Defensive Back Rankings 2021 NFL Draft

CORNERBACK & SAFETY PROSPECT RANKING 2021 NFL DRAFT

With at least four - and possibly as many as six first-round picks - this is perhaps the strongest group among all positions in the 2021 NFL Draft. And while many have deemed Patrick Surtain the top corner available there are a number of others who are right there with him in terms of talent and overall athletic ability. Surtain has a combination of top-notch athleticism and impressive size which makes him an almost can't miss prospect in the Pros.

Trailing him are two other highly talented corners Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech and 2021 Derion Kendrick from Clemson who both possess great timed speed natural cornerback skills.

The top safety prospect in this year's draft is Trevon Moehrig a free safety with good ball instincts (7 career interceptions which is the most amongst active Horned Frog players) he is an active presence on the fields, with nearly 50 tackles this season as well as 9 passes broken up.

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LAST UPDATED: 01/20/2022

Player Rankings - Defensive Back

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
114

CB
Josh
Caldwell

6-0 170lbs 4.62
CB
UTEP   Mascot
UTEP Mascot
170lbs 6-0 4.62 263
53.0
Savvy cover skills to recognize and anticipate routes. Understands what's coming and has good ball skills. Trusts his eyes with very good...
116

CB
Marlin
Brooks

5-10 170lbs 4.45
CB
Ohio   Mascot
Ohio Mascot
170lbs 5-10 4.45 239
53.0
Good instincts and anticipation reads and reacts with discipline. Dangerous with the ball in his hands. Alert defender for zone coverage,...
137

CB
Lorenzo
Burns

5-10 175lbs 4.48
CB
ARI   Mascot
ARI Mascot
175lbs 5-10 4.48 92 331.3
30.0
Trusts his eyes with very good awareness. Has very good reaction skills to break quickly on the ball. Good instincts and anticipation...
119

CB
Mark
Gilbert

6-0 175lbs 4.47
CB
PIT   Mascot
PIT Mascot
175lbs 6-0 4.47 172 751.5
53.0
Aware zone cornerback who is also adept in man coverage, flashing physical hand punch at the line and straight-line speed to stay with...
21

CB
Olaijah
Griffin

6-0 175lbs 4.38
CB
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
175lbs 6-0 4.38 33 159.3
72.0
Trusts his eyes with very good awareness. Has very good reaction skills to break quickly on the ball. Very good athleticism and...
23

S
Ar'Darius
Washington

5-8 176lbs 4.61
S
BAL   Mascot
BAL Mascot
176lbs 5-8 4.61 20 101.7
71.0
Closes to the ball quite well and possesses the hands to snatch throws away from his frame. Good instincts and anticipation reads and...
57

CB
Shaun
Jolly

5-9 177lbs 4.48
CB
Appalachian State   Mascot
Appalachian State Mascot
177lbs 5-9 4.48 55 244.7
76.8
Has at least adequate straight-line speed and good balance, fluidity to change direction.A coordinated athlete with good footwork and...
51

CB
AJ
Parker

5-11 178lbs 4.54
CB
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
178lbs 5-11 4.54 134 515
64.0
Trusts his eyes with very good awareness. Has very good reaction skills to break quickly on the ball. Closes to the ball quite well and...
95

CB
Brandin
Echols

5-11 178lbs 4.34
CB
NYJ   Mascot
NYJ Mascot
178lbs 5-11 4.34 52 216
55.0
Should excel as a zone defender because of his closing speed to wrap receivers after the catch. Aware zone cornerback who is also adept...
91

CB
Rachuan
Mitchell

5-11 179lbs 4.56
CB
Southern Miss   Mascot
Southern Miss Mascot
179lbs 5-11 4.56 232
56.0
Aware zone cornerback who is also adept in man coverage, flashing physical hand punch at the line and straight-line speed to stay with...
97

S
Cristian
Williams

6-0 180lbs 4.63
S
Tulsa   Mascot
Tulsa Mascot
180lbs 6-0 4.63 248
54.0
Good instincts and anticipation reads and reacts with discipline. Dangerous with the ball in his hands.
99

CB
Jaylon
Monroe

5-9 180lbs 4.56
CB
Tulane   Mascot
Tulane Mascot
180lbs 5-9 4.56 256
54.0
A coordinated athlete with good footwork and balance. A heady cover player with above-average ยท feel and anticipation in space. Has at...

2021 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Back

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2021 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Back

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.