Cole’s Corner: 2021 Cornerback Prospect Rankings

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As the NFL continues to reload on wide receiver talent, it makes the secondary critical for any team that wants to contend. I have been fairly impressed with this cornerback class at the top. As for the rest of the group, it could be hit or miss, but there are many different types of corners available.

Here are my top Cornerback prospects:

1. Patrick Surtain II – Alabama

Surtain is a corner by blood. His father was solid in the NFL and he will likely be the same. His strength is ideal and he can deliver a big hit. Surtain has disciplined ball skills and disrupts most passes headed in his direction. There aren’t any major concerns here.

Pick Range: Top 15

2. Caleb Farley – Virginia Tech

Farley was a wide receiver and converted to CB in college. He still has wide receiver like ball skills, fantastic length and is great in press man coverage. Farley is a lockdown corner and will be an immediate starter on the outside. He might slip a little in the draft due to his back issues.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

3. Jaycee Horn – South Carolina

Horn is another player with NFL talent in his genes. His father is Pro Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn. Jaycee regularly gets a hand on the ball and is disruptive. He will be an instant starter, but he is best in zone coverage. Horn needs work on his tackling. He will likely jump Farley on night one due to being healthier.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

4. Eric Stokes – Georgia   

Stokes is a turnover maker but a bit grabby. He will need to not be so handsy in order to succeed at the next level. His playmaking ability gives him some nice upside. He will succeed best in zone coverage.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – 2^nd Round

5. Elijah Molden – Washington

Molden is the best nickel corner of the group. Despite being a smaller corner, he is a willing tackler. The plays he makes on the field show off his fantastic football IQ.  He lacks speed to hang with the fastest slot receivers, but he takes great angles to counter that.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – 2^nd Round

6. Greg Newsome II – Northwestern

Newsome is the number one cover corner in this class in my opinion. He will instantly become CB2 for any team he gets picked by next week. Newsome is also a rather strong tackling corner. He is so reliable on the field. The only reason Newsome likely won’t go top ten is because he doesn’t shock people with the plays he makes or with his athleticism. He is simply a football player and this will be a top class pick in the 2021 Draft.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – 2^nd Round

7. Asante Samuel Jr. – Florida State

The name is familiar for good reason. Samuel has some quick feet, good instincts and loose hips. He may be a smaller corner, but he is absolutely capable of playing on the outside. Samuel could also play nickel which makes him versatile. He needs to get better at locating the ball in the air quickly.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

8. Shaun Wade – Ohio State

No one lost more money last season than Wade. If he opted out last season, he would most likely be a first-round pick. Instead, he has many question marks surrounding him. He clearly cannot play on the outside and plays with too much cushion. Losing money could be the best thing for Wade though. Now NFL teams know his limitations. Wade could still be a nickel or safety at the next level and succeed. He has the ball skills to do so and is not afraid to deliver hits.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

9. Paulson Adebo – Stanford

Adebo is a long, loose corner with nice agility. He locates the ball and deflects passes regularly. He has plenty of potential to be an outside corner, but I expect him to add depth at first.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

10. Trill Williams – Syracuse

Williams is tall, physical and an aggressive corner. He is versatile and can play at any spot in the secondary. He still has room to grow which is a huge plus.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

11. Tyson Campbell – Georgia

Campbell has the NFL body and is an intriguing prospect. With some more coaching, he could become a mid-round playmaking gem. His biggest struggle in college was consistency.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

12. Ifeatu Melifonwu – Syracuse

Melifonwu is another tall, rangy corner. He is an above average tackler and stays fairly tight in coverage. Melifonwu is disruptive at the catch point but needs to get better and hauling in contested catches. I see this as a possible steal.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

13. Benjamin St-Juste – Minnesota

At 6’3” St-Juste is one of the tallest corners in this class. He adds physicality in the secondary and would be perfect to sub in against a tight end or big receiver in the red zone. After a bit of time, he could become a starting outside corner.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

14. Aaron Robinson – UCF

Robinson will be a sufficient slot corner in the NFL due to his consistent play at UCF. He adds physicality due to his tackling ability. Robinson is not flashy and will probably not be an all-pro. I could see him quickly stepping up and playing week one.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

15. Israel Mukuamu – South Carolina

Mukuamu is listed at 6’3” but he looks even taller on the field. He has made several circus interceptions during his college career and can shut down tall tight ends/tall receivers. He is not strong with quick turns or pressing tight at the line.

Pick Range: 4^th – 5^th Round

16. Keith Taylor Jr. – Washington

Taylor is an outside press man corner with some elite speed. Similar to Shaun Wade, he bails too much but the tools are there to turn him into a solid player.

Pick Range: 4^th – 5^th Round

17. Kelvin Joseph – Kentucky

Joseph excels at meeting the ball at its highest point and has the potential of a high future. He was tasked with covering some top receiving threats last season and held up. His inexperience is the hold up at the moment. Training camp and a season of practice will give him a chance to develop.

Pick Range: 4^th – 5^th Round

18. Tre Norwood – Oklahoma

Norwood has plenty of fluidity in his hip movements, allowing him to smoothly change direction. He makes a lot of plays jumping routes but he is injury prone. If he can avoid injuries, there is a chance to piece together a long career.

Pick Range: 4^th – 5^th Round

19. Kary Vincent Jr. – LSU 

Vincent’s appeal comes from the fact that he can play CB or S. He often baits quarterbacks into poor throws and jumps with his explosiveness. Vincent lacks tackling ability which could limit him a bit.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

20. Rodarius Williams – Oklahoma State

Williams is a tough, do-it-all corner. He has plenty of fantastic traits but I am still hesitant when it comes to Oklahoma State CBs.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

21. Shakur Brown – Michigan State

Brown is a ball hawk and had a breakout season in 2020. His small sample size means he will likely be drafted later. If he can sustain his level, he will be a diamond in the rough.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

22. Ambry Thomas – Michigan

Thomas could be a starter in the NFL in the future. He has excellent hands and is not afraid to get chippy with a tough receiver. Sometimes he overcommits and gets burnt, plus he is small for an outside corner. At minimum, Thomas can use his kick returner abilities in the league.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

23. Thomas Graham Jr. – Oregon

Graham is agile, quick and has excellent timing and technique. He lacks straight away speed and is only 5’11”. Against the bigger receivers the NFL has to offer, he might struggle on the outside. He either needs help over the top or a chance to move inside at slot.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

24. Bryce Thompson – Tennessee

Thompson has adequate ball skills and gets after the football. His often gets caught peaking in the backfield which caused his technique to falter. He should make a roster.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round