The 2025 NFL Draft featured a strong cornerback class led by Jahdae Barron and Travis Hunter. While the two were picked in the first round, several others, including Will Johnson, followed in the later rounds. Let’s take a look at each of the cornerbacks drafted in this class.
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado | Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1, Pick 2
The Jacksonville Jaguars wasted no time engineering the 2025 NFL Draft’s first blockbuster, trading the fifth overall pick, second-rounder, fourth-rounder, and 2026 first-round pick to earn the rights to Colorado’s two-way unicorn, Hunter. It’s an incredibly steep price, and one that drives down the value slightly, but Hunter is a player who could be worth the cost.
Playmakers like Hunter simply don’t come around often. On PFSN’s board, he’s one of just two bona fide blue-chip prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a wide receiver, he can carve through coverage looks with his explosion, bend, agility, and spatial IQ, generate RAC, and make high-flying grabs. On defense, he’s a generational turnover threat.
The Jaguars spent a lot to get here, but having two third-round picks makes it easier to stomach. Liam Coen likely has a vision for Hunter on both sides of the ball, and they’ll need to iron that plan out, but he’s an instant impact with All-Pro upside.
2. Jahdae Barron, Texas | Denver Broncos
Round 1, Pick 20
This was a surprising development, as many mock drafts matched the Denver Broncos with a running back — either TreVeyon Henderson or Omarion Hampton. But the Broncos chose to defer to a deep RB class and instead took Barron with the 20th overall pick.
Passing on a Round 1 RB does leave that position up to chance a bit more, but there’s no denying the value Barron can bring to Vance Joseph’s defense. Barron can play both boundary and slot CB and will feasibly rotate between Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian, while Pat Surtain II locks down the other boundary.
While Barron is a bit undersized, he’s an absolute menace in zone coverage and run support. His hyperactive twitch and rapid processing speed enable him to click, close, and make his presence felt in read-and-response, and he’s a legitimate two-phase playmaker with a tone-setting mentality and an effervescent play pace. With Barron, Denver’s defense could reach new levels of “elite.”
3. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky | Buffalo Bills
Round 1, Pick 30
The defensive line would have been a preferred target area for the Buffalo Bills in Round 1, but their options were limited with Kenneth Grant and Tyleik Williams off the board. Cornerback was a logical alternative, and the Bills banked on upside with Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston.
For Sean McDermott’s zone-heavy scheme, Hairston is a great fit. He’s a little bit lighter than average, but his 4.29 speed shows up routinely on tape. That blistering speed lets him click and close from depth and hawk in front of ill-fated passes. He also has effervescent short-area quickness, reactive athleticism, and crisp fluidity, enabling him to match and transition.
Hairston will ultimately need to bulk up to withstand the rigors of the NFL, particularly as a press-man and run-support defender. On PFSN’s board, there were better options available. But Hairston’s speed can’t be replicated, and Christian Benford and Taron Johnson funneling targets his way, which makes Hairston dangerous for opposing offenses.
4. Will Johnson, Michigan | Arizona Cardinals
Round 2, Pick 47
A top-12 prospect, Johnson came off the board in Round 2. His degenerative knee issue will be the big variable in his eventual outcome, but if Johnson can stay healthy, he can go on to be one of the best value deals outright in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
The Cardinals needed to acquire a starting boundary CB in this class, and Johnson fits what Jonathan Gannon needs to a tee. In zone coverage, Johnson is fluid, quick to react, and a natural playmaker, and in man coverage, he can use his size and twitch to dictate releases, match, and corral receivers. A high-quality prospect with schematic versatility and two-phase playmaking appeal, Johnson could be the prize of the draft for the Cardinals.
5. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 2, Pick 53
Jamel Dean’s availability and consistency have been issues recently, and Zyon McCollum is still growing into his premier role in Tampa Bay’s CB room. Both factors likely led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to select Benjamin Morrison with the 53rd overall pick, and Morrison was one of the best scheme fits still on the board.
Morrison’s hip injury will be carefully considered as he works back to 100%, but if he’s fully healthy, Morrison is a borderline first-round talent with gnat-like mobility and suffocating close-coverage skills.
He’s not shy about getting in his receiver’s grill, and with his elite short-area twitch and reactive athleticism, he can match, plant-and-drive, and generate pivotal incompletions.
6. Trey Amos, Mississippi | Washington Commanders
Round 2, Pick 61
The Washington Commanders enter 2025 in a bit of a transition state on defense. Washington has invested most of its resources this offseason on offense, leaving the organization needing some long-term building blocks on the other side of the ball. Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos should represent one of those foundational pieces if he hits on his potential, making for an intriguing perimeter duo with Marshon Lattimore.
Amos may not be the cleanest tackler, but he profiles as a prototypical boundary corner physically (6’1”, 195 pounds) and comes with a proven track record of excellent coverage against SEC competition.
