We are now less than three weeks from the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at some of the top prospects entering this year's draft, breaking it down position by position:
Let's continue with the defensive backs. The rankings are taken from Pro Football Focus’s Big Board, ESPN’s Best Available and Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 Prospect Rankings from NFL.com.
Names of Note
Caleb Downs - Ohio State (S)
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 206 lbs
Arm - 30 1/4"
Hand - 9 1/2"
Prospect Overview
Downs won the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award at Alabama in 2023 before transferring to Ohio State, where he won back-to-back Big Team Defensive Back of the Year Awards and was First-team Associated Press All American in both 2024 and 2025. He won Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the Jim Thorpe Award for nation's top defensive back this past season and was a finalist for nation's top defender. Downs's brother, Josh is a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 8 overall (No. 1 S) "Downs lacks elite size or athletic traits, but his football IQ is exceptional. That gives him a high floor and ceiling, with All-Pro potential in a versatile defensive role."
"Downs is a versatile safety prospect with outstanding instincts and intangibles. He moved around in Ohio State's scheme but primarily lined up underneath as a nickel, strong safety or nickel 'backer. In the passing game, he is a smooth mover and utilizes his eyes/instincts to close and limit windows. He's physical and has enough speed to mirror tight ends in man coverage… Overall, Downs lacks "wow" traits, but he's a plug-and-play starter who makes others better around him."
"Downs has outstanding instincts and football aptitude. He's a versatile defender who can play near the line of scrimmage or in the back half, and he's sound against both the run and pass. He is adept at reading the quarterback's eyes while roaming in zone coverage, and his instincts show up as a pass defender, where he can play tight man coverage from the nickel position or patrol the back half in zone."
Mansoor Delane - LSU (CB)
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 187 lbs
Arm - 30"
Hand - 8 7/8"
Prospect Overview
Delane spent three years at Virginia Tech before transferring to Baton Rouge in 2025, where he was named First-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-SEC. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and averaged 1.2 passes defensed per game.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No.9 overall (No. 1 CB) "Delane is a long, quick outside corner with excellent instincts and ball skills. He has the tools to start in both press and off coverage and match up against top receivers."
"Delane is one of the most consistent players in this draft class. He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction. He is adept at press coverage, possessing the ability to re-route and mirror all over the field…Overall, Delane has the tools to match up with every style of receiver. He can run with the vertical weapons and play physical with the bigger ones."
"Delane is a physical, competitive corner who excels in press coverage, showing the ability to mirror the receiver's release and stay in their back pocket. He is strong at the top of routes and when closing from off coverage. With the ball in the air, Delane is quick to turn his head and locate it. His timing and body control really stands out on tape, leading to 11 passes defended in 2025"
Jermod McCoy - Tennessee (CB)
Measurables
Height - 6'1"
Weight - 188 lbs
Arm - 31 1/4"
Hand - 9"
Prospect Overview
McCoy tore his ACL late in the 2024 season, a year in which he was Associated Press All-American Second Team and All-SEC First Team. He spent two seasons with the Volunteers after playing his true freshman season at Oregon State.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 17 overall (No. 2 CB) "McCoy's medical evaluations will be critical, but based on his measurables and 2024 tape, he profiles as a first-round talent with shutdown potential in press-man coverage."
"McCoy had an outstanding 2024 season but missed the entire '25 campaign due to an ACL tear. He is at his best in press coverage, effectively landing his one-hand jam while maintaining balance to stay on the hip and mirror. He is always under control with his movement...Overall, McCoy has the speed, movement and ball skills to start Day 1."
"In 2024, McCoy led the Volunteers with 13 passes defended and tied for the team lead with four interceptions. He shows the ability to read a receiver's break and displays good timing when reaching in to break up passes. His frame and balance make it difficult for receivers to push him around at the top of routes, and he has the speed to turn and run downfield."
