Who are the cornerbacks who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings
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It’s a fantastic year for corners.
Last year was a wee bit lacking, but this year is loaded with at least 20 who could legitimately end up starting, or at least get starting consideration. The guys at the top are special, but there’s plenty of value in the later rounds.
From the college perspective, here are the top cornerbacks in your 2020 NFL Draft, starting with the ones who’ll be in the mix, and then diving into the five who’ll actually matter over the next ten years of the pro football world.
BetMGM: bet on who’ll be the 1st Overall Pick …
15. Troy Pride, Notre Dame
Size: 5-11, 193
The Good: He grew into a nice stater for the Irish, finishing is four-year career with 121 tackles, four picks and 18 broken up passes. A speed guy, he’s got the 4.4 wheels and the ability to hang with all the blazers, and he has the experience to be ready right away.
The Not-So-Good: He’s okay. The ball skills are adequate, but they aren’t elite, and he seems to be on the wrong side of too many challenges. There are just enough good traits to make him a part of a secondary, but not necessarily a CB1.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The speed, athleticism, and experience are good enough to earn him a starting spot. He’s not going to get all that nasty and tough against the run, but he’ll make his share of tackles. However, he’ll need to grow into a big play producer who’ll win more battles.
Projected Round: Fourth
14. Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech
Size: 5-8, 187
The Good: A fantastic fighter, he makes up for his lack of size with impressive quickness and a massive attitude. It’s as if he wants to be dared to make quarterbacks test him, and they never seemed to learn. Tremendously consistent, he came up with at least 60 tackles in each of his three seasons, made 14 picks, and came up with a whopping 34 broken up passes.
The Not-So-Good: The lack of size is a problem. He’ll battle everyone, and he’s used to dealing with the bulkier targets, but he’ll get hammered on jump ball and he doesn’t quite have the raw quickness to hang with the NFL speed guys.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Find a spot for him. He’s going to dial up the effort on every play, he’ll hit everything, and he’ll take on every challenge to produce. He’s a potential game-wrecker who’ll be a great value pick outside of the top 100.
Projected Round: Fourth
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13. Stanford Samuels, Florida State
Size: 6-1, 187
The Good: While he never quite grew into the superstar FSU defensive back he was expected to become, he was a big-time stat-sheet filler with 145 tackles, eight picks and 16 broken up passes in his three seasons. He’s a long, thin corner, but he’s not afraid to get his nose dirty against the run.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not fast enough. He doesn’t have the bulk to be a regular safety, and the wheels are just okay. While he’ll get around the ball and he’s a smart baller who gets the job done, he can’t handle the NFL speed receivers.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a role for him somewhere. He’s not going to be for every team and every scheme, but he’s got the ability to turn into a No. 2 corner who’ll be just good enough to be a decent starter.
Projected Round: Fourth
12. Kindle Vildor, Georgia Southern
Size: 5-10, 191
The Good: Super productive, he came up with nine interceptions and 25 broken up passes over the last three years despite being avoided on a regular basis. While he’s not all that big, he got in on 94 career stops with the ability to hit in the open field. The ball skills are there, and so are the wheels. Huge in the leaping drills at the combine, he also added a 4.44 40.
The Not-So-Good: Even though he came up with a good time, he had a few problems with the blazing fast receivers. Even with his experience, there’s enough to work on to think that it might take a year or so of seasoning before he gets comfortable.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Be patient. He’ll drop because he’s not the perfect prospect in several ways, but he always came through and he’s always around the ball. No, he won’t blow anyone up as a tackler, but he’ll get in on everything and work his way into a rotation.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Size: 6-0, 195
The Good: A fantastic pure cover-corner, his technique is sound, he can hold his own against the more physical receivers, and he did a great job of coming through when teams stayed away from Jeff Okudah. Productive for four years, he finished with 140 tackles with five picks and 22 broken up passes.
The Not-So-Good: The NFL speed is lacking. He’s not painfully slow, but he’s not a blazer and will get torched by the fliers on the outside. The tools for a top next-level corner aren’t there, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a spot for him somewhere. His future might be at safety considering his hitting ability, but he doesn’t have the bulk or size to be an intimidating force. He’ll be fine as a third corner in the rotation, and he’ll be as reliable as they come when he gets to make a play on the ball, but he’ll have to be surrounded by high-end athleticism in a secondary.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings Top Ten
2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings Top Ten
10. Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
Size: 6-2, 188
The Good: Tall, long, and with great range and radius when the ball is thrown his way, he’s an interesting prospect with the all-around athleticism to get around the field without any problem. He has no problems providing a jolt – he’s more physical than his body type might make it seem – and he wins more than his share of battles for the ball.
