Combine DBs: No-Fly Zone Enforcers
Jeremy Bissett Breaks Down Secondary Prospects at NFL Combine
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Next in our NFL Combine series, we shift our focus to the secondary, the final piece of the defensive puzzle. Scouts are searching for elite speed, sharp instincts, and effortless fluidity — the trademarks of lockdown corners and impact safeties.
Leading the pack is No. 1 overall prospect and reigning Heisman winner Travis Hunter, a rare two-way talent, alongside Michigan’s Will Johnson, a true shutdown corner with first-round credentials. Both have cemented themselves as Day 1 selections.
However, this year's cornerback class features several prospects whose draft stock could rise or fall dramatically based on their testing and interviews at the Combine. Among them is Ohio State’s Denzel Burke, whose stock has steadily declined since the start of the season. Can he rebound, or will his slide continue?
At safety, a fierce competition is brewing between Georgia’s Malaki Starks and South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori, but who will hear their name called first? Speed, versatility and scheme fit will be key factors in determining their draft positions.
And what about Shilo Sanders? Son of Primetime didn’t receive a Combine invite, making his pro day his crucial opportunity to impress scouts.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the 40-yard dash. Who will post the fastest time and boost their stock? The Combine is set to shake up draft boards, so let’s break it all down!
Cornerbacks:
CB- Plays mostly outside coverage
CBN-Nickle corner, primary plays from the inside/slot
Travis Hunter, Colorado, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6010, 185, Jr, 4.34
Overall Rank Range: Top 5
Stats:
Offense (2024): 13 GP, 96 REC, 1,258 Yards, 13.1 Y/R, 15 TDs, 96.8 Y/G
Defense (2024): 36 Total Tackles, 4 INTs, 11 PD
What scouts are saying:
Elite athlete, dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball
Quick feet, fluid hips, excels in man coverage
Ball hawk, natural instincts, tracks the ball well
Needs to refine technique, relies on athleticism too much
Will Johnson, Michigan, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6021, 202, Jr, 4.42
Overall Rank Range: Day One
Stats: 32 GP, 57 Solo, 11 Ast, 68 Total, 9 INTs, 237 Return Yards, 3 TDs, 10 PD
What scouts are saying:
Big, physical corner, ideal frame for press coverage
Smooth transitions, good recovery speed
Strong tackler, willing in run support
Needs to clean up footwork at the top of routes
Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6002, 190, Sr, 4.38
Overall Rank Range: 16-35
Stats: 24 GP, 37 Solo, 33 Ast, 70 Total, 3 INT, 15 PD
What scouts are saying:
Long and athletic corner, great good ball skills
Plays aggressively, technique in press coverage needs work
Could thrive in a zone-heavy scheme
Upside as a developmental starter
Jahdae Barron, Texas, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5110, 192, Sr, 4.47
Overall Rank Range: 12-51
Stats: 57 GP, 136 Solo, 90 Ast, 226 Total, 8 INT, 24 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Versatile DB, can play slot or outside
Strong instincts and closing speed
Needs to improve in run support
Day 2 pick with starting potential
Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6000, 187, Jr, 4.50
Overall Rank Range: 32-81
Stats: 32 GP, 71 Solo, 18 Ast, 89 Total, 6 INT, 3 TDs, 10 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Explosive playmaker, ballhawk
Physical in coverage, needs to refine footwork
Confident in own abilities
Valuable nickel or boundary corner
Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6000, 186, Jr, 4.42
Overall Rank Range: 21-49
Stats: 31 GP, 61 Solo, 23 Ast, 84 Total, 9 INT, 18 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Instinctual corner, radar for the ball
Reacts well in off man coverage
Vulnerable against bigger receivers
Elite pure coverage skills
Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6010, 192, So, 4.48
Overall Rank Range: 26-88
Stats: 37 GP, 64 Solo, 31 Ast, 95 Total, 15 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Long frame, impressive fluidity
Jumps routes effectively
Needs to add some overall strength
Strong Combine = early Day Two name
Trey Amos, Ole Miss, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6002, 190, rSr, 4.47
Overall Rank Range: 26-93
Stats: 61 GP, 91 Solo, 30 Ast, 121 Total, 4 INT, 31 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Smooth transitions in coverage
Good press-man skills
Needs to be more aggressive at catch point
Prototypical outside corner prospect
Darien Porter, Iowa State, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6030, 205, Sr, 4.48
Overall Rank Range: 48-99
Stats: 63 GP, 33 Solo, 18 Ast, 51 Total, 3 INT
What Scouts Are Saying:
Tall, rangy corner, great recovery speed
Physical traits, with room to develop
Technique tweaks will increase overall production
Potential late-round pick-UDFA with upside
Zy Alexander, LSU, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6012, 194, Sr, 4.45
Overall Rank Range: 56-131
Stats: 19 GP, 51 Solo, 26 Ast, 77 Total, 4 INT
What Scouts Are Saying:
Fluid athlete with good anticipation skills
Shows flashes of elite ball skills
Could thrive in a press-zone scheme
Developmental prospect with starter potential
Denzel Burke, Ohio State, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6002, 193, Sr, 4.49
Overall Rank Range: 61-115
Stats: 51 GP, 107 Solo, 36 Ast, 143 Total, 4 INT, 28 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Great footwork and technique.
