2024 NFL DRAFT: Position Breakdown: SECONDARY

 

2024 DEFENSIVE BACKS

Defensive backs continue to have very high value in the modern pass heavy NFL. Corners with length and athletic ability to cover man to man are especially valuable. Speed is key but modern-day defensive backs still need to be physical and able to tackle in space. This year’s crop has five high level corners that are first round locks. The safety class lacks a star but has plenty of depth and should produce quality starters. Several slot defenders could also hear their names called on day two.

CORNERBACKS

Quinyon Mitchell-CB-Toledo
6'0"/195/4.33 forty time/38” Vertical Jump
NFL Comp: Darius Slay/Jaire Alexander
PFF Grade: 91.5
Mitchell has an ideal combination of size, length and speed for a perimeter corner. Only Nate Wiggins ran a faster 40 time and Mitchell has over 20 pounds on Wiggins. His reaction time and ball skills are elite. Slay is a 6x Pro Bowler and Alexander is a top ten corner in the NFL now. Mitchell has a chance to be on that level early in his career.

Terrion Arnold-CB Alabama
6'0"/189/4.5
NFL Comp: Stephon Gilmore/Devin McCourty
PFF Grade: 88.4
Many draft sites have Arnold ranked higher than Mitchell and it is very close. Mitchell’s elite speed will likely be the reason he is drafted slightly higher than Arnold. Both players have the elite tools to turn into Pro Bowl players. Arnold’s ball skills and ability to mirror receivers are his best attributes. He should be a starting outside corner from day one. He also has the versality to play slot or free safety, hence the McCourty comparison.

Nate Wiggins-CB-Clemson 
6'1"/173/4.28
NFL Comp: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie/Donte Jackson
PFF Grade: 82.5
Wiggins’ blazing speed is his best trait and it translates on the field. He also has good hips and body control for a taller corner. His lack of weight can be concern though when matched up against bigger receivers. A team that values elite level speed in the secondary will draft Wiggins in the middle to late first round. 

Cooper DeJean-DB-Iowa
6’1”/203/4.47
NFL Comp: Minkah Fitzpatrick/Antrel Rolle
PFF Grade: 77.4
DeJean has the size and elite athletic tools to line up anywhere in the secondary. He is the most versatile defensive back in the class and one of the best against the run. He would be used best as a slot/safety hybrid in the way that the Steelers use Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Kool-Aid McKinstry-CB-Alabama -Alabama
6'0"/199
NFL Comp: AJ Terrell/Marcus Peters
PFF Grade: 88.8
Kool-Aid has by far and away the best nickname in the draft class. He formed the best corner duo in the nation along with Arnold. Kool-Aid was the top-rated corner in the high school class of 2021 and lived up to expectations playing as a true Freshman then starting the past two seasons. He has ideal length, size and ball skills to be a starting outside corner. His lack of elite athletic ability is why he not a top 10 pick

Ennis Rakestraw-CB-Mizzou
5'11"/183/4.51
NFL Comp: Aaron Colvin/Janoris Jenkins
PFF Grade: 80.7
Rakestraw may be undersized but he mirrors receivers as well as anyone in this draft class. He has very good length and is a willing tackler. He played mostly zone in college so it remains to be seen how he would translate in a more man press heavy system. 

Kamari Lassiter-CB-Georgia
6’0”/186
NFL Comp: Josh Norman/Rock Ta Sin
PFF Grade: 85.4
Lassiter is a very physical corner despite his size. He is very similar to Kool Aid in that he was able to play right away on a very talented and complex defense. His football IQ and toughness should allow him to have a long NFL career. He he could end up being a day three steal if he were to slip due to his slow 40 time.

TJ Tampa-CB-Iowa St  
6'1"/189
NFL Comp: Kyle Fuller/Jaylon Johnson
PFF Grade: 75.8
Tampa has an ideal combination of length, height and ball skills. He is physical and has shown versatility to play press man and zone. He could develop into a solid starter in a few years. 

Max Melton-CB-Rutgers  
5'11"/187/4.39
NFL Comp: Denzel Ward/Robert Alford
PFF Grade: 82.8
Melton followed his older brother Bo Melton (current WR for the Packers) to Rutgers where he was an instant impact player. He brings elite athletic tools which translate on the field. His has the versatility and length to play outside or in the slot

Khyree Jackson-CB-Oregon
6'4"/194/4.5
NFL Comp: Ahkello Witherspoon/Benjamin St-Juste
PFF Grade: 80.5
Jackson is a tall corner that has elite level length with a 78” wingspan. He has the traits to become a good press man corner.  He is an older prospect (will turn 25 in August) that went the JUCO route before playing as a backup at Alabama. He finally settled into a starting role at Oregon where he showed the traits that will get him drafted in on day two.

