2026 NFL Draft Thread
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dbair1967
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I haven't seen it confirmed by any national reporters yet, but there's a thread at CZ that says Reuben Bain may have been involved in a fatality automotive crash a couple yrs back, and that Miami has had it covered up since then. Sounds like there may be a civil suit brewing over it.
Will def be interesting to see if there's anything to this and if so what it does to his draft stock.
Will def be interesting to see if there's anything to this and if so what it does to his draft stock.
dbair1967
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Yep, he just tanked his draft stock I think. Prob going 2nd rd now.
It sounds like those that were there watching are somewhat skeptical his poor 40 time had anything to do with a hamstring issue.
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McGinn Draft Series: CB's
1. JERMOD McCOY, Tennessee (6-0 ½, 190, 4.40, 1): Played two seasons and merely 25 games, with 18 starts, after missing all of 2025 following ACL surgery. Won’t be 21 until August. “The biggest knock is he didn’t play last year,” one scout said. “But he’s almost 6-1. He can run. He’s got ball skills. He’s got toughness. He has starter potential for sure and he’s done some punt returns.” Blew out his knee during a workout in January 2025. Was cleared to resume practice late in the season, which he did, but didn’t play in a game. After sitting out the combine, he ran an important and fast 40 to go with a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-7 broad jump. He repped 14 times in the bench press at Indianapolis. Arms were 31 ¼ inches. “He played pretty well in ’24,” said a second scout. “Is he one of those that can shut down a CeeDee Lamb? I don’t know. He’s into the game. His teammates really like him there. Played a solid brand of ball. He was at Oregon State originally, which is a little concerning. You mean, everybody in the country missed on this guy and he ended up going to Oregon State and then being the first corner taken?” Started five of 12 games for the Beavers as a true freshman in 2023 before shifting to Tennessee and starting all 13 games. “Sudden, quick, twitch, explosive,” said a third scout. “He plays with an edge … almost too much of an edge. He was getting penalties for face masks, fightin’ and all. ‘C’mon, man, just calm down.’ But it’s easier to calm them down than coach them up. He can mirror. In run support he’ll trigger and hit people. He’s really talented. He’s top 10 if everything checks out with the ACL.” Finished with 75 tackles, six interceptions, 16 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “I liked his size and his speed but didn’t like his reactions,” a fourth scout said. “He played a little soft.” Three-star recruit from Whitehouse, Texas. All-state baseball player. Won state titles in the long jump (23-10 ½) and triple jump (50-7 ¾). Added a fifth scout: “He’s not really a first-round player. He’s like a second-rounder. He’s not elite but he’s solid.” Returned six punts for a 9.8 average in 2024.
2. MANSOOR DELANE, Louisiana State (5-11 ½, 184, 4.38, 1): Started 29 of 33 games at Virginia Tech from 2022-’24 before starting 11 times at LSU in ‘25. “He’s a cinch Pro Bowler, that guy,” said one scout. “It’s a matter of his instincts and ball skills and athletic ability. When the ball’s in the air he gets up. It’s hard to complete a pass on that guy. They can throw 20 times at the guy and he might knock down 17 of ‘em. He has great body control and close, and he knows how to play the ball whether it’s deep or underneath. It’s hard to get away from him. He’s got the athletic ability that is above everybody else.”
Finished with 191 tackles, eight interceptions, 27 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. “He was up and down at Virginia Tech,” said a second scout. “Got to LSU and had an incredible season. He (allowed) like six catches, 37 yards. It’s ridiculous. It was an adjustment from Virginia Tech to LSU but he rose to the challenge. He played well and kind of won them over.” Short arms (30). Ran the 40 and a short shuttle of 4.38 at pro day, but declined other testing. “My comp is Trent McDuffie,” said a third scout. “Not overly big or fast. He just stays on top of routes and knocks it away when it comes his way. He tackles them, too. He’s just consistent. He’s not as talented as some of the more recent guys, the Pat Surtains or Jaycee Horn types where they’re fast, long, all that. But he’s a really steady player.” From Silver Spring, Md. “Really good but not elite,” a fourth scout said. “He’s nowhere close to Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn or Stingley. Nowhere close, and he’s gonna be a top-10 pick. I just didn’t see that electric movement. He’s not great in off (coverage) as far as his change of direction and explosiveness. Good, not great. His run support needs to get better. He just goes in there. Looks like he’s gonna get his neck broken. He’s ducking his head in there.”
3. COLTON HOOD, Tennessee (5-11 ½, 192, 4.44, 1): Played four games as a true freshman at Auburn in 2023. Made one start in 13 games for Colorado in 2024. Started 12 games for the Volunteers in 2025. “They hoped to pair him off with McCoy and that never materialized,” said one scout. “Kid can run. He’s very engaging. Real positive personality. Probably more of an outside (corner) candidate than inside. He can run vertically.” Benjie, his father, played wide receiver at Auburn. His uncle, Roderick Hood, was a free-agent cornerback who started 51 of 102 games for three teams from 2003-’11 and made 15 interceptions. “He’s a starting corner,” a second scout said. “He has the size, the man-to-man skill and good enough in run support. He’s not elite, but he’s solid. Those guys end up in late first.” Finished with 77 tackles, three interceptions, 14 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Returned six kickoffs for 19.8 at Colorado. “Now he’s tough,” a third scout said. “He’s a strong, aggressive tackler. He’s not as naturally instinctive as Delane. First round.” Three-star recruit from McDonough, Ga. Played four sports in high school, and was a two-time all-state centerfielder. “He’s a talented cover guy who will hit,” a fourth scout said. “Comes up and tackles on the run. He’s very confident. He has no problems telling you how he’s feeling about himself. Something’s missing, but I don’t know what it is. He’s a really good player, and I like him, but how did that happen with his career? He should have been at one spot getting paid a lot and never leaving.” Vertical jump of 40 ½. Arms were 31 3/8.
