Ranking the Top 10 CBs in the 2023 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and one of, if not the single biggest position of need for the Minnesota Vikings is at the cornerback spot. Today, we are ranking the top 10 CBs in this draft class, including a few that could be on the Vikings radar with the 23rd overall pick.
1. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Devon Witherspoon is about as perfect a prospect as you can find at the cornerback position. He plays every snap with high intensity, has ideal NFL size (though he could bear to fill out his frame a bit more), and he has 4.4 speed that he can utilize in coverage.
The most impressive thing about Witherspoon throughout his time at Illinois is his instincts, though. The game seemed to be played in slow motion around him as he continuously made the correct plays in the secondary. He should be the first corner off the board on Thursday evening.
2. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
At 6’2, Christian Gonzalez has great NFL size and length at his disposal, and even if he gets beat off the line of scrimmage, he has the acceleration to make up the distance with his receiver. Finally, Gonzalez played a good chunk of his snaps in zone coverage at Oregon, and he proved to be a terrific open-field tackler.
3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
The son of the former Pittsburgh Steelers great heads into the NFL with outstanding potential, and his ridiculous length provides a ton of intrigue. Joey Porter Jr. has 34″ arms and can make plays on balls that most CBs wouldn’t have any business getting involved in.
He also uses his size advantage at 6’2 to rough up receivers off the snap and throw them off their routes. Porter should see his skillset translate to the NFL nicely, and it would be a surprise if he made it into the 20s.
4. Deonte Banks, Maryland
Deonte Banks has a very sturdy build at CB, and this allows him to bully receivers on the line of scrimmage. The Maryland product is a menace in man coverage, which is a big reason why so many mock drafters have sent him to the Vikings to play in Brian Flores’ system.
After such a ridiculous combine where he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and overall put together one of the best workouts we’ve ever seen, it’s virtually a lock that he goes in the first round on Thursday.
5. Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Kelee Ringo’s footwork can be a bit sluggish in coverage, but he is arguably the most physically imposing prospect among this top five. He isn’t as long as Porter, but he weighs in well over 200 pounds, meaning he won’t get pushed around on the boundary.
For the Vikings, Ringo becomes an option if the first four CBs fly off the board. Minnesota needs a starting quality CB, and the Georgia product is a guy that should be able to compete for a CB2 role immediately.
6. Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Many folks may be turned off by Emmanuel Forbes’ 166-pound frame, and it’s certainly a valid concern. He will consistently run into receivers that weigh far more than him so being able to win matchups at the line of scrimmage may be tough. This is only compounded by the fact that he hasn’t shown the versatility to play in the slot.
That being said, the playmaking potential is off the charts with Forbes. He recorded six interceptions in 58 targets over the course of the 2022 season (per Pro Football Focus), and his opposing passer rating was a ridiculous 44.7 on those targets. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for him to land on the Vikings, especially if Minnesota found a way to trade down from No. 23 into the late-20s.
7. Cam Smith, South Carolina
After a truly elite 2021 season for South Carolina in 2021, Cam Smith saw his production take a bit of a step back in 2022. He certainly has the traits of an NFL corner in terms of size and athleticism, and his opposing passer rating of 36.5 in 2021 was one of the best in the country.
That being said, penalties became a major red flag in 2022 for Smith, being flagged 10 times over the course of 13 games. Smith is very much a mixed bag as a prospect with a high upside but also a lower floor, but he shouldn’t be on the board much longer than the early second round.
8. Julius Brents, Kansas State
Julius Brents is another prospect that tested extremely well at the combine. While his 4.53 40-yard dash may not jump off the page like some others, his 10-yard split of 1.5 and a 41.5″ vertical showcase some outstanding explosive athleticism that should translate well to the NFL.
9. Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
Tyrique Stevenson is another prospect that is very good in man coverage, but he is extremely scheme-dependent as the struggles in zone are very apparent at this point in time. If Stevenson finds a spot with the right team though (potentially the Vikings), he could thrive at the next level with his physical play in one-on-one.
10. D.J. Turner, Michigan
DJ Turner is extremely undersized for a boundary corner, and his playmaking simply isn’t the same as Forbes’, thus forcing him down the board here. However, he is one of the most athletically gifted players in this group with a 4.26 40 and a 38.5″ vertical. In his actual coverage, Turner fights to stick with the bigger receivers, but he can get a bit grabby at times.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.