The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and with the marquee weekend of the offseason nearly here, the hype and excitement surrounding this year's event is already heating up.
Over the next few weeks, we're taking a look at some position groups in this year's class while examining a handful of names to know. Here's what we've covered so far:
We'll continue with the cornerbacks.
Five Names to Know
Depending on where you look, the various experts from around the web have identified a handful of players who are widely considered the top cornerback prospects in this year's class.
Here's a look at five players to know.
Mansoor Delane – LSU
Measurables: 6-foot-0, 187 pounds
Snapshot: A First-Team All-SEC selection and unanimous All-American in 2025, Delane tallied 13 passes defensed and two interceptions last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 8 overall (No. 1 CB)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 6 overall (No. 1 CB)
Matt Miller Top 100 (ESPN – April 10): No. 12 overall (No. 2 CB)
Pro Football Focus: No. 9 overall (No. 1 CB)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Delane is one of the most consistent players in this draft class. He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction. He is adept at press coverage, possessing the ability to re-route and mirror all over the field. In zone, he plays with instincts and awareness. He goes long stretches without getting challenged because of his tight coverage. When he is attacked, he can locate and make plays on the ball. He always looks to get involved in run defense, closing space in a hurry and operating as a physical, reliable tackler. He ran well at his pro day, alleviating any concerns about his speed. Overall, Delane has the tools to match up with every style of receiver. He can run with the vertical weapons and play physical with the bigger ones."
The Athletic: "Overall, Delane plays with the route anticipation and temperament to stay attached in coverage and squeeze catch windows. He projects as a starting outside NFL cornerback, with the skill set to move inside over the slot."
ESPN: "Delane starred at Virginia Tech for three seasons before transferring to LSU, where he emerged as the nation's best cornerback. He doesn't have elite length but simply makes plays, with two interceptions and only 10 catches allowed last season. Delane's fluid movement, vision and quickness are a fantastic combination, and his recovery ability allows him to be a matchup cornerback in pretty much any scheme."
PFF: "Delane is a long, quick outside corner with excellent instincts and ball skills. He has the tools to start in both press and off coverage and match up against top receivers."
For more on Delane, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 188 pounds
Snapshot: One of the top cornerbacks in all of college football in 2024, McCoy tore his ACL late in the season and missed the entire 2025 campaign. He appears to be healthy now, however, as evidenced by his 4.40-second 40-yard dash at Tennessee's pro day.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 15 overall (No. 2 CB)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 14 overall (No. 2 CB)
Matt Miller Top 100 (ESPN – April 10): No. 10 overall (No. 1 CB)
Pro Football Focus: No. 17 overall (No. 2 CB)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "McCoy had an outstanding 2024 season but missed the entire '25 campaign due to an ACL tear. He is at his best in press coverage, effectively landing his one-hand jam while maintaining balance to stay on the hip and mirror. He is always under control with his movement. In zone coverage, he will set traps, knowing he can sink back and recover to make plays on the ball. His ability to elevate and play the ball is impressive…Overall, McCoy has the speed, movement and ball skills to start Day 1."
The Athletic: "He's a twitchy mover with the spatial instincts and ball skills to create plays in coverage. If there are no concerns with his knee, he should be an early NFL starter as a rookie."
ESPN: "McCoy didn't play in 2025 because of a torn ACL suffered while training in January, but scouts are sufficiently enamored with his traits and previous film to consider him a first-round talent. He has ideal size, explosive hips and click-and-close ability that reminds me of Derek Stingley Jr.'s tape at LSU. Given that McCoy hasn't played in over a year, there will be questions about his recovery timeline (which increased after he didn't work out at the combine), but if he were graded purely on his 2024 tape, he'd be in the running to be the first corner drafted and a top-10 pick."
PFF: "McCoy's medical evaluations will be critical, but based on his measurables and 2024 tape, he profiles as a first-round talent with shutdown potential in press-man coverage."