4. BRANDON CISSE, South Carolina (5-11 ½, 189, 4.46, 1-2): Third-year junior won’t turn 21 until July. “He’s a first,” one scout said. “He’s got real quick feet. He’s on his coverage. He’s hard to separate from. He covers all over the place. If he gets beat, he can catch up. He’s what you’re looking for. He’s got real quickness. He’s better than (Avieon) Terrell. He’s more physical. He’s meaner.” Played for North Carolina State, serving as the dime back in 2023 and playing nine games in ’24. Started 12 times for the Gamecocks in ’25. “He’s a football junkie,” said a second scout. “More of a cover guy than a run-support guy. But he can run and he’s got pretty decent cover skills.” Finished with 65 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed and one forced fumble. “If DBs don’t have four or five career picks I’m starting to worry about them,” said a third scout. “Were they in man the whole time? I’m pretty sure they weren’t. They should have more picks than that.” Posted a vertical jump of 41 and a broad jump of 10-11. Arms were 30 ¾. “I like his size and his speed but I’d feel much better about Cisse if he was a second-round pick,” said a fourth scout. “He’ll hit, but he just doesn’t make plays on the ball.” Three-star recruit from Sumter, S.C. In track, he ran 100 meters in 11.12 and 200 meters in 22.09. Said a fifth scout: “He reminds me of a Riq Woolen kind of guy. He presses, and he can turn and run. In other coverage stuff I don’t think he knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t have great instincts or anticipation. The movement’s not there in space. He’s physical sometimes, and other times he’s kind of shying away. He can’t catch at all. Ball skills are terrible.”
5. CHRIS JOHNSON, San Diego State (6-0 ½, 194, 4.41, 1-2): Backed up in 2022-’23. In ’23, he was named the Aztecs’ special teams player of the year. Started 23 games in 2024-’25. “He’ll be a starter as a rookie,” one scout said. “He just is. He has one of the cleanest characters. He’s got excellent zone instincts. Great ball skills. He’s smart enough, tough enough. He just isn’t the high-end athlete that you would expect out of like a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Speed was the only question, and then he ran low 4.4’s.” That 40 time surprised a lot of teams. “I had him as a third-round pick because I was worried he wouldn’t be fast enough,” said a second scout. “But he ran fast. He’s got big-time instincts. He’ll hit and tackle.” Has a chance to become the Aztecs’ first cornerback selected in the first round since Willie Buchanon in 1972. “Like him,” a third scout said. “Little surprised he ran as fast as he did. He’s clearly at least a second-round pick.” Finished with 152 tackles, six interceptions, 14 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. “More of a cover guy than a run defender,” a fourth scout said. “I wouldn’t say timid but I just think he’d rather see somebody else be the first one in. A lot of corners do. He is fast and quick.” His short shuttle of 4.12 tied the best mark at the position. Arms were 30 5/8. “I don’t see the movements skills and mirrorability,” a fifth scout said. “Gets pushed around when he tries to tackle. His 40 surprised me. I wouldn’t take him until the fifth.” Three-star recruit from Eastvale, Calif.
. D’ANGELO PONDS, Indiana (5-8 ½, 181, 4.37, 2): First Hoosiers defensive back to make first team All-Big Ten in two seasons since safety Mike Dumas in 1989-’90. “He could walk in the door and be a nickel,” one scout said. Played outside on the right for the national champions. “I don’t know how he plays on the outside,” a second scout said shortly before IU pro day. “He’s a really good football player but I don’t know if has the traits to be a good corner in the NFL. He got the most he could out of what he has. He’ll have to run fast at that size and I don’t know if he will.” On the April 1 pro day he ran a blazing 40. His vertical jump (43 ½) at the combine led the position. “He’s a baller,” a second scout said. “I don’t like small corners typically but as competitive as he is, he’s a nuisance. I like him a lot but the size is always going to be an issue.” Started 10 games at James Madison in 2023 and then 26 for IU in 2024-’25. “He’s the exception to the rule,” said a third scout. “You really don’t want to draft him in the second but he’s gonna get drafted and will play. He has the football mentality. He’s fearless. He can play the nickel for sure, but he’s going to have to play the nickel like Philly does. In other words, he can be near the box but he can’t be in the box. He can play man coverage. He can’t be in the box and blitzing off the edge. Every time you see a small corner he’s on his second or third team already. Guy’s a tough dude. He hits, man. I love him, but how much balls do you have drafting him? Even in the third round you’d be scared.” Finished with 169 tackles, seven picks, 33 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl. “He makes plays in all situations,” a fourth scout said. “He’s one of those guys that you want to not like but you always end up liking him. The size doesn’t necessarily bother me ever as long as you have the length. He was on Jeremiah Smith’s high-school team so he’s used to competing against big guys. So that’s not gonna bother him at all.” Arms were 29 3/8, shortest of the top 15 corners. Played with Ohio State’s Smith (6-3, 215) at Chaminade Madonna, leading the team to state titles in 2021 and ’22. Added a fifth scout: “Little tiny guy, but every time I saw him he was making a play. He made a lot of plays. Fourth round. At worst, he’s a role starter.” From West Park, Fla.
