Editor’s note: The Union-Tribune’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 23-25). Here are his top 10 cornerbacks, plus players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

1. Mansoor Delane (Sr., LSU, 6-foot, 182 pounds)

The former three-star recruit teased his next-level talent early at Virginia Tech, then upgraded competition at LSU and still looked like a Sunday player in the SEC. The more I watch him, the more he reminds me of Seahawks All-Pro corner Devon Witherspoon. Both share a similar size profile. Both ran 40-yard dashes in the 4.38-4.42-second range at their pro days. Most importantly, both are sticky in coverage, process routes quickly and can thrive in multiple alignments. Delane is one of the cleanest projections in this class. He’s calm at the line, rarely panics downfield and consistently plays with the kind of poise NFL staffs trust on an island. Projected: Top 10

2. Jermod McCoy (Jr., Tennessee, 6-1, 192)

McCoy earned second-team All-American recognition for the Vols in 2024 after transferring from Oregon State, then tore his ACL during an offseason training session last January and did not play in 2025. If the medicals check out, McCoy’s the type of talent who usually goes in the top half of the first round. Before McCoy got hurt, he showed high-end ball production and sticky man-cover traits, and his pro-day testing reminded teams why the upside is so enticing. He’s a better athlete (9.67 Relative Athletic Score) than Delane when he’s completely healthy, but McCoy also gets grabby and loses technique when he feels threatened on the boundary. Projected: Round 1

3. Chris Johnson (Sr., San Diego State, 6-0, 193)

Johnson embodies the famous Nelson Mandela quote: “I never lose. I either win or learn.” He is a smooth, instinctive outside corner who pairs sticky coverage with real ball production. Opponents only completed 41.9% of their passes on the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He allowed no touchdowns in 2025 and turned two of his four interceptions into scores. The former three-star recruit wins with patience, press ability, and enough athletic juice (9.84 RAS) to erase mistakes. He sees a route before the receiver chooses between a head-fake or a shimmy. When a corner dominates his conference, makes All-America teams, then rips off a 4.40-second 40 in Indianapolis, NFL teams tend to pay attention. Projected: Rounds 1-2

4. Avieon Terrell (Jr., Clemson, 5-11, 184)

The former four-star recruit can mirror, trigger downhill and make life miserable on underneath throws. Terrell has mastered the “Peanut Punch” with eight forced fumbles the last two seasons. He also had three sacks last year. He plays bigger than he measures and brings the kind of edge coordinators love. The 4.64 40 was concerning at his pro day, but he apparently aggravated a hamstring injury, which significantly impacted his performance. Projected: Rounds 1-2

5. D’Angelo Ponds (Jr., Indiana, 5-9, 180)

Ponds was a Freshman All-American at James Madison before following Curt Cignetti to Bloomington, where the former three-star recruit became a two-time All-American for the Hoosiers. He is small, but so is a stick of dynamite. Ponds helped lead Indiana to a 16-0 season and the program’s first national championship, earning defensive MVP honors in both the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl. Ponds is rarely out of position in zone or man coverage, and features elite athleticism, instincts and awareness. He has quick feet and ball skills. He’s tailor-made to ruin a slot receiver’s day. Size will dictate usage, but Ponds can be a high-impact nickel/zone-match defender. Projected: Rounds 2-3

6. Colton Hood (So., Tennessee, 6-0, 193)

After one season each at Auburn and Colorado, the former four-star recruit earned All-SEC honors and Thorpe Award semifinalist recognition. Hood is a fiery, aggressive press corner who features enough size, speed and physicality to make plays in a man-heavy scheme. His one breakout season on Rocky Top and strong testing, a 4.44 40 and 40 1/2-inch vertical at the combine (9.66 RAS), has set Hood up as an ascending prospect. He plays with a safety’s temperament and corner feet. Projected: Rounds 1-2

7. Keionte Scott (Sr., Miami, 5-11, 191)

Scott is a nickel defender with edge-rusher wiring. He posted 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions for the Hurricanes in 2025. The Helix High School grad ran a 4.33 40 at his pro day, which fits a nickel/STAR/safety hybrid who can blitz, tackle and muddy up the underneath game perfectly. Before joining Miami last season, Scott was a four-star juco recruit who spent three years at Auburn. Projected: Rounds 2-3

8. Keith Abney II (Jr., Arizona State, 5-10, 188)

Abney was a two-year starter for the Sun Devils, producing 21 passes defensed, five interceptions and two forced fumbles over his last two seasons. There are size limitations against large “X” receivers, but he’s an excellent processor in zone and sticky in man. The former three-star recruit looks like an early Day 2 nickel who can survive outside. Projected: Round 2

