2023 NFL Draft: The Cornerback Group Provides High-End Talent and Depth

Potential Big School Risers

Tyrique Stevenson (Miami)

Tyrique Stevenson originally committed to the Georgia Bulldogs as a four-star recruit, before deciding to transfer back to his hometown of Miami, Florida. Stevenson joined the Hurricanes before the 2021 season and served as one of the better players on their team this past year.

Stevenson was the No. 38 recruit nationally, which helps showcase his immense talent as a defensive back. He stands at 6-foot-flat and weighs in at 214 pounds. He uses this size to thrive in run support, as he led the secondary in total tackles with 43.

Surprisingly, he is extremely fleet of foot in coverage too. Stevenson allowed a 50% completion percentage on balls that he was targeted on in 2021 (per PFF). His body type will allow Stevenson to serve at any spot in the secondary at the next level.

Stevenson has the talent and opportunity to be the biggest riser of anyone mentioned on this list. He is a rare blend of strength and agility, with an underrated football IQ. If he can clean up any penalty concerns, expect the Miami Hurricane star to ascend the cornerback rankings as the 2022 college football season progresses.

Tony Grimes (North Carolina)

There are a few similarities between Tony Grimes and the aforementioned Tyrique Stevenson. Grimes committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels as a heralded five-star recruit. Grimes ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the entire 2021 draft class before reclassifying to 2020.

The Tar Heels used Grimes as a starter for four games at cornerback, with the talented defensive back serving as a pivotal piece for the team’s special teams unit. In 2021, Grimes made his star turn on the outside.

Grimes started all 13 games for North Carolina as a sophomore. He recorded 47 tackles, solidifying the fact that he’s more than willing to come in and stick his nose in the pile. Even more impressively, Grimes still defended nine passes in 2021, while regularly being avoided by opposing teams.

Unfortunately for the first-round hopeful, Grimes suffered an upper-body injury early in the team’s first game of the 2022 season versus Florida A&M. He will need to recover in time to put more production on tape if he wants to be taken on day one or two of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State)

Emmanuel Forbes arrived at Mississippi State as a four-star cornerback recruit. He quickly earned first-team reps, parlaying his sky-high talent into nine starts across his true freshman season. This is no small feat for a youngster in the SEC.

Forbes intercepted an astonishing five passes as a freshman and returned THREE of them for a touchdown. He recorded 45 tackles as well to cap off an incredible first season and firmly placed his name in the mind of evaluators everywhere.

As a sophomore, Forbes started 13 games for the Bulldogs, improving on a few key statistics from the year prior. He set career-highs in total tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles. While he didn’t match the five interceptions from 2020, Forbes brought in three of them nonetheless.

As a junior, Forbes is returning to assume the top position on the depth chart. His production is unmatched by a majority of prospects and Forbes is a deceptively great athlete given his size. Still, there are a few things to improve in 2022 if he wants to maximize his draft status. These include tackling angles, hip fluidity in coverage, and long speed.

Garrett Williams (Syracuse)

Garrett Williams first landed on my radar while watching tape of 2021 third-round pick, Ifeatu Melifonwu. The two formed a terrifying duo in the secondary, with Williams leading the team in passes defended (12) that season. After Melifonwu’s departure, Williams slotted in as CB1 for the Orange.

In 2021, Williams replicated his success by leading the ACC in passes defended (10) for the second season in a row. One of my favorite games for Williams last season came against the Liberty Flames and quarterback Malik Willis. The Syracuse cornerback recorded multiple stops, both on the ground and through the air, as he spearheaded the upset victory.

Entering the 2022 college football season, Williams retains his top spot on the depth chart. Given how much noise he’s made over the past two years, don’t be surprised if teams begin to avoid targeting him. He already has great production on tape, so it shouldn’t hurt his stock too much.

There are a few things I’d like to see Williams improve upon in 2022. The first of which is the angles he takes as a tackler. To make an impact in the NFL, he must become more efficient with his movements. This also shows up while in coverage, as he can be guilty of guessing the route rather than playing the receiver.

The tools and production are already there for Williams, now it is up to him to refine the deficiencies in his game. If he is successful in doing so, the talented cornerback could find himself as the first day one pick for Syracuse since 2013.

Jaylon Jones (Texas A&M)

Jaylon Jones has been a mainstay for the Aggies in each of the past two seasons. He has started 22 games in that span, helping to lockdown opposing pass catchers weekly. Jones posted 12 PBU’s as a starter, highlighting his first-class ball skills.

Jones possesses the ideal size for a new-age outside cornerback in the NFL, standing at 6’2” and weighing a stout 205 pounds. He uses this frame in crafty ways when defending players downfield. Jones has the playing strength to knock wide receivers off their route, while also possessing the agility to cover them 20+ yards downfield.

Jimbo Fisher is one of the best recruiters in the nation, and over the past few NFL Draft cycles, this has become clear as day. Jones is looking to be the next to reach his goal of making the NFL, as is his teammate and my top-ranked safety, Antonio Johnson.

The main thing keeping Jones from being a first-round pick today is that he’s still inconsistent with both his effort and fundamentals at the position. Jones returns to a stacked secondary that allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the SEC. He’s in a great spot to evolve into an even better prospect in 2022.