Bucs Draft 2024 Preview + Bucs Best Bets: CBs

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Matt Matera continues the previews with the cornerback position, with a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at the position.

Matera also provides a detailed list of this year’s top cornerbacks. In addition, Scott Reynolds offers up the Bucs’ draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs Best Bets – the most likely cornerback for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3 and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Cornerback

The Bucs made plenty of moves this offseason in the cornerback room. They traded away Carlton Davis III to the Lions for a third-round pick, which makes Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum the starters going into training camp. During free agency, they really built out their depth by signing Bryce Hall from the Jets and and Tavierre Thomas from the Texans. Hall can compete for a starting spot outside while Thomas is better suited for the slot where Christian Izien is likely to play again.

Special teams ace Josh Hayes has moved from nickelback to outside cornerback and he’s in the competition with practice squad player Keenan Isaac and newcomer Quandre Davis for a spot on the roster this season. Although they no longer have Davis, the Bucs’ depth at cornerback seems a bit deeper and more experienced than it was a year ago.

What The Bucs Need At Cornerback

Drafting a corner in the first round can’t be ruled out. It’s quite possible this is Jamel Dean’s last season with the Bucs unless he can stay healthy and start coming away with interceptions – two things that doomed Carlton Davis III and prompted the team to trade him. Considering Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas are on one-year contracts, the Bucs would only have Zyon McCollum under contract next year as an outside cornerback.

Using a premium pick to draft a cornerback early brings competition for a starting role in 2024 and adds talented depth. And it also best prepares Tampa Bay to potentially already have their next starter the following season.

If the Bucs were to take a corner in a mid to late rounds, it adds even more depth to a position that has seen a lot of injuries last season, especially with Dean. This prospect also gives the Bucs flexibility if they lose the players they signed after the season.

Top Cornerbacks In 2024 NFL Draft

1. Alabama CB Terrion Arnold – RS Junior – 6-0, 189, 4.50

Arnold can play in any kind of defense, excelling in man and zone. He has a ideal athleticism going to the next level and is a ballhawk, having led all of the SEC with five interceptions last season. Arnold knows how to control his body so he never gets too out of position or has a bad rep. Many have him as the top corner.

He really only played two seasons at Alabama with 21 career starts in 25 games. Arnold made the most of it with 108 tackles, 26 pass breakups a forced fumble and six interceptions. He was a freshman All-American, freshman All-SEC and then first team All-American in 2023 and first team All-SEC.

2. Toldeo CB Quinyon Mitchell – RS Senior – 6-0, 195, 4.33

Despite playing at a MAC school, Mitchell has the chance of being a first-round pick after a good showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile against better competition. He earned a 92.5 Pro Football Focus grade in 2022 and then a 91.5 grade this past year as one of the nation’s best cornerbacks. Mitchell had six interceptions in the last two years and didn’t give up a touchdown last season. Opposing quarterbacks completed only 43.5% of their passes against him, and his 17 forced incompletions were the third-most in the nation.

Mitchell was constantly taking the ball away during Senior Bowl practices. He stuck to receivers like glue and showed true instinct going after the ball before the receiver even reacted. Mitchell has unreal speed and is able to balance himself at the same time when in coverage.

3. Iowa CB Cooper DeJean – Junior – 6-1, 202, 4.44

Iowa CB Cooper DeJean – Photo by: USA Today

DeJean has the speed, size and movement skills to play on the outside. His hip fluidity is smoother than most give him credit for. DeJean is the best Cover 3 corner in this year’s draft and displays an ability to click and close quickly. He plays smart and follows zone rules easily, passing off receivers as they run switches.

DeJean exhibits fantastic ball skills as evidenced by his 13 passes defensed and seven interceptions in the last two years. He also has great positional versatility. Last season, DeJean was first-team All Big Ten and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.

4. Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Junior – 5-11, 196, 4.47

Playing with a very high football IQ, McKinstry is one of the most poised cornerbacks in this draft. There are no wasted movement when McKinstry is in coverage, he has excellent fundamentals. He doesn’t have the most ideal speed and size, which might be concerning, but he makes up for it in all the other areas.