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - Toledo (S)
Measurables
Height - 6'3 1/2"
Weight - 201 lbs
Arm - 32 1/8"
Hand - 9 1/4"
Prospect Overview
McNeil-Warren joined CB Quinyon Mitchell as the second Toledo player of the last 18 years to be named an Associated Press All-American in 2025, being named to the Third Team. He was First-Team All-MAC and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 21 overall (No. 3 S) "McNeil-Warren is a big, explosive safety with a knack for creating turnovers. He projects as a potential impact starter in a box role."
"McNeil-Warren is a tall, long safety prospect with fantastic production. He's a fun player to study. Every game I examined was littered with big hits, plays on the ball and HIGH energy… Overall, McNeil-Warren is a bouncy, twitchy athlete with Pro Bowl potential."
"McNeil-Warren is an instinctive box safety that has length. He's quick to get downhill and make tackles in the box. He does a good job of setting the edge while playing with physicality and strength at the point of attack…He does have a knack of showing up around the ball, with eight career forced fumbles and five interceptions."
Dillon Thieneman - Oregon (S)
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 201 lbs
Arm - 31 3/8"
Hand - 9"
Prospect Overview
Thieneman declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season in which he was an Associated Press All-American Second Team and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He was first team All-Big Ten in his only season with the Ducks, spending the first two years of his collegiate career with the Purdue Boilermakers.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 11 overall (No. 2 S) "Thieneman has developed into a versatile safety who excels in coverage and downhill run support. He projects as a starting-caliber player in any scheme."
"Thieneman was a versatile chess piece in Oregon's defense. He lined up in the box, in the deep half and over the slot. When he's aligned in the back end, he can anticipate and range over the top to find and play the ball…Overall, Thieneman does a lot of different tasks at a very high level. His skill set is highly coveted around the NFL."
"Thieneman received All-American and All-Big 10 honors in his time with Oregon and Purdue. He is very efficient in functional movements with good reaction time, and he can drive and come downhill quickly. In the back half of the defense, he provides range to make plays sideline to sideline. Thieneman reads the quarterback and displays good anticipation."
Colton Hood - Tennessee (CB)
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 193 lbs
Arm - 31 3/8"
Hand - 9"
Prospect Overview
Hood spent a redshirt year at Auburn before transferring to Colorado in 2024 then going to Knoxville in 2025. He was named Third-team All-SEC with the Volunteers, recording eight pass breakups and 50 tackles across 12 starts.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 34 overall (No. 4 CB) "Hood is a talented but inconsistent young prospect who needs further development. With only one full season as a starter, he may struggle early if tasked with covering NFL receivers right away."
"Hood has average size but excellent play speed and toughness. In press, he is patient, staying on balance before using his hands to redirect at the line of scrimmage… Overall, Hood is a complete player and should be a very solid starter immediately at the next level."
"Hood is a physical press corner who uses his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. He competes for 50-50 balls and does a good job limiting production after the catch in zone and off-man coverage. Hood isn't afraid to come downhill when he's off the ball, where he can close space and disrupt the process of a catch."
Avieon Terrell - Clemson (CB)
Measurables
Height - 5'11"
Weight - 186 lbs
Arm - 31"
Hand - 8 5/8"
Prospect Overview
Brother of Falcons All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon carried the family's Clemson legacy, being named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2025 and a two-time All-ACC selection, including All-ACC First Team this past season.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 23 overall (No. 3 CB) "Terrell's lack of length may limit him to zone-heavy schemes, but his elite football IQ and playmaking instincts give him starting potential across multiple systems."
"Terrell is an undersized cornerback with tremendous quickness and instincts. He projects best as a nickel at the next level. I love his feisty, competitive play style. He utilizes his quick feet and smooth change of direction to match up in the slot…He's always talking and provides energy on the field. Overall, this is an ideal nickel starter on Day 1.
"Terrell has a good feel for the game in zone and man coverage. He's a competitive press corner with a good frame. He has clean footwork and smooth hips to transition to run and stay in phase. Terrell has a quick trigger to drive on underneath routes and make a play at the catch point. His timing and technique to break up passes stands out on tape."
