Bird's Eye View - CB Position Report
- John B. Everett
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The 2026 CB class is loaded with quality outside CBs with the size and length desired and a very talented group of slot CBs with the agility and change of direction skills (C.O.D.) to excel in the NFL. Mansoor Delane / LSU is the best CB in this draft class with a combination of size, strength, agility, and ball skills to start as a rookie. Other top outside CBs includes Jermod McCoy / Tennessee, Aveion Terrell / Clemson, Colton Hood / Tennessee, Brandon Cisse / South Carolina, Daylen Everette / Georgia, Domani Jackson / Alabama, Will Lee / Texas A&M, and Davison Igbinosun / Ohio State. Some of the top slot CBs available include D'Angelo Ponds / Indiana, Keionte Scott / Miami, Fl, Chandler Rivers / Duke, and Malik Muhammad / Texas. Four or five of these prospects are likely to get drafted in the first-round on April 23rd with the bulk of these prospects likely to be selected in the first 100 picks in April. |
Position Grade – B- |
SNS utilizes a tier system to break the log jam that typically forms during the evaluation and stacking/ranking of prospects in a position group. Tier I prospects are franchise players whose combination of measureables, athleticism, and college production warrant a high first-round draft pick. Tier II prospects are future starters who should at a minimum be solid contributors as rookies next year. Tier III prospects are players with starter traits but need additional development before they can be reliable starters. Tier IV prospects are marginal NFL prospects who are never likely to become starters, will need to prove themselves on special teams, and are likely to be battling for one of the final spots on a 53-man roster or practice squad.
*Measurements are taken by 1/8ths. Example: 6004 is 6 feet and ½”
Tier I
Six prospects – Mansoor Delane / LSU, Jermod McCoy / Tennessee, Avieon Terrell / Clemson, Keionte Scott / Miami, Fl, Colton Hood / Tennessee, D’Angelo Ponds / Indiana
Delane – The top CB in the 2026 NFL Draft, Delane has enough size and length to play as an outside CB (5116 / 187 lbs / 30” Arms / 74 & ½” Wingspan) and is a fantastic athlete with the fluidity and agility desired in a man cover CB. Delane has excellent ball skills with 7 INTs and 18 passes defensed over the last three seasons at Virginia Tech and LSU. Delane is a likely top ten pick on April 23.
McCoy – McCoy’s evaluation is based on his 2024 game film that showed an athletic, quick, aggressive, and speedy ball hawk who played his best in clutch situations. Unfortunately, McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025 and missed the entire 2025 season. McCoy (6006 / 188 lbs / 31 & ½” Arms) is just beginning to get back into football shape and should be available by training camp in July. There is risk in drafting McCoy but his ceiling is very high and he looks like an immediate starter in the NFL next fall. McCoy should be off the board by the middle of the first round.
Terrell – Although lacking some desired size for an outside CB, Terrell (5106 / 186 lbs / 31” Arms) is an uber-quick cover CB who plays with the confidence needed in a CB. Brother AJ is starting CB for the Falcons and Avieon projects as a starting CB or starting slot CB in the NFL as soon as his rookie year.
Scott – Scott was primarily a slot CB last season in Coral Gables but has the size and length (5112 / 193 lbs / 31 & 3/8” Arms) to play outside and that versatility increases his value to NFL teams. Scott is physical, tough, and willing against the run and is a ballhawk who plays best in the clutch. Scott is a likely top 50 pick later this month.
Hood – Hood possesses the fluid hips, light feet, and ankle flexion to cut quickly and handle speed and quickness in space. Hood has good size and length (5116 / 188 lbs / 31 &1/2” Arms) to play on the outside and has the speed (4.44 40) and leaping ability (40.5” Vertical / 10’5” Broad) to start on the outside in the NFL. Hood is a likely top 20 selection on April 23.
Ponds – Ponds (5085 / 182 lbs / 29 & 3/8” Arms) is arguably the most productive and clutch CB in the nation who profiles as a slot CB in the NFL. The only question after a great day at the NFL Scouting Combine, including a 43.5” vertical, was if Ponds had the top end speed desired in a CB. At Indiana’s Pro Day, Ponds recorded a 4.38 40. Ponds may get drafted in the first round in Pittsburgh after his showing in Bloomington at the end of last month.