7. DAVISON IGBINOSUN, Ohio State (6-2, 190, 4.48, 2): Started 10 games at Mississippi in 2022 before starting all 43 games for the Buckeyes from 2023-’25. “The comp would be Will Johnson from last year,” one scout said. “He’s not as fast but he’s definitely more durable. Long, linear. His pedal’s smooth and he’s effective against the run when he needs to be. He’s instinctive in man coverage, which is hard to find these days, especially for a longer corner. He’ll be like Christian Gonzalez.” Longest arms (32 7/8) of the top 10 corners. “Solid second-round pick,” said another scout. “He’s a starter.” Finished with 194 tackles, four picks, 27 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “He’s not a sexy corner but he’s very, very steady,” said a third scout. “He mainly played the boundary. Know what that means? It means he wasn’t their best cover corner and he’s closer to the box so he’s a better tackler. They used him on the blitz.” Penalized 13 times in 2024. “The issue is when the ball’s in the air,” a fourth scout said. “He just has so many penalties. I’ve never seen so many penalties. He cut it down this year. He just doesn’t have great reaction. He’ll be in perfect position and then he’ll just grab (the receiver). A lot of times it’s a fatal flaw. It’s hard to stop guys from doing that. Third round.” Four-star recruit from Union, N.J. “He’s tall, stiff and penalty-prone,” said a fifth scout. “I wouldn’t trust him — not in the pro game.” Added a sixth scout: “He’s lowered that number (of penalties) but that’s kind of what he does. That doesn’t translate very well.”
8. AVIEON TERRELL, Clemson (5-10 ½, 185, 4.65, 2-3): At the combine in late February, Terrell elected not to run the 40 or the shuttle runs but participated in drills except for the final two. On March 12, he didn’t do anything at pro day. In a private workout March 30, he ran two 40’s and was measured, and nothing else. His times were 4.69 and 4.64. After the second 40, he told the Falcons’ scouts administering the workout that his left hamstring was an issue. “Wow — I didn’t think he was fast, maybe 4.55, but that is a killer,” one scout said. “I’m sure he will try to run again. He definitely will fall behind in that group.” Barring another attempt, teams will draw conclusions on those 40s, medical information, additional interviews and/or visits, and his tape. A third-year junior, he started five games in 2023 and all 26 in 2024-’25. “He might go late one because he can cover,” said another scout before the 40. “He’s just small. He’s kind of a soft guy to me because he’s little but he isn’t afraid to cover. He can man-to-man cover. He’s not as physical as you’d like so you question his toughness, but just on an island he can cover.” His brother, A.J., was the No. 16 pick in 2020. In six seasons as a cornerback he has started 93 games and registered six interceptions. A.J. entered the NFL at 6-1, 194 and with 4.40 speed. “His brother is in the league so he’s got a pretty good understanding of what it takes,” a second scout said before the 40. “He’s fast and quick. Not the most physical guy but he’s very athletic. The brother is more physical. He’s going to be right on the edge of the first.” Finished with 125 tackles, three picks, 25 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles, including five in 2025. “Good little player, just not dynamic in any way,” a fourth scout said before the 40. “He’s a slot. I think he’s a third (corner). Has a lot of balls caught on him when he’s in man coverage. Competitive in the run game. But for a little guy he’s just not exceptional or special to think he can be your front-line starter. Second round.” Arms were 31 (A.J.’s were 31 ¼). Four-star recruit from Atlanta.
9. KEIONTE SCOTT, Miami (5-11, 192, 4.36, 2-3): There’s little doubt that Scott moved up after running a sizzling 40 on March 24 at pro day. “That shocked me because you don’t see that going downfield,” one scout said. “So that will help him out. He’s a slot guy. I don’t see him as an outside corner so that will hurt him. Smart, feisty, quick. He’ll trigger in run support and get in there and stick his face in. He’ll go in the second round.” Two-time JUCO All-America pick. Started 23 of 33 games at Auburn in 2022-’24 before starting 12 of 14 games for the national runner-up in ’25. “He had a really good year at Auburn in ’23,” a second scout said. “They changed schemes in ’24 and his (new) position coach said you can’t play like this with your back to the ball. He wanted him to play on top and use his eyes. He struggled. They had a big falling-out and he went to Miami. They utilized him the right way and he showed back up again this year. He’s really more of a zone nickel than a man-to-man, run-down-the-field, find-the-ball and make-a-play-on-it (nickel), which is a little concerning.” Finished with 179 tackles (19 for loss), three picks, 14 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Arms were 31 3/8. “Smaller nickel close to the line of scrimmage,” a third scout said. “Kind of what you saw against Ohio State (in the CFP quarterfinals). That’s where he makes all his plays. He does have very good speed. He can return punts. Maybe fourth round. He’s 25 right now, isn’t he?” Will be 25 in August. Led the SEC in punt-return average in 2023 at 14.8. Finished with 43 punt returns for 10.3 and one touchdown and four kickoff returns for 16.0. Committed to Houston in 2025 before flipping to Miami. From San Diego.
