1. Quinyon MItchell, Toledo

22
6’0″, 195lbs

The 4 year man out of Toledo had a tremendous 2 years to close out his college career. As a sophomore he recorded 5 interceptions and 19 passes defended. He ranks 3rd amongst all defensive backs since 2005 in passes defended over the course of their career in the NCAA with 45.

Strengths
– Large frame who is built with a strong upper body.
– Has agile feet to adapt to the change in routes.
– Great burst to close out plays and make a play on the ball.
– Aggressive when receivers look to come down with the reception, clawing through their chest.
– Well rounded tackler who wraps up well.
– Possesses fast long speed to keep up with anyone.
– Can play a variety of different coverages.

Weaknesses
– Can get out-positioned by bigger receivers downfield.
– Doesn’t anticipate routes at an elite level.
– Has to work out the feel for routes.
– Can lock onto the quarterback, or onto the receiver for too long.

Mitchell has a chance to be the first defensive back off the board this year at the NFL Draft. Projected to go in between picks 10 and 20, Mitchell will go to a DB needy team looking to add a solid corner to their roster.

2. Terrion Arnold, alabama

21
6’0″, 189lbs

Terrion Arnold produced solid numbers in only playing 2 full seasons at the college level in Mobile. In his final year as a member of the Crimson Tide, Arnold came down with 5 interceptions which led the SEC and put him 6th in the whole NCAA.

Strengths
– Surprisingly aggressive and efficient in the run game.
– Challenges receivers for positioning, and for the ball at the point of reception.
– Very agile feet helps him stay in front of receivers.
– Tight press man coverage through the whole rep.
– Good ball skills and forces contact by the receiver once the ball is in arms reach.
– Has a natural feel for the route and angle to best take when closing on the ball.

Weaknesses
– Can lose reps from dangerous releases by receivers.
– Lacks overall play recognition and awareness to know what is developing around him.
– Can improve as a tackler.
– Jump-ball positioning and challenging is inconsistent and overly grabby.

Arnold should be either the first or second defensive back taken off the board in this years NFL Draft. Look for the Raiders (13), or the Eagles (22) to select Arnold.

3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson

20
6’1″, 173lbs

Wiggins is a slender defensive back who is as reliable as they come when tasked to cover. He played all 3 years of college at Clemson, and totaled 21 pass breakups in his career. In both 2022 and 2023, he returned an interception for a touchdown which highlights his ability to make plays.

Strengths
– Great feel for the route being ran by the receiver.
– Fluid hip motions makes it easy for him to keep up laterally.
– Super quick recovery speed if he gets beat early.
– Can fill out his frame at only 173.
– Reads quarterbacks well and has instincts to make a play on the ball when receivers give up clues.

Weaknesses
– Really slender frame that limits his ability in the run game.
– Gives too much space when playing off man coverage.
– Lacked awareness in the run game, effort wasn’t great either.
– Lacks the “dog” you look for in a star defensive back.

Wiggins should be one of the top 3 defensive backs taken this year in the first round. He could fall slightly due to the talent at other pressing positions of need, but he is still projected to go somewhere in the back half of the draft.

4. Kool-Aid Mckinstry, Alabama

21
5’11.5″, 199lbs

The best name in this years draft goes to Kool-Aid McKinstry. The 3 year college pro McKinstry played in a total of 42 games for Alabama. His best year came as a sophomore where he recorded 15 pass deflections and 1 interception in 2022.

Strengths
– Fantastic ball skills, plays it in the air through the receiver.
– Demonstrates the ability to disrupt the route early by getting in the way of the receiver.
– Good acceleration to close out the play and get hands on the ball.
– Sticky in coverage.
– Prevents receivers from coming down with the ball by utilizing active hands.

Weaknesses
– Lacks the long speed to keep up on deep routes.
– Can be overly grabby in coverage, especially at the top of the route.
– Doesn’t commit to the run game very well.
– Can lose focus on the play if he doesn’t feel like the primary target.

McKinstry should have his name called at the end of day 1 in this years NFL Draft. McKinstry shows promise as an underneath defender, and can contribute as a solid DB2 on a defense. I like a landing spot like the Buccaneers at 26 for McKinstry to develop in a good defensive back group.

5. Cooper DeJean, Iowa

21
6’0.5″, 203lbs

DeJean was a store for the Iowa Hawkeyes thanks to his defensive abilities, and playmaking on special teams. In 2022 DeJean led the NCAA in interceptions returned for touchdowns with 3. DeJean did suffer a fractured lower leg in November that sidelined him for the majority of his final season at Iowa.

Strengths
– Incredible ball skills, has the ability to track the ball well and adapt to it with good body control.
– Electric in space, has upside as a returner.
– Extremely instinctive player who plays best in zone coverage.
– Closes quickly on the ball, often times being the first one there.
– Plays best as an off coverage defender.
– Plays with a calm demeanor, looks super smooth once he breaks on the ball.

Weaknesses
– Skill set translates to a safety position more likely at the NFL level.
– Has tight hips that limits his ability in man coverage.
– Talent level for opposing offenses wasn’t great.
– Can fail to wrap up well, and has below average length.

DeJean will most likely play safety in the NFL, due to this fact he will drop slightly in the draft. Safety needy teams like the Eagles (22), Packers (25), and 49ers (31), could get a day one starter in DeJean.