SECONDARY
I apologize for combining safeties and cornerbacks into one position group, but I needed to keep the Draft Central page symmetrical with two position groups on each level… I couldn’t to lose that symmetry over one article. Anyways, here are our ranking of the top-fifteen secondary players in the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Nate Wiggins, Clemson University
Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
+ Has prototypical size, speed, and length to be considered a day one starter.
+ Combine was impressive, affirming that his already impressive speed can hold with the fastest in the NFL.
+ Effective in the phone booth, bringing the physicality.
+ Flexible, aware, and aggressive at catch point — a sticky man coverage corner.
- Needs work with press coverage, lighter frame does not enable Wiggins to be a physical corner at the LOS.
- Will need to add some weight to his 6-2, 189 frame in order to hang with the DK Metcalf’s of the world.
2. Javon Bullard, University of Georgia
Sports Illustrated
+ Do it all player who is a physical, assertive, team leader and attitude that thrives in the NFL.
+ Steamrolls through blocks en route to the ball, never is stuck on a block.
+ Physical contact point defender who never is on his back.
+ Fluid mover as seen against Ole Miss, will bait the quarterback with flipped hips.
+ Excellent press coverage defender.
- Needs work in man coverage, especially against tight-ends.
- 5-10, 197 frame raises concerns about longevity in the NFL.
3. Terrion Arnold, University of Alabama
Ryan Kang/Getty Images
+ Handsy, physical corner who is pesky at the LOS and fluid in press coverage.
+ Twitch in lower body allows Arnold to stay with any receiver.
+ Jumps routes with physical, hand-catching demeanor.
+ Willing tackler who utilizes technique, will get dirty at the contact point.
+ Is never looking at the name-plate of a receiver.
+ Turning 21 a month before the draft.
- May dip into the well one too many times per game, susceptible to penalties due to aggressive play-style.
- Needs to figure out a plan on how to deal with in-cutting routes better in man coverage.
4. Tyler Nubin, University of Minnesota
+ Fits the Kyle Hamilton/Brian Branch role that teams are craving.
+ Size and strength are major plusses combined with copious experience.
+ Adaptable player with ability to anticipate in coverage by baiting the quarterback.
+ Frequently forces quarterbacks to look him off pre-snap.
+ Capable blitzer compliments his overall physicality.
- Downhill angles need to improve, susceptible to taking himself out of the play.
- Not the fastest player.
5. Kool-Aid McKinstry, University of Alabama
Yahoo Sports
+ Zone coverage savant with ability to sink and shift in order to cover two zones at once.
+ Played varying roles at Alabama, signifying versatility.
+ Has the ability to press.
+ Can recognize route patterns and play the ball instantly.
+ Willing tackler who is not afraid of contact.
- Effort is not all the way there, with multiple plays showing him walking to the ball.
- Not the overall fastest corner.
6. Kris Abrams-Draine, University of Missouri
+ Explosive, sticky athlete in coverage.
+ Hips turns galore — can flip and switch and dive on command.
+ Short area quickness evident against OSU.
+ A former quarterback and wide receiver, KAD can run receivers’ routes for them.
+ Profiles perfectly as a slot corner.
- Needs to work on block shedding and avoiding blockers in space.
- Not a good contested catch corner.
7. Kamren Kinchens, Miami University
Megan Briggs/Getty Images
+ Thick framed, quick accelerating safety with ability to pop ball carriers in the flat.
+ Reaches top speed in an instant, is able to hang with almost any receiver.
+ Rangy safety with ability to break up down field passes.
+ Physical at contact point.
- Easily loses bendier receivers down field.
- Sometimes too eager to make a play and overshoots his read.
- Shaky tackler despite physicality.
8. Cooper DeJean, Iowa University
CODY BLISSETT / THE DAILY IOWAN
+ Thicker cornerback with build of a safety and speed of a nickel corner.
+ Good at diagnosing a play.
+ Range to become a safety at the next level.
+ Ball-hawking corner at Iowa.
+ Good leader.
- If you draft him, you are drafting him to convert him to safety, which will take time.
- At times, too thick, as bulk inhibits hip turning ability.
9. Cole Bishop, University of Utah
Chris Gardner/Getty Images
+ Elite distance closer who will lay the wood at the LOS.
+ A rangy, physical safety in cover-two.
+ Does not take himself out of the play with pursuit angles.
+ Flashed man coverage ability.
- Catch point skills need refinement.
- Not an elite overall athlete, but a solid all-around one.
10. Kamari Lassiter, University of Georgia
Sports Illustrated
+ Meaner than a junkyard dog… a gritty, physical, pestering corner with a terrifyingly physical demeanor — “eat off the floor” manta.
+ Fluid mover in space with good enough speed.
+ Elite jam at the LOS, stunning receivers.
+ High-volume of tackling.
- Can be walled off by bigger receivers in run defense.
- Double-move susceptible.
11. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo University
Toledo Athletics
+ Physical freak that oozes of potential due to frame and intangibles.
+ Drive to the ball is exceptional.
+ Showed ability to play nickel.
+ Average tackler.
- Most pass deflections consist of slant and curl breakups… no team tested him.
- Tends to stare down the quarterback.
12. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., University of Missouri
Missouri Athletics
+ Willing tackler who is not afraid of contact.
+ Man coverage corner with eye discipline to stick with receivers after the first move.
+ Is versatile enough to move to the slot or back to safety.
+ Good contested ball corner.
+ Good in transition.
- Not particularly good in zone coverage.
- Injury history is concerning.
13. Cam Hart, University of Notre Dame
Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
+ Near 80-inch wingspan and 40-inch vertical.
+ Good size at 6-2, 202.
+ Displayed good discipline at the senior bowl.
- Was never a true CB1 with Benjamin Morrison in the same room as him.
- Struggles to recover from broken cushion.
- Does not track the ball well.
14. Calen Bullock, University of Southern Cal.
USC Athletics
+ Played good snaps even as an 18 y/o true freshman.
+ Good middle-field safety that reads the quarterback well.
+ Can avoid blocks in space when in pursuit of the ball carrier.
- Not a good tackler, often falling off ball carrier.
- Needs to add weight (6-2, 193).
15. Jaden Hicks, Washington State University
Washington State Athletics
+ Played multiple roles for the Cougs all year, showcasing versatility well.
+ Physical safety with aspects of a run defending nickel corner.
+ Can run with tight-ends and slot receivers, playing them both well.
- Top speed is not elite.
- Not a sideline-to-sideline player.