Quick to react but can get grabby at times
Well-coached and should transition smoothly
Day 2 prospect
Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6000, 185, Sr, 4.38
Overall Rank Range: 90-175
Stats: 53 GP, 83 Solo, 29 Ast, 112 Total, 7 INT, 28 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Speedy cover man with good instincts
Needs to add strength to be more effective in run support
Can play inside or outside, adding to his versatility
Could be a steal in the mid-to-late rounds
Cobee Bryant, Kansas, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6000, 190, Sr, 4.49
Overall Rank Range: 96-130
Stats: 47 GP, 107 Solo, 21 Ast, 128 Total, 11 TFL, 13 INT, 3 Defensive TDs
What Scouts Are Saying:
Physical corner, strong ball skills, playmaker ability
Excels in press coverage
Can be overly aggressive, leading to penalties
Viewed as a potential CB2 with long-term starter upside
Nohl Williams, California, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6001, 192, Sr, 4.57
Overall Rank Range: 91-188
Stats: 52 GP, 134 Solo, 69 Ast, 203 Total, 14 INT, 25 PD, 4 FR
What Scouts Are Saying:
Ballhawk with excellent instincts and reaction time
Needs to improve tackling consistency
Has a knack for creating turnovers and disrupting passing lanes
Scouts believe he could be a solid nickel or outside corner
Jermari Harris, Iowa, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6010, 195, Sr, 4.56
Overall Rank Range: 96-226
Stats: 42 GP, 74 Solo, 31 Ast, 105 Total, 8 INT, 19 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Smart, disciplined defender who rarely gets caught out of position
Great technique, compensates lack of speed
Stronger in zone schemes than man
Could develop into a dependable rotational DB
Brandon Adams, UCF, CB
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6000, 188, Sr, 4.55
Overall Rank Range: 131-296
Stats: 48 GP, 69 Solo, 19 Ast, 88 Total, 2 INT, 11 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Fluid mover with quick hips and strong mirroring ability
Struggles against bigger receivers in contested situations
Has the potential to develop into a reliable slot corner
Day 3 prospect with room to rise with a strong Combine
Jaylin Smith, USC, CBN
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6002, 195, Sr, 4.51
Overall Rank Range: 158-257
Stats: 43 GP, 134 Solo, 48 Ast, 182 Total, 13 TFL, 3 INT
What Scouts Are Saying:
Tough, physical defender with strong tackling ability
Can contribute as a box safety or big nickel
Needs to show more fluidity in coverage against quicker WRs
Special teams ability could help him stick early in his career
Quincy Riley, Louisville, CBN
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6001, 192, Sr, 4.50
Overall Rank Range: 64-184
Stats: 37 GP, 74 Solo, 35 Ast, 109 Total, 8 INT, 27 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Quick-footed corner with solid recovery speed
Needs to refine hand usage in press coverage
Playmaker with a nose for the football
Likely a mid-round prospect with CB2 potential
Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon, CBN
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5102, 180, Sr, 4.52
Overall Rank Range: 159-269
Stats: 60 GP, 114 Solo, 45 Ast, 159 Total, 4 INT, 40 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Undersized but plays with a chip on his shoulder
Excellent at breaking up passes and contesting throws
Can get bullied by bigger WRs but makes up for it with technique
Nickel corner with high upside as a cover man
Upton Stout, Western Kentucky, CBN
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5100, 180, Sr, 4.52
Overall Rank Range: 94-199
Stats: 45 GP, 105 Solo, 61 Ast, 166 Total, 12 TFL, 6 INT, 3 Defensive TDs
What Scouts Are Saying:
Underrated playmaker with a knack for jumping routes
Can be over-aggressive, leading to missed tackles
Projects best as a slot corner or hybrid DB
Teams love his energy and special teams value
Safeties
Malaki Starks, Georgia, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6006, 205, Jr, 4.47
Overall Rank Range: Day One
Stats: 43 GP, 127 Solo, 70 Ast, 197 Total, 6 INT, 17 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Versatile safety, high football IQ, reacts quickly
Good range, covers ground in deep zones
Physical at the catch point, disrupts routes
Can improve tackling consistency, angles in pursuit
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6025, 227, Jr, 4.38
Overall Rank Range: 12-28