10. DAYLEN EVERETTE, Georgia (6-1, 197, 4.37, 2-3): Played in 14 games as a true freshman in 2022 before starting all 41 games in 2023-’25. “He’s played a lot of big games and he’s shown up,” said one scout. “He’s a sizeable outside corner. He’s got a lot of traits but may not have the stinger that people are looking for. There’s an edge that’s missing with him.” Finished with 150 tackles, five picks, 19 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. “Very good coverage skills,” a second scout said. “He’ll be a starter. I would take him over Ponds just because if you’re talking long-term big man wins in football. He’s got size, speed, ball skills. He’s played in big games. He’s used to the pressure of it all. He’ll hold up pretty much in all situations.” Arms were 31 7/8. “Fifth round,” a third scout said. “He doesn’t have the man-to-man, speed-cover skills.” Four-star recruit from Norfolk, Va. Added a fourth scout: “He’s more of a third-rounder. He’s a starter.”
11. WILL LEE, Texas A&M (6-1 ½, 189, 4.54, 2-3): Spent 2021-’22 at a junior college, redshirting the first year and playing the second year. Started nine of 11 games at Kansas State in 2023 before starting for the Aggies in 2024-’25. “Size, speed, explosive,” said one scout. “Moves well. If you watch him play against fast receivers in the SEC he’s stride for stride with them. So no matter what he ran at the combine all the fast guys he can run with. You see him do it. Probably around the third round, but I might move him up to the second. There’s gonna be a run (on cornerbacks), and he’s gonna be right in the middle of that run.” Finished with 134 tackles, four picks, 24 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. “He tested and jumped high,” a second scout said. “He was sort of a testing freak at the combine.” Had a vertical jump of 42 and an 11-0 broad jump that led the position. Arms were 32 ¾. From Kirkwood, Mo.
12. TACARIO DAVIS, Washington (6-4, 192, 4.41, 3): Tallest corner in the draft. “If Pete Carroll’s in the league he’s all over him,” said one scout. “Huge on the edge. He looks like an NFL player.” Spent three years at Arizona, starting in the final two. Led the Pac-12 Conference with 15 passes defensed in 2023. Started seven games in 2025 for the Huskies before a hamstring injury ended his season. “If the right defensive coordinator sees him as a fit because they want to play (press) this dude is going to be an easy third-round pick and start his rookie year,” said a second scout. “It all will depend on where he goes. There’s no real red flags with him. He has such a unique body type. He will tackle and has some toughness. I don’t think he has any safety potential. There are some snaps where he looks great and some snaps where he looks like a backup. He goes ahead of (teammate Ephesians) Prysock.” Given his height, it was logical that his arms (33 3/8) would be the longest among the corners. “He has straight-line speed,” a third scout said. “He benefits from being in press and getting his hands on receivers early.” Finished with 95 tackles, three picks, 25 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “He’s a little bit better player overall than Prysock as far as covering people,” a fourth scout said. “He can run. The problem is he’s like all the Seattle guys. They’re space-eaters and you can use them in that scheme, but it’s just if he has to do it outside of that scheme. Can he do it?” Three-star recruit from Long Beach, Calif. “Ball skills are questionable,” a fifth scout said. “I see him missing some opportunities for picks. He didn’t play a lot of special teams. That was a problem in the past, too. I’m betting on the come with him. He was banged up all this year so it’s hard to get a good read on him. He has all the traits.”
Said one scout: “Two-year starter. Good enough speed. Adequate play strength. He’s got the length to press. He’s going to be really good at that and man (coverage). Reads and reacts well. Good tackler. Consistent. I had him in the fourth but he may ascend to the third.”
Malik Muhammad, Texas (6-0, 188, 4.45)
Said one scout: “He actually performed better (at the combine) than I thought he would. I never thought he was going to run in the 4.4’s. He’ll probably rise because he is extremely intelligent and he’s played a lot of football (three years, 29 starts). He’s really wiry. He’s not all that sudden or twitchy but the guy knows football better than a lot of (players) I talked to this spring. So I could see him getting into the fourth round.”
Devin Moore, Florida (6-3, 196, 4.55)
Said one scout: “He started the first game of his college career as a freshman (2022). That was the potential that he showed. Then he’s had an injury it feels like every month since then. He’s an outside corner all the way. He’s beloved at Florida. But he’s just been hurt so much. He might be a find for somebody.”
Toriano Pride, Missouri (5-10 ½, 187, 4.34)
Said one scout: “They got one at Denver right now that’s very similar to him. They find the ball. He’s a guy that doesn’t rely on his hands. He relies on his feet, which is what you need in the NFL. He could be an outside guy as well. He’s going to be somewhere. He’s tough enough. It’s just can he do it every down? He’s probably third to fourth round. I’d take him over Chandler Rivers, but not by much.”
Chandler Rivers, Duke (5-9 ½, 185, 4.35)
Said one scout: “What’s weird is, he looks like a nickel, he plays like a nickel and they played him outside because he was their best corner. The guy can run. He’s athletic, quick, tough. He’s a little pit bull. He will get big boy’d in coverage, particularly on the outside. He can be a starting nickel but he’s not ready to do it right now because he hasn’t done it.”
