2026 Draft: Cornerback

[mayoclinic]

Some good CB depth this year.

 

[manxman2601]

Some good CB depth this year.

Add Washington corner Tacario Davis to the list (formerly Arizona). 6'4". I really like the ability he shows to turn his head at the last minute, locate the ball and make a play on it. He dropped a couple of INT opportunities though so needs work on ball skills.

 

[mayoclinic]

Davis was getting some hype 2 years ago, then dropped off the radar before transferring. Has been resurrected at Washington.

Thoughts on Ohio St. CB Davison Igbinosun? 6'2" 190#. Very physical.

Love long, physical CBs.

 

[manxman2601]

Davis was getting some hype 2 years ago, then dropped off the radar before transferring. Has been resurrected at Washington.

Thoughts on Ohio St. CB Davison Igbinosun? 6'2" 190#. Very physical.

Love long, physical CBs.

The one thing that bothers me about him is a scouting report I saw that said he's really bad at turning his head and plays the man rather than the ball too much. His coverage grades are a little meh, but he's a bit of a beast in run support though so all is not lost. Early day 3 perhaps?

Run defence grades the last 3 seasons

2023 - 85.3 (5.6% missed tackles)
2024 - 82.4 (10.7%)
2025 - 75.7 (5%)

He's never got above a coverage grade of 70 though.

 

[mayoclinic]

Early Day 3 was where I had him.

 

[Clonamery]

Thoughts on D'Angelo Ponds? 5'9" - 175.

Has to move to slot? He's basically Marcus Jones size.

Won 2 Florida Track Titles in HS.

 

[mayoclinic]

Love Ponds, just not 5'9" CBs.

I want us to keep Marcus Jones, but if we lose him Ponds would be my #1 replacement candidate. Can play outside or Slot, ST demon.

 

[manxman2601]

Keith Abney would be my choice for the slot but he'll probably be a bit rich. @Clonamery 's guy Jontez Williams of Iowa State is one that really intrigues me though. Only 5 career missed tackles and none this year. He's outstanding in run support. See page 1 for a highlight video.

 

[mayoclinic]

Lot of corners. Abney will likely go day 2.

Davis early day 3 would be intriguing. Moves very well for his size.



Davis was over-hyped by the media at Arizona, now could be a good value pick.

On a slightly different note, Seattle is reported shopping 6'4" Riq Woolen. Wanted him over Jack Jones. Consistency is his big question mark.

 

[manxman2601]

John Nestor, Minnesota, 6-1, 205lbs

He's only a junior so may not declare this year but he's having a very good start to the season (see below). A transfer from Iowa where he was mainly a special teamer. However, he's going up against Ohio State today and a good performance against Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith would certainly elevate his stock. One to watch out for if that's your game of choice tonight.

 

[mayoclinic]

Hezekiah Masses and Collin Wright both on my Day 3 watch list.

 

[manxman2601]

Just heard that Jontez Williams and his partner in the secondary Jeremiah Cooper have both suffered season ending injuries.

 

[manxman2601]

A new name that has just appeared on the PFF Big board at 61 is Chris Johnson of San Diego State. He's 6', 195 and is currently leading CFB with a 91.2 coverage grade. He's only surrendering a QB rating of 22.3 with 4 PBUs and 2 INTs.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nice find.

 

[manxman2601]

Cornerbacks who can cover and tackle

I decided to look at cornerbacks with a minimum 75 coverage grade and a 70 tackling grade.

Chris Johnson, San Diego State - 91.2 coverage, 84.2 tackle
Mansoor Delane, LSU - 87.7, 84.2
Jontez Williams, Iowa State - 85.6, 87.1 (so sad he's out for the year)
Colton Hood, Tennessee - 81.2, 71.1
Keith Abney, Arizona State - 81.0, 87.5
D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana - 80.7, 73.6
Jyaire Hill, Michigan - 78.7, 77.4
Antonio Kite, Ole Miss - 77.0, 73.7




Special Mentions

Chandler Rivers, Duke - 77.5, 42.4 (a bad year this year for tackling but has been in the 69-76 range in previous years)
Hezekial Masses, Cal - 77.6, 65.7 (just misses out on tackling but still pretty good)
Jermaine Matthews Jr, Ohio State - 75.9, 64.2
Avieon Terrell, Clemson - 73.0, 82.8
Josh Moten, So. Miss - 72.1, 82.8
Devin Moore, Florida - 81.4, 62.3
Malik Muhammad - 71.2, 83.7
Xavier Scott, Illinois - 70.3, 81.9


At this point of the season, that would be my pool of cornerbacks from which I'd draft. The two bolded ones are interesting because they're currently considered late round picks.

 

[manxman2601]

Cornerbacks who can cover and tackle

I decided to look at cornerbacks with a minimum 75 coverage grade and a 70 tackling grade.

Chris Johnson, San Diego State - 91.2 coverage, 84.2 tackle
Mansoor Delane, LSU - 87.7, 84.2
Jontez Williams, Iowa State - 85.6, 87.1 (so sad he's out for the year)
Colton Hood, Tennessee - 81.2, 71.1
Keith Abney, Arizona State - 81.0, 87.5
D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana - 80.7, 73.6
Jyaire Hill, Michigan - 78.7, 77.4
Antonio Kite, Ole Miss - 77.0, 73.7




Special Mentions

Chandler Rivers, Duke - 77.5, 42.4 (a bad year this year for tackling but has been in the 69-76 range in previous years)
Hezekial Masses, Cal - 77.6, 65.7 (just misses out on tackling but still pretty good)
Jermaine Matthews Jr, Ohio State - 75.9, 64.2
Avieon Terrell, Clemson - 73.0, 82.8
Josh Moten, So. Miss - 72.1, 82.8
Devin Moore, Florida - 81.4, 62.3
Malik Muhammad - 71.2, 83.7
Xavier Scott, Illinois - 70.3, 81.9


At this point of the season, that would be my pool of cornerbacks from which I'd draft. The two bolded ones are interesting because they're currently considered late round picks.

Jyaire Hill looking interesting. Currently no 274 on the PFF big board. I suspect that might change.

 

[Clonamery]

Brandon Cisse, hmm. 6' - 190.

 

[State]

Mansoor Delane=Ty Law

 

[mayoclinic]

High praise, indeed.

I have Delane in my Tier 2 for the Pats along with Jermod McCoy (pending medicals). Well worth a 1st round pick. Gonzalez/Delane/Davis/Jones would be the best CB room in the league.

Not the worst thing that could happen if he ends up being BPA when we pick.

 

[manxman2601]

High praise, indeed.

I have Delane in my Tier 2 for the Pats along with Jermod McCoy (pending medicals). Well worth a 1st round pick. Gonzalez/Delane/Davis/Jones would be the best CB room in the league.

Not the worst thing that could happen if he ends up being BPA when we pick.

Where do you stand on Avieon Terrell? He'd be an excellent Marcus Jones replacement if needed. Keith Abney too. Both can double up as outside corners as well.