2026 Draft: Cornerback

[manxman2601]

Potentially a deep class.

 

[manxman2601]

Mansoor Delane, LSU, had another good day yesterday only allowing 1 pass for 4 yards on 4 targets. That's a season line of 12 targets, 2 receptions allowed for 25 yards and one INT.

 

[manxman2601]

All 22 breakdown of Mansoor Delane

 

[manxman2601]

Slot corner is a potential need next year as this is the last year of Marcus Jones' contract.

Keith Abney Jr, Arizona State, 5-11, 195lbs

He's not getting a lot of love from the early board setters. PFF has him at 144, Draft Buzz doesn't have him listed at all although NFL Mock Draft Database have him at 66. He is getting some love on X though, including from one of my favourite amateur scouts James Foster who ranks him as his second graded CB and first round pick. I don't think he's that, he has sub-par arm length, but he's clearly a gifted cover corner who is supposed to be excellent in zone coverage too. He has the ideal size to transition from outside corner into the slot.

 

[Clonamery]

Slot corner is a potential need next year as this is the last year of Marcus Jones' contract.

Keith Abney Jr, Arizona State, 5-11, 195lbs

He's not getting a lot of love from the early board setters. PFF has him at 144, Draft Buzz doesn't have him listed at all although NFL Mock Draft Database have him at 66. He is getting some love on X though, including from one of my favourite amateur scouts James Foster who ranks him as his second graded CB and first round pick. I don't think he's that, he has sub-par arm length, but he's clearly a gifted cover corner who is supposed to be excellent in zone coverage too. He has the ideal size to transition from outside corner into the slot.

He is #59 on PFN...rising lately.

 

[manxman2601]

Slot WR part 2

Xavier Scott, Illinois, 5-11, 198lbs
Connor Rogers has him as his CB2, James Foster as CB3. Rogers calls him "an incredible playmaker". Again Connor Rogers - "his anticipation on short and intermediate routes...is the best in this class".

He's never had below 70 as a tackling grade in three years and last year had an 85 run defence grade. In 2023 it was 90! He's had 6 INTs and 12 PBUs in the last two years and while he mainly plays in the slot, has experience at outside corner and some safety.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Masterful at baiting quarterbacks in zone coverage, showing next-level processing speed and anticipation when reading routes developing in front of him
• Exceptional tackling technique for his size - brings controlled violence and rarely whiffs, evidenced by his 85.7 tackle grade that ranked fourth among Big Ten corners
• Natural feel for zone spacing allows him to float between assignments while keeping his eyes on the quarterback, particularly effective in Cover 2 shells
• Shows advanced route recognition from slot alignments, consistently staying in phase through stems and maintaining leverage against option routes
• Nasty competitor at the catch point despite size limitations - times his jumps perfectly and plays through receivers' hands with expert precision
• Quick-trigger processor against screens and swing passes, shoots gaps with conviction and rarely takes false steps when diagnosing play design
• Versatility to play multiple spots in the secondary adds significant value - comfortable both outside and in the slot with experience at safety
• Special teams demon who brings the same intensity to coverage units as he does defense - projects as four-phase contributor early in career

Xavier Scott Cornerback Illinois | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 81.5 Rank: #34 Forty: 4.52 Scott is a scheme-diverse defensive back who will make his earliest impact from the slot, where his processing speed and short-area quickness can shine....

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

"If you want somebody to f%*k up the game, this is the guy who, at any moment, can ruin the game for the opposition" - Final Connor Rogers quote.

 

[manxman2601]

Mansoor Delane making a case to end up being CB1.

 

[Clonamery]

Here's a DB piece for Day 3, Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State.

He's been playing S for them since his Freshman year. They came to him and asked him to play Nickel for his Sr year. Got a great attitude. He's a 6' and 200 lb guy, nothing more but he reads plays and is willing and coachable.

 

[Clonamery]

Couple more Day 3 CBs, same School, Cal Golden Bears (our pipeline?)... Senior portal transfers.

Hezekiah Masses, an INT in each of the 3 games played. 6' 1" - 185.