Chris Johnson - San Diego State (CB)
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 193 lbs
Arm - 30 5/8"
Hand - 9 7/8"
Prospect Overview
Johnson was named Second-team Associated Press All-American, First-team All-Mountain West Conference and Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. He had four interceptions for the Aztecs, returning two for touchdowns, and averaged 1.17 pass breakups per game this past season.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 46 overall (No. 7 CB) "Johnson is scheme-dependent and best suited for off coverage rather than press. In that role, he excels with physicality, spacing, anticipation and ball skills."
"Johnson has excellent height, bulk and movement skills for his position. In press coverage, he doesn't use his hands to reroute the receiver, but he has very quick feet and he's fluid to open up/run… He's at his best in off coverage, where he shows excellent eyes/instincts to trigger on throws in front of him. He's natural in finding and playing the ball."
"Johnson had four interceptions last season and returned two for touchdowns. He shows good instincts, diagnosing route concepts from zone and off-man coverage before undercutting them. When playing the ball, Johnson does a good job tracking it and dislodging it from the receiver. And when in phase or working in trail position, he can turn and locate the ball."
Brandon Cisse - South Carolina (CB)
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 189 lbs
Arm - 30 3/4"
Hand - 8 1/2"
Prospect Overview
Cisse spent the first two years of his career at North Carolina State before transferring to South Carolina in 2025. He started all 12 games for the Gamecocks, tallying five pass breakups and 27 tackles.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 41 overall (No. 5 CB) "Cisse can lack physicality at times, but his explosiveness and twitch give him the tools to develop into a starting NFL cornerback."
"Cisse is a fast, twitchy cover corner. He primarily lined up outside at South Carolina. He usually played with his back turned to the sideline, allowing him to see through the wideout to the quarterback. He plays with vision, which allows him to use his elite speed to close space and make plays on the ball. He is a loose, fluid athlete. "
"Cisse can easily mirror releases and reroute receivers in press coverage. In short areas, he can get caught when trying to change directions against quicker, shiftier receivers. But in off coverage, he flashes the ability to make quick reads. Cisse has the length to break up passes from a trail position and the vertical explosion to compete for 50-50 balls."
Keionte Scott - Miami (CB)
Measurables
Height - 5'11"
Weight - 193 lbs
Arm - 31 3/8"
Hand - 9 5/8"
Prospect Overview
Scott began his collegiate career in JUCO at Snow College, where he was a two-time Junior College All-American, before transferring to Auburn for three seasons and finishing his career at Miami in 2025. He was second-team All-ACC in 2025 with the Hurricanes, recording two interception returns for touchdowns, five pass breakups, five sacks and 64 total tackles.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 55 overall (No. 10 CB) "Scott is a tone-setter in run defense with a physical mentality. His zone coverage is adequate, but man coverage limitations may restrict his role."
"Scott is a dynamic nickelback. He's an excellent force player, blitzer and energy provider. In underneath coverage, he has excellent eyes, quick feet and ball skills. He wasn't asked to mirror and match often, but he has the speed and fluidity to do so. He generates a lot of negative plays in the run game by combining his burst, want-to and unique ability to avoid blocks on the way to the ball-carrier."
"Scott is a nickel back who displays good instincts in man and zone coverage. In zone coverage, he has a good feel for when to drive and anticipate routes. He does a good job playing through the hands of the receiver and doesn't give up on plays, which helped him create a few extra pass deflections in college."
Watch the 2026 NFL Draft April 23-25 on ESPN and NFL Network.
Take a look at some of the top defensive back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (Ryan Kang via AP)
AP All America Football
FILE - Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) breaks up a pass intended for Vanderbilt wide receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) gets ready for a play during an NCAA football game between WKU and Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ky. WKU came back to beat Toledo 26-21. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman calls to teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Montana State, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) scores on a pick-six against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) plays during an NCAA college football game between Clemson and Troy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson (17) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) runs drills during the school's NFL football Pro Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Miami defensive back Keionte Scott (0) during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game against Mississippi, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) defends in coverage during the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Alabama, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. Indiana defeated Alabama, 38-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Arkansas wide receiver Raylen Sharpe carries against LSU defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) defends during an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) against BYU in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
