The 2023 NFL Draft is stacked at the cornerback position. In our updated rankings, Joey Porter Jr. and Christian Gonzalez lead the way for the positional group.
As the league continues to place more importance on the passing game, wide receivers are becoming invaluable. In return, the same is true about those tasked with defending these pass catchers.
Cornerback is as important of a position as there is on the defense. They come in all shapes and sizes, which has never been more true for a draft class than this one. There are man coverage specialists, zone coverage savants, and smaller shutdown nickelbacks.
2023 NFL Draft: Joey Porter Jr., Christian Gonzalez Placed High on Updated Cornerback Rankings
Sauce Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick in 2022, took home Defensive Rookie of the Year. Tariq Woolen, the No. 153 overall pick in 2022, finished third in the voting, proving that elite-level play can be found throughout all three days of the NFL Draft.
In the latest set of rankings, cornerbacks take center stage. The following list shows my top 20 prospects for the position, plus several honorable mentions that should hear their names called in this year’s draft. Let’s kick things off with No. 20!
CB20: Eli Ricks (Alabama)
Strictly going off talent, Eli Ricks is a top-10 player at the cornerback position. However, he has been unable to generate consistent playing time since his breakout freshman season at LSU. Ricks is worth taking the chance on, but I would hold off until early day three based solely on his unproven track record.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
CB19: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (TCU)
The nephew of LaDainian Tomlinson is an explosive athlete trapped in a frame best described as ‘small’. He plays bigger than the size reads, and his ball skills are legitimately great, but I worry about his ability to wrap pass catchers up in the NFL. Still, THT could be a long-term answer in the slot if he lands in the correct situation.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
CB18: Riley Moss (Iowa)
Riley Moss is among the best athletes in the draft class, and yes, if you have not heard, he is white! The Iowa star has the traits to be a starter in a zone-heavy scheme, and his knack for never taking a snap off will take him a long way. I wouldn’t leave Moss on an island much, but he’s shown the ability to hold up in one-on-ones.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
CB17: Kei’Trel Clark (Louisville)
Kei’Trel Clark is one of my favorite players in the 2023 NFL Draft — regardless of position. The former Louisville Cardinal garnered zero stars on the recruiting trail and has a chip the size of Texas on his shoulder. This hunger to prove himself shows up on tape and also during his time at the Shrine Bowl.
Clark is best suited for the slot, as he lacks the ideal size for a boundary cornerback. He struggles to shake free from blocks because of this and can be out-muscled down the field. Nonetheless, Clark’s dedication to perfecting his craft will earn him reps early in his career.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
CB16: Garrett Williams (Syracuse)
Garrett Williams suffered an untimely ACL injury midway through the 2022 season, bringing his Syracuse career to a disappointing end. Still, during his time with the Orange, Williams developed into one of the better cornerbacks in the ACC.
He is best suited for zone coverage, but his competitiveness and impressive hip fluidity allow Williams to impact plays in man coverage. He doesn’t possess great ball skills, but I’d expect this to improve when NFL coaching teaches him how to get his head turned around. The injury likely knocks Williams down the board and plays a part in my grade.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
CB15: Tyrique Stevenson (Miami)
Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson posted a career-high PFF grade in coverage last season as he intercepted two passes and broke up five more. These ball skills are a strength of Stevenson, showing a dominating presence when working against receivers on the boundary. He uses ideal length and a competitive nature to stick with his assignments.
This is where the issues come into play. Stevenson is a good athlete, but I would not describe his movements as fluid. He is also slow to react when working a zone and fails to finish tackles the way you’d expect a player his size to do. Stevenson needs a defensive coordinator that puts him in a position to succeed and covers up the deficiencies in his game. Because of this, he sits as an early day three grade on my Big Board.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3
CB14: Kyu Blu Kelly (Stanford)
Kyu Blu Kelly has NFL bloodlines as his father Brian won a Super Bowl in the early 2000s (yes, we are all getting old). Kelly arrived at Stanford with high expectations and earned a starting gig a few weeks into his freshman season. With the Cardinal, he never posted crazy numbers but was a steady force for the defense from 2019-2022.
