Top 10 2022 NFL Draft Cornerbacks From Ryan McCrystal

As we approach the 2022 NFL draft, it’s time to start putting the finishing touches on our draft boards. 

Last week I released my top 50 prospects in this year’s draft class. Now let’s dig a little deeper at a few key positions. 

Here are my top 10 cornerbacks in this year’s draft. These rankings are based on my personal estimation of each player’s value, based on the assumption each prospect lands in an offensive/defensive scheme suited to his skill set.

All stats are from Sports Info Solutions, unless otherwise noted. 

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1. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Gardner is an immediate starter as an outside cornerback, with an elite combination of length and speed. His skillset is perfectly suited for press-man coverage. Few cornerbacks have entered the league with a longer track record of dominance at the college level. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Like many young cornerbacks, Gardner took advantage of the college rules which allow for more physical play by defensive backs. He’ll need to learn to back off a little in the pros. The level of competition is a minor concern, though he fit right in lining up against Alabama in the College Football Playoff. 

Key Fact to Know about Ahmad Gardner

When targeted 10 or more yards downfield, Gardner generated more pass breakups and interceptions (23) than receptions allowed (17) over the course of his career. 

Good team fits: Giants, Jets, Vikings, Eagles

2. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

As a true freshman in 2019, Stingley was a dominant outside corner who could be trusted on an island. That type of performance from an 18-year-old in the SEC sets sky-high expectations. He has a rare combination of strength and speed for the position and should be a fit in any scheme. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

After that dominant freshman year, it’s been all downhill 一 due to both general performance and some injuries mixed in. Teams will understandably have some concerns about a player who is two years removed from his best performance. Stingley also lacks ideal length and doesn’t make enough plays on the ball to be considered a ball hawk.

Key Stat to Know about Derek Stingley Jr.

Played in man coverage on 44.3% of his career snaps, allowing 6.6 yards per target. 

Good team fits: Jets, Vikings, Eagles

3. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Elam has the length, athleticism, and physical style of play to step right into a starting role as a press corner. His ability to locate and play the ball stands out as a skill that should immediately translate to the pro game. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

He relies heavily on a physical style of play which drew a lot of flags in the SEC and will draw even more in the NFL. It may take some time for Elam to tweak his style.

Key Stat to Know about Kaiir Elam

In 2021, Elam allowed just three receptions when targeted at least 10 yards downfield, out of 337 total snaps in coverage. 

Good team fits: Patriots, Bills, Saints, Ravens

4. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

McCreary excelled as an outside corner in his one season under defensive coordinator Derek Mason in 2021 一 the same coach who help elevate Richard Sherman’s game in his final season at Stanford. With experience and production in man coverage, McCreary should be ready for a starting role as a rookie. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Prior to 2021, McCreary’s performance was ordinary. So was he just a product of Mason’s defensive system? Some teams may also knock him down or remove him from boards due to his size and lack of ideal length, while others may view him as a slot-only option for those reasons. 

Key Stat to Know about Roger McCreary

Based on route-adjusted metrics, McCreary allowed a catch rate 14.2% below expected in 2021. 

Good team fits: Buccaneers, Chiefs, Patriots, Bills

5. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Gordon has experience on the outside and the slot in a zone-heavy scheme and should be considered an immediate starter in a similar scheme in the pros. His ability to locate and play the ball sets a high ceiling for his production in the right system. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

With moderate athleticism and size, Gordon probably can’t be trusted on an island in man coverage. His placement on draft boards could have a wide range depending on the defensive scheme for each team. 

Key Stat to Know about Kyler Gordon

Targeted at 10 or more yards downfield on just 3.8% of his snaps in coverage in 2021, the 12th lowest rate out of 140 qualified Power 5 cornerbacks. 

Good team fits: Bengals, Eagles, Seahawks, Buccaneers

6. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Booth is a former five-star prospect who flashed elite tools at Clemson. His movements are smooth and quick, and while he’s mostly played outside, he has the skills for a slot role as well.  

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Despite the talent, Booth never lived up to expectations on a consistent basis. He tends to rely on his athleticism to recover from mistakes, but that didn’t consistently work in the ACC and it won’t work in the NFL. He may struggle to contribute initially, so he’ll be more attractive to teams with the depth to be patient in his development. 

Key Stat to Know about Andrew Booth Jr.

Played man coverage on only 19.7% of career coverage snaps, allowing 6.5 yards per target.

Good team fits: Bengals, Bills, Vikings, Patriots

7. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

In a zone-heavy scheme, McDuffie could potentially start immediately on the outside, but he’ll also be a candidate to shift inside to cover the slot. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

McDuffie has limited experience in man coverage and probably lacks the size to play at a high level in a man-coverage scheme on the outside. He may be viewed as a slot-only cornerback by certain teams. He’s also shown limited ability to make plays on the ball 一 which is unlikely to improve significantly given his size concerns. 

Key Stat to Know about Trent McDuffie

Played only 17.8% of snaps in man coverage in 2021, allowing five receptions on 10 targets. 

Good team fits: Buccaneers, Commanders, Bears, Jets

8. Marcus Jones, CB/KR/PR, Houston

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Although he played on the outside in college, the diminutive Jones will likely be shifted inside to a role in slot coverage in the pros. He’s exceptionally quick, and could be an ideal corner to line up over speedy slot receivers who try to win with quick separation. Jones’s most immediate impact, however, will be as a return specialist 一 he’s among the best to enter the draft in recent years. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

At his size (5’8”, 185 pounds) it won’t be hard for some offenses to create mismatches in coverage. His measurements won’t meet the minimum requirements some teams look for, so he’ll be viewed as a return specialist only by those franchises. 

Key Stat to Know about Marcus Jones

Generated a 31% ball hawk rate when targeted at least 10 yards downfield, including five interceptions. 

Good team fits: Bills, Vikings, Buccaneers, Patriots

9. Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Taylor-Britt is a scheme-versatile outside cornerback, but also played safety early in his career and it shows in his game. He’s physical in coverage and won’t shy away from matchups with bigger receivers on the outside. He’ll also be an asset in run support.

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

Physical cornerbacks sometimes have a tough transition as they adjust to NFL rules, and that definitely applies to Taylor-Britt. Multiple knee surgeries, including one to repair a torn ACL, are also a red flag. 

Key Stat to Know about Cam Taylor-Britt

Based on route-adjusted metrics, Taylor-Britt allowed a catch rate 11.4% below expected over the last two seasons. 

Good team fits: Patriots, Raiders, Broncos, Vikings, Ravens

10. Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor

Where he’ll make an impact in the NFL

Barnes is an outside cornerback with elite athletic traits. He excelled in Baylor’s zone-heavy scheme but also has the tools for man coverage. He makes his biggest impact as a ball hawk, who trusts his closing burst and has been known to bait cornerbacks to throw in his direction. 

What are his weaknesses? What concerns do teams have?

He’s a gambler who goes for the big play and will likely get burned at a higher rate in the NFL until he adjusts. His limited experience in man coverage makes it more difficult to project his impact in that role, despite exciting physical traits. 

Key Stat to Know about Kalon Barnes

Based on route-adjusted metrics, Barnes’s ball hawk rate was 54% higher than expected over the last two seasons. 

Good team fits: Bengals, Commanders, Colts, Vikings, Rams

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