9. Brandon Cisse (Jr., South Carolina, 6-0, 189)

Cisse’s stock received a boost after transferring from N.C. State and holding his own in the SEC. While his speed is impressive — Cisse earned the nickname “Glitch” from his new teammates — it’s the former three-star recruit’s physicality and versatility that should set him apart during the draft process and cause teams to overlook his rougher edges. His pre-draft testing numbers included a 4.41 40, 41-inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump (9.24 RAS). Projected: Rounds 1-2

10. Chandler Rivers (Sr., Duke, 5-9, 185)

Rivers is a smart, physical, ball-aware corner who wins with anticipation and competitiveness. He’s quick enough to stay attached in man coverage, and the Blue Devils trusted him in space against spread looks. The upside is a multi-year starter inside who also becomes a special teams and leadership staple. He also tested well with a 4.40 40, 39-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump (8.99 RAS). Projected: Rounds 2-4

11. Malik Muhammad (Jr., Texas, 6-0, 182)

Muhammad was the fourth-ranked cornerback in the 2023 class and No. 43 recruit nationally. He is fluid and technically promising, especially in off-man and match coverage. The Longhorns used him in a variety of coverages, and his ability to stay in phase downfield shows real promise. The next step is adding strength and being more consistent as a tackler. Muhammad earned second-team All-SEC honors last season, then tested cleanly with a 4.42 40, 1.51 split, 39-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump (9.51 RAS). He looks like the latest entry in Texas’ assembly line of polished defensive backs. Projected: Rounds 2-4

12. Davison Igbinosun (Sr., Ohio State, 6-2, 189)

Igbinosun was a three-year starter in Columbus, gaining big-game exposure after transferring from Ole Miss. The former four-star recruit is comfortable challenging releases and playing through the receiver at the catch point. He wins with size and physicality. Igbinosun is tough, strong and doesn’t shy away from support against the run. The NFL will test his hand discipline. If he gets too reliant on contact, the flags will fly. Projected: Rounds 2-3

13. Tacario Davis (Sr., Washington, 6-4, 194)

The former three-star recruit spent three years at Arizona, including a standout sophomore season where he led the Pac-12 in passes defensed (16). Davis followed his former coach Jedd Fisch to the Pacific Northwest for his senior year. Davis is long, fast and tailor-made for press-heavy teams willing to bet on rare size-speed tools. A 6-4 corner running a 4.41 40 still looks like a typo. It is not. Davis’ length alone changes throwing windows, and he can bully smaller receivers at the line. The Huskies used him in boundary matchups where he used his size to squeeze routes and contest catches. The concern is hip fluidity. Quick separators can stress him if they force rapid direction changes. Projected: Rounds 3-4

14. Daylen Everette (Sr., Georgia, 6-1, 196)

Everette is a former five-star recruit who earned All-SEC recognition as a junior and senior. He ran a 4.38 40 and posted a 37 1/2-inch vertical in Indy (9.89 RAS). He can be a touch reactive rather than anticipatory, but he’s a battle-tested corner with size, speed and a starter’s demeanor, which should make him a pretty clean middle-round projection. Projected: Rounds 3-5

15. Julian Neal (Sr., Arkansas, 6-2, 203)

The former three-star recruit spent four years at Fresno State before transferring to Fayetteville for his final season. It’s because of Neal’s impressive 2025 with Arkansas, where he produced 55 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions, that we’re discussing him as a draftable prospect. His testing in Indy was also solid across the board with a 4.49 40, 40-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump (9.27 RAS). Neal is built for boundary work. He makes sense for teams that like long corners who can reroute and live with a few stiffness reps. His change-of-direction fluidity can tighten up. Neal was also one of just six prospects at the combine (out of 319) who competed in every drill. Projected: Rounds 3-5

16. Ephesians Prysock (Sr., Washington, 6-3, 196)

After two years at Arizona, the former four-star recruit jumped in the transfer portal and followed his coach Jedd Fisch to Seattle. Prysock is another height-length athlete (9.74 RAS) who will appeal to teams looking for boundary corners with recovery speed. He produced a 4.45 40 with a 39-inch vertical in Indy. The frame alone will get him discussed earlier than some cleaner but smaller prospects. He also played on punt coverages all four seasons. Projected: Rounds 4-6