Kelly is a gifted athlete who uses his track background to affect the game in coverage and as a run defender. However, his technique as a tackler needs work, and Kelly is known to be grabby in coverage, as he was charged with four penalties in 2022.
The NFL pedigree and steady improvement since arriving at Stanford give evaluators reason to believe Kelly can continue progressing upwards in the league. Still, I wouldn’t take him before the end of day two or the beginning of day three.
NFL Draft Grade: Fringe Day 2
CB13: Rejzohn Wright (Oregon State)
Rejzohn Wright looks the part of a lockdown press-man corner in the NFL. The Oregon State defensive back uses his long frame to jam receivers off the line. On the occasions where Wright fails to jam his assignment, he shows exceptional recovery, getting back into the play and preventing long completions.
Wright lacks polish as a tackler. It is not due to a lack of effort, in fact, it is sometimes because he gives too much effort. Wright over-pursues and fails to wrap receivers after the catch. He is extremely coachable and is the “first guy in, last guy out” type of player. Easy to root for.
NFL Draft Grade: Fringe Day 2
CB12: DJ Turner (Michigan)
DJ Turner is a twitched-up cornerback who blazed a 4.26 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He is more than an athlete, as Turner is a man coverage specialist. The Michigan youngster boasts impeccable footwork when flipping his body and gets his head around consistently when working downfield.
These traits did not result in many turnovers during his time in Ann Arbor. This lack of production on top of less-than-ideal measurements makes for an interesting projection. Turner can easily outplay this grade if he adds more mass to his frame and sharpens up his zone instincts.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 2
CB11: Jakorian Bennett (Maryland)
Jakorian Bennett, much like his Maryland teammate Deonte Banks, caused a stir at the NFL Combine after they tested out of this world. Bennett profiles as a high-end slot defender who uses his superb athleticism to stay with quicker receivers downfield and his picturesque form tackling to bring down bigger tight ends.
Most of Bennett’s shortcomings can be hidden with a permanent move to the slot. His stiff movements and tendency to grab jerseys when he is beaten will happen less frequently inside. Bennett also flexes unteachable instincts for the position, as he seemingly is always in the right spot at the right time. I am a fan and feel he is a late-day two-player in this class.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 2
CB10: Darius Rush (South Carolina)
Darius Rush is a popular sleeper pick at cornerback, but having him in my top 10 takes him out of that category for me. While others may be sleeping, I am wide awake. Rush owns some of the longest arms in the class and uses this to affect passing lanes.
On top of his ideal frame, Rush is incredibly physical and has production that few of his peers can match (three interceptions, and 14 pass breakups in two years as a starter). He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, backing up the explosiveness he exhibits on tape.
Rush could improve in a couple of key areas. First and foremost, as a zone coverage connoisseur, he must improve his efficiency as a tackler. The South Carolina alum regularly finds himself in a position to make a tackle, but too often he fails to bring the ball carrier down.
Additionally, Rush doesn’t get much run in man coverage, but his traits say he is capable of doing it. Until he proves this, his lack of versatility will continue to be a knock on his grade. Rush should go on day two; if he makes it to the third day, he will be the Tariq Woolen of this draft class.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-to-Late Day 2
CB9: Clark Phillips III (Utah)
Clark Phillips gets knocked for his size, and rightfully so. He is 5-foot-9 and weighs less than 185 pounds. Unfortunately, Phillips’ NFL Combine performance only raised more flags. The Utah veteran showed decent speed, but his agility drills and vertical jump ranked well below average.
So, why in the world is he No. 9 in my cornerback rankings? Simply put, some players are not great testers. Phillips boasts arguably the best tape of any cornerback in this class, and one bad day of testing should not tank his stock to day three.
Phillips picked off an astonishing six passes in 2022 alone, bringing his career total to nine. Going deeper, the star defender was graded as elite in coverage and improved his run defense exponentially. He took snaps inside and outside, proving he plays much bigger than the height/weight indicates.
