2023 NFL Draft Primer: CB Big Board Rankings
Draftnick Ric expects lots of cornerbacks off the board, in a fast and furious manner!
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2023 NFL Draft Primer: CB Big Board Rankings
Ric likes Julius Brents, Kansas State, CB
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We witnessed one of the all-time great rookie cornerback classes in 2022 with alumni such as All-Pro first round pick Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Pro Bowl selection Tariq Woolen (Seahawks). While just seven cornerbacks were chosen through the first two days of the NFL Draft last year, there would be a grand total of 35 who heard their name called by the end of Day Three. So what does the 2023 NFL Draft Class have in store for an encore?
Expect lots of cornerbacks off the board, in a fast and furious manner! Coming off a strong performance at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon possesses top-notch instincts and physical traits, along with the ability to line up on either side of the field.
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE BIG BOARD: CORNERBACKS
Joey Porter Jr., Penn State, rJr, 6024, 193, 4.46 (1.50), 1000, 8078, 3400, 8078, 17, 35”, 10-9, NIC, Rd1
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, Jr, 5114, 181, 4.55e, 0878, 3128, 7358, NIC, Rd1
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon, rSo, 6013, 197, 4.38 (1.54), 0948, 3200, 7678, 14, 41.5” , 11-1, NIC, Rd1
Kelee Ringo, Georgia, rSo, 6016, 207, 4.36 (1.54), 0848, 3128, 7418, 10, 33.5”, 10-2, 4.26, 7.21, NIC, Rd1
Deonte Banks, Maryland, rJr, 6001, 197, 4.35 (1.49), 0938, 3138, 42” , 11-4 NIC, Rd1
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, Jr, 6006, 166, 4.35 (1.48), 0848, 3228, 7900, 37.5” , 10-4, NIC, Rd2
Cam Smith, South Carolina, rJr, 6006, 180, 4.43 (1.49), 0918, 3158, 7618, 38” , NIC, Rd2
Clark Phillips III, Utah, rSo, 5090, 184, 4.51 (1.51), 0928, 2918, 18, 33”, 4.32, NIC, Rd2
Julius Brents, Kansas State, rSr, 6026, 198, 4.53 (1.57), 0958, 3400, 8258, 41.5” , 11-6, 4.05, 6.63, SRB, NIC, Rd3
Tyrique Stevenson, Miami, rJr, 6000, 198, 4.45 (1.51), 0958, 3258, 7728, 38.5”, 10-5, 4.41, 7.09, NIC, Rd3
However, no cornerback may be more physical than Joey Porter Jr. (it runs in the family), as the Penn State playmaker man brings size, athleticism and change of direction ability, along with the propensity to create turnovers.
PORTER JR., JOEY | Penn State | CB | #9 | rJr | 6025 | 193 | 4.46 | Bakersfield, CA | 07.26.00 (23.2) | Rd1
Evaluation: A long, physical press man cover corner, Porter owns prototypical attributes, along with NFL bloodlines (son of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter). His long arms allow him to knock receivers off their mark and enable him to get his hands on a lot of tipped balls. Porter is also asked to play quite a bit of zone coverage and has no problem adapting due to his natural football instincts. In addition, he can help out in the run game, as evidenced by his 50 tackles a year ago. Coaches say that he conducts himself with a quiet confidence. A decision was made to return to Penn State in order to earn his degree, but also to clean up some aspects of his game. He was flagged for a handful of penalties last season and can be a bit too grabby with his hands at times, an area of his game that scouts will want to see him tame. He’ll also need to bulk up his frame as he transitions to the pros. Following in the footsteps of his dad, Porter is the total package and one of the top cornerback prospects in the nation.
Background: Invited to NFL Combine; measured 10-inch hand, 34-inch arm, 81-inch wingspan. A three-star recruit from North Allegheny High School and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic; also s track standout. Repped by Jeff Sperbeck.
