2023 NFL Draft cornerback class brings impressive depth and upside

Last year’s cornerback class might have spoiled evaluators. Early on, the 2023 NFL Draft doesn’t appear to have the same kind of talent that the 2022 CB class boasted. Nevertheless, there still seems to be a great amount of depth. And from that depth, elite cornerback prospects could ultimately emerge.

In the latest episode of the PFN Premier NFL Draft Podcast, Oli Hodgkinson and I discussed the 2023 NFL Draft cornerback class, some of our early favorites, and who might end up competing for the CB1 mantle.

To listen to this podcast, click on the player below and keep scrolling to read more about what you’ll find in this episode. You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo, and others contribute to a well-stocked CB group

In a class that currently lacks a bonafide CB1, it makes sense to start with the highly-rated recruits. Alabama’s Eli Ricks has flaws that keep him from running away with the CB1 mantle. However, he’s the most common early pick to eventually attain that title. As I explained in the podcast, while he has a ways to go, transferring to Alabama could unlock his potential.

“Here’s the caveat with Ricks. We’ve heard that he wasn’t very happy at LSU. And he transferred to Alabama, a school that’s been known to churn out high-level cornerback prospects year in and year out. For Ricks, in this case, I think [the change of scenery] is very important. He’ll have an opportunity to learn from Alabama coaches, play in that system, and I think it can really be of benefit to him because he’s a very talented player.”

Elsewhere in the SEC, Georgia’s Kelee Ringo was also discussed as a contender for one of the top cornerback spots. Hodgkinson is of the mind that Ringo has the talent to legitimize his recruiting pedigree and break out as one of the best cornerbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“For me, Ringo has a slight edge as we enter the season. He’s got all the physical tools. He’s 6’2″, 205 pounds — a long cornerback. He plays physical. The speed is there. For his size, he’s fluid as well. From a physical tools standpoint, that’s what you’re looking at. Ringo checks a lot of boxes there, and he checks a lot of boxes at the catch point as well.”

The 2023 NFL Draft CB1 title remains up for grabs

Ricks and Ringo have the recruiting pedigree to become CB1 candidates, but they’re far from the only prospects in the conversation. Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson, Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly, Syracuse’s Garrett Williams, and Utah’s Clark Phillips III were also mentioned as cornerbacks to watch. I said the following of Williams:

“There are two things that really put Garrett Williams above some of these other guys. He’s not the biggest guy, but Williams has elite ball skills. He’s very good at contorting and playing through the catch point, and he’s also elite in run support. He reacts quickly — he’s super explosive coming downhill. Very good tackler, very physical, imposing, proactive player.”

Hodgkinson, meanwhile, was complimentary of Phillips’ competitive nature and physicality. According to Hodgkinson, Phillips has the necessary burst, fluidity, short-area agility, and ball skills, but his toughness is what truly vaults him up.

“On Clark Phillips’ scouting report, I actually wrote: ‘It isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’ Phillips has held down the outside cornerback spot at Utah, and he’s gone up against guys like Drake London. He plays so much more aggressive and physical than you would expect for a kid that’s under 5’10”.”

Everywhere you look, there are prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft CB group who can claim and sustain a role at the NFL level. We’re still too early in the process to see how each prospect will rank. But already, we can start to identify the contenders.