The Not-So-Good: SLOW. He’s a great athlete who knows how to play and get to the ball, but he’s missing the raw wheels to be anyone’s No. 1 corner. He ran a sluggish 4.64 at the combine. Combine that with his okay tackling ability, and there’s just enough to drop him a bit.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The all-around package is too good to let him drop any lower after the second round. He might not be the perfect prospect, but he made a whole lot of plays at Mississippi State with 20 career broken up passes and 108 tackles in three years.
Projected Round: Third
9. Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Size: 5-10, 198
The Good: One of the best all-around athletes in the draft, he’s fast enough to get by, explosive out of his cuts, and smooth as glass when he’s closing on a play. A elite kick returner, he can change direction on a dime – he averaged 27.3 yards per try on kickoffs – and he’s fantastic against the run with 92 tackles over the last two seasons. However …
The Not-So-Good: He’s still a work in progress. He has two years of experience as a defensive back, but he’s a converted receiver who needs a whole lot of refinement. On talent alone he was able to come up with 18 broken up passes since moving to the defensive side, but he only picked off one pass.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: At the absolute worst, use him as a return man and throw him out there in nickel and dime packages. He’s going to get roasted for a while if he’s thrown to the wolves at corner, but he’s worth the effort. Give it a year or so and the payoff will come.
Projected Round: Second
8. Jaylon Johnson, Utah
Size: 6-0, 193
The Good: A good, smart player who’ll get physical and knows how to slow down the better receivers. He’s a bit limited, but he makes up for his issues by pounding away on receivers. He got in on 102 tackles over the last three years with seven picks and 21 broken up passes – he more than held his own.
The Not-So-Good: He’s a great athlete, but the 4.5 40 speed is a wee bit slow for a No. 1 corner. That’s getting nitpicky, especially considering his game is about getting tough, but the NFL blazers will be testing him early and often.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’s a deep class of corners and he could slide a little bit, but he’s got the makeup to start right away for someone’s secondary. The raw skills are good enough, but he’ll go relatively high because some coach will fall in love with his toughness.
Projected Round: Second
7. Jeff Gladney, TCU
Size: 5-10, 191
The Good: A baller with great quickness and explosiveness, he attacks with a fantastic burst whenever he gets a chance to break on the ball. A more than willing tackler, he came up with 146 stops in his four years, and blew up as a ball-hawker with 26 broken up passes in the last two seasons. He makes plays.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not as big as you might like for a guy as physical as he likes to play. He might be able to move, but he’s better in short spaces and could have a few problems with the blazers. The long speed is there, but he doesn’t have that special long gear.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There might not be enough all-around raw tools to assume he’ll be a superstar right away, but he’s a fighter who makes things happen. Challenge him, and he’ll keep coming through.
Projected Round: Second
6. AJ Terrell, Clemson
Size: 6-1, 195
The Good: Fast and long, he rolled out a 4.42 at the combine and has the length and size to hang with any type of receiver. Physical as well as fast, he can be a good fit for any style with the NFL tools to start right away.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not really built to be as physical as he was in college. He production when the ball was in the air went down a bit after a strong freshman campaign – there weren’t enough big plays with just six broken up passes over the last two seasons.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: A great all-around cornerback who’ll fall just behind the top prospects, he can do everything. He might be seen as a long corner with wheels, but he can tackle, too, with 101 stops in three years with six picks. Expect him to be a great value pick.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings No. 5
2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings Top Five
5. Kristian Fulton, LSU
Size: 6-0, 197
The Good: Very tough with decent speed, he’s a rocked-up explosive athlete who’s just coming into his own.
After only playing in eight games in his first two seasons on the field – and missing all of 2017 – he came up big last year with 38 tackles with 14 broken up passes with a pick. He can move, but he’s at his best when he’s able to bump around a receiver. Great at battling for the ball, he’ll outmuscle receivers, will hit, and has upside as a safety if a team wants to play around with its secondary.
