2025 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Breaking down a talented CB class

theScore's NFL draft prospect rankings series gives you everything you need to know about the top players on the board. Check back as we break down new position groups leading up to April's draft.

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

EDGE | DL | LB | CB

Hunter was also the top player on our receiver rankings. That should tell you everything you need to know about the two-way superstar's generational talent. The main factor in his evaluation as a defensive back is the same as it is for his profile as a wideout - there simply aren't many athletes who move like this. Hunter is extremely fluid in coverage, showing the ability to flip his hips and match receivers in man-to-man assignments. He also plays with good anticipation and transition quickness in zone coverage. And when he has a chance to make a play on the ball, odds are he's going to do it. He might have the best hands of any NFL defensive back from the outset of his pro career. Hunter does have a bit of a slender frame, so it's fair to question his ability to handle the more physical receivers and contribute at a consistent level in run support. But even if he never improves in that area, the pure cover talent gives him a Pro Bowl ceiling as a defensive back. Hunter has true superstar potential on both sides of the ball, making him unlike any player this league has seen.

Johnson has the traits of a potential game-changer at the next level. He's an outstanding cover man with the size to match big-bodied targets on the outside as well as the fluidity to stick with quicker receivers. The playmaking traits are the big selling point here, as Johnson recorded nine interceptions across three seasons at Michigan, three of which were taken back for touchdowns. His knack for turnovers is a product of playing with great anticipation, the aggressiveness to jump routes, and the ball skills to finish at the catch point. Johnson can occasionally get caught out of position when he's chasing those opportunities, so picking his spots will be key at the next level. He could also stand to improve his tackling consistency in the run game. But the coverage upside gives him true shutdown cornerback potential. Johnson showing teams at his pre-draft workout that he's fully recovered from a season-ending foot injury would put him in position to prove as much from Day 1.

Barron capped his five-year college career with an outstanding season to win the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation. He demonstrates impressive instincts as a zone defender, anticipating routes and putting himself in position to disrupt the catch point. His short-area quickness allows him to break on the ball in a flash. And while there were some questions about his long speed, potentially impacting his fit on the outside, Barron silenced doubters by running a sub-4.4 40-time at the combine. Slot duties may still represent his best fit at the next level, allowing him to leverage his contributions in run support and as a blitzer off the edge. Such a role could also help him avoid some issues created by his lack of length. But the smarts and natural coverage skills will play across the board, including on the boundary or even at safety. Barron should be seen as one of the best defensive players in this class.

Amos should be getting more attention as part of this cornerback group. The statistical production doesn't necessarily stand out, as he finished his five-year college career with just four interceptions, three of which came in his final season at Ole Miss. But his tape shows everything you need to be an impact player at the next level. Amos has good size for an outside corner and is incredibly smooth in coverage. He's got fluid movement skills to mirror receivers throughout the play in man-to-man assignments. As a zone defender, he plays with outstanding instincts, good transition quickness, and the ability to pass off assignments and find the ball. The long speed didn't seem spectacular in game situations, but then he went out and ran a 4.43 at the combine. And while he could stand to be a more sound tackler in the run game, he's capable of holding his own in that respect. Amos is an extremely underrated defensive back prospect who should contribute as an immediate starter.

Hairston is a spectacular athlete. Those rare physical gifts were on full display at the combine, where he led all cornerbacks with a 4.28 40 time. It was also easy to see on the field at Kentucky. The easy long speed makes him nearly impossible to beat deep down the field, but he's not just a straight-line blazer. Hairston is also smooth when it comes to flipping his hips or exploding out of transitions. Add in his natural instincts and feel for routes, and he should be considered one of the premier coverage defenders in this draft. He's also an impressive tackler for his size. The frame and play strength are only average, so it's possible he runs into some issues against big-bodied targets in contested situations. But he's plenty competitive at the catch point. Either way, separation is going to be difficult to manage against him in coverage. Hairston is a first-round talent with a high ceiling at the next level.

Morrison seems to be flying under the radar in this cornerback group. On one hand, it makes sense. A hip injury that ended his final season at Notre Dame is going to be a big part of his draft evaluation. And with the recovery keeping him out of combine and team pro day workouts, scouting departments won't have any sort of athletic testing numbers. That's a tough sell for a cornerback. Assuming the injury gets cleared, though, there shouldn't be much concern about his athleticism translating to the next level. Morrison is a fluid mover who has shown the ability to stay in the hip pocket of receivers out of press-man coverage. He sees the game well and makes good breaks on routes from off alignments, giving him some scheme versatility when looking ahead to the NFL. He's also been productive in the turnover department, recording nine interceptions in his college career. Morrison is one of the most talented cover men in this class. If he can avoid any lingering effects from the injury, the fading hype may only result in his next team getting a major steal.

Revel has the tools you're looking for in a top cornerback prospect. The East Carolina product has great size with long arms and plenty of speed. He plays with good instincts and recognition in off-man and zone assignments, and he's got the physicality to excel in press-man coverage. The aggressiveness is also evident in the run game, where he's a plus contributor on the edge. Revel may have some trouble matching the short-area quickness of smaller, shiftier receivers, and he could stand to improve when it comes to turning and finding the ball in downfield coverage. The jump in competition from the AAC is also worth considering, as is his ongoing recovery from a torn ACL suffered in September. You can't teach these kinds of traits, though. Given some time to develop, Revel could become a No. 1 corner.

Thomas is a long, physical press-man corner. He's at his best lined up on the line of scrimmage, where he can disrupt the receiver's release at the snap. He's also a patient cover man who rarely gets caught leaning, and he's more fluid than you might expect when it comes to flipping his hips and mirroring receivers at the top of the route. The ball production wasn't anything special at Florida State, as he managed just two interceptions in three years. But allowing just 17 catches for 141 yards across the entire 2024 season, according to PFF, certainly qualifies for shutdown status. Speed is the big question mark here, as Thomas disappointed with an unofficial 4.58 40 time at his pro day. The physicality will keep opponents from getting into their routes on time, but Thomas could have trouble against true field-stretchers on the outside. He should be a productive starter in a system that limits his time on an island without safety help over the top.

Porter is an exciting bet on athletic traits. The experience is lacking, as he didn't make the move from receiver to cornerback until 2022. Even then, it took him until 2024, his sixth year at Iowa State, to get on the field with some level of regularity. Yet he finished the season having allowed just five catches while recording three interceptions in 203 coverage snaps, according to PFF. Porter will turn 25 at the end of his rookie season, so it's fair to wonder how much room there still is for development. But these are special physical traits. He's a tall cornerback with the long arms to match. He's got elite long speed to turn and run with anyone and impressive transition quickness to break on routes. And as a former wideout, it should be no surprise that he's comfortable attacking the ball in the air. Porter will need to develop his route recognition to make good on his potential in coverage, and he could stand to improve his tackling in run support. It's no guarantee he gets there, but the upside is fascinating. Porter could end up as a steal with the right coaching at the next level.

Parrish is an outstanding athlete. The Kansas State product provides sticky coverage throughout the route with fluidity and short-area burst. A strong combine workout also confirmed that he's got high-end speed for the position. Parrish doesn't have great size or length, and it's possible that limits him to a slot role at the next level. But he's an ultra-competitive defensive back who doesn't play to his height. He's physical both on the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. Parrish will have to prove that he can tackle consistently against big bodies at the next level, particularly if he's headed for slot duties. But the coverage upside that comes with his instincts and unique movement skills should give him a chance at either spot. Parrish is a sleeper cornerback prospect who could contribute from Day 1.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.