Best Cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft

In recent years, the cornerback position has been a focal point for the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL Draft. They used a third-round pick on Brandon Stephens in 2021 and used a fourth-round pick in 2022 to select Damarion Williams. After not doing anything significant to address the cornerback position in free agency other than bringing back Arthur Maulet to man the slot, it’s a growing likelihood the Ravens will use at least one draft pick in 2024 on a cornerback.

When the draft rolls around, some fans may want to bet on what player the Ravens and other teams select. For those fans, USA Legal Betting is a good resource for reviewing betting sites and learning about where sports betting is legal.

If the Ravens end up drafting a cornerback, especially early in the draft, they’ll have plenty of good options. This is a strong draft class at that position. Let’s check out some of the top cornerbacks available since any of these players could potentially be drafted by Baltimore this year.

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

McKinstry’s statistical performance in 2023 may not have drawn rave reviews. It was the only season in college he didn’t have any interceptions. However, McKinstry’s reputation preceded him and made it so the ball wasn’t thrown his way that often. Despite being part of a defensive backfield alongside fellow standout CB Terrion Arnold (whom we’ll discuss shortly), McKinstry was targeted on just 10.9% of his coverage snaps in 2023, ranking 17th lowest among 422 FBS CBs with a minimum of 150 coverage snaps.

When opponents did target him, they rarely found success, except for the second half of the Texas loss. Remarkably, McKinstry was the only one among those 422 CBs to have been targeted on 12% or less of his coverage snaps and have 45% or fewer of his targets aimed at open receivers. As a result McKinstry was second nationally in “burn” yards per target, which is a key stat that points to him being an NFL-ready cornerback.

2. Karmari Lassiter, Georgia

Similar to McKinstry, Lassiter’s traditional statistics may not be headline-grabbing, having only snagged one interception in his three-season college tenure. However, Lassiter’s adaptability and experience in high-stakes games still make him a valuable asset. In terms of advanced metrics, Lassiter ranked among the top 12 cornerbacks nationally in both burn yards per target (0.316) and burn yards per coverage snap (0.039) in 2023.

Furthermore, Lassiter has two national championships under his belt. He’s been an important part of one of the best defenses in college football over the last three seasons. Considering the long line of Georgia defensive players who have made an impact in the NFL in recent years, Lassiter is a safe bet and understands what it takes to win.

3. Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Arnold, the counterpart to McKinstry in the Alabama secondary, has become a focal point for many scouts. Arnold’s ability to make game-changing plays is a primary reason for that. Despite only two college seasons under his belt (due to redshirting in 2021), he quickly made a name for himself on the field, which isn’t always easy at Alabama.

Since 2022, Arnold stands out as the lone Power Five player with a minimum of five interceptions, 20 passes defensed, and five tackles for loss. In 2023, specifically, he ranked among the top six nationally in interceptions (five) and passes defensed (17). That was more than enough to put him close behind McKinstry as one of the top cornerbacks available.

4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean’s unfortunate leg injury, which sidelined him Iowa’s last four games and the NFL Combine, might raise mild concerns among pro executives. However, the fact that he earned recognition as an AP First Team All-American despite only appearing in 10 games is a compelling reason for optimism. He was honored as both the Big Ten’s Defensive Back of the Year and Return Specialist of the Year, showcasing his versatility and impact.

As a returner, he ranked 12th in the FBS with 241 punt return yards in 2023, including a game-winning return TD against Michigan State. That gives DeJean value beyond being a top-notch cornerback. Of course, in his role as a corner, DeJean allowed just one touchdown all season. His coverage skills are unquestioned, as he was part of an elite defense at Iowa. As long as he’s healthy, DeJean figures to be an asset at the next level.

5. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

One of the few knocks on Mitchell in college was the level of competition they faced. He was able to dominate in the MAC, where he didn’t come up against too many NFL-caliber wide receivers. Nevertheless, Mitchell was able to earn Second Team All-American honors.

Since 2022, he has totaled 37 defended passes, which is 10 more than any other player. Even against lesser competition, that’s an impressive feat. Despite his aggressive approach to the ball, Mitchell rarely allowed big gains in college, conceding only one touchdown in coverage this past season. He’s not someone who should be overlooked by NFL teams who are looking for a cornerback who can step in and contribute right away in 2024.

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