1. JERMOD McCOY, Tennessee (6-0 ½, 190, 4.40, 1): Played two seasons and merely 25 games, with 18 starts, after missing all of 2025 following ACL surgery. Won’t be 21 until August. “The biggest knock is he didn’t play last year,” one scout said. “But he’s almost 6-1. He can run. He’s got ball skills. He’s got toughness. He has starter potential for sure and he’s done some punt returns.” Blew out his knee during a workout in January 2025. Was cleared to resume practice late in the season, which he did, but didn’t play in a game. After sitting out the combine, he ran an important and fast 40 to go with a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-7 broad jump. He repped 14 times in the bench press at Indianapolis. Arms were 31 ¼ inches. “He played pretty well in ’24,” said a second scout. “Is he one of those that can shut down a CeeDee Lamb? I don’t know. He’s into the game. His teammates really like him there. Played a solid brand of ball. He was at Oregon State originally, which is a little concerning. You mean, everybody in the country missed on this guy and he ended up going to Oregon State and then being the first corner taken?” Started five of 12 games for the Beavers as a true freshman in 2023 before shifting to Tennessee and starting all 13 games. “Sudden, quick, twitch, explosive,” said a third scout. “He plays with an edge … almost too much of an edge. He was getting penalties for face masks, fightin’ and all. ‘C’mon, man, just calm down.’ But it’s easier to calm them down than coach them up. He can mirror. In run support he’ll trigger and hit people. He’s really talented. He’s top 10 if everything checks out with the ACL.” Finished with 75 tackles, six interceptions, 16 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “I liked his size and his speed but didn’t like his reactions,” a fourth scout said. “He played a little soft.” Three-star recruit from Whitehouse, Texas. All-state baseball player. Won state titles in the long jump (23-10 ½) and triple jump (50-7 ¾). Added a fifth scout: “He’s not really a first-round player. He’s like a second-rounder. He’s not elite but he’s solid.” Returned six punts for a 9.8 average in 2024.
2. MANSOOR DELANE, Louisiana State (5-11 ½, 184, 4.38, 1): Started 29 of 33 games at Virginia Tech from 2022-’24 before starting 11 times at LSU in ‘25. “He’s a cinch Pro Bowler, that guy,” said one scout. “It’s a matter of his instincts and ball skills and athletic ability. When the ball’s in the air he gets up. It’s hard to complete a pass on that guy. They can throw 20 times at the guy and he might knock down 17 of ‘em. He has great body control and close, and he knows how to play the ball whether it’s deep or underneath. It’s hard to get away from him. He’s got the athletic ability that is above everybody else.”
Finished with 191 tackles, eight interceptions, 27 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. “He was up and down at Virginia Tech,” said a second scout. “Got to LSU and had an incredible season. He (allowed) like six catches, 37 yards. It’s ridiculous. It was an adjustment from Virginia Tech to LSU but he rose to the challenge. He played well and kind of won them over.” Short arms (30). Ran the 40 and a short shuttle of 4.38 at pro day, but declined other testing. “My comp is Trent McDuffie,” said a third scout. “Not overly big or fast. He just stays on top of routes and knocks it away when it comes his way. He tackles them, too. He’s just consistent. He’s not as talented as some of the more recent guys, the Pat Surtains or Jaycee Horn types where they’re fast, long, all that. But he’s a really steady player.” From Silver Spring, Md. “Really good but not elite,” a fourth scout said. “He’s nowhere close to Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn or Stingley. Nowhere close, and he’s gonna be a top-10 pick. I just didn’t see that electric movement. He’s not great in off (coverage) as far as his change of direction and explosiveness. Good, not great. His run support needs to get better. He just goes in there. Looks like he’s gonna get his neck broken. He’s ducking his head in there.”
3. COLTON HOOD, Tennessee (5-11 ½, 192, 4.44, 1): Played four games as a true freshman at Auburn in 2023. Made one start in 13 games for Colorado in 2024. Started 12 games for the Volunteers in 2025. “They hoped to pair him off with McCoy and that never materialized,” said one scout. “Kid can run. He’s very engaging. Real positive personality. Probably more of an outside (corner) candidate than inside. He can run vertically.” Benjie, his father, played wide receiver at Auburn. His uncle, Roderick Hood, was a free-agent cornerback who started 51 of 102 games for three teams from 2003-’11 and made 15 interceptions. “He’s a starting corner,” a second scout said. “He has the size, the man-to-man skill and good enough in run support. He’s not elite, but he’s solid. Those guys end up in late first.” Finished with 77 tackles, three interceptions, 14 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Returned six kickoffs for 19.8 at Colorado. “Now he’s tough,” a third scout said. “He’s a strong, aggressive tackler. He’s not as naturally instinctive as Delane. First round.” Three-star recruit from McDonough, Ga. Played four sports in high school, and was a two-time all-state centerfielder. “He’s a talented cover guy who will hit,” a fourth scout said. “Comes up and tackles on the run. He’s very confident. He has no problems telling you how he’s feeling about himself. Something’s missing, but I don’t know what it is. He’s a really good player, and I like him, but how did that happen with his career? He should have been at one spot getting paid a lot and never leaving.” Vertical jump of 40 ½. Arms were 31 3/8.
