2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Generational talents lead final draft big board plus rankings by position
By John Blair
2024 NFL Draft cornerback rankings
ACC: M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh: The most underrated defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft is Pittsburgh cornerback M.J. Devonshire. Despite leading the ACC in pass breakups, finishing second in the conference in interceptions, and running a 4.45 40-yard dash people still view him as a late round pick. On the other hand, I give him a third-round grade due to his fluid hips, ball skills, and outstanding punt return skills.
Big 10: Cooper DeJean, Iowa: Another corner with a nose for the ball and strong return skills is Iowa's Cooper DeJean. Over the last two seasons, the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year has seven interceptions and 15 pass deflections. DeJean was also named the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year after averaging 11.5 yards per punt return and if the refs called the Minnesota game correctly he would have had two punt return touchdowns.
Big 12: T.J. Tampa, Iowa State: Teams looking for a big physical corner who should excel in press coverage will like Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa.
Pac 12: Khyree Jackson, Oregon : Speaking of physical corners Oregon’s Khyree Jackson also fits that mold. Jackson who comes in at 6-foot-4 and 194 consistently challenged receivers last season and only gave up 19 receptions all season.
SEC: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama: Some team will get great value when they take Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The All-American is a true shutdown corner having been targeted on just 8.5 percent of his coverage snaps which was the lowest rate in the country.
Non-Power Five: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo: Mitchell will likely be the highest Group of Five player selected in the NFL Draft. He is an impressive athlete who showed he can compete at the highest level during this year’s Senior Bowl.
Overall Rankings
1. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama (first round)
2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama (first round)
3. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo (first round)
4. Nate Wiggins, Clemson (first round)
5. Cooper DeJean, Iowa (first round)
6. Max Melton, Rutgers (second round)
7. Khyree Jackson, Oregon (second round)
8. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri (third round)
9. M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh (third round)
10. Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Louisville (third round)
11. T.J. Tampa, Iowa State (fourth round)
12. Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri (fourth round)
13. Mike Sainristil, Michigan (fourth round)
14. D.J, James, Auburn (fourth round)
15. Kalen King, Penn State (fourth round)
16. Caelen Carson, Wake Forest (fourth round)
17. Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn (fifth round)
18. Cam Hart, Notre Dame (fifth round)
19. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia (fifth round)
20. Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas (fifth round)
21. Ryan Watts, Texas (sixth round)
22. Renardo Green, Florida State (sixth round)
23. Josh Newton, TCU (sixth round)
24. Johnny Dixon, Penn State (seventh round)
25. Andru Phillips, Kentucky (seventh round)
26. Marcellas Dial, South Carolina (seventh round)
27. Micah Abraham, Marshall (seventh round)