Phillips will be a starter in the slot for the next decade. He needs to clean up the tackling — and size will always be a factor against bigger/faster opponents — but his competitive nature and technical prowess in coverage will allow Phillips to smooth out the rough edges. An easy day-two pick, don’t overthink it.
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-to-Late Day 2
CB8: Julius Brents (Kansas State)
Speaking of Tariq Woolen, the closest comparison to him in this class is Kansas State’s, Julius Brents. The long, rangy cornerback may not have the 4.2 speed of Woolen, but he graded out similarly in agility and explosion drills.
Digging deeper, Brents’ tape is even more promising. He uses formidable length to jam receivers off the line and shows a feel in zone coverage you can’t coach. Brents flexes elite closing speed and dishes out hits that make him look like a linebacker.
Brents was beaten in man coverage more than a handful of times for the Wildcats, but NFL coaching can clean this up. If Brents positioned himself better with the sideline and reacted a tick faster, most of the big gains he surrendered would have never happened.
You bet on a guy with the traits of Brents. He can mirror receivers when given the chance and possesses the confidence necessary to be a lockdown cornerback in the NFL. Brents will be an even better pro than he was as a college player… the question is *how* much better?
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Day 2
CB7: Mekhi Blackmon (USC)
As the founder of the Mekhi Blackmon Hive, allow me to introduce a player I have ranked nearly 100 spots higher than the consensus Big Board. Blackmon began his collegiate career at Colorado before transferring to USC for his final season. He saved his best for last with the Trojans.
Blackmon more than doubled his career high in tackles while cutting down his missed tackle percentage is a startling 2.8 percent. For a player who gets knocked for size, Blackmon never shies away from stepping up and taking on a ball carrier with a full head of steam.
His improved tackling only scratches the surface, as Blackmon ranked third in the entire country in coverage grade (via PFF). The budding superstar intercepted three passes and broke up eight more while allowing less than half the passes thrown his way to end in a completion.
Blackmon has never met an assignment that he couldn’t handle. He thrives in one-on-one situations and isn’t afraid to let the receiver know when they get shut down. Blackmon’s competitive nature and appetite for perfection will allow him to continue ascending as he gets NFL experience under his belt.
The concerns around his size are worth mentioning because they are not unwarranted. Rather than impacting Blackmon on the field, the biggest worry is whether or not his frame can hold up for an entire season. There’s only so much he can do about this, but taking care of his body is something a coaching staff will hammer home.
Even with this valid concern, Blackmon is a better fit to stay on the outside. His coverage chops are elite, and moving him inside could lead to more injuries. Keep Blackmon on the boundary, draft him in round two, and reap the rewards.
NFL Draft Grade: Early-to-Mid Day 2
CB6: Deonte Banks (Maryland)
The fastest riser at cornerback, at least on my end, is Maryland’s, Deonte Banks. His performance at the NFL Combine raised my intrigue, and like Forbes, it caused me to go back to the tape. And boy, was it a fun watch.
Banks is a physical, freaky athlete who shuts down opposing receivers regularly. In four seasons with the Terrapins, Banks only allowed 49 percent of his targets to be completed, including a career-best 43.3 percent in 2022. His physicality shows up as a tackler too, only being charged with three missed tackles since 2019.
This physical nature also gets Banks in trouble, however. He recorded eight penalties last season, with holding and pass interference calls as the biggest culprits. If Banks struggles to play clean in college, it will only be more difficult against a higher level of competition in the NFL.
Still, the style Banks plays with is rare. He blends power and finesse but needs to learn to rein in his wild tendencies. While most mocks have Banks in the first round, he holds an early day-two grade on my board. Don’t be surprised if the NFL bets on his high-end traits and the Maryland star comes off the board in the top half of round one.