Cam Hart-CB-Notre Dame
6'3"/202
NFL Comp: James Bradberry/Isaac Yiadom
PFF Grade: 83.3
Hart has an impressive wingspan at 78.88” and ideal height for a starting corner. He is a physical zone corner that is a sure tackler. If he can find the perfect fit like Bradberry has in Philly he could be a starting outside corner. It is more likely he ends up like a solid rotational player like Yiadom.

SAFETIES and SLOT DEFENSIVE BACKS

Tyler Nubin-S-Minnesota
6'1"/199
NFL Comp: Antoine Winfield/Marcus Williams
PFF Grade: 89.2
Nubin is the top-rated true safety prospect by most draft pundits. The last time a versatile safety from the University of Minnesota was drafted in the second round he turned out pretty good. Nubin is much bigger than Winfield but shares the same versatile traits that make him arguably the top safety in the NFL today.

Javon Bullard-SS-Georgia
5'11"/198/4.47
NFL Comp: Darnell Savage/Donovan Wilson
PFF Grade: 82.8
Bullard was used as the big slot nickel in Georgia’s base defense. This is the ideal role for him in the NFL where he can use his combination of size, speed and tackling.

Mike Sainristil-Slot DB-Michigan
5'9"/182/4.47
NFL Comp: Mike Hilton/DJ Reed
PFF Grade: 81.4
Sainristil is a very physical slot defender that has incredible body control and quickness. He played receiver for three years at Michigan before switching to corner the past two seasons. His experience on offense shows with excellent ball skills. He should be able to carve out a role as a very good slot corner at the next level.

Calen Bullock-S-USC  
6'2"/188/4.48
NFL Comp: Brandon Jones/Julian Love
PFF Grade: 71.5
Bullock uses his elite speed and quickness to make plays in the passing game. Due to his lack of weight and instincts he can be a liability in the run game. He could become a solid starting free safety like Jones and Love or he may be moved to corner. 

Jaden Hicks-S-Washington St  
6'2"/211
NFL Comp: Thomas DeCoud/Kamren Curl
PFF Grade: 76.6
Hicks is a big safety that has versatility to play in the box, deep or in the slot. He is a good tackler and brings ideal height and length in the slot to cover tight ends.

Kamren Kinchens-S-Miami
5'11"/203/4.65
NFL Comp: Jarius Byrd/Eddie Jackson
PFF Grade: 67.8
Kinchens relies on physical instincts, physical play and intelligence on the field. He is a ballhawk as a deep safety and a reliable run defender in the box. He would be rated as high as Nubin if he had better athletic numbers.

Dadrion Taylor Demerson-S-Texas Tech
5'10"/197/4.41
NFL Comp: Budda Baker/Antoine Bethea
PFF Grade: 78.5
Taylor Demerson was the fastest safety at the combine and also showed his athletic prowess with a 38” vertical jump. He has risen up draft boards as teams like his leadership qualities and versatility to play in the box and deep.

Cole Bishop-S-Utah
6'2"/206/4.45
NFL Comp: Andrew Sendejo/Major Wright 
PFF Grade: 65.6 
Bishop is a physical box safety that is a big hitter. He provides length and height and has decent ball skills for a strong safety.

Kris Abrams Draine-Slot DB-Mizzou
5'11"/179/4.44
NFL Comp: Jourdan Lewis/Taron Johnson 
PFF Grade: 80.7
Abrams Draine has shown his value in the slot where he knows how to use his speed and ball skills to cover slot receivers and running backs. Like Sainristril, he also played receiver in college before staying on defense permanently. 

Andru Phillips-CB-Kentucky 
5'11"/190/4.48
NFL Comp: Darius Butler/Ronald Darby
PFF Grade: 71.7
Phillips’ saw his stock rise after the combine where he showed his elite athletic tools posting a 42” vertical and running a 4.48. He is a bit smaller but plays very physical and would fit best as a slot in a man scheme. 


DJ James-CB-Auburn 
5'11"/175/4.42
NFL Comp: Emmanuel Moseley/Corey Ballentine
PFF Grade: 83.9
James is a fast corner that plays with physicality despite his smaller frame. He has shown the ability to play both man and in zone. In the NFL he will likely play exclusively in the slot.

Renardo Green-DB-FSU  
6'0"/186/4.5
NFL Comp: Jalen Mills/ Sean Murphy Bunting
PFF Grade: 83.2
Green is a slot corner/safety hybrid that has great athletic skills. His stock is rising after a nice showing at the combine. He has a chance to get drafted on day two. 

Caelen Carson-CB-Wake Forest
6'0"/199
NFL Comp: JC Jackson/Amik Robertson
PFF Grade: 73.7
Carson is one of the most experienced prospects in the class as a four-year starter at Wake. He has a nice mix of size and ball skills.