4. BRANDON CISSE, South Carolina (5-11 ½, 189, 4.46, 1-2): Third-year junior won’t turn 21 until July. “He’s a first,” one scout said. “He’s got real quick feet. He’s on his coverage. He’s hard to separate from. He covers all over the place. If he gets beat, he can catch up. He’s what you’re looking for. He’s got real quickness. He’s better than (Avieon) Terrell. He’s more physical. He’s meaner.” Played for North Carolina State, serving as the dime back in 2023 and playing nine games in ’24. Started 12 times for the Gamecocks in ’25. “He’s a football junkie,” said a second scout. “More of a cover guy than a run-support guy. But he can run and he’s got pretty decent cover skills.” Finished with 65 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed and one forced fumble. “If DBs don’t have four or five career picks I’m starting to worry about them,” said a third scout. “Were they in man the whole time? I’m pretty sure they weren’t. They should have more picks than that.” Posted a vertical jump of 41 and a broad jump of 10-11. Arms were 30 ¾. “I like his size and his speed but I’d feel much better about Cisse if he was a second-round pick,” said a fourth scout. “He’ll hit, but he just doesn’t make plays on the ball.” Three-star recruit from Sumter, S.C. In track, he ran 100 meters in 11.12 and 200 meters in 22.09. Said a fifth scout: “He reminds me of a Riq Woolen kind of guy. He presses, and he can turn and run. In other coverage stuff I don’t think he knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t have great instincts or anticipation. The movement’s not there in space. He’s physical sometimes, and other times he’s kind of shying away. He can’t catch at all. Ball skills are terrible.”
5. CHRIS JOHNSON, San Diego State (6-0 ½, 194, 4.41, 1-2): Backed up in 2022-’23. In ’23, he was named the Aztecs’ special teams player of the year. Started 23 games in 2024-’25. “He’ll be a starter as a rookie,” one scout said. “He just is. He has one of the cleanest characters. He’s got excellent zone instincts. Great ball skills. He’s smart enough, tough enough. He just isn’t the high-end athlete that you would expect out of like a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Speed was the only question, and then he ran low 4.4’s.” That 40 time surprised a lot of teams. “I had him as a third-round pick because I was worried he wouldn’t be fast enough,” said a second scout. “But he ran fast. He’s got big-time instincts. He’ll hit and tackle.” Has a chance to become the Aztecs’ first cornerback selected in the first round since Willie Buchanon in 1972. “Like him,” a third scout said. “Little surprised he ran as fast as he did. He’s clearly at least a second-round pick.” Finished with 152 tackles, six interceptions, 14 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. “More of a cover guy than a run defender,” a fourth scout said. “I wouldn’t say timid but I just think he’d rather see somebody else be the first one in. A lot of corners do. He is fast and quick.” His short shuttle of 4.12 tied the best mark at the position. Arms were 30 5/8. “I don’t see the movements skills and mirrorability,” a fifth scout said. “Gets pushed around when he tries to tackle. His 40 surprised me. I wouldn’t take him until the fifth.” Three-star recruit from Eastvale, Calif.
. D’ANGELO PONDS, Indiana (5-8 ½, 181, 4.37, 2): First Hoosiers defensive back to make first team All-Big Ten in two seasons since safety Mike Dumas in 1989-’90. “He could walk in the door and be a nickel,” one scout said. Played outside on the right for the national champions. “I don’t know how he plays on the outside,” a second scout said shortly before IU pro day. “He’s a really good football player but I don’t know if has the traits to be a good corner in the NFL. He got the most he could out of what he has. He’ll have to run fast at that size and I don’t know if he will.” On the April 1 pro day he ran a blazing 40. His vertical jump (43 ½) at the combine led the position. “He’s a baller,” a second scout said. “I don’t like small corners typically but as competitive as he is, he’s a nuisance. I like him a lot but the size is always going to be an issue.” Started 10 games at James Madison in 2023 and then 26 for IU in 2024-’25. “He’s the exception to the rule,” said a third scout. “You really don’t want to draft him in the second but he’s gonna get drafted and will play. He has the football mentality. He’s fearless. He can play the nickel for sure, but he’s going to have to play the nickel like Philly does. In other words, he can be near the box but he can’t be in the box. He can play man coverage. He can’t be in the box and blitzing off the edge. Every time you see a small corner he’s on his second or third team already. Guy’s a tough dude. He hits, man. I love him, but how much balls do you have drafting him? Even in the third round you’d be scared.” Finished with 169 tackles, seven picks, 33 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl. “He makes plays in all situations,” a fourth scout said. “He’s one of those guys that you want to not like but you always end up liking him. The size doesn’t necessarily bother me ever as long as you have the length. He was on Jeremiah Smith’s high-school team so he’s used to competing against big guys. So that’s not gonna bother him at all.” Arms were 29 3/8, shortest of the top 15 corners. Played with Ohio State’s Smith (6-3, 215) at Chaminade Madonna, leading the team to state titles in 2021 and ’22. Added a fifth scout: “Little tiny guy, but every time I saw him he was making a play. He made a lot of plays. Fourth round. At worst, he’s a role starter.” From West Park, Fla.
