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

Wildcards

Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)

Speaking of Colorado cornerbacks, Christian Gonzalez transferred away from the Buffalos this offseason as well. Similar to Blackmon, Gonzalez remained in the PAC-12, choosing the Oregon Ducks as his next school.

Gonzalez is a better prospect athletically, having earned a four-star rating during his high school days. He spent time on both sides of the football and as a key member of the 200m track team for his school.

The talented cornerback can do a little bit of everything for the Ducks in 2022. During his time with Colorado, Gonzalez (6’2”, 200 pounds) used his imposing frame to deliver monster hits in the open field. The former safety recruit transitioned well to coverage as a cornerback, adding to his versatility.

The ball is in his court now, and Gonzalez has the chance to gain even more fans if he wins the starting role outside for the Ducks. Most NFL scouts look at him as a safety at the next level right now, so he must prove that the “tweener” label isn’t something for teams to fear. He is one of the most intriguing pieces of the upcoming draft class.

Nehemiah Pritchett (Auburn)

The SEC is home to a slew of talented cornerbacks, as is apparent by this list. The next one to make an appearance from this conference is Nehemiah Pritchett.

Pritchett has a lot of room to grow before NFL franchises are ready to select him in the first two days of the draft. He is unpolished in coverage. His tape has plenty to be excited about, but there are times when he gets beaten and for whatever reason, the receiver doesn’t come down with the ball.

Not to slight Pritchett, he does more good things than bad. He is arguably the best in press coverage in the entire nation. Similar to Roger McCreary, Pritchett has the utmost confidence in himself when matching up with his assignment.

The cherry on top of it all is the fact that Pritchett is an elite kick returner. It cannot be understated how vital the special teams are to a team’s overall success, both in college and the NFL. Even if he has to develop longer than others, Pritchett can contribute immediately on special teams.

Kris Abrams-Draine (Missouri)

Kris Abrams-Draine arrived to Missouri as a four-star wide receiver, but after seeing virtually zero playing time, he decided to flip to the other side of the football.

Wide receivers-turned-cornerback is becoming a more frequent thing year in and year out. Sometimes it’s due to a lack of success, other times it’s due to a lack of playing time, but there are examples of this change being magical for a prospect.

We only have to look as far back as the 2022 NFL Draft where Tariq Woolen followed this exact path into a round-five selection. He has been a star this preseason for the Seattle Seahawks, proving that he should have been taken higher and potentially helping the case for those who follow after him.

Abrams-Draine started 10 games for the Missouri Tigers in 2021 after making the transition. He led the team in interceptions (3) and passes defended (7), making the coaches and player look brilliant for the decision to change course.

Abrams-Draine enters his third year at Missouri, but more importantly, his second season at cornerback. He will be working on eliminating the wide receiver tendencies that followed him to the cornerback position. He must cut down on running the routes rather than defending the receiver. It’s a common difficulty for those who switch positions.

With that, comes one of his most redeeming qualities. Abrams-Draine is elite at mirroring the receiver. It’s almost like he reads the mind of the receiver and knows the exact route they’re going to run. This is something that is nearly impossible to teach.

Abrams-Draine uses his athleticism to serve as a productive kick returner for the special teams as well. The hope is that he can smooth out his edges, so he can be the first day two cornerback from Missouri to be taken in the NFL Draft since William Moore in 2009.

Slot Specialists

Malachi Moore (Alabama)

The Alabama Crimson Tide calls their slot position the “STAR” position. Malachi Moore assumed the starting role as a true freshman and immediately vaulted his name into future draft discussions. Moore is another player that could be better suited at safety on Sundays, but this doesn’t do his man-coverage skills justice.

Moore is a superb athlete, and he uses this to make plays on multiple levels of the defense. He possesses a knack for being where the ball is at all times. Whether it be in pursuit downfield or as the tackler on run plays. That versatility is his biggest calling card.

Moore doesn’t come without red flags, though. While he played through injury, Moore noticeably was not the player in 2021 that he had been the year prior. He struggled to make an impact consistently and enters 2022 with a log jam in the secondary for Alabama. Brian Branch is challenging Moore for the starting position in the slot.

Due to his stellar play as a freshman, Moore should be allowed to prove that the injury is what hampered him the most. If he can remain healthy and locked in each week, there’s a possibility that Moore is the first Crimson Tide defensive back taken in 2023.

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (TCU)

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is the nephew of former TCU and NFL legend, LaDainian Tomlinson. He has earned First-Team Big-12 honors in each of the past two seasons and will be looking to do the same in 2022.

Hodges-Tomlinson is one of the smallest players in terms of height and overall frame in the class. However, he is also the feistiest player I have evaluated thus far. The guy never, ever, takes a play off. He is a wrecking ball that is stuck in a compact frame.

Due to his size concerns, teams will likely look at him as more of a slot defender. During his time with the Horned Frogs, Hodges-Tomlinson has primarily played cornerback but also spent time as a safety.

His strengths as a tackler and in coverage should be enough to win scouts over that are on the fence. Hodges-Tomlinson will never be outworked and regularly leaps off the screen when watching him. He reminds me a lot of former Washington Husky and current Tennessee Titan, Elijah Molden.

Tiawan Mullen (Indiana)

The Indiana Hoosiers have not seen a player go in the first two days of the NFL Draft since Dan Feeney did back in 2017. Entering the 2021 college football season, there was tons of momentum surrounding Tiawan Mullen, with many wondering: could he be an early draft pick?

Unfortunately for Mullen, the 2021 season was the worst tape he’s put together in his time with the Hoosiers. Much of this is attributed to injury issues, but it was a very rough showing for the talented defensive back.

Mullen is the brother of current Cardinals cornerback, Trayvon Mullen. He is also the cousin of former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson. The bloodline is thick with NFL talent, so it would be unwise to bet against Mullen regaining his lofty status in draft circles.

Size is the concern with many college cornerbacks, and this is no different for Tiawan Mullen. More than likely, his best role in the NFL will be as a slot defender. As an inside cornerback or safety, Mullen’s shortcomings in terms of his frame are less prevalent. We’ll see if 2022 features a rebound season for both Mullen and Indiana.