Tier II
Ten prospects – Brandon Cisse / South Carolina, Daylen Everette / Georgia, Chandler Rivers / Duke, Malik Muhammad / Texas, Domani Jackson / Alabama, Will Lee / Texas A&M, Davison Igbinosun / Ohio State, Treydan Stukes / Arizona, Chris Johnson / San Diego State, Charles Demmings / Stephen F. Austin
Cisse – Cisse displays sticky coverage skills – he can flip his hips and shadow both big and quick WRs in space well but he is not nearly the ball athlete that NFL teams want in their starting CBs. Cisse looks like an immediate contributor and potential starter as a rookie. Cisse is a likely top 50 selection the last weekend of April.
Everette – Everette has the desired size and length for an outside CB – 6007 / 196 lbs / 31 & 7/8” Arms). Everette is a clutch and a big play performer who has recorded three INTs in the last two SEC Championship Games (2 INTs v Texas in 2024 & 1 INT v Alabama in 2025) and a fumble return for a TD v Ole Miss in the 2026 Sugar Bowl. Tends to play up (or down) to the level of competition and will need to consistently play high level football in the NFL. Everette is a likely top 50 pick at the end of the month.
Rivers – Rivers (5094 / 185 lbs / 29 & 3/8” Arms) is a highly experienced and productive CB who is likely destined to play slot CB due to less than desired arm length. Fluid hips, light feet, and stays in-phase consistently – sticky man coverage ability. Has the athletic profile to handle two-way go’s out of the slot. Profiles as an eventual starting slot CB in the NFL early in his career. Rivers is a likely third-round draft pick at the end of the month.
Muhammad – Muhammad (5117 / 182 lbs / 32 & 3/8” Arms) mostly plays slot CB for the Longhorns but has a skill set, and length, that works both inside and outside. Light feet and loose hips – shadows quick receivers well. Can flip his hips well and can turn and run with speed downfield – very good agility and C.O.D ability. Muhammad has starting potential either inside or outside and that versatility makes Muhammad a likely top 75 pick.
Jackson – A former 5-star recruit, Jackson (6005 / 194 lbs / 31 & 1/8” Arms) did not live up to the hype at USC but has developed into a physical CB with an NFL future while in Tuscaloosa. Very fast with legit world class track speed - reportedly ran a 10.2 100 meter in high school. Has never completely fulfilled his potential but has teased with elite skills that are hard to find – speed, burst, agility, quickness, and play making ability. Those traits are highly desired by NFL teams and makes Jackson a likely top 50 pick.
Lee – Lee possesses premium size for a CB – 6014 / 189 lbs / 32 & ¾” Arms - and despite his size has smooth hips and movement skills and is effective in man coverage – very good agility and C.O.D. skills for a big CB. Lee put out some impressive combine numbers – 4.52 40 / 42” Vertical / 11” Broad – and those qualities are displayed on his game film. Lee needs to improve his consistency but looks like a future starter. Lee is a likely top 75 selection later this month.
Igbinosun – Igbinosun has ideal size and length – 6020 / 189 lbs / 32 & 7/8” Arms – and he likes to use his length and strength to harass WRs down field – may be prone to PI penalties in the NFL (16 defensive pass penalties were the most in FBS in 2024). But that issue has been somewhat addressed in the 2025 season when he only had five defensive penalties, but continued improvement is required. Igbinosun is a likely third round pick on April 24.
Stukes – Stukes has a rare combination of length (6010 / 31 & ¾” Arms) desired with the ability flip his hips and stay in-phase with WRs downfield (4.33 40). Stukes was primarily a slot CB but has the length desired on the outside. Stukes has solid ball skills with 4 INTs recorded in 2025 – plays the ball in the air like he was the intended receiver. Excellent leaping ability and can sky for the ball. Stukes is a likely third or fourth-round pick at the end of the month.
Johnson – Johnson has desired size for an outside CB – 6000 / 193 lbs / 30 & 5/8” Arms – and has the smooth movement skills to stay in-phase with quick WRs downfield. Johnson proved to have the speed (4.40 40) and leaping ability (38” Vertical / 10’6” Broad) to project as a starting CB, likely before the end of his rookie season. Johnson is a rapidly rising prospect who will likely be a second-round draft pick on Friday of draft week.
Demmings – Demmings (6010 / 191 lbs / 32 & ¼” Arms) dominated FCS-level but playing in the NFL is a significant step-up in talent he will be lined up against. Demmings looks the part with desired height, somewhat angular frame, and adequate mass. Very fast with the speed to run with speedy WRs on vertical routes (4.41 40). Explosive athlete with a fantastic burst to close on the ball in the air (42” Vertical / 11” Broad). Demmings is a likely top 75 selection in Pittsburgh later this month.
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