The New Orleans Saints came into the 2024-25 NFL season with the league's best and deepest group of cornerbacks.
Marshon Lattimore was still considered an elite cover corner. Paulson Adebo was coming off his best year, with Alontae Taylor flashing Pro Bowl potential. Added to the group was 2024 second-round choice Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Jump ahead to this offseason. Lattimore was traded to Washington in a mid-season move. Adebo signed with the Giants in free agency after missing the last half of last season with a broken leg.
Suddenly, the Saints are now in need of another cornerback. While there are other more pressing needs on the team, it could still come as early as the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Heisman Trophy winning WR/CB Travis Hunter from Colorado projects as a cornerback in the NFL and could be off the board with a top-5 pick. Michigan's Will Johnson seems to be the consensus number two corner and may still be on the board when New Orleans picks at number nine. Jahdae Barron of Texas, coached by new Saints assistant Terry Joseph in college, is another probable top-20 selection.
There is another cornerback rising quickly on the draft boards that might have gone overlooked by average fans.
Shavon Revel, CB (East Carolina)
East Carolina Pirates cornerback Shavon Revel (28). Credit: 247sports.com
A standout in both football and track at Ronald W. Reagan High School in North Carolina, Revel initially attended Louisburg Junior College in North Carolina. He'd transfer to East Carolina in 2022.
In three years for the East Carolina Pirates, Revel intercepted three passes and broke up 16 others while recording five tackles for loss. He scored two defensive touchdowns, one on an interception return and the other on a fumble return.
After an interception and 13 passes broken up in 2023, Revel came into the 2024-25 campaign with a potentially high first-round projection. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL injury that ended his season after only three games.
Revel's knee injury happened in September. He could be fully available in time for preseason, but medicals could push him down the draft boards slightly for some teams. The injury also limited him to only one year of top-level production, with that coming against American Athletic Conference competition.
Revel can play too upright in man coverage, slowing his footwork and leaving him potentially vulnerable to shifty receivers. Due to lack of experience, Revel must also show better instincts in zone duties. He can panic at times and grab receivers, leading to unnecessary flags. Additionally, he'll take gambles that could lead to big plays against double moves or savvy play fakes.
East Carolina Pirates cornerback Shavon Revel (28) returns an interception. Credit: nfldraftdiamonds.com
At 6'2" and 194-Lbs. with long arms, Revel has the length that defensive coaches love. He also brings elite leaping ability and 4.4 speed along with that, giving him the natural skills to shadow any receiver. His aggressive style of play makes him a potential shutdown corner in man coverage, with his length making up at least a step at the catch point.
Revel has underrated change-of-direction and play reaction skills. Once his zone awareness develops, he'll be equally effective in any scheme. He also shows very good body control, giving him an added edge on contested throws to go along with his physical advantages.
Shavon Revel has the natural talents and upside to be a mid-1st round pick. His knee surgery may slide him down some boards, but not far if that's the case. He'll be drafted no later than early into Day 2 at worst, for teams hoping for a slide.
Revel should potentially be an immediate starter. In a scheme that allows him to play predominantly man coverage with experienced safeties, he could possibly develop into a shutdown corner.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 10:43 AM.