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The 2025 NFL Draft cornerback class is top-heavy with elite talent but also features several intriguing developmental prospects. Michigan’s Will Johnson headlines the group as a true lockdown CB1, a title he’s held on our draft board since his freshman season. Johnson has the size, instincts, and elite coverage ability to be not just the first corner off the board, but potentially the No. 1 overall pick in the draft—a rare feat for the position.
Behind him is Travis Hunter, a two-way phenom whose NFL Combine invite as a defensive back had me celebrating. While I graded him as a potential WR1, his highest ceiling is at cornerback, where a full-time focus on defense would have likely made him CB1 in this class. His elite ball skills, route recognition, and playmaking ability give him an All-Pro-level ceiling if he fully commits to the position.
One of my favorite players in this class is Jahdae Barron, who ranks in my top 10 overall despite already being 23 years old. His versatility, football IQ, and playmaking ability made him a dominant force at Texas, culminating in a Jim Thorpe Award-winning season in 2024. I expect Barron to make an immediate impact at the NFL level.
Beyond the top three, Shavon Revel and Benjamin Morrison are two high-upside names who could have been even higher on this list if not for season-ending injuries in 2024. Both possess the size, fluidity, and coverage instincts to develop into top-tier starting cornerbacks at the next level.
This class presents a mix of instant-impact stars and high-upside projects, ensuring that NFL teams looking for elite coverage ability will have plenty of options on draft day.
2025 NFL Draft: Cornerback Rankings
Elite Tier - Top 5-10 Picks (1st Round)
A rare, high-impact prospect with the potential to be an instant NFL star.
1) Will Johnson | Michigan | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 lbs
Player Comparison: Patrick Surtain II
Analysis: Johnson possesses the ideal blend of size, speed, and instincts to be a true shutdown No. 1 cornerback. His ability to erase WR1s in both man and zone schemes, combined with his elite ball skills and physicality, makes him a top-tier NFL prospect. His length allows him to disrupt at the catch point, and he’s a willing tackler in run support. A day-one starter with All-Pro upside.
2) Travis Hunter | Colorado | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 185 lbs
Player Comparison: Champ Bailey
Analysis: Hunter is a generational athlete with elite anticipation, ball skills, and route recognition at cornerback. His fluidity and recovery speed make him a nightmare for opposing receivers, and his WR background gives him a natural advantage in contested situations. While his frame limits his physicality in press, he has the skill set to develop into a lockdown CB1 if he focuses on defense full-time.
Near Elite Tier - 1st Round Projection
Prospects in this tier possess elite physical tools and production but may need refinement or have slight limitations preventing them from reaching the “Elite” category.
3) Jahdae Barron | Texas | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 192 lbs
Player Comparison: Not Available
Analysis: Barron is a high-IQ, versatile defensive back with elite instincts and positional flexibility. He thrives in both man and zone coverage, can play outside, nickel, or even safety, and is an impactful presence against the run. His Thorpe Award-winning season showcased his ability to make plays at all levels of the field, making him an NFL-ready defensive back.
4) Shavon Revel | Oregon State | Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 193 lbs
Player Comparison: Richard Sherman
Analysis: Revel is a long, physical press corner with elite movement skills for his size. He thrives in press-man schemes, using his length to disrupt routes early and his fluidity to stick with receivers downfield. A season-ending ACL tear in 2024 raises concerns, but his high football IQ and physicality make him a potential CB1 if he fully recovers.
5) Benjamin Morrison | Notre Dame | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 185 lbs
Player Comparison: Not Available
Analysis: Morrison is a technically refined cornerback who excels in press and man coverage schemes. His fluidity, footwork, and instincts allow him to mirror receivers at all levels, while his physicality at the catch point makes him a tough matchup for bigger receivers. An injury-shortened 2024 season hurt his stock, but his CB1 upside remains intact.
High-End Starter Potential - 2nd/3rd Round Projection
Players in this tier have the tools to become high-level starters early in their NFL careers.
6) Azareye’h Thomas | Florida State | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 198 lbs
Player Comparison: Benjamin St-Juste
Analysis: Thomas has the length, fluidity, and physicality to develop into a starting outside cornerback. His ball skills and press ability make him a strong fit for Cover 3 or man-heavy schemes, but he needs to refine his technique and improve his deep speed. A high-floor disruptor at the catch point, but with some athletic limitations.
7) Trey Amos | Alabama | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 lbs
Player Comparison: James Bradberry
Analysis: Amos is a long, physical press-man corner with good zone instincts. His ability to contest passes and close throwing windows makes him a strong Cover 3 or press-bail corner. Needs to improve his eye discipline and reaction time, but he has starter upside as a No. 2 CB in the right scheme.
8) Maxwell Hairston | Kentucky | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 186 lbs
Player Comparison: Jack Jones
Analysis: Hairston is a ball-hawking cornerback with elite route anticipation and short-area quickness. His instincts and ball production make him an ideal zone corner in Cover 2 or Cover 3 schemes, but his lean frame and struggles in press could limit his versatility.
9) Darien Porter | Iowa State | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 197 lbs
Player Comparison: Tariq Woolen
Analysis: Porter is a high-upside height/length/speed prospect with elite closing speed and ball skills. His physical traits make him an ideal Cover 3 corner, but he’s still raw at the position and needs technical refinement before he can be a full-time starter.
Mid-Level Starter Potential - 4th/5th Round Projection
These players project as solid rotational contributors with the potential to develop into quality starters.
10) Denzel Burke | Ohio State | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 190 lbs
Player Comparison: Not Available
Analysis: Burke is a tall, physical corner who excels in zone coverage but struggles with press and off-man techniques. His straight-line speed helps him in vertical routes, but his lack of flexibility and technique caps his upside. Best suited for zone-heavy schemes that allow him to play with instincts.