Dale's Take
The 2025 NFL Draft cornerback class might be the most interesting of all positions.
Sitting atop the class is two-way star Travis Hunter, who also could dabble in playing wide receiver, giving him dual-position flexibility.
And after Hunter, there are a number of talented, good-sized cornerbacks who have some varying issues because of injuries they suffered during the 2024 season.
Without having access to their medical information, it makes the 2025 cornerback class something of a crap shoot in terms of who might go where.
Some talented corners could slip because of their injury issues, while others might rise because they're actually healthy.
It could make for some volatility on draft day for the position.
Dale's Rankings
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado, 6-0 ⅜, 188 lbs. - Hunter is better suited to initially line up at cornerback in the NFL, in my opinion, since it's the more difficult position at which to find high-end talent. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner had 11 pass breakups and four interceptions, at cornerback, where he was first-team All-America, while also being on the second-team as a wide receiver. Hunter has excellent ball skills, and anticipates routes well thanks to his background as a wide receiver.
2. Jahdae Barron, Texas, 5-10 ¾, 194 lbs. - Barron played nickel, safety and outside cornerback for the Longhorns and excelled at each spot. He might project best as a nickel corner in the NFL, but he has the skill set and size to play outside. Had 11 pass breakups and five interceptions in 2024, giving him eight interceptions in his career. Questions about his speed were answered at the NFL Scouting Combine when he blazed through a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. Just a really good football player.
3. Will Johnson, Michigan, 6-1 ¾, 194 lbs. - Has the size and physicality teams desire in a first-round cornerback. His ball skills are off the charts, with 10 interceptions in 32 career games, including three he returned for touchdowns. A toe injury cut his 2024 season short and Johnson didn't work out at the Combine. He also has a hamstring injury that will keep him from working out for teams until late in April. He's extremely talented, but questions about his overall speed won't be answered until then.
4. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 5-11 ¼, 183 lbs. - Hairston had five interceptions in 2023 and then many of Kentucky's opponents stayed away from him in 2024, though a shoulder injury forced him to miss five games. The fastest player at this year's Combine (4.28-second 40), Hairston lacks some bulk, but he's got long arms and the closing speed to fit in a lot of different coverage schemes. His lack of bulk also shows up in run support.
5. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina, 6-1 ½, 194 lbs. - Revel tore his ACL in September, but his combination of size and length (nearly 33-inch arms) is ideal for the position. Revel only had one interception in 24 college games, but he did have 15 pass breakups and five tackles for a loss the past two seasons. He's a solid tackler and recognizes things well. The big question is when will he be ready to return to the field?
Sleeper: Bilhal Khone, Western Michigan, 6-1 ¼, 190 lbs. - Khone has ideal size and speed – he ran a 4.43-second 40 at the Combine – to play in the NFL. He'll just be asked to make a big transition from the MAC. Khone needs to work on his tackling technique and he's been a little grabby in his coverage, but there are tools in the box that make him intriguing.