Ranking the 2022 NFL Draft's top 30 cornerbacks

Five first-round graded CBs

Today we’ll start the long process of ranking players at their respective positions, and we’ll begin with the cornerbacks. The 2022 NFL Draft features the deepest collection of cornerback talent in recent history. I even had six corners go in the first round of my latest mock draft. However, properly placing the best prospects at this position could prove extremely difficult.

Drafting a cornerback is always hit or miss in the NFL. Some players simply never make the jump while others emerge as stars from the ranks of undrafted free agents and late round selections. We won’t uncover any of those gems today, but this is the first article in a long process that will hopefully provide some insight into the 2022 cornerback class.

Please understand that these are fluid rankings susceptible to change week-to-week based on performances, medical data, and measurables. The number ranking isn’t as important as the tier a prospect appears in. Most prospects are interchangeable with other players in their tier.

All of the players that appear below are draft eligible, but some may return to college and wait until future drafts.

I’m only one person and can’t watch every game on Saturday. Reach out to me @Sam_Teets 33 on Twitter or leave a comment at the bottom of this post if I’ve overlooked anyone that you believe deserves a spot on the top 30.

Tier 1- 1st Round Shutdown Corners

1. Derek Stingley Jr., CB LSU

Stingley hasn’t come close to matching his historic freshman campaign over the past two seasons. In fairness, expecting him to perform at that level for three consecutive years wasn’t very realistic. However, Stingley’s noticeable decline opened the door to other corners challenging him for the top spot in 2022.

Stingley’s athleticism makes him the ideal shutdown cornerback. He’s capable of lining up in press coverage and mirroring receivers for their entire routes. Occasional mental lapses have hurt him over the past two years along with erratic tackling, but NFL teams can rectify those issues easily.

2. Kaiir Elam, CB Florida

Elam is a larger, more aggressive corner than most fans realize. He’s quick to contact receivers early in their routes but sometimes ends up trailing opponents with the twitch to evade his initial assault. Despite his length and 6' 2" frame, Elam struggles to finish tackles.  

3. Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati

Speaking of a physical cornerback, Gardner is the most aggressive first-round prospect at his position. The junior boasts an impressive 6' 3", 200 lb. frame that helps him quickly dig into receivers at the start of routes. Gardner’s aggressive nature will translate to penalties at the NFL level, but his run support and ability to attack the catch point make him a desirable addition.

4. Andrew Booth Jr., CB Clemson

Booth relies more on his physical gifts than Elam or Gardner. He’s right up there with Stingley in terms of athleticism and ability to vertically challenge receivers at the catch point. Booth is the least experienced tier 1 cornerback, which leaves hope for continued improvement. Outside of Trent McDuffie, Booth is the best tackling cornerback among the elite coverage prospects.

5. Trent McDuffie, CB Washington

At 5' 11", 195 lbs., McDuffie has the size of a slot corner but packs the punch of a safety. He’s by far the best tackling cornerback in this class and can hold his own in coverage. McDuffie hasn’t surrendered a touchdown since 2018. While his fluidity and instinctive playing style make him a college standout, his stature could become an issue against NFL competition.

Tier 2- Remaining Top 64 Prospects

6. Roger McCreary, CB Auburn

McCreary recently had his worst game of the season against LSU, but the senior remains Auburn’s best 2022 prospect. He played over 300 coverage snaps in 2019 and 2020 while holding up against elite SEC offenses. McCreary could sneak into the first round if he tests well at the combine.

7. Mykael Wright, CB Oregon

It’s not fair to judge Wright off of the Ohio St. game alone since he’s performed at a high level in all of Oregon’s other matchups. However, the electric 5' 11", 178 lb. corner looked overmatched against the Buckeyes and their elite receivers.

8. Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia

Kendrick likely would’ve commanded a top 64 pick if he entered the 2021 NFL Draft. However, he allowed over 100 yards in coverage and multiple touchdowns when Clemson lost to LSU in 2019 and when the Tigers fell to Ohio St. in 2020. That’s not a great look for the senior.

9. Noah Daniels, CB TCU

Daniels made his highly anticipated season debut against Texas this past week. The senior has fewer than 200 coverage snaps to his name while with the Horned Frogs, but his potential remains enticing.