The Not-So-Good: The 2017 issues appear to be well in the past, but he missed a whole year after a failed drug test. Chalk it up to a bad choice – it isn’t a factor going forward, but it’s a part of the college resumé. On the field, he’s not slow, but he’s also not a blazer. Missing the elite speed isn’t enough to drop him too far, but it matters.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He has enough talent and skill to be a longtime starter without too many worries, but where? He’s a corner, but he’d also make a whale of a free safety. It would be nice if he had another gear, but don’t worry about him at corner. He’ll make up for any concerns by getting physical – he’s a big-time baller.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings No. 4
4. CJ Henderson, Florida
Size: 6-1, 204
The Good: 4.39.
In a draft without a whole lot of blazers at corner, only three prospects came in with a sub 4.4 and Henderson was the best player of the group.
Long with good ball skills and great all-around athleticism, he’s got good size and effortlessly glides around the field. He might not be the most physical of defensive backs when it comes to pushing around receivers, but he came up with 93 tackles in his three years with six picks and 20 broken up passes.
And again, he can really move.
The Not-So-Good: There isn’t any worry about whether not he’ll help against the run, but he’s just okay at it. He’ll bring the pop once in a while to try and make the big play, but he’s best when he’s able to move around and make things happen when the ball is in the air.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He might not be Jeff Okudah, but he’s good enough to be a fantastic first round get with all the skills to be a starter right out of the gate. Any knocks and concerns are no big deal as long as he can hold up through a full slate. With his size and speed, there are few real concerns.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings No. 3
3. Bryce Hall, Virginia
Size: 6-1, 202
The Good: A baller’s baller, he’s got the size to transform into a safety if needed, and the speed to have a nice career as a corner first.
Tough, he came up with 154 tackles in his 3.5 year career, with 62 as a junior to go along with 21 broken up passes and two picks. He doesn’t miss an open stop, is a willing hitter against the run, and he’ll battle up on the bigger receivers. Quick enough to live on an island, he can work in just about any scheme.
The Not-So-Good: Is he ready to be junior-year-good again after getting his ankle fixed? He missed half of last year hurt, and he might need a little while to literally get back up to speed. While he can tackle, some might see him as a bit of a tweener and try to put him at safety right away.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: While he might not be quite as flashy as some of the other top corners in a high-end year for the position, but he’ll be a starter in your secondary for a long time. The effort and fight will never be a question, coaches are going to love his physical style, and he’ll show off the skills to come through in battles for the ball.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings No. 2
2. Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Size: 6-1, 205
The Good: With terrific size and excellent quickness, he’s got all the tools to go along with the experience to be ready from the start. He has seen everything, and he’s been able to come through with 57 tackles, 14 broken up passes and four picks over the last two seasons.
All the prototype NFL skills are there. He’s got the right size, the right body type, and the right long speed to hang around with any type of receiver. Smooth, he moves like a next-level starting corner is supposed to.
The Not-So-Good: While he has good size and he’ll get physical, he won’t come up with the big pop. He’s more of a functional tackler than anything a receiver has to worry about – there’s not a whole lot of intimidation to his style. He’ll take a few too many chances, but those are usually errors by putting in too much effort.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Start with all of the tools needed and go from there. He made his share of big plays over the last two seasons and grew into bigger star. Now he’ll be the type of ball-hawker who’ll put up massive numbers when picked on as a rookie.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings No. 1
1. Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
Size: 6-1, 205
The Good: There’s no knock on his game or his character.
Everything you want as a Face of the Franchise type of defender, he’s got all the tools to be a leader in the locker room, and also be a perennial All-Pro who can instantly change up a secondary.
He’s got prototype size and length, and he’s got enough explosion to go along with the right body type. The 4.48 40 is good enough, and he can jump out of the stadium. Strong enough to bully up receivers when needed, and quick enough to smother the speedsters, he can handle them all.
Again, there’s no knock on his game, but …
The Not-So-Good: It would be nice if he had an extra gear. He’s fast enough, but he doesn’t have the blazing speed you’d like in an elite of the elite corners. Production-wise, he only had 18 career broken up passes and three picks – all the interceptions coming last year – but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: No one threw at him. He’s everything you want in an elite corner who can step in right away and be amazing. All of the skills are there, there’s no questioning his fight or his want-to, and he’s going to keep working to get better. Take him in the top five overall, and if it doesn’t quite work out, it’s not your fault.
Projected Round: Top Ten Overall
