2024: Defensive Backs

Quinyon Mitchell – CB - Toledo – 94

Good luck running past him, you can’t do it. Outstanding size for 4.33 speed. Great instincts on the ball. Not terribly fluid or really comfortable looking when he flips his hips. I just don’t know what scheme will fit him best because you want to utilize the ball skills and size and speed but not force him to flip hips too often. Probably a predominantly zone scheme, but he can bump and run man coverage. Avoid off coverage. Reminds me a lot of Prince Amukamara.

Terrion Arnold – CB – Alabama - 93

Kind of a jack of all trades cornerback prospect. Can play bump and run, locates and plays the ball well in both man and zone situations, but excels driving out of a backpedal in off coverage. Had one outstanding season in Tuscaloosa and one very good one and still comes out as a redshirt sophomore. The top end speed is not there with a 4.52 40, but the short area burst is. I could see him in really any DB position in any defense, and someone’s going to like that in round 1.

Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB – Alabama - 92

Good solid cover man that belongs at the end of round 1. Has good size and length and is at his best in bump and run man schemes. Would be an excellent cover 2 corner if he tackled better. How was Bama not the best pass defense in the country with these two ballers on the outside and Dallas Turner up front?

Cooper DeJean – DB – Iowa - 88

A white cornerback! Unicorns are real! Really good size, speed, and production for a prospect. Not the most fluid athlete laterally and flipping hips, but does break on the ball well. As a returner he’s fantastic, and that shows up on defense when he gets the ball in his hands. I think he is a scheme dependent cover guy, most likely playing in zone shell coverage, and I could see a switch to safety being great for his career.