Final 2021 NFL Draft CB rankings: Five players earn first round grades

The 2021 NFL Draft cornerback class is both a talented and deep class. Five players earn a first-round grade, and a total of ten players from this position earn either first or second-day grades. There is plenty of talent available on day three at this position as well including a small school standout in Robert Rochell.

Most underrated cornerback in 2021 NFL Draft: Kary Vincent Jr

A player with a high upside in the 2021 NFL Draft is Kary Vincent of LSU. While he has never been a full-time starter at LSU, having played the nickel position for the last three years he has the skill set to play in the NFL. One of his top traits is his speed as he ran track at LSU and also posted a 4.33 40-yard dash at LSU’s pro day. He has displayed good ball skills as well picking off four passes in 2019, which was the last year he played college football.

Most overrated cornerback in 2021 NFL Draft: Paulson Adebo

While Stanford Paulson Adebo has put up strong numbers including picking off eight passes in just two years his inconsistent and undisciplined play should scare teams away from taking him until the middle of day three. Some of his issues include his poor technique as he tends to play high, having questionable footwork and poor eye discipline.

Day three gem in 2021 NFL Draft: Rodarius Williams

A productive corner who can be had in the sixth or seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft is Rodarius Williams of Oklahoma State. This past season he didn’t allow a single yard to be gained against him in four games, he also didn’t allow a single touchdown pass all year, and only allowed a 40.9% completion percentage against him.

Cornerback that is the biggest risk in the 2021 NFL Draft: Caleb Farley

Even though Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley might be the most naturally gifted corner in the 2021 NFL Draft, he easily could slide out of the first round due to his injury history. He missed the 2017 season due to a torn ACL, and also missed the end of the 2019 season due to back surgery.

Top small school cornerback in 2021 NFL Draft: Robert Rochell

Central Arkansas’s Robert Rochell is the second-highest small school defender in the 2021 NFL Draft and is a player who has impressed scouts with his outstanding athletic ability. He posted a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical jump at his pro day. He also measured in with a 78-inch wingspan. He has been extremely productive in college as well having broken up 35 passes and picked off 10 passes.

2021 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings

1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama (first round)
2. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech (first round)
3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina (first round)
4. Eric Stokes, Georgia (first round)
5. Greg Newsome, Northwestern (first round)
6. Tyson Campbell, Georgia (second round)
7. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State (second round)
8. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse (third round)
9. Ambry Thomas, Michigan (third round)
10. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky (third round)
11. Kary Vincent Jr., LSU (fourth round)
12. Olaijah Griffin, USC (fourth round)
13. Elijah Molden, Washington (fourth round)
14. Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech (fourth round)
15. Shaun Wade, Ohio State (fourth round)
16. Tre Brown, Oklahoma (fourth round)
17. Keith Taylor, Washington (fourth round)
18. Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas (fourth round)
19. Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon (fourth round)
20. Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota (fourth round)
21. Paulson Adebo, Stanford (fifth round)
22. Camryn Bynum, California (fifth round)
23. Trill Williams, Syracuse (fifth round)
24. Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina (fifth round)
25. Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State (sixth round)
26. Aaron Robinson, Central Florida (sixth round)
27. Nahshon Wright, Oregon State (sixth round)
28. Shemar Jean-Charles, Appalachian State (seventh round)
29. Bryce Thompson, Tennessee (seventh round)
30. Marco Wilson, Florida (seventh round)
31. Shakur Brown, Michigan State (seventh round)
32. Tre Norwood, Oklahoma (seventh round)
33. Lorenzo Burns, Arizona (seventh round)
34. D.J. Daniel, Georgia (free agent)
35. Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon (free agent)
36. Mark Webb, Georgia (free agent)
37. Dicaprio Bootle, Nebraska (free agent)
38. Jason Pinnock, Pittsburgh (free agent)
39. Brandin Echols, Kentucky (free agent)
40. Bryan Mills, North Carolina Central (free agent)
41. Michael Carter, Duke (free agent)
42. Darren Hall, San Diego State (free agent)
43. Chris Wilcox, BYU (free agent)
44. Sam Webb Missouri Western (free agent)
45. Lawrence Woods, Truman State (free agent)

46. Franklin McCain, North Carolina A&T (free agent)
47. Rachad Wildgoose Jr., Wisconsin (free agent)