McKinstry played in 42 career games, starting in 33 contests. He recorded 92 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, 25 pass breakups and two interceptions. He was first team All-American and first team All-SEC last year. McKinstry came to Tampa Bay on a Top 30 pre-draft visit.

5. Clemson CB – Nate Wiggins – Junior – 6-1, 173, 4.28

Wiggins’ length, ridiculous 4.28 speed and coverage ability would make him a Top 10 cornerback if not for his slender, 173-pound frame. Wiggins has decent height and a knack for breaking up passes. He recorded 21 career pass breakups as a two-year starter for the Tigers. Wiggins only recorded three interceptions last season , but two came against North Carolina’s Drake Maye, including a 98-yard pick-six in 2022 in the ACC Championship Game. He also had a 46-yard pick-six against Florida Atlantic in 2023.

He is a very competitive cornerback and had one of the most memorable defensive plays last year when he tracked North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton down at the goal line after a 64-yard run to force a fumble and prevent a touchdown. Wiggins was one of four cornerbacks to formally interview with Tampa Bay at the NFL Scouting Combine.

6. Michigan CB Mike Sainristil – RS Senior – 5-10, 182, 4.47

Michigan NCB Mike Sainristil – Photo by: USA Today

A balanced player that moves well in coverage, Sainristil used to be a wide receiver, so he’s a little more equipped to adjust when the opponent is running routes. He’s a very aggressive corner that’s willing to take a chance on a play, which really showed when he had six interceptions during Michigan’s national championship winning season. The problem for Sainristil is that he lacks ideal size.

He was a team captain over the last two seasons and had two pick-sixes last season. Sainristil was a first-team All-American at defensive back but second team All-Big 10. He was also voted as Michigan’s team MVP. Sainristil is likely just a slot cornerback at the next level due to his small frame. He met with Tampa Bay on a Top 30 pre-draft visit.

7. Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa – Senior – 6-1, 194, 4.58

Many Bucs fans are hoping the Bucs draft him just to see “Tampa” on the back of the jersey, but it would also make sense if they took him. There aren’t much room for wide receivers when Tampa is covering them at corner. He’s very capaable of re-routing wide receivers and is aggressive in all factors of the game. He’ll need to improve his footwork after going into the NFL.

Tampa started in 29 of 46 games at Iowa State. He made 106 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 22 pass breakups and three interceptions. He made first team All Big XII with the Cyclones.

8. Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. – RS Junior – 5-11, 183, 4.51

Rakestraw is quite an instinctive corner that plays best when in man to man coverage. He’s physical, but also shows off good enough technique to get the job done. He’s not quick, which is a knock against him and he has a smaller frame. Rakestraw does have a very good football IQ.

There is some concerning injury history about him. In 36 career games over four seasons he made 106 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, three pass breakups and one interception.

9. Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter – Junior – 5-11, 187, N/A

Georgia S Javon Bullard and CB Kamari Lassiter – Photo by: USA Today

Lassiter has some familiarity with the Bucs having played with Troy Bowles, the son of Bucs head coach Todd Bowles. While Lassiter met with the Bucs formally at the NFL Scouting Combine, he has yet to meet with Todd. He moves quickly and is instinctual reacting to either the receiver or the ball. His competition level is off the charts and he likes to get physical.

Lassiter won two national championships with the Bulldogs. He earned second team All-SEC in the 2023 season. Lassiter has recorded 86 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 15 pass breakups and one interception in his college career at Georgia.

10. Rutgers CB Max Melton – Senior – 6-0, 187, 4.39

Melton is a versatile cornerback who can play both inside and outside and got better each year playing under former Bucs head coach Greg Schiano. That is not the only connection Melton has to Tampa Bay, as he and defensive back Christian Izien played together for the Scarlet Knights along with Todd Bowles Jr. Melton brings his own unique skillset and much-need playmaking ability, recording three consecutive multi-interception seasons at Rutgers.