Devon Witherspoon Evaluation:
There are some minor concerns about Witherspoon’s size, but his elite agility, instincts and ability to consistently stay attached to wide receivers warrant top-10 consideration. Witherspoon played on both the boundary and field sides of the defense for Illinois. The dynamic cornerback takes snaps covering X, Y, and Z receivers from a combination of press coverage and off-man. The Fighting Illini trusted Witherspoon to handle these diverse assignments, often with little help. The fourth-year junior is a high-motor player who shows effort and leads by example in all areas. Witherspoon blocks for his teammates when they intercept passes and is quick to congratulate his fellow defenders when they make plays. He’s a high-energy talker who loves to remind wide receivers that they’re getting locked up. Witherspoon has a quick trigger and excellent closing speed on short routes and screens. He’s also willing to come downhill and stop the run. He actively fights through wide-receiver blocks and converts speed to power at the tackle point. Witherspoon has an excellent athletic profile. He possesses the agility, suddenness and twitch to mirror routes. He has quick feet and fluid hips, which allow him to adapt to routes and releases. Witherspoon stays low and patient in his backpedal and is careful not to declare his hips too early. The former three-sport athlete is not afraid to get physical with receivers. He squeezes outside releases along the sideline and throws sturdy jabs to stall receivers. Witherspoon’s track background shows on longer plays. He has the speed to prevent getting stacked and flies around unabated in the open field. Witherspoon has excellent anticipatory skills and reads and reacts to the quarterback’s eyes. He navigates trash to stay attached to his man on short crossing routes and high-points the ball to make plays at the catch point. Witherspoon’s block-shed technique is inconsistent, and he’d benefit from playing more under control as a tackler. He sometimes falls for outside-in route and release fakes that leave receivers open heading toward the middle of the field. Witherspoon has experience on the kickoff coverage, punt return, punt coverage and field-goal block units. He is in contention to be the number one cornerback off the board and blends and impressive combo of size, speed, physicality.
Background: NFL Combine invite. Measured 8.5-inch hand, 31-inch arm, 73.5-inch wingspan at the NFL Combine. Did not work out (injury). Had a personal pro day workout scheduled for April 5th. Repped by CAA.
Meanwhile, Oregon blazer Christian Gonzalez is expected to test amongst the elite percentile at the NFL Scouting Combine, which could create an interesting conversation as to who is CB1 inside NFL war rooms.
GONZALEZ, CHRISTIAN | Oregon | CB | # 21 | rSo | 6010 | 197 | 4.38 | The Colony, TX |02.28.02 (21.7) | Rd1
Evaluation: Terrific length and subtle weight that doesn’t burden his athleticism. Tons of press-bail alignments, typically to the boundary. He has blitzed from the field and has an impact on the pass. Plays the ball in the air for back-shoulder pass breakups. Smooth in transition. Everything is easy and fluid from pedal to crossover run or hip flip to sprint. He can recover when stumbling and squeezing receivers to the pilon while playing their hip pocket. He can reset over the middle of the field, easily mirroring the target while perfectly timing up his hand usage to deter the pass. He has carried vertical patterns in true Cover 3, playing outside in and negating what would be an open-seam throw. He plays the run well, but can be late to trigger at times or run himself out of the play. Can be outmanned at the catch point. He could struggle against large possession receivers. Would like to see him add physicality when playing the ball. Gonzalez is a true No. 1 corner that can mirror and match with easy fluidity and subtle movement patterns. Answering any questions about ball skills this season, his tape leaves little to discern, making him a consideration for the first corner chosen.
Background: Invited to NFL Combine. Measured 9.5-inch hand, 32-inch arm, 77-inch wingspan. Repped by CAA.
Other names to keep an eye on for first round consideration include the SEC trio of Georgia lockdown cover man Kelee Ringo, South Carolina lengthy corner Cam Smith and the savvy Emmanuel Forbes of Mississippi State.
