Breakout CBs: The Top 3 Corners & A Potential Steal
- Duke Doyle
- Feb 27
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 9
Every year, the NFL Draft brings a new wave of talent at cornerback, and this class is no different. With how pass-heavy the league is today; teams are always searching for guys who can lock down receivers and make plays. Whether it’s a physical press corner, a smooth technician, or a ballhawk who can flip the field, the best CBs bring a mix of traits that translate at the next level. In this breakdown, I’ll highlight the top three corners in this year’s draft, guys who have the tools to be impact players from day one. Plus, I’ll throw in a name that isn’t getting enough attention but has the potential to be a steal. If your team needs help in the secondary, these are the guys to watch. Let’s dive in.
1. Travis Hunter (CB) Colorado, 6’1”, 185lbs
Strengths:
Elite Athlete with Rare Movement Skills: Explosive, fluid, and flexible hips. Moves like a wide receiver playing defense with quick transitions, effortless change of direction, and the burst to close space in an instant.
Natural Playmaker: Ball skills stand out. Tracks the ball like a receiver, times his jumps well, and has the hands to turn pass breakups into takeaways.
Instincts & Route Recognition: High football IQ. Reads quarterbacks, understands route concepts, and consistently puts himself in position to make plays. Rarely caught guessing. Playing WR, seems to help him get a better feel.
Man Coverage Ability: Stays patient at the line, mirrors well, and has the speed to recover if needed. Has the confidence and skill set to match up against top receivers.
Versatility in Coverage: Can play inside or outside and looks comfortable in both man and zone schemes. Has the quickness to handle shiftier slot receivers and the length to battle bigger targets on the perimeter.
Competitive Edge: Plays with swagger and confidence. Does not back down from physical matchups and contact.
Weaknesses:
Size & Play Strength: At 185lbs, he’ll need to add some muscle to consistently hold up against bigger, more physical receivers in the NFL.
Tackling & Physicality in Run Support: Willing to stick his nose in, but not a big hitter. Needs to improve consistency in taking on blocks and wrapping up.
Position Development: His ability to play both ways are impressive. He hasn’t had as many reps focusing purely on refining his CB technique as some other top corner prospects, which should not be a major concern.
Eye Discipline in Zone: In off-coverage and zone, he can get caught peeking at the quarterback too long, allowing late separation. Tightening up his reads will help him take the next step as a complete cover corner.
Hunter is one of the most naturally gifted cornerbacks. His athleticism, ball skills, and instincts give him the ability to be a true lockdown defender at the next level. Whether in man or zone, inside or outside, he has the movement skills and football IQ to match up against a variety of receivers. His ability to track the ball in the air and make plays is special, he’s a defensive back who can turn defense into offense in an instant. He’ll need to add some strength to handle the physicality of the NFL, and focusing solely on playing corner will help him sharpen his technique even further. At times, his eye discipline in zone coverage could be more consistent, but his ability to recover and make plays makes up for it. The upside here is undeniable, he has all the tools to be a high-level CB1 who can shadow top receivers and take away one side of the field. If he lands in the right system and continues to develop, he has All-Pro potential.
2. Will Johnson (CB) Michigan, 6’2”, 202lbs
Strengths:
Prototypical Size & Length: At 6’2”, 202lbs, Johnson has the ideal frame to match up with bigger receivers and play physically at the line of scrimmage. His length helps him disrupt routes and contest catches.
Press-Man Coverage Ability: Excels in press situations. Uses his size, strength, and technique to stall receivers off the line and stay in phase downfield.
Ball Skills & Playmaking Ability: Tracks the ball well and consistently makes plays on it. Even if it’s getting his hands in passing lanes or finishing with an interception, he knows how to attack the football.
Scheme Versatility: Has experience playing in both man and zone coverages and looks comfortable in both. Can fit into multiple defensive systems at the next level.
Fluid Movement & Recovery Speed: Quick transitions, smooth footwork, and solid recovery speed allow him to stay attached to receivers even when initially beaten.
Weaknesses:
Tackling Consistency: Willing to come downhill, but his technique can be hit or miss. Can improve his ability to break down and wrap up in space.
Eye Discipline in Coverage: At times, gets caught looking in the backfield, making him vulnerable to double moves and play-action concepts.
Physicality Leading to Flags: Can get grabby when he feels he’s beaten, which could lead to penalties at the next level. Needs to trust his technique more.
Off-Coverage Technique: More comfortable playing up at the line than in off-man situations. Can sharpen his footwork and reaction time when giving receivers a cushion.
