The 2025 NFL Draft cornerback class boasts loads of size and velocity highlighted by Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston working a 4.38s 40-yard sprint.
Here’s a collegiate efficiency evaluation of the Prime 10 choices on the board, with the top-25 cornerbacks within the 2025 class ranked so as.
Kyle Dvorchak’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0 options Miami QB Cam Ward on the prime with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders sliding to the top of the primary spherical.
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado
Hunter was rated because the #1 total prospect from the 2022 prep cycle, however opted to attend FCS Jackson State the place his mentor Deion Sanders was the top coach. He adopted Coach Prime to Colorado and needed to make some changes in yr one, permitting a 56.6% completion charge and 5 touchdowns whereas slicing his tooth on the Energy 4 degree. Final yr Hunter put all of it collectively posting a pristine 90.3 protection grade which ranked second-best within the P4, to go together with 13 stops, 4 interceptions and a dirt-low 39.9 NFL passer ranking towards. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner excelled with an exceptional 35.1% pressured incompletion charge and 0.46 yards per protection snap whereas additionally pitching in with 13 stops. His ball expertise in protection are premium, which you would possibly anticipate from the category’ prime receiving prospect. The fluidity of his hips and acceleration to drive on the ball and create disruption on the catch level is the very best within the class, as he transitions freely and simply from backpedal to a useless dash. He may stand to scrub up an elevated 14.3% missed deal with charge, however he solely missed 8.8% of tackles in 2023 and 0% in 2022, in order that’s not an enormous concern. A generational two-way participant the likes of that are not often seen within the modern-day NFL, Hunter is the very best this cornerback class has to supply.
2. Will Johnson, Michigan
A blue-chip, 5 star recruit out of highschool, Johnson (6’2/194) selected to attend his father’s alma mater, Michigan. He rewarded the Wolverines with a Freshman All-American marketing campaign, recording 488 snaps, three interceptions and what could be a career-high 88.9 protection grade. He then turned the shutdown CB1 for Michigan’s CFP Nationwide Championship run in 2023, holding opponents to a sensational 30.9 NFL passer ranking. He made it by way of 5 video games in 2024 earlier than succumbing to a turf toe harm that derailed his closing season early, whereas a hamstring harm brought on him to not run the 40-yard sprint on the Mix or professional day. He allowed 12.2 yards per reception in 2024, which was a pleasant enchancment from the 15.7 YPR he gave up in 2023, however his disappointing 48.7 deal with grade left a lot to be desired. Considerably susceptible to taking probabilities and overrunning performs, which brought on Johnson to publish an elevated 15.7% missed deal with charge over his three years on campus. Lengthy body and powerful sufficient to disrupt receiver’s tempo and break on the ball with a gambler’s mentality. Superior pure instincts and play recognition led to pick-sixes towards Fresno and USC. Johnson has the pedigree and traits to turn into a CB1 if he can keep away from the nagging accidents.
Mike Florio and Chris Simms are joined by Michigan’s Will Johnson to unpack why though Travis Hunter received the Heisman, he feels he’s the very best CB of the category, how Jim Harbaugh lifted in khakis and extra.
3. Jahdae Barron, Texas
An area product from Austin, TX, Barron (5’11/194) arrived on campus in 2020 and proceeded to play 56 video games over the following 5 years for the Longhorns. He was utilized in a slot nook/security function for many of his first 4 years, solely beginning exterior final yr when he allowed a stingy 7.7 Yards Per Reception with a 7.9 ADOT and simply three of the 37 receptions he surrendered going for 15+ yards. Barron solely gave up greater than 35 receiving yards in a recreation one time all yr, and that was a lone protection break for 43 yards on one reception versus Kentucky. Solely 63 of his 541 snaps had been in press man protection, with Texas DC Kyle Flood using a potent zone-heavy protection that ranked #1 nationally with 4.5 yards per dropback allowed. Robust tackler who stays sq. to the ball provider and is hard to shake with a 9.1% missed deal with charge. He thrived in his new function, incomes a 91st% cowl grade with 5 interceptions and an excellent 34.2 NFL passer ranking allowed when focused. Verified his distinctive tape with a 94th percentile 4.39s 40-yard sprint and a stable 8.62 Relative Athletic Rating. Is extraordinarily instinctive and feels at residence in zone, as his 91.5 zone grade will attest. At his greatest when he can learn the play and peel off from major duties to cowl a number of routes directly. As a movable chess piece who can line up all around the formation, Barron ought to be capable to instantly step in and play heavy reps as a rookie.