FORBES, EMMANUEL | Mississippi State | CB | #13 | rJr | 6010 | 166 | 4.35 | Grenada, MS | 01.13.01 (22.8) | Rd1
Evaluation: A lockdown cornerback, Forbes has made many opposing quarterbacks pay with his deceptive style of play. He possesses elite ball skills, as evident by his 14 career interceptions. Forbes transforms into a playmaker with the ball in his hands and has three career returns for touchdowns. The high-energy leader of the Bulldogs defense has the speed to tag along with any receiver in the nation. His backpedal and fluid hips are also two key ingredients to his success. Forbes is strong in man coverage and even better in zone due to his football intelligence. His highlight-reel play makes Forbes worthy of first-round consideration.
Background: Invited to NFL Combine. Measured 8.5-inch hand, 32-inch arm, 79-inch wingspan. Ran 1.48 10-yard split. Repped by Athletes First.
RINGO, KELEE | Georgia | CB | #5 | rSo | 6020 | 207 | 4.36 | Tacoma, WA | 06.27.02 (21.3) | Rd1
Ric’s 2023 Evaluation: On film, it looks like Ringo was built in a lab. He has a great frame, fantastic length and impressive speed. It didn’t matter the receiver’s speed he went up against in man coverage, Ringo was always in the wideouts’ hip pocket. With his length and speed, Ringo was never beaten on any vertical route. Ringo plays up to his strength, displaying physicality in coverage and with the ball in the air. Receivers weren’t able to win jump balls against him. Ringo has ball skills and consistently got his hands on the football. His makeup speed and length will allow him to have several pass deflections at the next level. In press man coverage, Ringo was elite against short routes where he could overwhelm wideouts. What Ringo struggles with change of direction. He is on the bigger side, which contributes but he has tight hips. Quicker receivers are able to lose him on out routes and digs, as Ringo wasn’t able to change direction quick enough to stay with them. In zone, Ringo looks lost at times and doesn’t have a natural feel. This caused him to be a step late and forced him to rely on his natural tools to make up for his mistakes. Still, there is starting pedigree/tools here.
Background: Invited to NFL Combine. Measured 8.5-inch hand, 31.5-inch arm, 74-inch wingspan. Ran 1.54 10-yard split. Repped by The Familie.
Under the Radar
Several prospects also made a name for themselves on the all-star circuit; players on the rise include Kei’Trel Clark of Louisville, Lance Boykin of Coastal Carolina and Keenan Isaac of Alabama State.
Julius Brents One Liner:
Brents is less of a scheme-diverse corner than many prospects in the 2023 draft class, but he possesses rare physical tools and high-end movement skills for his size.
Kansas State | CB | #23 | rSr | 6026 | 198 | 4.50 | Indianapolis, IN | 01.18.00 | Rd3