NFL Draft Grade: Early-to-Mid Day 2
CB5: Cam Smith (South Carolina)
The “other” South Carolina cornerback on the list is the better prospect of the two. Cam Smith isn’t built the same way as former teammate Jaycee Horn, but he plays with the same intensity on a snap-to-snap basis. Smith’s energy jumps off the screen and makes me want to get off my couch every time I turn on his tape.
He only allowed 51.1 percent of passes to be completed, using silky smooth movements downfield to negate gains by the receiver. Smith’s hips never lie, as he is quick to flip the field and showcases an uncanny ability to contort his body when playing the ball in the air.
His feel for the game is what makes Smith so special. The ability to read and react in zone coverage is hard to teach and the way he takes on one-on-one assignments is something to marvel at. Smith doesn’t just *think* he’s going to win every rep; he *knows* he will. The confident demeanor errs on the side of arrogance, but for a cornerback, it is exactly what you want to see.
Now, this is not to say Smith is flawless as a prospect. Although his height and weight qualify as average, I’d argue he is a smidge too skinny. The lack of body mass allows bigger receivers to take advantage off the line and downfield. Furthermore, as willing of a tackler as Smith is, he posted a disappointing 16.1 percent missed tackle rate for the Gamecocks.
The good news is Smith rarely allows receptions, and as a boundary cornerback, he won’t be asked to regularly make plays in the run game. Because of this, Smith holds a fringe day-one grade on my Big Board and profiles as an immediate starter with All-Pro potential in the right scheme.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2
CB4: Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State)
Emmanuel Forbes threw a wrench in my agenda when he weighed 166 pounds during the NFL Combine. I have pounded the drum for Forbes, dating all the way back to 2021, but his size forced me to go back to the tape. What did I find?
Well, I had many of the positives reinforced. Nobody plays the ball better in the air than Forbes. His absurd 14 interceptions (six pick-6s) highlight the fact, and a phenomenal 89.3 coverage grade (via PFF) cements the tape.
Even more, Forbes grades out surprisingly well as a run defender. Still, his lack of weight is apparent on several snaps, mainly when it comes to Forbes’ high missed tackle rate.
Additionally, Forbes was unable to corral bigger receivers, including a rough performance against LSU’s Kayshon Boutte. Forbes was hit with six penalties last season and allowed 14 touchdowns throughout his career.
Nonetheless, I came away from a second viewing of his tape equally as impressed as the first time. But, the lack of size was clear on some snaps, leading me to push Forbes down the board a tad. He remains a first-round grade for me, even if he is the lightest cornerback to weigh in at the NFL Combine since 2000.
NFL Draft Grade: Late Day 1
CB3: Devon Witherspoon (Illinois)
Devon Witherspoon’s tape is unlike any I’ve watched before. As stated numerous times already, most of these guys boast incredibly fun film. But nobody had my jaw on the floor as much as Witherspoon.
The smashmouth Illini superstar burst onto the scene in 2022. It was impossible to scroll through Twitter on a Saturday afternoon without a couple of Witherspoon highlights popping up. His most promising trait is the fire he plays with. Witherspoon is never thrown around, even with his meager frame.
Witherspoon is a top-tier run defender, and this trait allows for a versatile projection. He can play in the slot just as easily as the boundary. Witherspoon uses his intensity and raw strength to shed blocks and chase down ball carriers looking for big gains.
In coverage, Witherspoon can play zone and man coverage at a high clip. He displays an advanced knowledge of routes, quickly identifying where his assignment is headed and using this head start to disrupt passing lanes. As effective as Witherspoon is in zone, he is just as impactful outside, using his trademark power to manipulate receivers downfield.
In terms of production, Witherspoon saved his best campaign for senior year. In 2022, he only allowed a mind-blowing 35.5 percent of completions. Going further, Witherspoon picked off three passes and broke up 14 more. Combine these numbers with his highlight reel hit sticks, and it makes for one of the most exciting cornerback prospects in a while.
If there is something to nitpick in Witherspoon’s profile, it would be his overall frame and the fact he only posted one elite season of production in college, as a senior, no less. These issues are exactly as I said, nitpicky, but if a team is worried about Witherspoon’s play style holding up in the NFL, it’s not unwarranted.