Brent Austin
5' 11" - 180
Had a really good Jr year with USF

South Florida CB Brent Austin Reportedly Latest to Cal

Brent “Paco” Austin, who started all 13 games at cornerback last season for South Florida, has transferred to Cal, according to the recruiting website On3. Aust

www.si.com

 

[manxman2601]

Mansoor Delane

84% coverage grade on passes of more than 20 yards

18 targets, only 4 catches allowed for 36 yards

PBU on 33% of his targets.

It's not as though he's had a cupcake schedule either with Florida and Clemson being 2 of his 3 games.

 

[manxman2601]

James Foster on Mansoor Delane

 

[NFL Mystique]

I don't think Gonzalez can be relied upon moving forward. So it's definitely a need.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think having 3 good outside CBs is a necessity these days. If a CB is BPA at any point, I'm fine with it.

 

[Clonamery]

Jontez Williams

Iowa State, 5'11" - 200

 

[manxman2601]

Jontez Williams

Iowa State, 5'11" - 200

Nice find. Note - Only 6 career missed tackles in 1,056 snaps and only allowed a QB passing rating of 19.6 last season. Very interesting potential Marcus Jones replacement.

Scouting report from Grok.

Strengths

• Ball Skills & Interceptions: Elite instincts for underthrows—sinks hips to bait QBs and high-points contested balls with strong hands and vertical leap. 4 INTs in 2024 included a school-record-tying streak; tied for 3rd in Big 12.
• 
  
• Zone Coverage Mastery: Natural feel for zones (Cover 2/3 heavy at ISU); reads eyes, disrupts passing lanes, and supports run fits aggressively. Versatile enough for man (Cover 1/3) snaps; projects as nickel/slot specialist.
• 
  
• Pursuit & Tackling: Quick closing speed in pursuit; doesn't shy from run support or shedding stalk blocks. Compact build aids balance; effective toss-back tackler on short catches.
• 
  
• Leadership & Football IQ: Embracing captaincy in 2025 with a young secondary; coaches praise his "level-up" mentality post-breakout. Academic All-Big 12 (2023); Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll multiple times.
• Athleticism: Track background translates to fluid transitions and recovery speed; low completion % allowed (37%) shows quick-twitch separation defense.

Weaknesses/Areas for Growth

• Hip Fluidity & Press Technique: Slight delay in transitions; opens hips prematurely in press, leading to trail technique on deeper routes. Needs sharper mirroring vs. elite speed.
• 
  
• Physicality vs. Size: Fails to fully leverage 195-lb frame against bigger WRs or in run game; can get stood up on blocks. Must add pop to shed and tackle in space for NFL slot role.
• 
  
• Volume Tackling: Solid but not dominant (52 career tackles); run support flashes inconsistency. Deeper 2025 snap count will test endurance.
• 
  
• Scheme Fit Risk: Thrives in Iowa State's zone-heavy system; must prove man coverage polish at Senior Bowl/Combine to avoid nickel-only label.

NFL Comparison: A more instinctive version of Eagles CB Darius Slay—agile zone reader with ball-hawking upside and run support, but needs hip refinement to match elite traits. Fits best in zone/man hybrid schemes (e.g., Chiefs, Eagles, Ravens) as a Day 2 slot starter with special teams value.

Bottom Line: Williams is Iowa State's defensive cornerstone and a rising 2026 draft riser after his 2024 All-Big 12 campaign. His instincts, versatility, and leadership make him a safe bet for a multi-phase role (CB3/nickel with ST snaps), but polishing hips and physicality could vault him to Round 2. Watch his 2025 leadership in a talent-thin secondary—scouts see "next-line" potential in ISU's DB pipeline (Tampa, Porter).

 

[manxman2601]

Keith Abney II, Arizona State v Baylor all 22

1 INT
4 passes defended
1 Forced fumble
20.0 QB rating against

Zero missed tackles so far this year. I have him pencilled in as my Marcus Jones replacement.

 

[manxman2601]

Jackson is one I’ve still to get to

 

[mayoclinic]

Jackson having a rough time in run support vs. Georgia.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[Clonamery]

He was smart to get away from Colorado.