Welcome to draft season! This is the eighth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (Thursday-Saturday). Here are my top 10 cornerbacks:
— 1. Ahmad Gardner (Jr., Cincinnati, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds)
Gardner made it through the playoff loss to Alabama unscathed. He played 1,100-plus snaps in his collegiate career and produced nine interceptions (two pick-sixes) with zero touchdowns allowed. "Sauce" will be the first Bearcats prospect selected in the first round since 1971 (Bob Bell). Projected: Top 10
— 2. Derek Stingley Jr. (Jr., LSU, 6-0, 190)
Stingley features rare ball-tracking skills that make him a threat to take the ball away anytime it's in his vicinity. In 2019, as an 18-year-old, he produced one of the most impressive true freshman seasons in college football history. Durability has been a concern ever since. Projected: Top 10
— 3. Trent McDuffie (Jr., Washington, 5-10, 193)
McDuffie plays bigger than his 5-10 frame. He's one of the surest tacklers at the position in this draft class and his instincts are elite. Projected: Round 1
— 4. Kaiir Elam (Jr., Florida, 6-1, 191)
Elam is a big corner with elite ball skills who fine-tuned his technique after an underwhelming sophomore season. His game is built on speed and physicality, which you normally don't see in the same toolkit. His father (Abe) played eight seasons in the NFL. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 5. Roger McCreary (Sr., Auburn, 5-11, 190)
McCreary simply doesn't allow much separation and he's battle-tested out of the SEC — he led the conference with 16 passes defended in 2021. His 28 7/8-inch arms would be the shortest of a starting outside cornerback in the NFL, which will likely pigeonhole him into the slot, and likely off some draft boards entirely. Projected: Round 2
— 6. Kyler Gordon (Jr., Washington, 5-11, 194)
Gordon is an aggressive, uber-athlete who showed significant development in his technique this season, but there's still a ways to go. He features inside/outside versatility while his martial arts and dance background shows up in his fluid footwork. Gordon was named the Huskies' most outstanding special teams player his freshman and sophomore season. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 7. Coby Bryant (Sr., Cincinnati, 6-1, 193)
The 2021 Jim Thorpe Award winner (best defensive back) gets overshadowed by "Sauce" Gardner, but he held his own against Alabama, too. Bryant is an average athlete, but his ball production is impressive — 15 forced turnovers in his career (10 interceptions and five forced fumbles). He was also a four-year starter and two-time team captain. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 8. Andrew Booth Jr. (Jr., Clemson, 6-0, 194)
Booth's ball skills enable him to thrive while playing in press or off coverage. He exhibits physicality in defending the run, but needs to sharpen his tackling technique. There are durability concerns with multiple surgeries during his collegiate career. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 9. Cam Taylor-Britt (Sr., Nebraska, 5-10, 196)
Taylor-Britt was a three-year starter, and team captain with experience at both cornerback and safety. His speed and physicality translates to any scheme. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 10. Marcus Jones (Sr., Houston, 5-8, 174)
Sure Jones is undersized, but the ball has an affinity for him (10 career interceptions) and he knows what to do with it when he gets his hands on it. The 2021 Paul Hornung Award winner (most versatile player) scored a touchdown four ways in college (reception, interception, kick return and punt return) and tied the NCAA record with nine career special teams touchdowns. Jones is a slot-only corner who will be a starting kick and punt returner from Day One. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— BONUS. Tariq Woolen (Sr., UTSA, 6-4, 205)
Woolen is sashimi raw — he switched to corner his sophomore season after playing wide receiver most of his life — but his blend of size and speed (4.26 40-yard dash at the combine) make him a worthy investment. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— BONUS. Zyon McCollum (Sr., Sam Houston State, 6-2, 199)
McCollum is a five-year starter (extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19) who produced a historic combine performance. The two-time team captain led the Bearkats in interceptions four of his five years while logging time at both cornerback and safety. Projected: Rounds 3-4
