2024 NFL Draft | Rookie Cornerback Rankings: Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, Nate Wiggins, Cooper DeJean, Kool-Aid McKinstry and More
A trio leads this 2024 NFL Draft cornerback class and each brings a unique skill set that teams will be coveting in the first round.
This is a standout year for cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. As NFL defenses have shifted into the two-high safety era, finding cornerbacks who can disrupt the wide receiver’s route and get the quarterback to continue through his progressions is only becoming more valuable.
The prevalence of two-high safety defenses is leading quarterbacks to opt for shorter throws, shifting the traits valued in cornerbacks. While speed remains a core asset in the NFL, its impact on cornerback evaluation has shifted.
Back when I was a kid and learning the game, the end-all, be-all of cornerbacks was Deion Sanders. Then in no particular order came Ty Law, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Jalen Ramsey. The skill sets are varied, more nuanced, sometimes cerebral, or sometimes physical.
This year, the draft class brings a rich diversity of these skills. Let's break down and analyze the top cornerbacks of this 2024 NFL Draft class.
MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft
1. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
It's rare to already be a technician at the position, but that's the appeal of Mitchell, who has rocketed up draft boards since the beginning of the evaluation period. He's a terrific frame and tackler; the fundamentals are all there.
Some may view him as a nickel corner, which may pull him down the draft board for those teams. He plays fast and shows some of the best incoming rookie footwork for a corner I've ever seen.
Great at the point of attack. High points the ball well and is disruptive when the ball arrives. He ran fast at the combine and probably surprised folks with his burst and straight-line speed - a terrific all-around prospect with an early first-round grade, pushing into the top 15.
2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Some might say the 1B to Mitchell being the 1A in this corner class, Arnold is a silky cover corner with above-average press man talents. He has quick feet and fluid hips when tracking the route. Average awareness of the play around him can sometimes get lost watching the quarterback.
He is aggressive at the point of attack. He has an excellent recovery and the ability to get back into a play behind him. His short-area burst is good but not great. He is not a straight-line speed guy, but he plays faster than combine results.
Technique lags behind talent. He makes up for some deficiencies with aggression, but that might get him in trouble in the NFL. He is still growing in his ability to use instincts and play recognition to get ahead of the play.
3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Wiggins is an athletically gifted prospect with some Madden-rated 99 skills who may very well be the No. 1 ranked corner in this 2024 class. We knew he was fast, but his 4.28 40-yard dash time at the combine further cemented his potential.
At 6'1 and 173 pounds, Wiggins will need to add some bulk to match up against some true X receivers.
He also too often leaves a big buffer in an attempt to use his speed as a trap to his advantage. The problem is that NFL quarterbacks will have much stronger arms and exploit this.
A lengthy frame, fantastic backpedal and route-feel give him an edge on almost every play. Fluid hips combine with above-average footwork. He shows good instincts at sniffing out routes and avoiding fakes. In my evaluations, he is not far off Mitchell and Arnold.
4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
If one player could fall, even if only a little bit, it's DeJean, and it's really not a knock on his talent. Well, it could go either way. That's because different teams may view him as different things: corner, safety or nickel corner.
Every team views that versatility as a big plus, but they may view another prospect in a more favorable light for that one thing their defense needs.
DeJean is a well-built corner with a downhill style of play and doesn't shy away from contact. Excellent zone instincts and shows a great break on the ball. Scrappy. Next-level hands for a defender and returned kicks.
Poor hips and still has a long way to go as a man-defender. He can look lost and make poor pass-breakup attempts when turned around. Man-heavy defenses may view him as a liability.
A clear distinction in all-around talent puts him at the top of my second tier of cornerbacks behind Mitchell, Arnold and Wiggins.
5. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
An intelligent corner with great technique and feel for the receiver when the ball is in the air, he stays in the hip pocket of a receiver really well and is constantly disruptive when play goes to him. His average athleticism is evened out by instincts, play recognition and great positioning.
Good short burst. He must be more consistently aggressive in run support with so-so wrap-up tackling.
A patient, confident defender, McKinstry's footwork can get him off balance, and he'll need to clean that up against better route runners. He can sometimes be overly reliant on lots of hand checks and tugs to manipulate his man downfield. McKinstry is in my second tier of corners.
