The 2024 NFL Draft presents an exciting quarterback class full of notable names. It is led by USC’s Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and dynamic dual-threat quarterback.
At the top of the class, Williams is followed by Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who would have been the best pass-catcher in the 2023 NFL Draft. Now as a draft-eligible junior, he’s the crown jewel for any team in need of help at the position.
Here are the top 10 cornerbacks in the class.
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1. CB COOPER DEJEAN, IOWA
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 8
The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it’s because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
2. CB QUINYON MITCHELL, TOLEDO
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 10
Mitchell has some of the best advanced coverage metrics PFF has ever recorded for a two-year sample size. He has all the ability in the world to be a CB1 at the next level.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
3. CB NATE WIGGINS, CLEMSON
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 14
Wiggins has the tools of a first-round, high-impact cornerback. His athleticism will never be in question, nor will his competitiveness. Those two characteristics should yield a long-term starting player.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
4. CB TERRION ARNOLD, ALABAMA
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 15
Arnold isn’t the most polished cornerback in this class, but his high-percentile athletic abilities give him as high of a ceiling as any cornerback in man or zone systems.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
5. CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY, ALABAMA
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 34
McKinstry plays one of the most difficult positions in the game with so much poise and production. He might not be an elite athlete, but he is one of the smartest cornerback prospects you’ll find. He can play in any defensive scheme and is the type of player you draft in the first round.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
6. CB T.J. TAMPA, IOWA STATE
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 35
Tampa’s unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick. If he can clean up his footwork, he can be a starting outside cornerback in the NFL with the potential to be an impact player.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
7. CB MIKE SAINRISTIL, MICHIGAN
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 36
Every NFL team would love to have a player like Sainristil. He brings a great skill set and mentality to be a starting slot cornerback, with safety and special teams versatility to boot. He should be viewed as one of the top “football players” in this draft, regardless of position.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
8. CB KAMARI LASSITER, GEORGIA
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 38
Lassiter is a competitive, scheme-versatile cornerback who can succeed in both man and zone assignments. While he isn’t the best athlete at the position, he makes up for it in many ways, including through instincts and anticipation. He projects as a priority Day 2 selection as a future CB2.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
9. CB ENNIS RAKESTRAW JR., MISSOURI
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 42
Rakestraw possesses a high football IQ and does great work in off-coverage when he can anticipate with space. He is a quick and controlled cornerback who will provide plus reliability as a run defender. His traits are worthy of a top-50 draft pick, but his lack of ball production might have him drafted just outside that range.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
10. CB KHYREE JACKSON, OREGON
PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 67
Jackson is an alluring prospect because his combination of size and athleticism doesn’t come around often. However, he must anticipate routes better and not rely on his recovery speed as much. If he can do this, he can be a starting-caliber cornerback in the NFL with a shutdown skill set.
Three-year grades and scouting report: Available in the PFF big board
