Michigan, Ohio State, and true sleepers headline a potentially historic 2025 NFL Draft cornerback class
There is a legitimate argument that the cornerback class may be the highest in the 2025 NFL Draft. Littered with top-level talent, along with depth, the class boasts a long list of players who could contribute early on in their NFL careers. In order to highlight this embarrassment of riches, a top ten ranking was […]
There is a legitimate argument that the cornerback class may be the highest in the 2025 NFL Draft. Littered with top-level talent, along with depth, the class boasts a long list of players who could contribute early on in their NFL careers.
In order to highlight this embarrassment of riches, a top ten ranking was put together. Just ten players, however, wasn’t enough. This class is almost unbelievably deep and talented. If your favorite NFL team needs a cornerback in 2025, you are definitely in luck.
1. Will Johnson (Michigan) – 6020e, 202e
Every year, there are players who are deemed “don’t overthink it” prospects. Johnson is one of them this year. If you like massive cornerbacks with rare change of direction, ball skills, and instincts, then Johnson is going to be your guy.
The son of a former Wolverine football player, Johnson was born to play for the University of Michigan. He has been able to collect seven interceptions, and another seven pass breakups over the past two years. Expect teams to avoid Johnson desperately in 2024.
2. Travis Hunter (Colorado) – 6001v, 181v
There isn’t a more interesting cornerback in the 2025 class than Hunter, who some view as a wide receiver on the next level. In nine games last season for Colorado, Hunter hauled in 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns. There are a lot of parallels to Calvin Ridley on the NFL level, possessing unreal change of direction and a slender frame.
While he could be a good NFL wide receiver. Hunter’s biggest upside comes from the cornerback position. His zone instincts, ball skills, and flexibility are at an unreal level. Hunter could be the best cornerback in this class if that’s where his main attention lies.
3. Denzel Burke (Ohio State) – 5112v, 193v
You won’t find a more competitive, or physical defensive back in the 2025 class than Burke. After a less than stellar 2022 season, Burke was a completely different player as a junior. Possessing good long speed and tenacity, it’s hard to uncover against the talented cornerback. He plays with a chip on his shoulder.
While Burke doesn’t have the best change of direction ability in the world, he overcompensates in other areas well enough to get around it. The comfort he plays with, patience, and confidence are something special. I’m betting on Burke to be a tremendous pro in the right system.
4. Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) – 6000v, 186v
There may not be a more naturally instinctual cover player on this last other than Johnson. From the moment Morrison got a chance to play as a true freshman, he quickly became a star for the Irish. In two years, he has recorded nine interceptions and 14 pass breakups. That includes a couple key matchups against Marvin Harrison Jr., which were both very impressive.
You love the movement skills, the football IQ, and natural ball skills. The one thing holding Morrison back a bit is his play strength. We have seen him get boxed out against bigger receivers, and miss a lot of tackles in the run game. He must show that he is back fully from the offseason shoulder injury, and improve in those areas.
5. Shavon Revel (ECU) – 6020e, 188e
After beginning his career at Louisburg College, the path that Revel has taken to this point is extremely unique. Blessed with absurd size, straight line speed, and fluidity, there might not be a more natural athlete in this class. 2024 was just a glimpse into how he could potentially be.
In a lot of ways, he is reminiscent of former Chargers Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie. A player this size and length shouldn’t be able to move as well as Revel does. The upside is as high as anyone in the 2025 class at the position.
6. Cobee Bryant (Kansas) – 6000v, 168v
Don’t let the listed weight fool you, Bryant is going to get physical and hit you every chance he gets. He has all the requisite movement skills you want on the outside, but Bryant’s demeanor is what really separates him. The competitiveness he plays with is fun to watch. Bryant could fit on the outside or in the nickel on the next level, presenting a lot of alignment versatility.
7. Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) – 6010e, 186e
Possessing a really nice change of direction, fluidity, length, and ball skills, Hairston excels in off-man and zone coverage. He is especially good working back toward the line of scrimmage. Hairston has somehow flown under the radar, making a lot of big plays and forcing a ton of turnovers, evidenced by his five interceptions in 2023.
8. Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech) – 6010e, 180e
Delane is one of those players who might not be elite in one area, but is plus in pretty much all of them. He checks a lot of boxes as a cover corner. Delane has the size to play a physical style, and the overall athleticism to stay glued to wide receivers in man. All the upside is there. Now it’s about refining his footwork and making plays down the field.
9. Jordan Hancock (Ohio State) – 6000v, 190v
There isn’t a better pure nickel in the class than Hancock, who has been playing inside based on necessity. He has even played some safety for the Buckeyes in 2023. The movement skills and loose hips allow him to play a lot of man coverage from the slot. It will be interesting to see if some teams give him the chance to play on the outside with his body type and athleticism.
10. Tacario Davis (Arizona) – 6040e, 190e
Long and lean, Davis has some eye popping change of direction skills for a cornerback his size. His length also allows Davis to make a lot of plays on the football, leading to one interception and 15 pass breakups last season. The Arizona star does need to do a better job locating the football, and become a little crisper in his transitions to turn and run. If he does, he has a chance to go in the top two rounds.
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Jahdae Barron (Texas) – 5110v, 195v
There is some Mike Hilton in Barron’s game. The Texas standout is not a dynamic weapon in pass coverage, but you won’t find a better nickel in terms of fitting against the run and being physical against the run and pass. In 2023, Barron stuffed the stat sheet for the long horns, collected 60 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and six pass breakups. He seemed to always be around the football.
Quincy Riley (Louisville) – 5106v, 187v
Small but tenacious, Riley plays a feisty stole. His size will probably force him into the nickel role on the NFL level, but either way he has the talent to be a starter when he makes the jump. There may be some heavy zone schemes that see Riley on the outside, but his general lack of size and length could limit him to the inside.
Keionte Scott (Auburn) – 5103v, 190v
Another very talented nickel in this class, there’s an argument that Scott was Auburn’s best member of the secondary last season. That includes players like Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James, who were both drafted during the 2024 NFL Draft. Scott is explosive, and tenacious. He also has the requisite athletic skill to play both nickel and safety.
Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State) – 6016v, 190v
There is some legitimate preseason hype for Igbinosun, and it’s understandable. He is long, lean, and brings a nice overall athletic profile, projecting to run in the 4.3s whenever he tests during the pre draft process. The issue is that Igbinosun lacks play strength and has very little feet right now. There’s a belief that the former Ole Miss transfer could make a big jump in 2024, and he will need to.
Dorian Strong (Virginia Tech) – 6000v, 182v
The “other cornerback” at Virginia Tech, Strong has been a prominent member in the secondary for the Hokies for several years. He is coming off of his best season in 2023, recording three interceptions and eight pass breakups. Smooth, smart with good long speed, Strong projects best as a heavy zone corner on the next level. His lack of physicality and narrow frame could struggle in man consistently.