His ability to play man coverage should fit in with the Commanders, but his movement and processing skills allow him to excel in zone as well. Amos’ arrival could allow Mike Sainristil to move back into the slot, where he mostly played at Michigan.
7. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State | Las Vegas Raiders
Round 3, Pick 68
The Las Vegas Raiders’ cornerback room was startlingly thin heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, so it makes sense that they’d address that at the top of Round 3. The player of choice, however, is intriguing. With Shavon Revel Jr. on the board, the Raiders chose to take a player with less injury uncertainty in Darien Porter instead.
Porter is a freak athlete at 6’3”, 190 pounds, and a good fit for Pete Carroll’s Cover 3 zone scheme. He’s not just fast and explosive but also unnaturally twitchy for his size. That said, he’s not as fluid or well-rounded as Revel, and his tackling and take-on form are inconsistent in support. On top of that, he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie.
Porter has potential and immediate special-teams utility, but if Revel’s medicals cleared, he should have been the pick. If not, this makes more sense.
8. Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State | New York Jets
Round 3, Pick 73
While cornerback is not necessarily the biggest need on the New York Jets’ roster, Azareye’h Thomas represents solid value at this point. The Florida State corner is one of the better press-man prospects in this class, using his 32” arms effectively to disrupt receivers off the line of scrimmage.
The Jets replaced D.J. Reed with Brandon Stephens in free agency, which profiles as a downgrade on paper. Thomas gives them insurance in the event Stephens struggles again in 2025, serving as a potential long-term partner for Sauce Gardner.
9. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina | Dallas Cowboys
Round 3, Pick 76
The Dallas Cowboys’ draft philosophy can sometimes be hit-or-miss, but this was a center hit, all the way past the fences. Revel was a top-25 prospect, and assuming he’s on track for a full recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in September, he can be a high-level starter alongside Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, who’ll presumably shift back to the slot.
At 6’2”, 196 pounds, with over 32” arms, Revel has a truly hyper-elite combination of size and athleticism. He’s fast-moving in short areas and over long distances, with the closing explosiveness to hawk in front of ill-fated routes and the short-area twitch, fluidity, and physicality to smother WRs in press.
He may need an acclimation period after making the leap from a lower-level conference, but he has all the tools to be an impact starter in time.
10. Justin Walley, Minnesota | Indianapolis Colts
Round 3, Pick 80
At 5’10”, 190 pounds, Justin Walley is fast, quick, instinctive, and physical, with a high-level playmaking gene. He immediately adds quality depth for the Colts at CB and projects as a potential slot-boundary hybrid over the long term. The lower grade is more of a reflection of what the Indianapolis Colts passed on.
The Colts still desperately need interior offensive line help, and there were several compelling options on the board at this point. With Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, and Kenny Moore II, the Colts didn’t have an immediate need at CB, and now they risk losing opportunities on the blocking front.
11. Jacob Parrish, Kansas State | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 3, Pick 84
In a somewhat surprising move, the Buccaneers doubled down on CB prospects on Day 2, stacking Jacob Parrish with Benjamin Morrison. Now the Buccaneers have an abundance of DBs, with Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Morrison, Parrish, and nickel back Tykee Smith all populating the space.
Parrish is undersized but fast, twitchy, and feisty, and he has slot-boundary versatility. The questions don’t come so much with his profile as they do with the opportunity cost.
The Buccaneers have yet to address the interior defensive line or EDGE in this class, and that lack of early-round investment could come back to hurt them.
12. Nohl Williams, California | Kansas City Chiefs
Round 3, Pick 85
An experienced player with over 3,000 collegiate snaps, Nohl Williams had an extremely productive 2024 season. The Cal cornerback had seven interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2024, largely playing outside corner.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs may have other plans for Williams. He also played in the slot and box safety throughout his college career. Given the Chiefs’ propensity for dime packages, Williams may develop into a versatile sub-package chess piece that Kansas City uses as a matchup weapon on specific receivers.
13. Caleb Ransaw, Tulane | Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 3, Pick 88
Caleb Ransaw was a sleeper CB many pinpointed as an ideal Day 3 target, but the Jacksonville Jaguars scooped him up before any other team had a chance to lay claim to his talents.
Ransaw is a bit undersized, but at his size, he’s a supercharged athlete with lightning-quick twitch and 4.33 speed – a trait that shows up both in vertical trail and when attacking downhill from the nickel spot.
The Jaguars already signed Jourdan Lewis as a prospective nickel DB in the short term, so they’ll have to figure out how to mix and match these pieces, but Ransaw could be a small-school gem with his athletic makeup and maniacal two-phase aggression.
14. Jaylin Smith, USC | Houston Texans
Round 3, Pick 97
While Jaylin Smith was largely seen as a late Day 3 prospect, the Houston Texans did get a prospect with excellent versatility. During his collegiate career, Smith played box safety, free safety, outside corner, and slot corner. His fluidity allows him to stick with receivers, but his poor ball production limits his ceiling as a disruptor.
