2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 5 players at each position
By Jakob Ashlin
2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Cornerbacks
1. player. 807. . . . Devon Witherspoon
In 2022, Witherspoon was the best defensive back in the nation. The consensus All-American was targeted 62 times and gave up a passer rating of only 25.3.
820. . . . Christian Gonzalez. 2. player
Gonzalez was excellent in coverage at Oregon. Last season, he allowed a passer rating of 74.7 on 64 targets and had a career-high four interceptions.
He solidified his draft stock at the combine. The 6-foot-1 cornerback ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 41.5-inch vertical.
player. 850. . . . Cam Smith. 3
Over the last two seasons, Smith gave up only 33 receptions on 70 targets in pass coverage. During that span, he also recorded four interceptions and 18 pass breakups.
He is a plug-and-play slot cornerback.
4. player. 806. . . . Joey Porter Jr.
Porter’s length gives him an edge on the outside. He was measured at 6-foot-2 with an 81-inch wingspan.
Last season, Porter was second in forced incompletion percentage (40.0%), per PFF. However, he was also tied for 400th in missed tackle percentage (17.6%) and tied for 410th in zone coverage snaps (179).
Porter has top-level potential, but the three cornerbacks in front of him are more NFL-ready.
player. 814. . . . Kelee Ringo. 5
Ringo has a rare combination of size and speed. At the combine, the 6-foot-2 cornerback ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, which was the fastest time among players who weighed 200+ pounds.
Out of high school, Ringo was the No. 1 cornerback in his class, and he performed well for the Bulldogs. Last season, he allowed a passer rating of 70.0 on 78 targets in coverage.
Honorable mentions: Emmanuel Forbes, Tyrique Stevenson, DJ Turner
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