17. Jadon Canady (Sr., Oregon, 5-10, 182)

The former three-star recruit spent two years at Tulane before transferring to Ole Miss for two seasons, before finally ending up in Eugene. Canady finished 2025 with two interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention. He’s productive, versatile and will probably be better than his draft slot. He’s undersized and can be bullied by bigger pass catchers, but he has the kind of skill set coaches trust on third down and on special teams. Projected: Rounds 4-7

18. Will Lee III (Sr., Texas A&M, 6-1, 189)

Lee was a juco All-American and the 37th-ranked juco recruit in the 2023 class. He spent one year at Kansas State before transferring to College Station. He produced 28 passes defensed, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in his three seasons as a starter. Lee’s explosiveness will get him long looks from DB coaches. He popped a 42-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump at the combine (9.39 RAS). He still needs refinement as a down-to-down cover player, but has legit vertical juice, good length and enough production to justify a Day 3 investment. Projected: Rounds 3-5

19. Devin Moore (Sr., Florida, 6-3, 198)

Moore was the 20th-ranked safety in the 2022 class and a four-star recruit. He features prototypical size, movement ability and looks the part of a long-term outside starter. The question is whether teams feel comfortable enough with the body to invest. He only has 17 career starts and missed 40% of his career games with the Gators. Moore is the kind of gamble teams talk themselves into if the medical report doesn’t scare them off. Plus, he played on punt coverages all four years, which could tilt the conversation in his favor when we get to the middle rounds. Projected: Rounds 3-5

20. Toriano Pride Jr. (Sr., Missouri, 5-10, 185)

Pride was the eighth-ranked cornerback in the 2022 class and the No. 80 recruit nationally. The St. Louis native spent two years at Clemson before transferring closer to home. Pride is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He produced a pick six in each of the last two seasons with the Tigers. His 4.32 40 at the combine was the second-fastest by a defender. He can run with almost anybody. The question is whether the rest of Pride’s skills catch up to the stopwatch. He needs more consistency at the catch point. Bigger, stronger pass catchers can cause him problems. Projected: Rounds 4-6

21. Domani Jackson (Sr., Alabama, 6-1, 194)

Jackson was the second-ranked cornerback (behind only Travis Hunter) in the 2022 class and No. 5 recruit nationally. He spent two years at USC before transferring to Tuscaloosa in 2024. Jackson’s five-star traits (9.00 RAS) still flashed for the Crimson Tide, even if the ball production never fully caught up to the tools, which pushes him into flier territory. Jackson was a standout sprinter in high school and tied a California state record with a 10.25-second 100-meter dash in 2021. Projected: Rounds 5-7

22. Latrell McCutchin (Sr., Houston, 6-2, 191)

McCutchin was the 17th-ranked cornerback in the 2021 class. He spent one year each at Oklahoma and USC before joining the Cougars in 2023. The technique still needs sanding, and zero interceptions in 48 career games is concerning, but McCutchin’s combine testing gave his draft case a nice shot of nitrous. His 4.43 in the 40, 38 1/2-inch vertical, and 10-foot-11 broad jump paints the picture of a big, explosive athlete (9.49 RAS) who checks the height-weight-speed boxes teams love on Day 3. Plus, the past two seasons on special teams, McCutchin was a regular on punt coverages, and blocked a field goal and extra-point attempt. Projected: Rounds 4-7

23. Charles Demmings (Sr., Stephen F. Austin, 6-1, 193)

Small-school corners don’t always get drafted, but a 4.41 40, 42-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump usually draws attention. Demmings was a former no-star recruit who became a four-year starter for the Lumberjacks, producing eight interceptions and 31 passes defensed in his last three seasons. The ball production and explosive testing numbers (9.10 RAS) give him a real chance to beat his level-of-competition questions. Projected: Rounds 4-7

24. Avery Smith (Sr., Toledo, 5-10, 196)

Smith was a former three-star recruit who committed as a quarterback, but he moved to corner during his first season with the Rockets. He earned second-team All-MAC honors as a junior and senior and combined for 25 passes defensed and three interceptions his final two seasons. Smith has limited top-end traits, but oozes toughness and provides versatility. He made several plays on special teams throughout his collegiate career, including a blocked field goal and blocked punt. Projected: Rounds 5-7

25. Hezekiah Masses (Sr., California, 6-1, 179)

Masses was a former two-star recruit who spent three seasons at Florida International before transferring to Cal last season. His senior year in Berkeley was a revelation. He had five interceptions (two more negated by penalty) and led the nation with 18 passes defensed, earning second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC recognition. Masses wins with instincts and timing. He needs more bulk, but corners with ball production like him earn opportunities. Projected: Rounds 4-6