Stats: 37 GP, 166 Solo, 78 Ast, 244 Total, 6 INT, 2 TDs, 11 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Big-bodied safety, aggressive downhill tackler
Elite closing speed, flashes in run support
Heavy hitter, sets the tone physically
Needs to refine coverage skills, awareness in zone
Kevin Winston, Penn State, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6016, 208, Jr, 4.50
Overall Rank Range: 54-104
Stats: 28 GP, 53 Solo, 37 Ast, 90 Total
What Scouts Are Saying:
Versatile safety with good range and instincts
Shows solid tackling ability but needs to improve play recognition
Has the athleticism to develop into a starting-caliber DB
Sebastian Castro, Iowa, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5113, 205, rSr, 4.48
Overall Rank Range: 71-99
Stats: 53 GP, 113 Solo, 50 Ast, 163 Total, 14 TFL, 4 INT, 14 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Physical, hard-hitting safety who thrives in run support
Has a nose for the football but needs to refine coverage technique
Best suited for a strong safety or hybrid linebacker role
Andrew Mukuba, Texas, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5115, 190, Sr, 4.52
Overall Rank Range: 68-101
Stats: 50 GP, 131 Solo, 81 Ast, 212 Total, 6 INT, 23 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Fluid athlete with the ability to play multiple roles in the secondary
Needs to add strength to handle bigger receivers in coverage
Solid ball skills and instincts make him a valuable chess piece
Billy Bowman, Oklahoma, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5095, 194, Sr, 4.42
Overall Rank Range: 64-130
Stats: 47 GP, 122 Solo, 77 Ast, 199 Total, 10 TFL, 11 INT, 14 PD
(Side note: 6 INTs for 238 yards and 3 TDs as a Jr. )
What Scouts Are Saying:
Dynamic playmaker with elite ball skills
Undersized but makes up for it with speed and instincts
Can contribute immediately as a nickel safety or deep-field defender
Malachi Moore, Alabama, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5105, 201, rSr, 4.53
Overall Rank Range: 95-227
Stats: 64 GP, 127 Solo, 87 Ast, 214 Total, 16 TFL, 7 INT, 25 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Experienced, intelligent defender, strong leadership qualities
Has solid ball skills but lacks elite athletic traits
Projects as a rotational safety with potential starting upside
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6001, 210, rSr, 4.57
Overall Rank Range: 82-118
Stats: 56 GP, 142 Solo, 85 Ast, 227 Total, 18 TFL, 3 INT, 13 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Tough, physical safety who thrives in the box
Can struggle in deep coverage but is strong in run support
Ideal for a strong safety or hybrid linebacker role
Jonas Sanker, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6000, 185, (Class TBD), 4.53
Overall Rank Range: 100-196
Stats: 43 GP, 176 Solo, 97 Ast, 273 Total, 14 TFL, 17 PD, 4 FF, 5 FR
What Scouts Are Saying:
Rangy safety with good playmaking instincts
Needs to refine tackling technique to handle NFL competition
Versatile prospect who can play in multiple coverage schemes
Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5115, 203, rSr, 4.55
Current Position Ranking: 40-60
Stats: 55 GP, 117 Solo, 71 Ast, 188 Total, 18 PD, 13 INT & 273 return yards ( INTs and Return yards all in the last two seasons)
What Scouts Are Saying:
Ballhawk with elite coverage instincts
Lacks ideal size but compensates with high football IQ
Could be an immediate-impact free safety in the right system
Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6021, 218, Sr, 4.54
Overall Rank Range: 175-250
Stats: 43 GP, 150 Solo, 79 Ast, 229 Total, 12 TFL, 3 INT, 13 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
Hard-hitting safety who thrives in run defense
Struggles at times in man coverage
Could carve out a role as a hybrid linebacker or box safety
Craig Woodson, California, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 5116, 210, rSr, 4.60
Overall Rank Range: 200-225
Stats: 44 GP, 168 Solo, 64 Ast, 232 Total, 5 INT
What Scouts Are Saying:
Versatile DB with experience at multiple positions
Lacks elite speed but has strong fundamentals
Likely a late-round pick who could contribute on special teams
Maxen Hook, Toledo, S
Height/Weight/Class/40-time: 6002, 203, rSr, 4.49
Current Position Ranking: 125-250
Stats: 52 GP, 179 Solo, 177 Ast, 356 Total, 7 INT, 15 PD
What Scouts Are Saying:
High-motor safety with impressive tackling ability
Needs to improve his range in deep coverage
Late-round sleeper with special teams potential