2023 NFL Draft – Cornerback Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – CB:

You are currently viewing the best cornerbacks in the 2023 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 2023 cornerback prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 27, 2023)

2023:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | EDGE | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Christian Gonzalez transferred from Colorado to Oregon prior to this past season, and it absolutely worked out for him. Gonzalez shined in Dan Lanning’s scheme, and looked like he could have easily fit in with a Georgia Bulldogs style defense. That also means he’ll hit right in as a press corner in the NFL. He is a special athlete with fluid hips, quick feet, and some of the best straight line speed in the class. Gonzalez has been measured sprinting over 23 mph with GPS, and plays with great strength to knock receivers off their lines or compete with the ball in the air. He combines this with a big 6’2" 200 pound build and long arms. He’s still raw in his technique and needs to take better angles pursuing the run, but Gonzalez probably has the highest ceiling of any corner in the class.

2022 Stats

12 games: 50 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 0.0 sacks, 11 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 0 fumbles forced

Devon Witherspoon was one of the most productive corners in college football this season, recording 17 total passes defended including 3 interceptions. He dominated as a press and man corner this year, playing very physical while showing great instincts and keeping his eyes on the quarterback. He anticipates as well as any corner in college football, and has quick feet underneath to jump routes consistently while rarely getting caught guessing. Witherspoon shows the confidence you love to see as a corner, and is very competitive. His ceiling will be limited due to average physical traits. He’s got a lean build with average length and straight line speed.

2022 Stats

12 games: 41 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.0 sacks, 17 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 0 fumbles forced

Joey Porter Jr. is a fast and long corner with an imposing 6’2" frame. He uses his length exceptionally well to break up passes, and does has the speed to stay in phase with receivers and prevent completions. He has quick hips for his size and a good understanding of route combinations which have helped him come off his receiver to make plus-level plays. He shows good reaction time against screens and underneath passes, while excelling at rerouting receivers at the start of routes. Porter will be limited by his average underneath quickness and can be too grabby at times, so there’s room to cleanup his technique.

2022 Stats

10 games: 27 tackles, 0.0 tackles for loss, 0.0 sacks, 11 passes defended, 0 interceptions, 0 fumbles forced

Deonte Banks has all the physical traits you could want in an outside press/man corner. With a 6’0"+ 200 pound frame, and top percentile athletic traits all around, Banks oozes potential. He’s been consistently impressive at shutting down receivers each of the last 3 seasons even though his ball production hasn’t always jumped off the page. He mirrors well, and has extremely fluid hips and an ability to change directions quickly. His run defending has improved consistently throughout his time at Maryland, and he isn’t afraid to get involved in tackles against bigger players. While the physical traits are great, his lack of ball production and slower-than-expected backpedal will hold him back to begin his career.

2022 Stats

12 games: 38 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 9 passes defended, 1 interception, 0 fumbles forced

DJ Turner was one of my favorite sleepers in the class, but he’s not a sleeper anymore after running the fastest 40 time at the combine (4.26). That speed also translates to tape, and GPS has tracked him as fast as 23 miles per hour in game. Turner has the foot quickness and hip fluidity you’d want in a corner, while also possessing a great football IQ with an ability to keep his eyes on the quarterback. He plays bigger than his size will indicate, and he rarely had any issues with bigger receivers in college. Still, the question has to be where you play him given his below-average length and slight frame. He’ll primarily be a slot corner at the next level but should also be able to play outside when needed.

2022 Stats

14 games: 36 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 0.0 sacks, 11 passes defended, 1 interception, 0 fumbles forced

Complete 2023 CB draft rankings

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2023:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | EDGE | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

The 2023 cornerback draft class is just as big and talented as the last few years, despite not having a true top-5 caliber talent. The depth is extremely strong at this group, particularly around the 4th round. I’d expect a run on corners around that point (unless teams start reaching in round 3). Tons of players here are rated highly solely based on projection and athletic traits, such as Kelee Ringo. But even highly touted prospects like Christian Gonzalez and Eli Ricks have a ton left to prove. Despite the depth, size, and talent, there aren’t many sure-deals in this group, and it wouldn’t hurt to draft more than 1 if you have a vacancy at corner.