Top 10 Defensive Back Prospects
Top 10 Defensive Backs (Cornerbacks & Safeties)
1. Terrion Arnold - CB, Alabama
6’0, 195 lbs
Traits: Oily hips! Some of the most fluid hips you’ll ever see. These allow him to mirror receivers, making him really solid in coverage. Smooth footwork. Uses his physicality to stall receivers at the top of their routes. Aggressive defender, consistently plays downhill. Superb ball skills, jumps routes with terrific anticipation. Very well-coached, as all Nick Saban defensive backs are, so his technique is really refined.
Player Comps: Christian Gonzalez, Greg Newsome II
2023 Stats: 63 tackles, 5 INTs, 12 PBUs
Team Fits: Raiders, Broncos, Colts, Jags
2. Quinyon Mitchell - CB, Toledo
6’0, 195 lbs
Traits: Explosive athlete with elite coverage skills who can tackle in space. Really instinctual player who’s good in off-coverage and press man. Highly intelligent, seemingly always where he needs to be. Great feet and super physical. Brings an intensity to the defense in a unique way, a la Devon Witherspoon.
Player Comps: Devon Witherspoon, Marcus Peters
2023 Stats: 41 tackles, 1 INT, 18 PBUs
Team Fits: Raiders, Broncos, Colts, Eagles
3. Nate Wiggins - CB, Clemson
6’2, 186 lbs
Traits: Tall, lengthy, athletic playmaker perfectly built for the outside corner position. Proficient in off-man and cover 3 zone. Excels at contesting vertical routes. Great patience, discipline and footwork in man coverage. Super impressive makeup speed - if he loses a step or finds himself out of position, he closes ground quickly and gets himself into position to make a play. Might be a little skinny for some teams.
Comps: AJ Terrell
Team Fits: Raiders, Broncos, Colts, Jags
4. Cooper Dejean - CB, Iowa
6’1, 205 lbs
Traits: Versatile defensive back who lined up primarily as an outside corner but also has experience at slot and in the box. Savvy defender who has great anticipation in run defense as well as pass defense. Really solid tackler who hits hard, plays downhill, and even can be deployed as a blitzer. Can cover multiple positions. Insane ceiling.
Player Comps: James Bradberry
Stats: 41 tackles, 2 INTs, 5 PBUs
Team Fits: Steelers, Rams, Colts, Steelers
5. Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB, Alabama
6’0, 200 lbs
Traits: Lengthy athlete with great versatility. He can fit in multiple schemes, is incredibly well-coached, and plays with unique physicality. Superb tackler who can match up with taller receivers because of his long frame.
Comps: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
2023 Stats: 32 tackles, 7 PBUs
Team Fits: Eagles, Lions
6. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. - CB, Missouri
7. Tyler Nubin - S, Minnesota
8. Jaden Hicks - S, Washington State
9. Kamari Lassiter - CB, Georgia
10. Kamren Kichens - S, Miami