For more on McCoy, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Chris Johnson – San Diego State
Measurables: 6-foot-0, 193 pounds
Snapshot: The Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, Johnson tallied eight passes defensed, four interceptions and two pick-sixes last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 40 overall (No. 5 CB)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 24 overall (No. 3 CB)
Matt Miller Top 100 (ESPN – April 10): No. 23 overall (No. 3 CB)
Pro Football Focus: No. 46 overall (No. 7 CB)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Johnson has excellent height, bulk and movement skills for his position…He's at his best in off coverage, where he shows excellent eyes/instincts to trigger on throws in front of him. He's natural in finding and playing the ball. Johnson is extremely tough and aggressive to fill versus the run. He's a dependable tackler in space and he flashes burst/closing ability as a blitzer. He had an up-and-down week at the Senior Bowl, but he rebounded with an outstanding NFL Scouting Combine performance. Coaches at SDSU rave about his character and toughness."
The Athletic: "Overall, Johnson offers a combination of instinctive eyes and athletic movement skills that allow him to consistently make plays on the football. He should compete for a starting role on day one, while also making an impact on special teams."
PFF: "[In off coverage], he excels with physicality, spacing, anticipation and ball skills."
For more on Johnson, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Avieon Terrell – Clemson
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 186 pounds
Snapshot: The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons' cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon was a standout at Clemson over the last three seasons, racking up 28 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and three picks in 39 games.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 34 overall (No. 4 CB)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 27 overall (No. 4 CB)
Matt Miller Top 100 (ESPN – April 10): No. 33 overall (No. 6 CB)
Pro Football Focus: No. 23 overall (No. 3 CB)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Terrell is an undersized cornerback with tremendous quickness and instincts. He projects best as a nickel at the next level. I love his feisty, competitive play style. He utilizes his quick feet and smooth change of direction to match up in the slot. He stays in position with great movement skills and body control. He has excellent eyes and closing speed in underneath zone coverage. He isn't as effective on the outside, where his lack of size shows up on go balls, and he'll get walled off on slants by bigger-bodied receivers. He is very aggressive to fill vs. the run game. He is also a stellar blitzer. He's always talking and provides energy on the field. Overall, this is an ideal nickel starter on Day 1."
The Athletic: "Overall, Terrell is undersized, but NFL teams, especially those running press-heavy schemes, would be wise to bet on his reaction quickness and compete skills. He projects as a rookie starter with inside-outside versatility."
ESPN: "The younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon Terrell is a sudden and versatile player who can make an impact in the slot or out wide. He has elite ball production, with three sacks and five forced fumbles last season and 21 pass breakups dating to 2024."
PFF: "His elite football IQ and playmaking instincts give him starting potential across multiple systems."
For more on Terrell, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Colton Hood – Tennessee
Measurables: 6-foot-0, 193 pounds
Snapshot: A one-year starter at Tennessee following stops at Auburn (2023) and Colorado (2024), Hood earned Third-Team All-SEC honors in 2025.
Big Board Rankings:
Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 4.0 (NFL.com - April 1): No. 25 overall (No. 3 CB)
Dane Brugler Top 100 (The Athletic - April 8): No. 30 overall (No. 5 CB)
Matt Miller Top 100 (ESPN – April 10): No. 28 overall (No. 4 CB)
Pro Football Focus: No. 34 overall (No. 5 CB)
Expert Analysis:
NFL.com: "Hood has average size but excellent play speed and toughness. In press, he is patient, staying on balance before using his hands to redirect at the line of scrimmage. He is fluid to turn, open up and mirror underneath. He has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. From off coverage, he trusts his eyes and is efficient with his plant-and-drive on balls in front. Hood is consistently in position down the field -- he can locate and play the ball…He is more than willing against the run, fighting through blockers and serving as a reliable tackler in space. Overall, Hood is a complete player and should be a very solid starter immediately at the next level."
The Athletic: "Overall, Hood embraces press-man challenges and is the type of balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers and make things difficult for the offense. He has the talent and wiring to be an early NFL starter."
ESPN: "It took a while for Hood to find his home, as he spent time at Auburn and Colorado before landing at Tennessee last offseason. But the redshirt sophomore thrived with the Vols, intercepting one pass in 2025 while holding opposing quarterbacks to a QBR of 40.1. Hood's length and speed fit well in man-coverage defenses, and he's punchy in press. That fiery demeanor, coupled with his jump-ball ability, makes him a potential Round 1 player."
For more on Hood, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