He shined at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.39 40-yard time and 40.5-inch vertical. This shows up on tape as he has shown off some real speed getting after ballcarriers in a hurry and being athletic enough to keep pace with any wide receiver. He loves to get after it at the line of scrimmage and plays with a high motor.

Best Of The Rest

11. Kentucky CB Andru Phillips – RS Junior – 5-11, 190, 4.48

Phillips is fluid with his hip movement and footwork in coverage. He likes to press at the line of scrimmage and get physical with the receiver at the point of attack. Phillips might fall victim to some holding penalties because of how much he uses his hands. He also didn’t have an interception in his college career.

He’s played in a lot of games but the 2023 season was really the first time he was an every game starter. That season he had 47 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups at Kentucky.

12. Oregon CB Khyree Jackson – RS Senior – 6-4, 194, 4.50

Oregon CB Khyree Jackson – Photo by: USA Today

I really liked what I saw from Jackson at the Senior Bowl. He has a willingness to get in the face of the receiver and be physical with his opponent from beginning to end on a play. Talking to him at the NFL Scouting Combine, his personality fits exactly who he is as a player. Jackson truly believes that he is the best corner available in the draft and does not care who the receiver is in front of him.

Jackson has great length as a corner and moves very well. He has great ball tracking skills, recording two interceptions for the Ducks last season.

13. Auburn CB D.J. James – RS Senior – 6-0, 175, 4.42

James initially played at Oregon for three seasons and then wen too Auburn for the last two. He can re-route receivers quite well and knows how to break up a play having led the Tigers with 12 in the 2023 season. At 175 pounds, James has a smaller frame that may get pushed around when going up against receivers. A solid tackler, James had 145 stops in his entire career.

14. Louisville CB Jarvis Brownlee – RS Senior – 5-10, 194, 4.51

Brownlee is a small, but physical corner who excels in press-man inside 10 yards. He loves to help in run defense as well. This adds up to a player who could push Christian Izien as the Bucs’ starting slot corner while providing depth at the perimeter as well. Brownlee had an awesome Senior Bowl where he excelled against a very good receiver group. I am betting on his mentality and demeanor to pair with his aggressive skillset to win at the next level.

15. Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson – Senior – 6-0, 193, 4.52

He’s got good size at his position and is fast off the ball, especially with his reactions. Carson keeps everything underneath him and can make a break when the play is developing. Injuries have unfortunately have cost him to miss time over the last three seasons and will be a concern heading into the NFL. He has 29 career pass breakups with three interceptions.

16. Auburn CB Nehmiah Pritchett – RS Senior – 6-1, 190, 4.36

Pritchett has fantastic speed shown by his 4o-yard dash. He’s not afraid to make a jump after the football and can always take it back for a score. In 2021 he took a blocked a field goal 80-yards for a touchdown. Pritchett’s length gives him an advantage. He’ll need to get better tracking the ball especially when going deep.

17. Missouri CB Kris Abrams-Draine – Senior – 5-11, 179, 4.44

What stands out most about Abrams-Draine is his excellent footwork. It’s helped him out as a corner abut also as a returner, where he scored a 100-yard kick return in the 2021 season. Abrams-Draine knows how to cut off angles in order to break up plays. He needs that because he’s smaller in frame against opponents. He has 50 career tackles, 16 breakups and seven interceptions.

18. Florida State CB Renardo Green – RS Senior – 6-0, 186, 4.49

Green plays better in man to man coverage and actually is helpful when asked to stop the run. He’s smooth when running in stride with a receiver and knows how to read a play. Green doesn’t have great attributes from a size or speed kind of standpoint. He led all of the ACC with 14 passes defended last year to go with the first interception of his career.

19. Mississippi State CB Decamerion Richardson – Senior – 6-2, 188, 4.34

He has exceptional speed that was highlighted by his 40-time. That was also on display when he took a blocked field goal attempt  back 50-yards for a touchdown. Robinson led the Tigers with seven pass breakups last season. He needs to make more plays on the ball to compliment his quickness.