I would take Witherspoon in the middle of round one. His tenacity, talent, and technique in coverage make his lack of ideal size less of a risk. Witherspoon should play on the outside, but his floor in the slot is so high that I consider him bust-proof (barring injury).
NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Day 1
CB2: Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)
What can I say about Christian Gonzalez that hasn’t already been said? He set the standard for cornerbacks at the NFL Combine, putting together the best overall performance of any defensive back in attendance. His 4.3 speed and agility results at that size are almost unheard of.
Gonzalez boasts the perfect length for a CB1 in the NFL. He uses these physical traits efficiently, allowing him to put his fingerprints all over the game. Gonzo owns the best instincts at the position of anyone in the class, coupling his high IQ with absurd athleticism.
Do you want production too? Gonzalez has plenty of that. In his only season with the Ducks, Gonzalez intercepted four passes and proved a sure tackler in run support. At least once a game, the uber-talented defender makes a play that seems physically impossible.
The one area I would like to see Gonzalez grow is his confidence in coverage. He has all the traits in spades, but when he grows more comfortable, that is when Gonzalez will become a top cornerback in the NFL. He could sharpen up the footwork a bit as well, but that is an easy fix for NFL coaching.
He is nearly perfect as a prospect, clearing the way for an early first-round grade on my Big Board. Any other year, Gonzalez would be a shoo-in for the best cornerback in my rankings, but there is one more guy that ranks ever-so-slightly ahead.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 1
CB1: Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State)
Joey Porter Jr. was my CB1 in June 2021, he was my CB1 in June 2022, he was my CB1 in November 2022, and guess what? He is my CB1 in March 2023 too. Porter mixes superb tape with ideal measurables and the same ferocity his pops showcased during his long NFL career.
Porter chose the Nittany Lions out of high school and took over a starting role in 2020. As the top cornerback on the roster, Porter faced an onslaught of targets in years one and two as a starter. He answered the bell, grading out above average in coverage and showing the ability to come up and make a tackle.
His 2022 tape was his worst as a tackler, posting an abysmal 17.6 percent missed tackle rate. A lack of interceptions calls into question his ball skills, but I believe this is something that will substantially improve in the league. These present the only red flags for me when it comes to Porter.
His 34-inch arms allow him to disrupt passing lanes and jam assignments off the line. Porter stands 6-foot-2 1/2 and weighs 193 pounds, offering the optimal size profile for a boundary cornerback. Additionally, Porter ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, posted a 35-inch vertical, put up 17 reps in the bench press, and recorded a nearly 11-foot broad jump.
Aside from passing the physical thresholds with flying colors, Porter aced the interview portion at the NFL Combine. He is composed, well-spoken, and extremely confident, backing up everything I see from him on the gridiron. Porter is a brilliant mind, capable of diagnosing plays before the snap and predicting where the receivers are headed.
Porter moves fluidly downfield, effortlessly flipping his hips to change direction. He cut down on penalties, eliminating most of his grabby tendencies. This improvement was vital, as Porter was far too physical in his younger years. Now, with a more level-headed approach, these issues are a thing of the past.
Porter is a layup of an evaluation. He looks the part, sounds the part, and plays the part. The Penn State star is the most polished in the group and can play at an All-Pro level regardless of scheme. Deploy Porter as the CB1 on your roster and allow him to dominate in zone and man coverage while giving him the freedom to come downhill in run support. Early day one grade, lock it in.
NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 1
Honorable Mentions:
•Starling Thomas V (UAB)
•Anthony Johnson (Virginia)
•Alex Austin (Oregon State)
•Darrell Luter Jr. (South Alabama)
•Mekhi Garner (LSU)
•Cameron Mitchell (Northwestern)
•Terell Smith (Minnesota)
•Myles Brooks (Louisiana Tech)
•Cory Trice (Purdue)
•Nic Jones (Ball State)
•Tyler Richardson (Tiffin)
•Michael Irons (Cornell)