CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

McCoy is arguably the most talented cornerback in this year's class. However, a torn ACL in his right knee in January of 2025 cost him his entire 2025 season, and the latest reporting from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is that some team doctors believe he may need another surgery to replace a bone plug, which would come with an "extensive" recovery.

CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

McCoy's teammate stepped up in his absence and was so good that he was in the conversation to be a first-round pick. In his first year as a starter, Hood had nine passes defensed and one interception. He is sticky in coverage and a willing tackler.

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

The younger brother of 2016 first-round pick A.J. Terrell, Avieon made his own name at Clemson. He's a versatile and fleet-footed cornerback who, despite his 5-foot-10, 186-pound size, is also very physical. He can play outside or at nickel and is a strong blitzer who finished with the third-most forced fumbles (eight) in Clemson history.

CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Cisse has intriguing speed and leaping ability to develop into a strong NFL starter. He was a starter at NC State and then South Carolina, tallying 11 passes defensed and one interception over his final two seasons.

TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

A converted quarterback, Stowers excelled at his new position and was named the John Mackey Award winner last season as the nation's top college tight end. He caught 62 passes for 769 yards last season, showing his freakish athleticism (especially leaping ability), feel for the game, and natural hands.

WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Boston is a 6-foot-4 ball winner. He topped 800 receiving yards each of the past two seasons and would give Baltimore a big-bodied outside target.

WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

With good size (6-foot-1, 206 pounds), speed (4.48 40-yard dash), and productivity (1,656 receiving yards the past two seasons), Bernard checks a lot of boxes as a pro-ready receiver. He may also be the draft's best blocking wideout.

WR Chris Bell, Louisville

The Ravens could give Lamar Jackson a Louisville connection with the big-bodied Bell (6-foot-2, 222 pounds), who is a muscled up receiver who is still explosive and tough after the catch. Bell is rehabbing from a torn ACL (November 2025) but is reportedly "ahead of schedule" and released a video of himself running on a treadmill this week.

EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

Young has a defensive end's build (6-foot-5, 262 pounds) and high production, with nine sacks over the past two seasons. He's a high-energy player who wins mostly with power. However, two off-field incidents may have affected his draft stock.

EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Howell was ultra productive with 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season. His shorter 6-foot-2 stature and 30 ¼-inch arms are part of what has pushed him into the second round.

EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

Parker has ideal size at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds and often plays in the backfield (32.4 percent of his tackles were for loss). He plays with a high motor and should be a good run defender from the start as he develops his pass rush game.

EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

A twitchy pass rusher, Thomas registered 15.5 sacks the past couple of seasons. He's undersized at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds, but is physically rocked up and plays with violence and high effort.

DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

A rugged one-year starter in Ohio State's dominant defense, McDonald blossomed in 2025 with nine tackles for loss and three sacks. He's known for his dominant run-stuffing abilities but also has the quickness to shoot gaps. In a thinner defensive line year, some analysts had McDonald as the best in the class.

DT Christen Miller, Georgia

A 6-foot-4 strong run defender, Miller has the body and athleticism to be a solid addition in the trenches. He was a two-year starter.

LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

A highly respected team leader, Allen is a do-it-all, polished linebacker. He was the heart of Georgia's defense and displays sideline-to-sideline speed and discipline.