4. Shavon Revel, ECU
A former two-way participant and monitor star in highschool, Revel (6’2/194) bought his ft moist in 2022 earlier than exploding on the scene in 2023 with a 22.9% power incompletion charge and 84th% protection grade en path to First Group All-AAC accolades. Profession 43% completion charge allowed with a median yards per reception of 17.1 yards, as Revel was continuously left on an island in press man protection resulting in a slew of downfield 1-on-1 targets. Fires downhill to disrupt display passes, amassing 19 stops with a stable 5% missed deal with charge. A torn ACL prematurely ended his 2024 season, although he had earned an 85.3 cowl grade on the time he went down. He thrives in press man conditions the place he can give attention to locking down his task, but additionally has a 78th% zone grade so he’s scheme versatile. Partitions off defenders utilizing the sideline on go routes leaving little room for the receiver to make a play on the ball. Phenomenal ball monitoring expertise when turning and finding the ball downfield, permitting him to rake by the hands of wideouts and create PBU’s.Could be a tick sluggish breaking on throws in entrance of him in zone protection. Feisty play fashion that causes him to run by way of the physique of receivers, drawing flags. A number of interception alternatives the place he broke exhausting on a ball and had it in his sights, just for it to fall incomplete. Revel’s size and flexibility can be extremely valued by NFL franchises.
5. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston (5’11/183) entered Kentucky as an unheralded three-star recruit who vaulted onto NFL Draft radars in 2023 when he led the SEC with 5 interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns, to go together with 11 PBUs and a sterling 85.3 protection grade. Final yr a shoulder harm saved him to seven video games, and he had bother in protection towards South Carolina (89 yards), Texas (61 yards) and Louisville (84 yards). Hairston’s 66th% protection grade and 21.8 yards per reception common harm signifies room for progress in his approach, however there’s no educating his velocity. His shoulder harm doubtless affected his willingness to be aggressive towards the run, as his six missed tackles, 27.3% MTF charge and thirty eighth% deal with grade will attest. An elite athlete, Hairston led all Mix contributors with a 4.28s 40-yard sprint together with a 39.5” vert and 10’09”, which had been each 93rd% marks for a pristine 9.63 RAS. Good closing burst and may run downfield with nearly anybody along with being a tenacious competitor that’s aggressive when making performs on the ball. Robust to idiot on deep routes and doesn’t waste steps reacting to routes. Robust to idiot on deep photographs and doesn’t waste steps reacting to feints and manipulation. Play energy bought uncovered by Matthew Golden and Ja’Corey Brooks, who successfully out leveraged Hairston on quick and intermediate routes. His velocity and skill to stay in part downfield are Hairston’s core competencies, however he’ll get caught peeking into the backfield at occasions leaving him in restoration. Hairston is on the smaller aspect bodily, however he’s as fleet-footed because it will get.
6. Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Amos (6’1/195) labored his means as much as the SEC spending three seasons with Louisiana, the place he allowed a sub-40% completion charge in every marketing campaign, earlier than getting the decision as much as Alabama in 2023. He assumed a reserve function with the tide, beginning simply one in all 14 video games regardless of a decent 76.9 PFF defensive grade. Amos transferred to Ole Miss and ran together with his new alternative, logging profession highs with 841 snaps, 13 PBU, 3 interceptions and a 54.5 NFL passer ranking allowed. The First Group All-SEC performer additionally posted a powerful 81.3 run protection grade and produced an distinctive 28.6% pressured incompletion charge. He ran an 88th% 40-yard sprint with a stable 8.37 RAS, although his 4.36s shuttle (thirty sixth%) wasn’t nice. Amos is fairly balanced when it comes to his versatility on the sector, having demonstrated effectiveness in each zone and man. He’s not often burdened downfield due to a clean backpedal and is savvy on third downs, sitting on routes and never getting run off the sticks. If there’s a prevailing critique it most likely stems from his tendency in zone to sag off receivers on in-breaking routes, preferring to learn the quarterback. Amos flashed the instruments to turn into a weekly beginning cornerback and has one of many greater flooring of this CB group.
7. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison (6’0/193) had one of many nice debuts in Irish historical past, incomes Freshman All-American honors, recording an 82.2 cowl grade and 6 interceptions which was essentially the most by a ND defender since 2012. He allowed simply seven performs of 15+ yards on 87 targets/39 receptions over the past two seasons, along with a wonderful 18.4 QBR allowed final yr. 63.3% of his cowl snaps had been in press man conditions, which he thrived in and was usually left to fend for himself on an island by DC/HC Marcus Freeman. Morrison’s 2024 marketing campaign was minimize quick as a consequence of a torn labrum in his left hip, which saved him from testing and considerably clouds his profile within the quick time period. He transitions easily in go-ball conditions versus navigating quick and intermediate routes, as he had some bother with extra shifty, misleading receivers. Confirmed pure ball expertise and is fairly clear in his fundamentals, which helps to reduce errors. Nevertheless, he wants so as to add energy and enhance leverage to be able to deal with alpha NFL broad receivers.