10. Kyler Gordon, CB Washington

McDuffie is Washington’s top prospect, but Gordon is also fighting for high-ranking real estate. The 6' 0", 200 lb. corner has two interceptions and four passes defensed this year, and he’s allowing a career-low passer rating when targeted.

11. Josh Jobe, CB Alabama

Jobe not cracking the top ten is likely a controversial take, but the senior hasn’t made a strong impression during his first four appearances. Jobe battled an injury earlier in the season. Hopefully he’s healthy enough to receive a full evaluation when the playoffs roll around.

12. Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB TCU

Hodges-Tomlinson has more snaps on his resume than Daniels, but the 5' 9", 177 lb. junior only has one career interception. Hodges-Tomlinson was flat out elite in 2020, but he’s experienced less ball production this season. His size could confine him to the slot at the next level.

Tier 3- Fighting for Room in the Third Round

13. Martin Emerson, CB Mississippi St.

Emerson stands 6' 2" and weighs 200 lbs. He’s a reliable tackler and could sneak into the second round with good testing numbers.

14. Jermaine Waller, CB Virginia Tech

Waller hasn’t given up too many yards this year, but he’s struggled to lock down receivers. However, the junior was excellent in 2019 and has three interceptions in four games this season.

15. Joey Porter Jr., CB Penn St.

Porter Jr. should have the ideal length and physical traits to get drafted on Day 2. He’s made a significant leap from 2020 to 2021.

16. Sevyn Banks, CB Ohio St.

Banks only has one complete season as a starter under his belt, and he struggled significantly against Alabama, Clemson, and Penn State’s receivers in 2020. That combined with him missing time this season leads to the senior tumbling down the rankings.

17. Riley Moss, CB Iowa

Moss is a 6' 1" senior with a history of up and down coverage play on over 750 coverage snaps throughout his career. He has nine interceptions and three defensive touchdowns with the Hawkeyes.

Tier 4- Early Day 3 Prospects

18. Tiawan Mullen, CB Indiana

Mullen is an above average collegiate corner, but he’s allowed two touchdowns in each of his three seasons with Indiana. Being 5' 10" and weighing 180 lbs. limits his projection.

19. Tariq Castro-Fields, CB Penn St.

The more experienced member of Penn State’s cornerback duo has over 1,000 career coverage snaps to go along with 23 passes defensed and only three interceptions.

20. Coby Bryant, CB Cincinnati

Bryant has 30 passes defensed and seven interceptions over the past four years, but he’s also allowed nine touchdowns.

21. Nehemiah Pritchett, CB Auburn

Pritchett hasn’t matched his breakout 2020 season. The junior is almost allowing a completion percentage twice as high as he did last season.

Tier 5- Filling Out Day 3

22. Tayler Hawkins, CB San Diego St.

Hawkins has four years of significant playing time on his resume. He got off to his best start in 2021, recording two passes defensed and two interceptions in three games.

23. Alontae Taylor, CB Tennessee

Taylor hasn’t surrendered a touchdown since 2019 and recently surpassed 1,000 career coverage snaps with Tennessee. The senior is allowing the lowest completion percentage of his career.

24. Mario Goodrich, CB Clemson

Goodrich flashed potential in a limited role over the past two seasons before stepping into a more prominent position alongside Booth. So far, Goodrich has allowed fewer yards per target than his fellow Tiger.

25. Al Blades Jr., CB Miami

Between 2019 and 2020, Blades intercepted four passes and swatted away 13 more. He’s off to a much slower start this season.

26. D'Jordan Strong, CB Coastal Carolina

Strong led the Sun Belt Conference with five interceptions last year. Unfortunately, he hasn’t generated a turnover in Coastal’s first five games this season.

27. Isaac Taylor-Stuart, CB USC

Taylor-Stuart is a 6' 2", 200 lb. junior. He’s never performed at an elite level, but Taylor-Stuart is allowing the lowest passer rating when targeted of his career.

28. Jaylin Williams, CB Indiana

Williams intercepted six passes in his first three years with the Hoosiers, including four picks in 2020. He hasn’t gotten a hand on many balls this season.

29. Sheridan Jones, CB Clemson

Jones started a handful of games for Clemson in 2020, but he mostly comes off the bench now. The junior still sees plenty of snaps, but he hasn’t intercepted or knocked down a pass this season.

30. Chris Steele, CB USC

Steele allowed five touchdowns between 2019 and 2020, and he’s already allowed two scores this year. The junior has one career interception and nine passes defensed.