Houston doesn’t come with many needs on defense, and their secondary is in strong shape after extending Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre this offseason. There’s no immediate path to playing time for Smith, so it’ll be more interesting to see where the Texans view his best position as he develops.
15. Upton Stout, Western Kentucky | San Francisco 49ers
Round 3, Pick 100
Upton Stout is a good player and could settle in nicely as a nickel defender alongside Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green. To Stout’s credit, he’s an uber-competitive player at 5’8”, 181 pounds, who packs a punch at his size and has the high-caliber athleticism to match up with NFL talents.
16. Quincy Riley, Louisville | New Orleans Saints
Round 4, Pick 131
Many thought Quincy Riley could go on Day 2, leaving the New Orleans Saints with a strong value near the end of the fourth round. Riley thrives as a zone coverage corner due to his tackling and ball skills, which resulted in 29 passes defended over the last two seasons.
Riley profiles as a perimeter cornerback, which was a significant need for New Orleans after losing Paulson Adebo in free agency and trading away Marshon Lattimore last season. If Riley can play right away, that would allow Alontae Taylor to remain in his more natural slot corner role.
17. Mac McWilliams, UCF | Philadelphia Eagles
Round 5, Pick 145
Standing at 5’10” and weighing in at 191 pounds, Mac McWilliams is one of the top instinctual cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class. He possesses quick footwork, aggressiveness, and smart play in coverage. He is an aggressive defender and does a good job at tackling.
18. Jason Marshall Jr., Florida | Miami Dolphins
Round 5, Pick 150
Miami has been considering moving on from Jalen Ramsey this offseason, and Jason Marshall Jr. is a good high-upside pick for the Miami Dolphins. He racked up 98 tackles, two interceptions, and 27 pass breakups in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns for the Gators. Before suffering a season-ending injury in 2024, he had tallied 20 tackles (13 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, three QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
19. Zah Frazier, Texas-San Antonio | Chicago Bears
Round 5, Pick 169
Zah Frazier is one of the fastest cornerbacks in this year’s class and clocked an impressive 4.36 seconds over the 40-yard dash. He is coming off a career-best season in 2024, recording nine pass breakups, 15 passes defended, 24 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. The Chicago Bears are betting on his production from last season, and they get a high-value prospect in the fifth round.
20. Jordan Hancock, Ohio State | Buffalo Bills
Round 5, Pick 170
At 6’0″, 195 pounds, with 4.41 speed and hyper-elite attack explosiveness, Jordan Hancock is one of the class’s biggest sleepers at the nickel DB spot. He’s rangy, twitchy, incredibly physical, and his coverage IQ and fluidity can make him an asset for the Bills.
21. Denzel Burke, Ohio State | Arizona Cardinals
Round 5, Pick 174
The Arizona Cardinals added a former WR with quality coverage, versatility, and run support chops in Denzel Burke. At 5’11”, 186 pounds, with around 31 3/8″ arms, he has decent size and length, but the brunt of his physical appeal comes from his explosiveness as a click-and-closer and his recalibration quickness in press-man and off-man.
22. Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech | Buffalo Bills
Round 6, Pick 177
Dorian Strong isn’t as dynamic on the vertical plane as one would expect, but he has incredibly smooth coverage mobility and recalibration quickness at his size. However, he was the Bills’ third corner back in the draft and is likely to serve as the backup.
23. Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan | Baltimore Ravens
Round 6, Pick 178
The Baltimore Ravens made their first centerback addition of the 2025 draft in Western Michigan’s Bilhal Kone, who’s fast, fluid, and instinctive at 6’1″. He started all 13 games last season and is coming off a career high 70 tackles and nine pass breakups, and one interception.
24. Marcus Harris, California | Tennessee Titans
Round 6, Pick 183
Marcus Harris was a first-team FCS All-American as a junior in 2023 and transferred to Cal last season. He posted an impressive 46 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in 2024 and is a solid addition to the Tennessee Titans’ CB room.
25. Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers | Baltimore Ravens
Round 6, Pick 212
Robert Longerbeam is a solid depth addition for the Ravens in the sixth round. He is known for his explosiveness, having run a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Longerbeam was a three-year starter with the Scarlet Knights and had 42 passes defensed and five interceptions in his college career.
26. Donte Kent, Central Michigan | Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 7, Pick 229
Donte Kent is considered a strong tackler and possesses impressive speed as well. He recorded 50+ tackles in each of his last four years at Michigan and clocked 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Central Michigan’s pro day.
27. Trikweze Bridges, Florida | Los Angeles Chargers
Round 7, Pick 256
Trikweze Bridges was the Mr. Irrevelavant of the cornerbacks, but he brings versatility and special-teams potential, which gives him a chance of making a team.
