One of the most pressing requirements for the Las Vegas Raiders coming into the NFL Draft later this month is a cornerback. With the 13th overall pick, the Raiders have the option to add someone to the defensive backfield, particularly if they are unable to select the quarterback of their choice. Additionally, Las Vegas may decide to address the position group later on the first night of the draft and trade back in the first round.
Here is a ranking of the top five corners in this year’s class; for further information, click the links to each player’s video breakdown.
It’s not that close between first and second place, in my opinion, with Terrion Arnold emerging as the undisputed best cornerback. He is a tough run defender who finds methods to make an effect on the game on a consistent basis. He can cover wide, in the slot, man, or zone coverage. At slightly under 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, Arnold isn’t the biggest, but it would have been wonderful to see him run the combine’s 40-yard dash faster (4.5 seconds). However, despite the quality of his film, he only received a 9.25 RAS, making him deserving of a spot in the top 15.
At the combine, Nate Wiggins demonstrated his flying ability with a sub-4.3 40. In order to be effective in zone coverage, he also possesses a high football IQ on video and is a respectable height for the position at over 6-foot-1. At 173 pounds, Wiggins is a rail against bigger receivers, which makes him problematic at the top of routes. He also frequently ruins plays as a run defender. However, if he steps up his physicality and spends more time in the weight room, the Clemson product ought to be a solid asset.
A part of me believes that prospect fatigue is the reason Kool-Aid McKinstry isn’t receiving as much attention in draft conversations. He was regarded as the best cornerback in the draft class going into the season, but he is currently ranked 25th overall and the fifth pick overall on the consensus big board of the NFL Mock Draft Database. Although I rank him lower than I did throughout the summer, I don’t think there’s much of a distinction between Wiggins and McKinstry. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see the Alabama product selected higher than the public currently anticipates, should the medical reports on the foot issue hold up.
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