall speed, which could cause him issues in man-to-man situations. The fact he is not the most fluid athlete and is willing to be a force vs. the run could allow teams to look at him as a safety in the NFL if he does not ideally fit on the outside.

21. Paulson Adebo, Stanford
6-foot-1, 190 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fifth round

Stanford’s Paulson Adebo had an outstanding first season for Stanford in 2018 when he led the nation with 24 passes defended including four interceptions. However, he has been up and down ever since then which is causing his stock to fall. One thing that is still working in his favor though is his ball skills. In his two years playing at Stanford, he broke up a total of 24 passes and also had eight picks. He has the size NFL teams are looking for and could be a good cover-2 corner in the NFL.

One thing that has really hurt Adebo is his lack of discipline especially when it comes to where his eyes should be. He can be beaten on double moves and really struggled in this area in 2019 against UCF. His lack of discipline hurts him at times with his footwork which leads to him taking false steps. Unfortunately, Adebo doesn’t have the speed or quickness to make up for these mistakes either.

22. Camryn Bynum, California
6-0, 198 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fifth round

California’s Camryn Bynum has been one of the better defenders in the Pac-12 over the past four years. In 2019, he was named a second-team All-Pac-12 player and he made the first team in 2020. Bynum has been able to lead California in pass breakups the past three years due to how smart he plays. He normally finds himself in a great position on the field and off the field is known to be a student of the game. To go along with his high football IQ he is a solid tackler who is not afraid to step up and stop the run.

While Bynum has the mental skills and overall character to be a solid contributor in the NFL, his lack of physical skills limits his upside at the next level. He has only average speed and was only able to run a 4.49 40-yard dash at California’s pro day. He also doesn’t have the quick burst on the field and only shows an average ability to drive on the football. Bynum will likely make it in the NFL as a backup defensive back and special teams contributor.

23. Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
6-foot-4, 212 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fifth round

One of the bigger corners in the 2021 NFL Draft is South Carolina’s Israel Mukuamu who comes in at 6-foot-4. To go along with his size, Mukuamu has shown good ball skills. Over his career, he intercepted seven passes including four in 2019. In addition to his ball skills, he has shown good versatility having played both corner and safety during his college career.

One of the biggest issues with Mukuamu is that his size causes him to lose some agility. He has trouble changing directions quickly which can allow receivers to gain separation from him in coverage. He displays only average quickness also and does not do a great job of closing the cushion receivers are able to get on him. Due to these limitations, his best position in the NFL might be as a free safety.

24. Trill Williams, Syracuse
6-foot-2, 198 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Sixth round

Syracuse’s Trill Williams showed great versatility during his time at Syracuse, having played both corner and safety. His top trait is how physical he plays having delivered some big hits during his career. He is also not afraid to step up and make the tackle. While he does have good speed, he lacks the fluid hips to excel in coverage. This lack of agility could force Williams to play safety in the NFL, but at the bare minimum, he should be a good special teams player.

25. Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State
6-foot, 193 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Sixth round

Oklahoma State’s Rodarius Williams was a true shutdown corner in 2020. This past season he didn’t allow a single yard to be gained against him in four games and didn’t allow a single touchdown pass all year. Despite this production, he might lack the skills to play in the NFL since he lacks great speed and shows only average aggressiveness.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1344026546537979906

26. Aaron Robinson, UCF
6-foot, 190 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Sixth round

A prospect who is a little overrated in the 2021 NFL Draft is UCF’s, Aaron Robinson. While Robinson has put up solid production in college having been named to the All-AAC second team in both 2019 and 2020 he lacks the overall game speed and instinct to be a major factor in the NFL. It would not be a shock if the team that drafts him moves him to safety since he is a physical player who is not afraid to support the run.

27. Nahshon Wright, Oregon State
6-foot-4, 183 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Sixth round

An intriguing developmental cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft is Oregon State’s, Nahshon Wright. To go along with his lengthy frame, Wright has been a ball hawk having recorded five interceptions in just 16 starts at Oregon State. In order to make it in the NFL though he is going to have to become a more physical player and bulk up from his current weight of 183 pounds.

28. Shemar Jean-Charles, Appalachian State
5-foot-10, 184 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Seventh round

Shemar Jean-Charles is a player with great production but limited upside. In 2020, Jean-Charles led the nation with 16 pass deflections and was named a first-team All-American. Unfortunately, he is on the smaller side and will have trouble with bigger receivers in the NFL. He also lacks the speed you need to see from a smaller corner. One thing working in his favor is he excelled on special teams in college and will be asked to do the same in the NFL.

29. Bryce Thompson, Tennessee
5-foot-11, 190 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Seventh round

A player who is more talented than his seventh-round grade is Tennessee cornerback Bryce Thompson. However, he receives such a low grade as he has been in trouble off the field including being charged with assault against a female. On the field, he shows the skills to be a nickel corner and displays good ball skills and the quickness to line up against slot receivers.

30. Marco Wilson, Florida
5-foot-11, 187 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Seventh round

A player who will likely be drafted based more on his testing numbers than production is Florida cornerback Marco Wilson. Some of the strong testing numbers Wilson posted at Florida’s pro day include a 4.37 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical jump and 26 reps on the bench press. On the field, he has been inconsistent and will need to stay focused in order to make an NFL roster.

31. Shakur Brown, Michigan State
6-foot, 180 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Seventh round

Shakur Brown was a ballhawk last season as he led the FBS interceptions per game finishing with five picks in just six games. To go along with his ability to make a play on the ball he is a physical corner who has impressive strength for someone his size. Unfortunately, he lacks the speed to be anything more than a late-round pick. He will also need to improve his discipline on the field to make an NFL team next season.

32. Tre Norwood, Oklahoma
6-foot, 192 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Seventh round

Oklahoma cornerback Tre Norwood bounced back for a strong 2020 after missing the entire 2019 season with a torn ACL. He finished the 2020 season with five picks which tied for the Big 12 lead. Even with this production, he carries a low draft grade since he has below-average speed only running a 4.58 40-yard dash and not being the surest tackler in this draft class.

33. Lorenzo Burns, Arizona
5-foot-10, 173 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Seventh round

Arizona’s Lorenzo Burns is a physical athletic corner worth a late-round draft pick. Over his career with the Wildcats, he recorded nine interceptions including four in 2019 so ball skills is another area he gets high marks in. On the downside, he is on the skinny side coming in at only 173 pounds and this lack of size makes him a liability when it comes to playing the run.

Players with free-agent grade

34. D.J. Daniel, Georgia
35. Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon
36. Mark Webb, Georgia
37. Dicaprio Bootle, Nebraska
38. Jason Pinnock, Pittsburgh
39. Brandin Echols, Kentucky
40. Bryan Mills, North Carolina Central
41. Michael Carter, Duke
42.Darren Hall, San Diego State
43. Chris Wilcox, BYU
44. Sam Webb Missouri Western
45. Lawrence Woods, Truman State
46. Franklin McCain, North Carolina A&T
47. Rachad Wildgoose Jr., Wisconsin