James Williams-SS/LB-Miami
6'4"/231/4.65
NFL Comp: Kam Chancellor as a Safety/Divine Deablo as a Linebacker
PFF Grade: 67.8
Williams is a box safety/linebacker hybrid that knows how to use his huge frame to make big hits. The Raiders drafted Deablo as a safety in 2021 and turned him into a linebacker and Chancellor was the first hybrid box safety to be a Pro Bowl level player. Williams is a unique prospect that could turn out to be a steal if used correctly.

HONORABLE MENTION

Sorted By Position

CORNERS	Height	Weight	PFF	40	WING
Josh Newton-CB-TCU	5'11''	190	76.9	4.51	74 1/4"
Nehemiah Pritchett-CB-Auburn	6'0''	190	71.0	4.36	75"
Jarrian Jones-CB-FSU	6'0''	190	90.1	4.38	73 1/4"
Jarvis Brownlee-CB-Louisville	5'10''	194	77.9		75 1/4"
Dwight McGlothern-CB-Arkansas	6'2''	185	91.3	4.47	74 7/8"
Kalen King-CB-Penn St	5'11''	191	60.3	4.61	74 1/4"
Elijah Jones-CB-Boston College	6'2''	185	86.9	4.44	76"
Chau Smith Wade-CB-WSU	5'10''	184	73.7	4.54	72 3/8"
Kamal Hadden-CB-Tennessee	6'1''	196	85.7		74 1/8"
MJ Devonshire-CB-Pittsburgh	5'11''	186	61.9	4.45	78 3/4"
Decamerion Richardson-CB-MSU	6'2''	188	86.4	4.34	77 7/8"
Myles Harden-CB-South Dakota	5'11''	195	76.0	4.5	74"
Deantre Prince-CB-Ole Miss	6'0''	183	76.2	4.38	73 3/4"
Jarius Monroe-CB-Tulane	6'2''	205	81.5
Johnny Dixon-CB-Penn St	5'11''	188	66.0		72"

 

 

 

Safety	Height	Weight	PFF	40
Sorted by weight
Jaylon Carlies-S-Missouri	6'3''	227		4.5
Kitan Oladapo-SS-Oregon St	6'2''	216	88.3	4.58
Tyler Owens-S-TX Tech	6'2''	216	56.7	—
Dominique Hampton-S-WASH	6'2''	215	66.2	4.51
Demani Richardson-S-TX A&M	6'1"	215	68.8	4.6
Mark Perry-S-TCU	6'0''	215	65.3
Sione Vaki-DB-Utah	5'11''	210	66.8	4.62
Malik Mustapha-SS-Wake Forest	5'10''	210	79.6	—
Trey Taylor-S-Air Force	6'0''	210	83.9
Ryan Watts-S-Texas	6'3''	208	64.2	4.53
Ro Torrence-S-Arizona St	6'3''	208		—
Jaylen Key-S-Alabama	6'1"	208		4.6
Kenny Logan Jr-S-Kansas	6'0''	208
Patrick McMorris-S-California	6'0''	207		—
Isaiah Johnson-S-Syracuse	6'3''	205		4.64
Beau Brade-SS-Maryland	6'0''	203	67.8	—
Christian Roland Wallace-CB-USC	6'0''	201		—
Tykee Smith-S-Georgia	5'10''	201		4.46
Evan Williams-S-Oregon	5'11''	200		4.6
Omar Brown-S-Nebraska	6'1''	200	82.8
Josh Proctor-S-Ohio St	6'2''	199	77.9	4.55
Daijahn Anthony-S-Ole Miss	6'0''	195	71.6	4.55
Millard Bradford-S-TCU	5'11''	191		4.42
Andre' Sam-S-LSU	5'11''	191		4.59
Marcellas Dial-S-South Carolina	6'0''	190	79.2

 

 

 

Slot Only	Height	Weight	PFF	40
Jaylin Simpson-SDB-Auburn	6'0''	178	76.9	4.45
Tarheeb Still-CB-Maryland	6'0''	189	69.8	4.52
Daequan Hardy-SCB-Penn St	5'9''	179	65.9	4.38
Cartlon Johnson-SCB-Fresno St	5'11''	173		—
Josh Wallace-CB-Michigan	5'11''	185	86.5	—
Ryan Cooper Jr-CB-Oregon St	5'11''	184		—
Willie Roberts-CB-LA Tech	5'11''	190
AJ Woods-CB-Pittsburgh	5'11''	195	60.1
Akeem Dent-DB-FSU	5'11''	191		4.47
Willie Drew-CB-Virginia State	6'0''	191		4.46