7. DAVISON IGBINOSUN, Ohio State (6-2, 190, 4.48, 2): Started 10 games at Mississippi in 2022 before starting all 43 games for the Buckeyes from 2023-’25. “The comp would be Will Johnson from last year,” one scout said. “He’s not as fast but he’s definitely more durable. Long, linear. His pedal’s smooth and he’s effective against the run when he needs to be. He’s instinctive in man coverage, which is hard to find these days, especially for a longer corner. He’ll be like Christian Gonzalez.” Longest arms (32 7/8) of the top 10 corners. “Solid second-round pick,” said another scout. “He’s a starter.” Finished with 194 tackles, four picks, 27 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “He’s not a sexy corner but he’s very, very steady,” said a third scout. “He mainly played the boundary. Know what that means? It means he wasn’t their best cover corner and he’s closer to the box so he’s a better tackler. They used him on the blitz.” Penalized 13 times in 2024. “The issue is when the ball’s in the air,” a fourth scout said. “He just has so many penalties. I’ve never seen so many penalties. He cut it down this year. He just doesn’t have great reaction. He’ll be in perfect position and then he’ll just grab (the receiver). A lot of times it’s a fatal flaw. It’s hard to stop guys from doing that. Third round.” Four-star recruit from Union, N.J. “He’s tall, stiff and penalty-prone,” said a fifth scout. “I wouldn’t trust him — not in the pro game.” Added a sixth scout: “He’s lowered that number (of penalties) but that’s kind of what he does. That doesn’t translate very well.”
8. AVIEON TERRELL, Clemson (5-10 ½, 185, 4.65, 2-3): At the combine in late February, Terrell elected not to run the 40 or the shuttle runs but participated in drills except for the final two. On March 12, he didn’t do anything at pro day. In a private workout March 30, he ran two 40’s and was measured, and nothing else. His times were 4.69 and 4.64. After the second 40, he told the Falcons’ scouts administering the workout that his left hamstring was an issue. “Wow — I didn’t think he was fast, maybe 4.55, but that is a killer,” one scout said. “I’m sure he will try to run again. He definitely will fall behind in that group.” Barring another attempt, teams will draw conclusions on those 40s, medical information, additional interviews and/or visits, and his tape. A third-year junior, he started five games in 2023 and all 26 in 2024-’25. “He might go late one because he can cover,” said another scout before the 40. “He’s just small. He’s kind of a soft guy to me because he’s little but he isn’t afraid to cover. He can man-to-man cover. He’s not as physical as you’d like so you question his toughness, but just on an island he can cover.” His brother, A.J., was the No. 16 pick in 2020. In six seasons as a cornerback he has started 93 games and registered six interceptions. A.J. entered the NFL at 6-1, 194 and with 4.40 speed. “His brother is in the league so he’s got a pretty good understanding of what it takes,” a second scout said before the 40. “He’s fast and quick. Not the most physical guy but he’s very athletic. The brother is more physical. He’s going to be right on the edge of the first.” Finished with 125 tackles, three picks, 25 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles, including five in 2025. “Good little player, just not dynamic in any way,” a fourth scout said before the 40. “He’s a slot. I think he’s a third (corner). Has a lot of balls caught on him when he’s in man coverage. Competitive in the run game. But for a little guy he’s just not exceptional or special to think he can be your front-line starter. Second round.” Arms were 31 (A.J.’s were 31 ¼). Four-star recruit from Atlanta.
9. KEIONTE SCOTT, Miami (5-11, 192, 4.36, 2-3): There’s little doubt that Scott moved up after running a sizzling 40 on March 24 at pro day. “That shocked me because you don’t see that going downfield,” one scout said. “So that will help him out. He’s a slot guy. I don’t see him as an outside corner so that will hurt him. Smart, feisty, quick. He’ll trigger in run support and get in there and stick his face in. He’ll go in the second round.” Two-time JUCO All-America pick. Started 23 of 33 games at Auburn in 2022-’24 before starting 12 of 14 games for the national runner-up in ’25. “He had a really good year at Auburn in ’23,” a second scout said. “They changed schemes in ’24 and his (new) position coach said you can’t play like this with your back to the ball. He wanted him to play on top and use his eyes. He struggled. They had a big falling-out and he went to Miami. They utilized him the right way and he showed back up again this year. He’s really more of a zone nickel than a man-to-man, run-down-the-field, find-the-ball and make-a-play-on-it (nickel), which is a little concerning.” Finished with 179 tackles (19 for loss), three picks, 14 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Arms were 31 3/8. “Smaller nickel close to the line of scrimmage,” a third scout said. “Kind of what you saw against Ohio State (in the CFP quarterfinals). That’s where he makes all his plays. He does have very good speed. He can return punts. Maybe fourth round. He’s 25 right now, isn’t he?” Will be 25 in August. Led the SEC in punt-return average in 2023 at 14.8. Finished with 43 punt returns for 10.3 and one touchdown and four kickoff returns for 16.0. Committed to Houston in 2025 before flipping to Miami. From San Diego.