Evaluation: Brents is less of a scheme-diverse corner than many prospects in the 2023 draft class, but he possesses rare physical tools and high-end movement skills for his size. He spent most of his time operating as a boundary corner in zone coverage for Kansas State. The former three-star recruit is at his best when he’s allowed to keep his eyes on the quarterback, which might explain why he frequently uses the bail technique. Brents is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the 2023 class. He showcases enough speed to carry routes vertically without getting stacked. The Iowa transfer has surprisingly loose hips for a player his size. Brents squeezes routes along the sideline and does an excellent job at erasing routes with outside releases. He stays in phase with little difficulty against most receivers, but the NFL’s elite speedsters and twitchier pass-catchers could cause him trouble. Unlike many corners in this class, Brents has no fear of coming downhill against the run. Brents has great closing burst to the tackle and always looks to jump and make plays on wide-receiver screens. However, he needs to show better discipline when approaching tackles to avoid slipping off them or over-pursuing. Despite his aggressive mentality, Brents struggles to shed blocks and win the leverage battle as a run defender against wide receivers. He drew penalties in three consecutive games in 2022. Brents’ backpedal is higher than ideal and his foot speed needs to improve. He’s quick to declare his hips when not playing bail technique. Brents is an impact run defender with an aggressive mentality, but his motor runs hot and cold in run defense.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL STAFF FOR THEIR FEEDBACK AND INPUT
Dane Vandernat, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Executive Directors
Ron Hill, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Consultant & Former Atlanta Falcons General Manager
Teddy Atlas, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl West Coast Scout & Former Las Vegas Raiders Director of Scouting
Jerry Hardaway, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Southeast Scout & Fritz Pollard Scout of the Year
Raleigh McKenzie, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl East Coast Scout & Two-Time Super Bowl Champion
Todd Worley, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Midwest Scout & Ottawa Redblacks Regional Scout
Steve Kazor, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Southwest Scout & Michigan Panthers General Manager
PLAYER KEY: Rank, Player, School, Year, Height, Weight, Forty, Hand, Arm, Wingspan, All-Star Game, Combine Status, Projection | Scouting Report
ABBREVIATIONS: SRB = Senior Bowl, EWS = East-West Shrine Bowl, NFLPA = NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HULA = Hula Bowl, TROP = Tropical Bowl, CGS = College Gridiron Showcase, NIC = NFL Combine Invite, UDFA = Undrafted Free Agent, NIC (National Invitational Camp) = NFL Scouting Combine
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE BIG BOARD: CORNERBACKS
Joey Porter Jr., Penn State, rJr, 6024, 193, 4.46 (1.50), 1000, 8078, 3400, 8078, 17, 35”, 10-9, NIC, Rd1
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, Jr, 5114, 181, 4.55e, 0878, 3128, 7358, NIC, Rd1
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon, rSo, 6013, 197, 4.38 (1.54), 0948, 3200, 7678, 14, 41.5” , 11-1, NIC, Rd1
