Up next in the 2023 NFL positional big boards is the cornerback group.
It’s a very good year to need a cornerback. This is a deep class with all sorts of athletic prowess and stylistic diversity. College football’s heavy emphasis on passing offense has developed many of these corners into more NFL-ready contributors right away than in the past, too.
2023 NFL draft big board: Running backs
As was the case with the running backs, different corners will have stronger appeal for some teams but less for other schemes. As an example, Devon Witherspoon will rank much higher for press-man coverage defenses but won’t have nearly as high of a ranking for zone-heavy schemes. These are broader rankings based on overall ability; adjust for scheme accordingly.
1. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Porter Jr. plays cornerback the way you would expect the son of a Pro Bowl linebacker to play: physical, confident, smart and fast. If he can learn to avoid illegal contact and hold less (it’s a big issue on film) on route breaks, Porter is a high-end island corner as well as a great tackler right away.
Projection: Top 20 overall
2. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Gonzalez blends outstanding speed and length with polished footwork and situational adaptability. He’s the safest bet in the class to be a very good starter but doesn’t have the swagger or physicality that some teams covet from outside CBs.
Projection: Top 10 pick
3. Deonte Banks, Maryland
Excellent blend of length and speed for an outside corner. Banks took a big, confident step in ’22 with his footwork and anticipation in man coverage, though it’s still developing. He might have the highest ceiling in the class but Banks is not raw either.
Projection: 15-30 overall
4. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Teams wanting a brash, press-man specialist on the outside who exudes physicality and aggression will love Witherspoon. Lack of size (5-11/181) and only average long speed are the big knocks on Witherspoon, but he helps himself by being a great run defender.
Projection: 10-25 overall
5. Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Forbes has the coverage instincts and skills, as well as the in-air ball skills, to be the best pure cover man in this class. But at a wire-thin 166 pounds at 6-foot-1, he’s exceptionally undersized for the NFL. Forbes has undeniable talent but very real questions about his play strength and ability to physically handle the size/speed at the next level.
Projection: 2nd round
6. Cam Smith, South Carolina
Smith is a smooth-moving ballhawk with quick eyes and a good feel for playing off-ball and zone coverage. He has the length and speed to also excel at man coverage but needs technical development and less holding. Not a great tackler or run defender at just 181 pounds.
Projection: 25-40 overall
7. Clark Phillips, Utah
Elite quickness and confident aggression with the ball in the air define Phillips. He’s short but not small at 5-9 and 184 pounds. Optimal slot corner in a zone-heavy scheme.
Projection: 2nd-early 3rd round
8. Julius Brents, Kansas State
Brents’ length stands out. The Iowa transfer has 34-inch arms at 6-foot-3, and Brents uses them effectively in trail technique. His relative lack of quickness and instant burst make him better-suited to a zone, where he can also attack as an above-average run defender.
Projection: mid-2nd to mid-3rd round
9. Kelee Ringo, Georgia
There are times Ringo looks like the best-in-class, and he’s got the athletic profile to back it up. There are also more than a few times when he looks like he’s never played football before, and the maddening fluctuations make him a very high-risk/reward outside CB prospect.
Projection: 20-35 overall
10. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
The nephew of Hall of Famer Ladanian Tomlinson would be in contention for the top spot on this list if he had even average size. The instincts, quickness, speed and ball skills are all top-level. Alas, he’s 5-foot-8 with short arms, yet he’s at his best playing outside. Very skilled athlete and football player nonetheless.
Projection: 4th-5th round
Next 10
11. Garrett Williams, Syracuse
12. Tyrique Stevenson, Miami FL
13. D.J. Turner, Michigan
14. Terrell Smith, Minnesota
15. Darius Rush, South Carolina
16. Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville
17. Starling Thomas, UAB
18. Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
19. Nic Jones, Ball State
20. Eli Ricks, Alabama
Next in line
Mekhi Blackmon, USC
Myles Brooks, Louisiana Tech
Riley Moss, Iowa
Mekhi Gardner, LSU
Darrell Luter, South Alabama
Rezjohn Wright, Oregon State
Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
Carrington Valentine, Kentucky
Cory Trice, Purdue
Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina
Noah Daniels, TCU