20. TCU CB Josh Newton – RS Senior – 5-11, 190, 4.51

Newton has been battle-tested in the Big 12 and held up well, earning consistent grades at 76 or above from PFF over the past three seasons. More of an outside cornerback, Newton is better in man coverage than playing zone, and forced 10 incompletions last year. He finished with seven career interceptions and 36 pass breakups, and is regarded as a Day 2 pick.

21. Notre Dame CB Cam Hart – RS Senior – 6-3, 202, 4.50

Hart has the ideal length that you like in a corner. He’s a leader as a team captain and knows how to take the ball away with three forced fumbles last season. Hart isn’t overly quick, but he relies on his instincts to make plays. He’ll need to clean up his tackling ability, too. He has 19 pass breakups in his career with two interceptions.

22. South Dakota CB Myles Harden – RS Junior – 5-11, 195, 4.50

Harden was exceptional in his three-cone drill and posted a great score on the three-cone drill. The ideal size isn’t there, but he’s a hard-nosed player that will get right up in front of any player. He led the Coyotes with seven pass breakups last season and had six interceptions in his career at South Dakota.

23. Boston College CB Elijah Jones – RS Senior – 6-1, 185, 4.44

Getting after the football, Jones led all of the ACC in 2023 with five interceptions while also leading Boston College with 13 pass breakups. Jones has a lot of great athletic traits but doesn’t have proper fundamentals, which have cost him.

24. Arkansas CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. – Senior – 6-2, 185, 4.47

McGlothern has the ideal size to play cornerback in a Todd Bowles defense. He’s a big-time ballhawk with seven interceptions and three forced fumbles over the last two years for the Razorbacks. With 23 pass breakups in his college career, McGlothern excels in coverage and has been battle-tested in the SEC. He needs to be tougher in run support, but can be a developmental corner.

25. Pittsburgh CB M.J. Devonshire – RS Senior – 5-11, 186, 4.45

Devonshire split his time between Kentucky and Pittsburgh, where he was teammates with current Bucs Calijah Kancey and SirVocea Dennis. He’s very aggressive and has ball-hawking tendencies as he led the Panthers with four interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Devonshire knows how to make a house call with three defensive touchdowns in his career.

Bucs Best Bets: Cornerbacks

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Michigan CB Mike Sainristil

Sainristil was the heart and soul of Michigan’s national championship defense last year. After starting his Wolverines career as a wide receiver, the offensive and defensive coaches were fighting over him and he wound up playing nickel cornerback and some outside cornerback the last two seasons. He notched seven interceptions, including six last year to lead the team and the Big Ten. The two-time team captain has two pick-sixes on his Wolverines resumé and the Bucs could certainly use another playmaker in the secondary that can take the ball away.

Sainristil, who was a Top 30 visit, is a very cerebral player who gives off Ronde Barber vibes. At 5-foot-9, 183 pounds he’s locked into the slot in Todd Bowles’ defense, but the Bucs could use an upgrade over Christian Izien, who was mediocre as a rookie undrafted free agent. Sainristil is expected to be drafted early in the second round, so if Tampa Bay were to select him it would either do so at No. 26 or trade back and do so while acquiring other draft picks. It’s doubtful he’ll be there at No. 57 because of his playmaking ability and his leadership.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Arkansas CB Dwight McGlothern

For a team that struggled to create takeaways in the secondary outside of All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., the Bucs could use a player like McGlothern in the sixth round if he’s still on the board. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, McGlothern has enough size to play outside in Todd Bowles defense, and comes with the reputation of being a ballhawk. The Arkansas cornerback notched eight interceptions and 30 pass breakups in the last three seasons. McGlothern also forced four fumbles in three seasons for the Razorbacks defense.

McGlothern does need to get tougher as a tackler in run defense and work on shedding blocks better. He’s more fast (4.47) than agile, and is best suited outside than in the slot where his lack of agility could get exposed. He’s a physical cornerback in man coverage and McGlothern could be a nice developmental corner in Tampa Bay. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler likened him to being an underdeveloped Carlton Davis III – yet with better ball skills. He recorded picks against Alabama’s Bryce Young, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and LSU’s Jayden Daniels in college.