Kelee Ringo, Georgia, rSo, 6016, 207, 4.36 (1.54), 0848, 3128, 7418, 10, 33.5”, 10-2, 4.26, 7.21, NIC, Rd1
Deonte Banks, Maryland, rJr, 6001, 197, 4.35 (1.49), 0938, 3138, 42” , 11-4 NIC, Rd1
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, Jr, 6006, 166, 4.35 (1.48), 0848, 3228, 7900, 37.5” , 10-4, NIC, Rd2
Cam Smith, South Carolina, rJr, 6006, 180, 4.43 (1.49), 0918, 3158, 7618, 38” , NIC, Rd2
Clark Phillips III, Utah, rSo, 5090, 184, 4.51 (1.51), 0928, 2918, 18, 33”, 4.32, NIC, Rd2
Julius Brents, Kansas State, rSr, 6026, 198, 4.53 (1.57), 0958, 3400, 8258, 41.5” , 11-6, 4.05, 6.63, SRB, NIC, Rd3
Tyrique Stevenson, Miami, rJr, 6000, 198, 4.45 (1.51), 0958, 3258, 7728, 38.5”, 10-5, 4.41, 7.09, NIC, Rd3
DJ Turner, Michigan, rJr, 5112, 178, 4.26 (1.47), 0958, 3068, 38.5” , 10-11, NIC, Rd3
Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford, rJr, 6000, 191, 4.52 (1.49), 0968, 3200, 7718, 36” , 10-11, 4.35, 6.93, SRB, NIC, Rd3
Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville, rJr, 5102, 181, 4.42 (1.49), 0828, 2958, 7300, 34.5” , 10-2, 4.21, NIC, Rd4
Garrett Williams, Syracuse, rSo, 5110, 192, 4.44e, 0928, 3100, 7448, 19, NIC, Rd4
Darius Rush, South Carolina, rSr, 6020, 198, 4.37 (1.51), 0948, 3238, 7968, 35” , 10-1, SRB, NIC, Rd4
Jakorian Bennett, Maryland, Sr, 5105, 188, 4.30 (1.48), 0928, 3178, 7658, 13, 40.5” , 11-1, NIC, SRB, Rd4
Riley Moss Iowa, rSr, 6003, 193, 4.45 (1.48), 0948, 3000, 7338, 11, 39”, 10-7, 4.15, 6.60, SRB, NIC, Rd5
Eli Ricks, Alabama, Jr, 6020, 188, 4.60, 0878, 3238, 7878, 35”, 10-07, 7.44, NIC, Rd5
Cory Trice, Purdue, rSr, 6033, 206, 4.47 (1.56), 0968, 3238, 7700, 17, 35.5”, 11-0, 4.06, 6.70, NIC, Rd5
Cameron Brown, Ohio State, Sr, 6000, 199, 4.57, 0900, 3100, 7618, 10, 35.5”, 9-07, 4.59, 7.12, EWS, NIC, Rd5
Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M, Jr, 6020, 200, 4.57 (1.48), 0900, 3068, 14, 38” , 4.30, 6.88, NIC, Rd5
Arquon Bush, Cincinnati, Sr, 5117, 187, 4.55 (1.54), 0928, 2978, 11, 33.5”, 9-7, 4.45, 7.32, NIC, Rd6
Anthony Johnson, Virginia, Sr, 6020, 205, 4.64 (1.59), 0858, 3258, 7738, 15, 30.5” , 9-8, SRB, NIC, Rd6
Rejzohn Wright, Oregon State, Jr, 6020, 193, 4.53e, 0958, 3248, 7728, SRB, NIC, Rd6
Mekhi Garner, LSU, rSr, 6020, 212, 4.55 (1.54), 1028, 3228, 7768, 38”, 38.5”, 10-05, 4.28, 6.88, NIC, Rd6
Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama, rSr, 5116, 189, 4.46 (1.57), 1038, 3238, 7778, 40.5” , 4.43, 6.90, SRB, NIC, Rd7
Starling Thomas V, UAB, Sr, 5101, 190, 4.38, 0958, 3058, 7438, 14, 37.5”, 10-05, 4.36, 7.29, EWS, Rd7
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, Sr, 5080, 178, 4.41 (1.50), 0858, 2900, 7068, 12, 39” , 11-0, NIC, PFA, Rd7
Alex Austin, Oregon State, rSo, 6010, 195, 4.55 (1.54), 0848, 3178, 7628, 33”, 10-2, 4.33, 7.06, NIC, Rd7
Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina, rSr, 6020, 200, 4.72, 0968, 3238, 7828, 13, 30.5”, 10-4, 4.39, NIC, PFA
Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern, Jr, 5106, 197, 4.47 (1.48), 0968, 3138, 7618, 15, 35”, 4.06, 6.89, PFA
