2020 NFL Draft – Cornerback Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – CB:

You are currently viewing the best cornerbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Our top cornerback prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best defensive backs in college football. Even though only about 25 will get selected in the draft, a lot more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find draft sleepers, draft stars, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2020 cornerback prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 16, 2020)

2020:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Jeff Okudah showed 1st round flashes as a sophomore, and improved on them to be the best cornerback in America as a junior. He possesses the size, speed, length, and strength of a top tier do-it-all corner, with explosive leaping ability and the ability to drive through block likes a defensive lineman. His play style and success screams “Patrick Peterson", while he has the football IQ and leadership to be a next level football player with a long career. Okudah is excellent in the press, avoids penalties while still blanketing receivers, and has the athleticism to recover and close quickly on receivers. He has a well coached approach to the position, and is also considered well above average in tackling. The main aspect of his game that could use work is containing the run, but he has all the traits to do so.

2019 Stats

13 games: 34 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 12 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble forced

Henderson is a big and athletic corner who helped himself at the combine with a 4.39 corner. SEC QB’s avoided him at all costs for most of his career, after he exploded onto the scene with 4 interceptions and lockdown coverage as a true freshman. Since then, his statistics have dipped, but part of that is teams avoiding his side of the field. He plays with big time speed and closes on receivers in a hurry, playing with good anticipation and an ability to read the quarterback. Henderson times his hits well, and rakes at the ball to knock it loose. He has ideal flexibility for a corner, and ball skills look good despite no interceptions in 2019. He can work on his football IQ and route recognition, as well as finishing off interceptions.

2019 Stats

9 games: 33 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 11 passes defended

Fulton was one of the best shutdown corners in college football, allowing an abysmal completion percentage on passes thrown his way. While he doesn’t have the length I like to see in corners, he has quick hips, a great ability to mirror receivers, and saw success playing off or in press. His 4.46 speed is more than enough to recover when needed, and he does a good job of putting his foot in the ground and jumping a route. Fulton forces a lot of incompletions, and has great timing to knock the ball away. His tackling is below average right now, but he’s relatively consistent. Character concerns could be an issue after being suspended all of 2017.

2019 Stats

15 games: 38 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 15 passes defended, 1 interception

Trevon Diggs has a great size for the position at 6’2", and plays even bigger than that thanks to his 6’6" wingspan. Like his big bro Stefon, he plays with a fiery mindset and has the swagger of a big time player. Trevon is a former receiver who has a good understanding of routes, and generally recognizes combinations. His strength helps him jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, and he doesn’t need to lunge too far forwards thanks to his long arms. Despite being a bigger corner, he has good foot speed and looks plenty fluid for an NFL corner. Discipline in coverage is the big concern for Diggs, as he is pretty grabby and can get sloppier with his hands when things aren’t going his way.

2019 Stats

12 games: 37 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, 3 interceptions

Jaylon Johnson is a tough corner with shutdown capability who very rarely allows an uncontested catch. His ball skills are among the best in the class, and he has the ability to suffocate receivers with the best of them. Johnson possesses a high football IQ and was part of a well coached DB unit who worked together to be one of the best in the nation last year at Utah. He keeps his feet moving fast and recognizes route combinations better than most corners in the class. His physical traits are only average, but he plays tougher and quicker than his number will make him look.

2019 Stats

13 games: 36 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 13 passes defended, 2 interceptions

Complete draft rankings for 2020 – Cornerback

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2020: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

This cornerback class is considered by most to be incredible. While I’m not as enthusiastic about them, I still think it is a very solid group. A few players at the top have star potential, including a big 3 of Okudah, Henderson, and Fulton. A lot more players have second round grades despite some inconsistent play, and plenty of players will emerge as serviceable NFL players after going in late rounds. While the top of the draft class is filled with notably large cornerbacks, the late rounds will include many smaller guys who will be best in the slot. Late round outside corners don’t impress me too much, but anyone with sub-4.6 speed and a height over 5’11" will get an extensive look from NFL scouts. Cornerback is the position where 40 times matter the most, as you can’t afford to have wide outs blow past you, and you need exceptionally fast hips and feet to mirror receivers. This means pro days will be incredibly important for small school corners to get a look, and determine how many of these guys will require a move to Safety if they want to give the NFL a go. All in all, you can never have enough corners, and this year’s class is definitely above average.