2026 NFL Draft rankings: Caleb Downs tops list of best DB prospects
· Yahoo Sports
The best NFL defenses often have one quality in common with the world's best cellular service carriers – great coverage.
And just like a phone plan, you can add on all the bells and whistles you want. Pass-rushers, linebackers, run stuffers and more mean nothing if the back end of the defense is nonexistent. Luckily for teams looking to upgrade their coverage, there will be no shortage of options in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Littered with quality talent at cornerback and safety, they are two of the strongest positions in the class headlined by Ohio State's Caleb Downs.
It's a group that will bring youth and an infusion of new talent into the league and that will be music to the ears of teams with needs in the secondary
Considered one of the top position groups in this year's draft, here's a look at the top DB prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, with scouting reports and rankings provided by USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly.
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking top DB prospects
1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Scouting report: Downs won't go No. 1 overall because of the position he plays. The Buckeyes' star defensive back is one of the best safeties in recent memory. He offers impressive athleticism, coverage skills, run defense and general football IQ to be a true defensive weapon in multiple ways. He raises the floor of a secondary while moving up the ceiling for a creative playcaller.
2. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Scouting report: Don't let his lean frame (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) fool you. Delane is a technician at the cornerback spot with impressive savvy for a player his age. Quarterbacks actively avoided him in the SEC; he was targeted just 35 times in 11 games and allowed just 13 receptions for 147 yards all season. There are concerns about his frame in run defense but the coverage acumen is off the charts.
3. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Scouting report: Teach-tape level tackler with impressive speed and football IQ. May need to bulk up at the NFL level but improved in both coverage and run defense in 2025. Alignment versatile prospect who can line up in the box, nickel or deep safety without cause for concern. Ideal vision and coverage acumen. Athleticism translated to field drills at the NFL combine.
4. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Scouting report: McCoy didn't play in 2025 due to an ACL tear in January and that could impact where he lands if medicals do not check out. If he's cleared, he'll be potentially the first cornerback off the board. His fantastic athleticism is paired with ideal outside cornerback size (6-foot, 195 pounds) and scheme versatility. His ball skills should translate to the NFL as well.
5. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Scouting report: Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, is another Clemson defender who could hear his name called in the first round. He's slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds but makes up for it with a tenacious, disruptive mentality. He didn't record an interception in 2025 but that's not his limit as a turnover creator: he recorded a career-best five forced fumbles.
6. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Scouting report: Don't overlook his small school career. Johnson is scheme-versatile with ideal size for outside cornerback, great vision, and NFL-caliber athleticism. Fluid hips to keep in position at all times. Willing tackler in the running game. Great ball production in 2025; allowed just a 16.1 passer rating when targeted.
7. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Scouting report: Took on a bigger role with teammate McCoy sidelined with injury in 2025. Solid size at outside corner. Understands positioning and leverage in man coverage. Explosive enough to make plays on the ball when taking chances. Performs best in Cover 2 for zone schemes. Improved his tackling immensely in 2025.
8. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Scouting report: Elite athleticism and traits to be a versatile safety at the NFL level. Sure tackler who dishes out hits in run defense, but could use a better understanding of fits. Not proven as a solo single-high defender. Very good ball production (11 PBUs, 5 INTs in three seasons).
9. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Scouting report: As expected at South Carolina, Cisse is an outstanding athlete at 6-foot and 190 pounds. That elite athleticism will give him a high floor to overcome lapses in coverage. He broke out in his lone season with the Gamecocks with just 18 receptions on 38 targets in 2025. He did allow 20.1 yards per reception in coverage, though.
10. D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Scouting report: Small frame may keep him off the board completely for some teams but he plays much bigger than that. Competitive attitude and a tough mentality keep him in contention. Ideal closing speed and great athleticism for the position. Allowed just one touchdown in coverage compared to 5 INTs and 13 PBUs over his last two seasons (more than 900 coverage snaps).
11. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
Scouting report: Outstanding play recognition for the position with ideal mirroring abilities to maintain proper position in zone coverage. Versatile enough to play in multiple spots with the athleticism to recover. Needs to improve tackling consistency. Lacks elite lateral burst, limiting his man coverage ceiling.
12. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Scouting report: Near-linebacker size with good athleticism to hold up in coverage. Tallied 8 INTs and 10 PBUs in his last two years (2024 with Houston, 2025 with LSU). Excellent instincts in zone coverage. Can line up in multiple spots thanks to his size. Is an older prospect and lacks lateral quickness which can come up in man coverage assignments.
13. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Scouting report: Elite athlete for his size who brings a thumping presence in run defense. Took a step in coverage in 2025 with zero TDs allowed and a sub-50% catch rate allowed when targeted. Great ball production (4 INTs, 19 PBUs in four years). Best in man coverage and press to utilize his physicality. Needs to improve his discipline with penalties and off-coverage understanding to work in zone.
14. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Scouting report: Latest Penn State safety to be a top option in his draft. Notable presence in run defense with a thumping attitude. Improved notably in coverage in 2025 with just a 69.2 passer rating when targeted. Great ball production in 2024 on more targets. Best as a single-high safety to use his instincts and trigger correctly.
15. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Scouting report: One of the best contested catch cornerbacks in the class. Alignment versatile with a track background to help him outside or at the nickel. Good footwork with a physical playing style. Can get a bit grabby and that may hurt him more in the NFL.
16. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Scouting report: Ideal length and coverage sense for modern NFL safety. Will be a good fit in Cover 1 or Cover 3 schemes that can utilize his length as a centerfielder-type of coverage safety. Great ball production for a safety (5 INTs, 10 PBUs as a two-year starter). Struggles to bring consistency in run defense which lowers his ceiling. Not a reliable tackler.
17. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Scouting report: Undersized corner who outplays his stature with a thumping presence in run defense and aggression in coverage to trigger on throws. Experienced playing outside but may be best in the slot. Took a slight step back in coverage efficiency in 2025 but had a stellar 2024. Teams may feel confident that's more of what he is.
18. Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
Scouting report: Spent six years with the Wildcats and will be a 25-year-old rookie. Spent two years at cornerback before switching to a hybrid role as slot corner/box safety. Allowed zero TDs on 39 targets in coverage with 4 INTs and 6 PBUs in 2025. Versatile run defender who tallied two sacks in 2025 as well. Age and injury history will be his knocks (ACL in 2024).
19. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Transferred to Miami from Auburn and took a leap forward as a defender in 2025. Primarily operated in the slot with a physical playing style. Can be used as a blitzer (five sacks in 2025). May struggle against stronger wide receivers due to slight frame. Age (24) will be a knock as well.
20. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Scouting report: Ideal anticipation and feel for what opposing receivers are trying to do against him. Technique keeps him in position both in man and zone coverage assignments. Footwork and athleticism keep him in position throughout routes, much to the annoyance of opposing receivers. Lean frame brings some run defense concerns.
21. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Scouting report: Impressive athlete who is at home either at nickel or safety. Length and physicality show up in run defense. Solid coverage abilities with good ball production (8 INTs, 18 PBUs in three years). Coverage is more instinct than technique at this point. Can waste steps in transitioning to close on receivers which will show up more in the NFL.
22. Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Scouting report: Smaller frame may limit him to a coverage specialist in the NFL. He excels at it with impressive ball production (7 INTs, 10 PBUs in college). Football IQ to diagnose plays pre- and post-snap and flies to the football. Physical at the catch point despite lean frame. Anticipates throws well.
23. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Scouting report: Longest wingspan of any cornerback at the NFL combine and that shines in press coverage. Disrupts opposing wide receivers with his long arms and speed. Wingspan also helps with tackling in run defense, where he's better than many lean cornerbacks. Transitions can leave him vulnerable to good route-runners. Can get a bit grabby in coverage.
24. Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Scouting report: Outstanding length which shows up in press coverage. Fights hard in contested catch scenarios. Good tackler in run defense despite a leaner frame. Tracks the ball well. Hips aren't as fluid as you'd like. Injuries affected his 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. Can leave too much space in zone coverage.
25. Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Ideal frame for outside corner with the strength to excel in press coverage systems. Great ball production (16 PBUs in the last two years alone). Hard hitter in run defense. His awareness in zone is lacking. Can get grabby in coverage which may show up more in the NFL.
26. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Scouting report: Ideal size for the outside cornerback position with the burst to handle myriad assignments. Physical at the catch point. Consistent tackler. Good processor who transferred from Fresno State to Arkansas and held up despite an increase in competition. Lacks elite speed, can be overly aggressive in coverage, and needs to improve footwork consistency.
27. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Thomas plays an aggressive brand of football with the physicality and athleticism to be deployed as a robber or blitzer as well as manning up a tight end in coverage. Five INTs, six PBUs alone in 2025. Can be too aggressive at times and relies too much on reading the quarterback's eyes.
28. TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
Scouting report: Strong cornerback who is best in press coverage, mirroring opposing wide receivers. Stays tight on his assignment throughout the play. Solid ball production (12 PBUs, 2 INTs in 2024-2025 combined). Plays faster than his timed speed. Doesn't always locate the ball, leaving him vulnerable to penalties. Lacks the long speed to hang with vertical routes.
29. Bud Clark, S, TCU
Scouting report: Older prospect who played six years for the Horned Frogs. Experience in multiple coverages and positions; went from box focus to a slot-heavy role in 2025. Good ball production (20 PBUs, 15 INTs from 2022-25) thanks to awareness, instincts and extra gear to close on passes. Play recognition is good but he can play a little overaggressively. Age means he's more of a finished product with a higher floor but low ceiling.
30. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
Scouting report: Long, athletic cornerback with the speed and size to hang in man coverage in the NFL. Mirrors well with feet and is capable of jumping routes. Came up with interceptions in big-time games. Grabby as a defender and speed doesn't translate well to recovery in coverage. Open-field tackling is average at best.
31. VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
Scouting report: Do-it-all safety who played snaps in the box, slot, and free safety in 2025. Athletic enough to hang with mismatch weapons on offense (e.g. Baylor TE Michael Trigg) with the play recognition to anticipate in coverage. Good size to handle man coverage assignments. Okay as a run defender despite his size. Arm tackles too often.
32. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
Scouting report: Transferred to Cal from FIU and his ball production took off (9 PBUs, 5 INTs on 61 targets). Mirrors well with his long levers and has adequate speed to defend downfield. Has a playmaking mentality to attack the ball. Size will call his run defense into question. Can get grabby instead of using technique to stick with assignments. Long legs can hinder transitions.
33. Louis Moore, S, Indiana
Scouting report: Takes away deep routes and makes plays on the ball with great experience but his short arms and limited athleticism will hurt him in NFL coverage.
34. Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
Scouting report: A lock for nickel at the NFL with physicality, versatility and play recognition but an undersized, short-armed frame could limit him.
35. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
Scouting report: Alignment-versatile, ballhawking (12 PBUs, 10 INTs) safety with great closing burst but can struggle to keep speed in transition and needs improvement as a tackler.
36. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Scouting report: Long, tall corner with long speed and awareness who uses length in press but doesn't transition well in breaks for coverage, plays very upright and lacked ball production in college.
37. Jalen Stroman, S, Notre Dame
Scouting report: A strong run defender who works best in the box, firing on intermediate routes and runs but lacks ball production and coverage acumen outside of Cover 2 or quarters.
38. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Scouting report: Adequate size and athleticism to be scheme versatile with smooth footwork but can play upright, especially in off coverage, and allows big plays over the top too often.
39. Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Scouting report: Ideal athleticism for his size and plays well in run defense with adequate range in coverage but doesn't have ideal play strength or instincts.
40. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Scouting report: Good athlete with smooth transitions at prototypical size but can be grabby in coverage.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft position rankings: Best available DB prospects