Keenan Isaac, Alabama State, rSr, 6014, 185, 4.59, 0868, 3248, 7900, 33”, 11-08, 4.25, 6.90, NFLPA, PFA
D’Shawn Jamison, Texas, rSr, 5092, 184, 4.51, 0848, 3048, 7518, 13, 33”, 4.28, 6.74, EWS, PFA
Jeremy Lucien, Vanderbilt, rJr, 6013, 194, 4.52e, 0918, 3138, 7728, HULA, PFA
Christian Braswell, Rutgers, Sr, 5103, 183, 4.49, 0900, 3018, 7300, 40”, 11-00, 4.21, 6.82, HULA, PFA
Kaleb Hayes, BYU, rSr, 5114, 194, 4.33, 0878, 3258, 7628, 17, 40”, 10-08, 4.27, 6.88, NFLPA
Anthony Adams, Portland State, rSo, 5116, 191, 4.70, 0978, 3118, 7368, 18, 36.5”, 10-02, 4.46, 7.52, PFA
Nic Jones, Ball State, Sr, 6000, 189, 4.51 (1.57), 1000, 3238, 7668, 9, 34.5”, 4.34, EWS, NIC, PFA
Jarrick Bernard-Converse, LSU, rJr, 6006, 196, 4.40, 0968, 3228, 7918, 16, 42”, 10-06, 4.28, 7.01, EWS/HULA, PFA
Anthony Johnson, Iowa State, rSr, 5115, 205, 4.54 (1.55), 0868, 3128, 7578, 12, 37.5”, 10-5, 4.31, 7.07, NFLPA, PFA
Terrell Smith, Minnesota, rSr, 6004, 204, 4.41 (1.50), 0900, 3278, 7700, 14, 34” , 10-1, 4.30, 7.02, NIC, PFA
Ameer Speed, Michigan State, Sr, 6033, 209, 4.34, 0858, 3258, 7868, 14, 32.5”, 10-03, 4.26, 6.99, NFLPA, PFA
Myles Brooks, Louisiana Tech, rSr, 6010, 201, 4.51, 0948, 3068, 7458, 35”, 4.51, 7.27, EWS, NIC, PFA
DJ Ivey, Miami, rSr, 6005, 189, 4.46, 0928, 3258, 7748, 12, 39”, 10-06, 4.21, 7.19, NFLPA, PFA
Steven Jones, Appalachian State, rSr, 5097, 188, 4.47, 0768, 3000, 7268, 14, 35”, 10-04, 4.38, NFLPA, PFA
CJ Coldon, Oklahoma, rSr, 5105, 190, 4.60, 0928, 3158, 7548, 37.5”, 10-05, 4.24, 7.31, NFLPA, PFA
Gemon Green, Michigan, rSr, 6010, 183, 4.53, 0938, 3100, 7528, 12, 37.5”, 10-06, 4.51, 7.13, PFA
Jaylin Williams, Indiana, rSr, 5096, 184, 4.45, 0918, 2978, 7168, 13, 34.5”, 9-11, 4.20, 7.01, NFLPA/HULA, PFA
Corey Mayfield, UTSA, rSr, 5102, 190, 4.49, 0868, 3078, 7500, 36.5”, 9-11, 4.30, 7.06, NFLPA, PFA
Justin Ford, Montana, rSr, 6000, 190, 4.52e, 0838, 3068, 7428, HULA, PFA
Nehemiah Shelton, San Jose State, Sr, 6001, 183, 4.77, 0928, 3178, 7778, 6, 35”, 9-04, 4.36, 7.11, EWS/HULA, PFA
Quavian White, Georgia State, rSr, 5084, 185, 4.52, 0928, 3038, 7400, 9, 37.5”, 10-03, 4.13, 7.03, NFLPA, PFA
Kahlef Hailassie, Western Kentucky, rSr, 6002, 195, 4.53e, 1000, 3228, 7778, 4.06, 6.68, EWS, PFA
Darrious Gaines, Western Colorado, rSr, 6010, 193, 4.59, 0918, 3200, 7828, 10, 33.5”, 10-0, 4.46, 7.12, NFLPA, PFA
Steven Gilmore, Marshall, Sr, 5087, 174, 4.44, 0848, 2968, 7300, 12, 36.5”, 10-04, HULA, PFA
Eric Scott Jr., Southern Mississippi, rSr, 6010, 204, 4.50e, 0938, 3238, 8018, 16, 39.5”, 11-01, EWS, PFA
Tiawan Mullen, Indiana, Sr, 5084, 181, 4.42, 0828, 3038, 7878, 19, 32”, 10-0, 4.41, 7.00, PFA
Anthony Cook, Texas, Sr, 6001, 188, 4.63, 0868, 3118, 7628, 12, 34”, 4.31, 10-05, 6.97, HULA, PFA
Natrone Brooks, Southern Mississippi, Sr, 5101, 168, 4.73, 0928, 3100, 7668, 8, 30”, 9-10, 4.47, 7.06, CGS, UDFA
Ekow Boye-Doe, Kansas State, Sr, 5112, 174, 4.43e, PFA
Jordan Jones, Rhode Island, rSr, 5103, 186, 4.52, 0900, 3148, 7468, 11, 37.5”, 10-11, 4.40, 6.97, HULA, UDFA
Eric Garror, Louisiana Lafayette, Sr, 5077, 174, 0838, 2928, 7038, 4.57, 10, 33”, 9-05, 4.29, 6.97, CGS, UDFA