The Denver Broncos have options at cornerback.
All-Pro Pat Surtain II, 24, is not only the No. 1 cornerback in Denver, he’s also the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.
Ja’Quan McMillian, 23, broke out when given the full-time nickel duties early last season, and he’s a lock to hold that position in his third NFL season.
The question is at CB2.
Riley Moss, 24, figures to get the first crack at the job in his second NFL season. Damarri Mathis, 25, lost the job early last season, but he could bounce back and compete for it again in 2024. The final option is Levi Wallace, 28, a journeyman who started last year for the Steelers but lost his job early in the season.
Hopefully, Moss or Mathis will prove himself worthy of a longterm starting role in Denver.
If not, Wallace provides somewhat of a floor. It isn’t necesarily a high floor, though. There’s a reason the Broncos were able to snag him for the veteran minimum plus a $167,000 signing bonus.
The Broncos could certainly justify an upgrade at cornerback.
Here are five cornerbacks who could fill that role…
Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Range: First Round
Mitchell is a true boundary cornerback with the speed to keep up with almost any receiver in the NFL.
He isn’t much to look at, standing 6-feet-tall and 195 pounds with a fairly average wingspan, but his ball skills are elite. He’s a two-time second-team All-American thanks to an NCAA leading 44 pass breakups over the past two years. He’s in a rare group of defenders who have picked off four passes in a single game.
Mitchell’s rise is reminiscent of Sauce Gardner. They’re both smaller-school cornerbacks who have risen draft boards thanks to their exceptional pre-draft testing. The difference is that Gardner possess elite size and length, and that’s why Mitchell may never be a true lockdown cornerback in the NFL.
I still believe he’s the best cornerback in this draft and an ideal fit across from Pat Surtain II. The Broncos would love another lockdown cornerback—who wouldn’t?—but an elite playmaker who can take advantage of a heavy workload might make more sense.
And maybe Mitchell will surprise me an be one of the league’s top cornerbacks. For what it’s worth, Champ Bailey was only 6-foot.
Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Range: First Round
Wiggins flies.
At 4.28 seconds, Wiggins easily posted the fastest 40-yard dash of any cornerback. If you want to really get your hopes up about the two-year starter, remember that Champ Bailey ran the exact same time at his combine.
One major difference is that Bailey weighed in at 184 pounds. While that’s a low number for a cornerback, it’s significantly more than the 173 pounds that Wiggins posted. Wiggins, at 6-foot-1 1/2, is two inches taller than Bailey, too.
Wiggins will be the lightest cornerback to be drafted this season. That lack of size shows up in the run game, where he doesn’t have much to offer other than the ability to chase backs down from behind.
But responsibility No. 1 for a cornerback is coverage and you won’t find many in this class who can cover better than Wiggins.
He isn’t perfect. Bigger receivers have overpowered him. He doesn’t always turn his head around before the ball arrives. But the results have generally been great and his speed will make him a weapon in the NFL.
Sometimes we get too caught up in 40-yard dash times, but at cornerback, speed matters. The best of the best can run, and Wiggins fits that bill.
Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Range: First Round
Arnold is a playmaker.
He led the SEC with five interceptions in 2023. He broke up 17 passes, which ranked second. Few players got their hands on the ball more than Arnold did, and he did it in the SEC. There’s a lot like.
Arnold isn’t a flawless prospect. His 4.50-second 40-yard dash leaves plenty to be desired. The list of Pro Bowl cornerbacks who didn’t run a 4.4 or better is very short.
But the tape is the tape and that tape says Arnold might be the best cornerback in the nation. He earned All-America honors.
Arnold is smart. He sees plays as they develop. He’s fluid. He’s under 6-foot, which isn’t ideal, but his wingspan is longer than you’d expect.
The fear with Arnold is that he’s a slot cornerback. His lack of top-end speed would be hidden. His ball skills and quick-twitch abilities would play up. But nickelbacks aren’t as valuable as boundary cornerbacks.
The hope with Arnold is that the ball skills and smarts translate to the boundary, where he could be one of the league’s top ballhawks if he can hold up against the league’s faster receivers.
Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Range: Day 1 or Day 2
DeJean is a special athlete.
Not only was he the Big Ten’s Defensive Back of the Year, he was also the conference’s Punt Returner of the Year. If he gets the ball in his hands, he’s a threat to score. And he gets his hands on the ball often.
DeJean might have the best instincts of any defensive back in this class. He’s a step ahead of offenses and that helps him make plays on the ball. His 20 pass breakups and seven interceptions during his two seasons as a starter provide evidence to support the eye test.
But DeJean comes from a unique defensive scheme in Iowa. It’s virtually entirely zone coverage. The defensive backs have their eyes in the backfield constantly. DeJean became a ballhawk because of these reps, but he’s unproven in man-to-man coverage. He’s also more fast than quick, which could hurt his chances of becoming a lockdown No. 1 option.
Some teams may see DeJean as a safety. He took plenty of reps in the slot. He played some safety, too. He’s a very good tackler and could be a great safety, but that position isn’t as valuable as cornerback.
To me, DeJean is a great option at cornerback. I think he can make plays on the ball opposite Pat Surtain II. You don’t see players as smart as DeJean at 21 years old very often.
DeJean broke his leg late last season, which may mean the Broncos can get him at a discount.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Range: Day 2
McKinstry is smooth.
He doesn’t have the burst or top-end speed of an elite cornerback. At just under 6 feet and 200 pounds, he doesn’t have special size. He doesn’t stand out at the catch point, either.
But McKinstry is everything you expect from a Bama cornerback. He’s smooth. His technique is sharp. He knows his angles. He can tackle. He’s consistent from snap-to-snap with very few mental lapses or mistakes.
McKinstry’s physical and athletic traits keep him out of the conversation for top cornerback prospect in the class, but his polish is why he’s a two-time All-American despite still being 21.
McKinstry might not be able to keep up with the league’s top receivers, but he’s NFL ready and there’s little doubt he’ll fit into the league as a starter. He just might not be a lockdown CB1.
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