6 RINGS PROSPECT PREVIEW: CORNERBACKS
“I have 100% confidence in Eliot and his staff ‘weaponizing’ the offense and really getting us better as an overall team,” Patriots head coach told reporters at the annual NFL League Meetings in Orlando on Monday.
“I know everyone wants to talk about the offense,” he continued, “but one thing you guys have heard from [Belichick] and I’ve learned from Bill is all three phases are very important and playing that complementary football is definitely something Eliot understands, I understand, and the rest of the staff [understands].”
So let's continue on about one of those phrases: the defense. Last week on the 6 Rings and Football Things podcast, Andy Hart, and I previewed the edge rushers in the 2024 class. This week? We welcomed Chris Scheim back and hit on the cornerbacks.
You can watch it here:
And, in written form, here’s a look at my top five cornerback prospects in the 2024 class:
Honorable Mentions:
– Cam Hart, Notre Dame
– Mike Sainristil, Michigan
– Max Melton, Rutgers
– Elijah Jones, Boston College
– T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
– Khyree Jackson, Oregon
– Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State
No. 5 - Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
For better or for worse, Ga’Quincy McKinstry was already a household name upon arrival in Tuscaloosa due to his nickname, “Kool-Aid”.
A 5-foot-11, 199-pound versatile defender, McKinstry can play both on the boundary and in the slot. He’s long, aggressive, and is one of those players who just gets it and understands how the game is played – arguably the top trait you look for in a defensive back, in my opinion.
No. 4 - Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Iowa’s Cooper DeJean entered the 2023 season as arguably the top cornerback in the nation but after a broken fibula in November shortened his campaign, he’s suddenly become overlooked.
The 6-foot-0, 203-pound cornerback is an incredibly sound player who plays with calucated aggression. He tallied seven interceptions over the last two seasons with the Hawkeyes (including three pick-sixes in 2022) and in 2023 returned 21 punts for 241 yards and a touchdown. DeJean is a multi-tool player who is likely to be a top-20 selection next month.
No. 3 - Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Nate Wiggins out of Clemson is an athletic freak. Despite tallying just three interceptions over three seasons with the Tigers, his intangibles (6-foot-2, 4.28-second 40-yard dash) make him an extremely intriguing prospect.
Wiggins was First-Team All-ACC in 2023 thanks to his speed and playmaking ability (19 pass deflections since 2022). The one concern is his weight, after he came in at just 173 pounds at the NFL Combine.
No. 2 - Terrion Arnold, Alabama
The Christian Gonzalez of this draft class, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold acts as a glove on opposing wide receivers. His hips are smooth, he’s a blanket in coverage, and he seldom gets beat or embarassed.
His downside? Like Gonzalez coming out, Arnold is a sub-par tackler who can sometimes get exposed in the open field.
No. 1 - Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Just as Terrion Arnold is the Christian Gonzalez of this class, Quinyon Mitchell is the Devon Witherspoon. An elite athlete who’s tested through the roof and come on incredibly strong during the pre-draft process, the former Rocket intercepted six passes over the last two seasons and led the country with 25 passes defensed in 2022.
“An apex predator,” as Charles Davis described him, Mitchell is likely to be the first cornerback off the board in April.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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