2026 Draft: Cornerback

[stelfans]

I think he is very appealing, especially when you're facing this running qb's like Allen. Scott speed is amazing, i think he would be a tremendous weapon.

 

[manxman2601]

I think he is very appealing, especially when you're facing this running qb's like Allen. Scott speed is amazing, i think he would be a tremendous weapon.

I think for now my ideal DB draft would be something like this.

1. I'm not adverse to drafting a round 1 CB if the right one is there and he's BPA.

2. I'm not adverse to drafting Dillon Thieneman in the first or after a trade back. Unlike many safeties this year, he has the range to play single high.

3. If Jelani McDonald declares (he's a RS soph), I'd be very high on him. Outstanding size and athleticism.

4. Failing all that my top four currently as potential picks are Devin Moore as a backup outside corner, Keionte Scott as a backup NCB and either Bray Hubbard or Treydan Stukes as a safety. We'd probably need to re-sign Hawkins.

5. I like Zakee Wheatley quite a lot but i'd have liked to see more production from him.

 

[stelfans]

Im with you there. I prefer Hubbard because of his size but I'd be perfectly fine with Thieneman.

 

[manxman2601]

A Treydan Stukes cut up. Watch his speed on the first two plays. I really do like him as a safety/nickel TE killer.

 

[manxman2601]

FS 1



FS 2

 

[manxman2601]

Moore is the corner at the top of the screen. This rep is a thing of beauty. He doesn't lose any speed making that 2nd transition.

 

[manxman2601]

Tony Pauline ranks DBs. He’s a tough scouter. 6th round grade on Bray Hubbard and Keionte Scott. 5th round on Zakee Wheatley and Jelani McDonald. 4th on Kamari Ramsey.

2026 NFL Draft Defensive Back Rankings: Ohio State’s Caleb Downs Beats LSU’s Mansoor Delane for the Top Spot

As we come close to the 2026 NFL Draft, here is our ranking of the top defensive backs who will be heading to the draft next year.

www.essentiallysports.com

 

[Clonamery]

Tony Pauline ranks DBs. He’s a tough scouter. 6th round grade on Bray Hubbard and Keionte Scott. 5th round on Zakee Wheatley and Jelani McDonald. 4th on Kamari Ramsey.

2026 NFL Draft Defensive Back Rankings: Ohio State’s Caleb Downs Beats LSU’s Mansoor Delane for the Top Spot

As we come close to the 2026 NFL Draft, here is our ranking of the top defensive backs who will be heading to the draft next year.

www.essentiallysports.com

That's ok with me.

 

[manxman2601]

James Foster does a Keionte Scott cut up.

Do I think he could be exposed in man coverage? Yes.
Do I care? Not really. I want an aggressive defense and Scott, as much as anyone in this class, personifies an aggressive physical, explosive defense. He's a demon attacking behind the LoS, he reads the game well in zone and he has the recovery speed to lessen any man coverage failings.

Of my two favourite value nickels, Scott is the better aggressive run defender, Stukes is the better pure coverage guy. Scott gets the edge because of his age but I so want both if possible.

 

[manxman2601]

James Foster does a Keionte Scott cut up.

Do I think he could be exposed in man coverage? Yes.
Do I care? Not really. I want an aggressive defense and Scott, as much as anyone in this class, personifies an aggressive physical, explosive defense. He's a demon attacking behind the LoS, he reads the game well in zone and he has the recovery speed to lessen any man coverage failings.

Of my two favourite value nickels, Scott is the better aggressive run defender, Stukes is the better pure coverage guy. Scott gets the edge because of his age but I so want both if possible.

That’s annoying. It looks like the tweet was deleted. No doubt the copyright fairies nailed James.

 

[manxman2601]

It's not the perfect like for like comparison because of their differences in size, but watching Kyle Hamilton last night, I couldn't help think about the way Keionte Scott disrupts the offense behind the LoS.

 

[manxman2601]

A question for the roster experts. Suppose we draft Scott. How do we get him on the field for meaningful snaps? Presumably Marcus Jones won't be coming off with his new contract. Who would Scott replace on the field? Elliss? Mapu?

 

[stelfans]

A question for the roster experts. Suppose we draft Scott. How do we get him on the field for meaningful snaps? Presumably Marcus Jones won't be coming off with his new contract. Who would Scott replace on the field? Elliss? Mapu?

Probably. He would have a very specific role, why i dont see or like him in the 2nd or 3rd round. He's not a 3 down player.
But against a mobile quarterback, he would certainly be out there a lot.

 

[manxman2601]

Probably. He would have a very specific role, why i dont see or like him in the 2nd or 3rd round. He's not a 3 down player.
But against a mobile quarterback, he would certainly be out there a lot.

He's the ideal Marcus Jones backup but the fact that we already have Marcus jones is the complicating factor vis a vis draft stock. I would take him in the 2nd or 3rd because I like him so much but I see your point too. It was a much easier sell when he was being talked of as a day 3 prospect.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yes, please:

1. Scott or Stukes.

2. Devin Moore, Kelley Jones, Julian Neal, Tacario Davis or Jyaire Hill.

3. Jelani McDonald, Zakee Wheatley, or Stukes.

If you can somehow pull this off to add to what we already gave, you would have the best, most versatile, and deepest secondary in the NFL.

 

[manxman2601]

Yes, please:

1. Scott or Stukes.

2. Devin Moore, Kelley Jones, Julian Brent, Tacario Davis or Jyaire Hill.

3. Jelani McDonald, Zakee Wheatley, or Stukes.

If you can somehow pull this off to add to what we already gave, you would have the best, most versatile, and deepest secondary in the NFL.

Neal. I wouldn’t have said anything but you’ve gone with Brent twice now and I keep thinking about David Brent from The Office (UK version).

 

[stelfans]

Yes, please:

1. Scott or Stukes.

2. Devin Moore, Kelley Jones, Julian Brent, Tacario Davis or Jyaire Hill.

3. Jelani McDonald, Zakee Wheatley, or Stukes.

If you can somehow pull this off to add to what we already gave, you would have the best, most versatile, and deepest secondary in the NFL.

Scott or Stukes is not the same thing tho. But i do understand that they would be taking about the same roster spot. But Stukes could backup at safety and outside corner probably which increases his value ON this roster quite a bit. Scott is a different weapon but i just have a hard time justifying a early pick on him.
Similarly to taking a RB, could they take one? sure, what kind of impact would he have is the big question.

Also, regarding Scott, he is a lot older than i thought thats dissapointing.

 

[manxman2601]

Also, regarding Scott, he is a lot older than i thought thats dissapointing.

1. Of course he is, he’s one of my discoveries this year.

2. You better not look into Stukes’ age then.

 

[stelfans]

1. Of course he is, he’s one of my discoveries this year.

2. You better not look into Stukes’ age then.

Cant seem to find it, thankfully

 

[manxman2601]

Cant seem to find it, thankfully

I think 24 or 25. He's a 6th year senior.