8. Darien Porter, Iowa State
A former highschool monitor star who received the Iowa state 400-meters championship as a junior, Porter ( spent most of his first three of his six collegiate seasons as a receiver who noticed sparse taking part in time earlier than switching sides to play cornerback. Regardless of solely beginning seven video games, he was extraordinarily productive on a per-play foundation, registering three interceptions and two PBU on simply 17 targets. Lengthy and rangy body helps him keep in part downfield and barely will get beat. His .34 yards allowed per protection snap and three.7 NFL passer ranking allowed are each absurd marks and indicative of Porter’s standout 2024 marketing campaign. He’s nonetheless adjusting to the defensive aspect of the ball although, with Porter recording an ugly 20.8% missed deal with charge. Verified his freaky traits with a 9.99 Relative Athletic Rating that blew away the remainder of the CB group. Does a wonderful job turning his head round and finding the ball downfield, as he did on a textbook interception towards Texas Tech, displaying his broad receiver caliber fingers. An extended and fleet athlete who ramps on top of things rapidly which permits him to catch up when in a trailing place. Demonstrates really feel for the place, as he neatly peeled off a deep route vs. Miami to deflect a move into an interception. Although he’s an older prospect that has to regulate to the trials of the place, Porter has the verified athletic instruments to carry down a beginning function if he continues on his developmental path..
9. Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
Azareye’h has NFL bloodlines being the youthful brother of Dallas Cowboys security Juanyeh Thomas. He began only one recreation in 2023 regardless of racking up 10 PBU for an unbeaten FSU staff earlier than ascending to the highest of the depth chart final yr. Thomas responded with 52 tackles, 16 stops and a 22.6% pressured incompletion charge. Longest reception he allowed in 2024 was 21 yards, with a median of 8.3 yards per reception when focused. The Honorable Point out All-ACC performer did give up a 50% open goal charge, which is down from 26% in 2023. He ran a fiftieth% 4.56s 40-yard sprint with a seventieth% 4.21s shuttle for a decent 8.16 RAS. Prototypical, crammed out body with lengthy, probing 32 3/eighth” arms to harass receivers on the catch level. Unfastened hips assist him modify on the fly and Thomas likes to pop opposing receivers and rise up of their kitchen on press reps. Loping strides may cause issues monitoring thorough breaks and marginal velocity may trigger issues staying connected on go-balls. A nonetheless younger and rising participant who’s simply 20 years previous, Thomas has reliable CB2 potential
10. Dorian Robust, Virginia Tech
Robust (6’1/185) performed 5 seasons logging an astounding 2,770 reps, placing himself on the NFL radar in 2023 by permitting simply 9 receptions on 33 targets with a miniscule 11.8 NFL passer ranking and 26 yards after catch surrendered over 710 snaps for an 83rd% cowl grade. Final yr he was focused 13.4% of the time on 387 cowl snaps permitting a 38.5% completion charge and a incredible 15.4 defensive QBR. Simply 10 stops within the final two seasons spanning 1,458 snaps backup his struggles getting off blocks and dropping containment in run help. Didn’t exhibit superior athletic traits in testing, posting a 71st% 4.50s 40-yard sprint and a 9’08” broad bounce (twenty seventh%) with no agility exams. Robust weighed in at a thirty eighth% 185 kilos together with his 59 NFL NextGen stats grade RAS rating a dismal thirtieth amongst Mix performers. In protection he scrapes at receiver’s fingers on the catch level and has mirroring means, however is best when the play is in entrance of him as a consequence of tight hips. Robust is a cagey former receiver whose instincts and slight body makes him extra interesting in a zone protection scheme.
Cam Ward and Ashton Jeanty are on the prime of the heap of their respective positions.
11. Denzel Burke, Ohio State
12. Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
13. Zy Alexander, LSU
14. Nohl Williams, Cal
15. Cobee Bryant, Kansas
16. Tommi Hill, Nebraska
17. Caleb Ransaw, Tulane
18. Quincy RIley, Louisville
19. Elijah Huzzie, UNC
20. O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
21. Jaylin Smith, USC
22. Fentrell Cypress II, FSU
23. Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
24. Mac McWilliams, UCF
25. Jason Marshall Jr, Florida
