2025 Draft: CBs

[manxman2601]

I think I prefer Travis Hunter as a CB to a WR. He’ll be excellent at both, but his instincts in zone are outstanding.

 

[Clonamery]

@WaterfallJumper 's favourite Darien Porter is a strange eval. If you look at his stats, he's a potential shut down corner. Across the whole 2024 season he was only targeted 17 times and only gave up 5 receptions for 70 yards and has as many INTs/PBUs as receptions. He's 6'4", has 33" arms and runs in the 4.3s. Let's face it, he's the perfect Pete Carroll CB.

But here's why he's a difficult eval. Prior to 2024, he only had 269 defensive snaps so he's really raw but then comes along in '24 with the ultimate shutdown corner season. So is he the ultimate shut down corner or the guy Iowa State's coaches didn't trust prior to '24? I have two other 'orange' flags. Firstly he'll be 25 by the end of the first season so he's likely a one contract guy. Secondly, his run defense grades are the worst of all CBs.

But I can't get away from the fact that he's a long-armed 6'4" guy who runs in the 4.3s and just put up the best season amongst draft eligible corners in what was an almost literal shut-down role. I'm definitely intrigued at having him opposite Gonzalez. Perhaps not 38 intrigued, but I do think he has a case to be BPA at 69.

By the way, here's evidence of his speed.



And evidence of how he reads the game

He can ****in' motor.

 

[manxman2601]

He can ****in' motor.

That sideline to sideline chase down is quite something.

 

[Clonamery]

That sideline to sideline chase down is quite something.

That's football speed, not track speed. I know he's an old man but that is real.

 

[manxman2601]

That's football speed, not track speed. I know he's an old man but that is real.

Old man

I think I want to die.

 

[Clonamery]

Old man

I think I want to die.

All relative. LOL.

 

[bakes781]

I think I prefer Travis Hunter as a CB to a WR. He’ll be excellent at both, but his instincts in zone are outstanding.

I'd just have redzone specific plays for him only. That way he's not running deep routes.

 

[manxman2601]

I'd just have redzone specific plays for him only. That way he's not running deep routes.

Why don't you want him running deep routes?

 

[bakes781]

As it always does I learn about someone else when pulling video on another lol

Bilhal Kone CB Western Michigan

 

[bakes781]

Why don't you want him running deep routes?

I meant as a WR to Save him energy to play CB primarily.

 

[manxman2601]

Save him energy to play CB primarily.

my ideal scenario for him is to have him as a starting CB that has a number of offensive plays both in the redzone and 3rd down with a backup CB good enough to spell him on the occasional drive. Alex Austin for example.

 

[bakes781]

my ideal scenario for him is to have him as a starting CB that has a number of offensive plays both in the redzone and 3rd down with a backup CB good enough to spell him on the occasional drive. Alex Austin for example.

My only thinking behind relegating to redzone so as not to tip our hat that we don't intend to have him run deep.

 

[bakes781]

As it always does I learn about someone else when pulling video on another lol

Bilhal Kone CB Western Michigan

Just wanted to single out 1 particular play at the 8 minute mark.

Apologies for the grainy screen shots but notice the WR using the ref for a pick lol and Kone releases from his man and makes the play on the ball! That's incredible!




I forget that I can clip parts of YouTube lol

 

[Dec54]

Old man

I think I want to die.

I think I already am.

 

[Joey007]

Are 24 year old rookies really that old? Usually 22,23 is the norm. I don’t have a major issue with 24 being the age of a rookie.

 

[manxman2601]

Are 24 year old rookies really that old? Usually 22,23 is the norm. I don’t have a major issue with 24 being the age of a rookie.

The only issue is that sometime in his second contract, which would hopefully be a big one if he's done well, you've got a thirty something CB on big money. Also, considering this was his first year with any real production, you have to wonder why his coaches weren't playing him before '24. As I said, his age is not a red flag, just an orange one.

 

[Joey007]

The only issue is that sometime in his second contract, which would hopefully be a big one if he's done well, you've got a thirty something CB on big money. Also, considering this was his first year with any real production, you have to wonder why his coaches weren't playing him before '24. As I said, his age is not a red flag, just an orange one.

That’s fair, I just don’t usually focus too much on the second contract when we’re drafting players.

The next 3-5 is what you’re really keeping focus on currently.

 

[bakes781]

 

[manxman2601]

He has a good chance to go first round depending on his injury sadly.

 

[manxman2601]

S Carolina CB O'Donnell Fortune is really interesting to me. Bearing in mind that Vrabel's Titans were much more of a zone coverage team this scouting report sells me on him hard:

SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY​

The tape shows a corner custom-built for the modern NFL's emphasis on pattern-match coverage. Fortune's anticipation jumps off the screen - watch him bait quarterbacks by showing soft coverage before closing explosive gaps to make plays on the ball. His background as a safety bleeds into his cornerback play, particularly in quarters coverage where his spatial awareness and route recognition skills create turnover opportunities. That versatility showed up repeatedly against Alabama, where he seamlessly transitioned between man and zone responsibilities while recording nine tackles and an interception against elite competition.

Put Fortune in a Seattle-style coverage system and watch him thrive. His length, football IQ, and natural feel for zone coverage scream Cover 3 cornerback, but he's more than just a deep-third defender. The film reveals a defensive back who excels at pattern-matching from press alignment, using his length to disrupt releases before smoothly transitioning to match vertical routes. His Shrine Bowl domination wasn't surprising - it simply confirmed what dozens of game tapes had already shown about his ability to mirror receivers and close on the football.

After studying over 500 snaps of Fortune's 2024 tape, I'm convinced he's being severely undervalued. The athletic testing numbers don't tell the full story - this is a corner who consistently shows up in big moments and makes plays that alter games. His ceiling in a pattern-match heavy scheme is that of a high-end CB2 who can match up with X receivers while providing plus zone coverage ability.

O'Donnell Fortune Cornerback South Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 81.8 Rank: #29 Forty: 4.58 The tape shows a corner custom-built for the modern NFL's emphasis on pattern-match coverage. Fortune's anticipation jumps off the screen - watch him bai...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com