26. Thaddeus Dixon (Sr., North Carolina, 6-1, 195)

Dixon was a former three-star juco recruit who spent two years at Washington before transferring to Chapel Hill last season. He features prototypical size, fluid hips, the ability to mirror releases and showed inside-outside versatility in Bill Belichick’s system when he was healthy. He missed five games due to an upper-body injury he suffered against Clemson last October. He’s also a fearless, physical tackler and an asset against the run. Projected: Rounds 4-7

27. Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Sr., Ohio State, 6-0, 194)

Styles was the 20th-ranked wide receiver in the 2021 class. He spent two years at Notre Dame playing receiver before switching to corner and transferring to Columbus. He ran a blistering 4.27 40 and posted a near-perfect athletic profile (9.99 RAS) at the combine, but he’s still learning the position. Styles’ saving grace will be his versatile special teams experience with nine tackles over the past two seasons and a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD last year. Lorenzo Sr. was an All-Big Ten linebacker for the Buckeyes (1992-94) and drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (No. 77) of the 1995 NFL draft. Junior’s younger brother Sonny is one the top-ranked prospects in this year’s draft. Projected: Rounds 6-7

28. Brent Austin (Sr., California, 5-11, 190)

Austin was a former no-star recruit who spent two years at James Madison before transferring to South Florida and then delivering an All-ACC senior year at Cal, where he tied for second nationally with 13 pass breakups. Austin doesn’t have a ton of hype, but the production was good enough to merit camp interest at minimum. He has marginal traits, but he did clock a 4.45 40 at the combine. Projected: Round 7-PFA

29. Jeadyn Lukus (Sr., Clemson, 6-2, 205)

Surgeries on both shoulders and a hip injury derailed the former five-star recruit’s first two seasons with the Tigers. Lukus’ pro day reportedly featured a 4.41 40 and an 11-foot-7 broad jump (9.61 RAS). The pro-day testing re-opened the conversation even after the college production never fully popped. Projected: Rounds 6-7

30. Kolbey Taylor (Sr., Vanderbilt, 6-3, 191)

Taylor is a long developmental corner with enough frame-based appeal to earn post-draft attention. He’s more projection than polish, but teams will always take a peek at corners built like this. He’s a three-time member of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List.” The former three-star recruit spent three years at Wyoming before joining the Commodores in 2024. Projected: Round 7-PFA

31. Bryce Phillips (Sr., San Diego State, 5-11, 202)

Phillips was a three-star recruit who spent two years at Tennessee State before joining the Aztecs in 2024. He had 34 tackles, nine passes defensed and an interception his senior year, and his pro day included a 4.56 40 and 37 1/2-inch vertical (8.57 RAS). He brings more edge than flash. According to Pro Football Focus, Phillips ranked 11th among FBS cornerbacks in run defense (84.6 grade) last season. Coaches love defensive backs who aren’t allergic to tackling. His initial path to a roster spot in the pros will be as a depth corner/safety hybrid and special teamer. Phillips’ brother Clark was a unanimous All-American cornerback at Utah and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round (No. 113) in the 2023 NFL draft. Projected: Round 7-PFA

32. Al’Zillion Hamilton (Sr., Fresno State, 5-11, 186)

Hamilton was a three-year starter for Bulldogs. He became one of the best defensive backs in the Mountain West, producing 26 passes defensed and eight interceptions in his past three seasons. He was voted team captain as a senior and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors. Hamilton’s pro day was solid: 4.50 in the 40, 4.26 shuttle and 6.99 three-cone. He quietly put together a draftable year and then tested well enough to stay on the radar. He feels like a priority free agent who has a legitimate shot to make a practice squad and push from there. Projected: Round 7-PFA

33. DeVonta Smith (Sr., Notre Dame, 5-11, 186)

Smith spent four years at Alabama, predominantly as a special teams player, before transferring to South Bend for his final season. His path is straightforward: make the roster by being assignment-sound and useful in the kicking game. Smith’s 43-inch vertical at his pro day would’ve ranked sixth overall at the combine (8.47 RAS). Projected: Round 7-PFA

34. Mory Bamba (Sr., BYU, 6-2, 193)

Bamba is the kind of priority free agent defensive backs coaches lobby for after the draft ends. He turned heads at his pro day with 4.27 speed and an 11-foot-1 broad jump (9.56 RAS). His testing did the heavy lifting for his case. If he tackles and covers kicks, he has a path. Bamba will be 26 in November. Projected: PFA

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