Johnson has all the tools to be a high-level corner at the next level. His combination of size, length, and press-man ability makes him a natural fit for an aggressive coverage scheme. He’s a playmaker when the ball is in the air and has the fluidity and recovery speed to stay attached to receivers. There are some areas that need refining such as his tackling could be more consistent, and he will need to improve his eye discipline to avoid getting caught out of position. He’s at his best when he’s in a press-heavy system but can improve his technique in off-coverage to round out his game. From a physical and technical standpoint, he has everything you look for in a starting outside corner. If he continues to develop, he has the potential to be a CB1 in the NFL.
3. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB) East Carolina, 6’2”, 188lbs
Strengths:
Prototypical Size & Length: At 6’2”, 188lbs, Revel has the ideal frame to play on the outside. His length allows him to disrupt passing windows, contest catches, and challenge bigger receivers at the line of scrimmage.
Press-Man Coverage Ability: Does well in press situations, using his long arms and physicality to control releases and stay attached throughout the route.
Top-End Speed: Has the straight-line speed to carry vertical threats downfield and limit explosive plays.
Fluid Movement & Transitions: Quick-footed with smooth hip transitions, allowing him to mirror receivers and react efficiently to breaks.
Physical in Run Support: Not just a coverage guy he is willing to engage in the run game. Plays with an aggressive mindset when attacking ball carriers.
Ball Disruption: Consistently gets a hand on the football. Breaks up passes at a high rate and makes life difficult for receivers at the catch point.
Weaknesses:
Turnovers & Play Finishing: Knows how to get in position and disrupt throws but hasn’t converted as many opportunities into interceptions. Needs to be more aggressive at the catch point and turn deflections into takeaways.
Zone Coverage Recognition: Can get caught watching the quarterback too long, allowing late-developing routes to sneak into his area. Needs to improve reaction time when playing off-coverage.
Pad Level & Balance: Can play too high at times, which affects his ability to break efficiently on routes. Staying lower in his stance will help him react quicker.
Refining Technique Against Advanced Route Runners: Has the athletic tools to match up with anyone, but at times, seasoned route runners can create separation with sharp breaks and deceptive footwork.
Revel has all the traits of a high-level outside corner. His length, speed, and press-man ability make him one of the best CB prospects in this class. He plays with confidence at the line of scrimmage, has the movement skills to stay in phase with receivers, and consistently disrupts passing lanes. There are areas that need refinement, his ability to turn breakups into turnovers could improve, and he’ll need to sharpen his reaction time in off-coverage. But in terms of physical tools and coverage ability, he has everything needed to step in and be a difference-maker early. As one of the top three corners in this class, he has the potential to develop into a CB1 who can shadow top receivers and lock down one side of the field.
The potential steal is…Darien Porter (CB) Iowa State, 6’2”, 197lbs
Strengths:
Prototype Outside Corner Size: At 6’2”, 197lbs, Porter has the ideal frame to match up with bigger receivers. His length helps disrupt routes early and contest catches at the high point.
Track Speed in Pads: One of the fastest corners in this class. His straight-line speed allows him to stay attached to vertical threats, limiting separation downfield.
Ball Tracking & Hands: His background as a former wide receiver shows up in coverage. Tracks the ball naturally and can finish plays with pass breakups or interceptions.
Natural Feel for Zone Coverage: Shows good awareness in zone, especially in Cover 3. Keeps his eyes on the quarterback and understands route concepts developing around him.
Special Teams Weapon: High-impact special team’s player with multiple blocked kicks. His burst and length make him a potential game-changer in that phase at the next level.
Weaknesses:
Still Learning the Position: Converted from wide receiver to cornerback in 2022. While the athleticism is there, his footwork and overall technique are still developing.
Lateral Agility & Transitions: Long legs and high-cut frame can make it tough for him to sink and change direction quickly. Shifty route runners can take advantage in short-area situations.
Tackling & Physicality: Willing to engage in run support but needs to improve his form and consistency when wrapping up.
Press Technique at the Line: Has the length to be disruptive early in routes but needs to be more consistent with his hand placement and strike timing to avoid losing leverage.
Porter is one of the most intriguing developmental corners in this class. His size, speed, and ball skills immediately stand out, making him a potential matchup weapon against bigger outside receivers. He’s still refining the technical side of his game after transitioning from wide receiver, but the natural instincts and athletic traits are there. A team looking for a long, athletic press-man or Cover 3 corner with elite recovery speed will see a lot to work with. His special team’s ability gives him another way to contribute early while he continues to develop his game. If he sharpens his footwork and becomes more fluid in his transitions, he has all the tools to grow into a starting outside corner at the next level.