10. DAYLEN EVERETTE, Georgia (6-1, 197, 4.37, 2-3): Played in 14 games as a true freshman in 2022 before starting all 41 games in 2023-’25. “He’s played a lot of big games and he’s shown up,” said one scout. “He’s a sizeable outside corner. He’s got a lot of traits but may not have the stinger that people are looking for. There’s an edge that’s missing with him.” Finished with 150 tackles, five picks, 19 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. “Very good coverage skills,” a second scout said. “He’ll be a starter. I would take him over Ponds just because if you’re talking long-term big man wins in football. He’s got size, speed, ball skills. He’s played in big games. He’s used to the pressure of it all. He’ll hold up pretty much in all situations.” Arms were 31 7/8. “Fifth round,” a third scout said. “He doesn’t have the man-to-man, speed-cover skills.” Four-star recruit from Norfolk, Va. Added a fourth scout: “He’s more of a third-rounder. He’s a starter.”
11. WILL LEE, Texas A&M (6-1 ½, 189, 4.54, 2-3): Spent 2021-’22 at a junior college, redshirting the first year and playing the second year. Started nine of 11 games at Kansas State in 2023 before starting for the Aggies in 2024-’25. “Size, speed, explosive,” said one scout. “Moves well. If you watch him play against fast receivers in the SEC he’s stride for stride with them. So no matter what he ran at the combine all the fast guys he can run with. You see him do it. Probably around the third round, but I might move him up to the second. There’s gonna be a run (on cornerbacks), and he’s gonna be right in the middle of that run.” Finished with 134 tackles, four picks, 24 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. “He tested and jumped high,” a second scout said. “He was sort of a testing freak at the combine.” Had a vertical jump of 42 and an 11-0 broad jump that led the position. Arms were 32 ¾. From Kirkwood, Mo.
12. TACARIO DAVIS, Washington (6-4, 192, 4.41, 3): Tallest corner in the draft. “If Pete Carroll’s in the league he’s all over him,” said one scout. “Huge on the edge. He looks like an NFL player.” Spent three years at Arizona, starting in the final two. Led the Pac-12 Conference with 15 passes defensed in 2023. Started seven games in 2025 for the Huskies before a hamstring injury ended his season. “If the right defensive coordinator sees him as a fit because they want to play (press) this dude is going to be an easy third-round pick and start his rookie year,” said a second scout. “It all will depend on where he goes. There’s no real red flags with him. He has such a unique body type. He will tackle and has some toughness. I don’t think he has any safety potential. There are some snaps where he looks great and some snaps where he looks like a backup. He goes ahead of (teammate Ephesians) Prysock.” Given his height, it was logical that his arms (33 3/8) would be the longest among the corners. “He has straight-line speed,” a third scout said. “He benefits from being in press and getting his hands on receivers early.” Finished with 95 tackles, three picks, 25 passes defensed and no forced fumbles. “He’s a little bit better player overall than Prysock as far as covering people,” a fourth scout said. “He can run. The problem is he’s like all the Seattle guys. They’re space-eaters and you can use them in that scheme, but it’s just if he has to do it outside of that scheme. Can he do it?” Three-star recruit from Long Beach, Calif. “Ball skills are questionable,” a fifth scout said. “I see him missing some opportunities for picks. He didn’t play a lot of special teams. That was a problem in the past, too. I’m betting on the come with him. He was banged up all this year so it’s hard to get a good read on him. He has all the traits.”
THE NEXT FIVE
Keith Abney, Arizona State (5-10, 188, 4.47)Said one scout: “Two-year starter. Good enough speed. Adequate play strength. He’s got the length to press. He’s going to be really good at that and man (coverage). Reads and reacts well. Good tackler. Consistent. I had him in the fourth but he may ascend to the third.”
Malik Muhammad, Texas (6-0, 188, 4.45)
Said one scout: “He actually performed better (at the combine) than I thought he would. I never thought he was going to run in the 4.4’s. He’ll probably rise because he is extremely intelligent and he’s played a lot of football (three years, 29 starts). He’s really wiry. He’s not all that sudden or twitchy but the guy knows football better than a lot of (players) I talked to this spring. So I could see him getting into the fourth round.”
Devin Moore, Florida (6-3, 196, 4.55)
Said one scout: “He started the first game of his college career as a freshman (2022). That was the potential that he showed. Then he’s had an injury it feels like every month since then. He’s an outside corner all the way. He’s beloved at Florida. But he’s just been hurt so much. He might be a find for somebody.”
Toriano Pride, Missouri (5-10 ½, 187, 4.34)
Said one scout: “They got one at Denver right now that’s very similar to him. They find the ball. He’s a guy that doesn’t rely on his hands. He relies on his feet, which is what you need in the NFL. He could be an outside guy as well. He’s going to be somewhere. He’s tough enough. It’s just can he do it every down? He’s probably third to fourth round. I’d take him over Chandler Rivers, but not by much.”
Chandler Rivers, Duke (5-9 ½, 185, 4.35)
Said one scout: “What’s weird is, he looks like a nickel, he plays like a nickel and they played him outside because he was their best corner. The guy can run. He’s athletic, quick, tough. He’s a little pit bull. He will get big boy’d in coverage, particularly on the outside. He can be a starting nickel but he’s not ready to do it right now because he hasn’t done it.”
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To be fair, Micah Parsons wasn't exactly Micah Parsons coming out either. Everyone had him rated as a LB and nobody was really thinking of him as an every down pass rush guy. He got there by accident and then people saw he was really good at it.
I like Bailey more than Reese right now, but it's entirely possible with experience and great coaching (which he would get from pass rush guru BT Jordan) he might become a true nightmare on the edge for us (or someone else)