Updated cornerback rankings for the Packers after the NFL Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and there were many important takeaways for the Green Bay Packers.
Several cornerback targets are now effectively off the Packers' board, while others likely took themselves out of Green Bay's range barring a trade-up.
Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Clemson's Nate Wiggins aren't in our top five for the Packers. Rakestraw is a candidate to play slot corner, but his 4.79 Relative Athletic Score means he probably isn't going to Green Bay in the early rounds. Wiggins ran a 4.29 40-yard dash, but at 173 pounds, he has first percentile size for the position.
Despite that, the Packers still have options. They need to strengthen their cornerback depth on the outside, especially with Eric Stokes' recent injury history, while slot corner is a concern.
Which cornerbacks emerged as potential early-round options for the Packers at the NFL Combine?
Top 5 draft targets for Packers at cornerback after NFL Combine
Rank | Name | School |
|---|---|---|
1 | Quinyon Mitchell | Toledo |
2 | Terrion Arnold | Alabama |
3 | Cooper DeJean | Iowa |
4 | Kool-Aid McKinstry | Alabama |
5 | Max Melton | Rutgers |
1. Quinyon Mitchell, Toldeo
Quinyon Mitchell checks every box. He has the size, athleticism, and speed the Packers covet at cornerback, with the production to go with it. Mitchell defended 37 passes with six interceptions in his final two seasons at Toledo.
Mitchell put on a show at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, had a 38-inch vertical, and earned an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.75 out of 10.
The Toledo cornerback may have solidified his spot as a top-15 pick. Green Bay likely needs to trade up to get him.
2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Alabama's Terrion Arnold could easily be the top corner on the Packers' board. Arnold didn't test as well as Mitchell but still earned an elite 8.37 Relative Athletic Score.
He has CB1 potential in the NFL. Arnold could start on the outside but offers the versatility to play in the slot. Last season, he broke up 12 passes and intercepted five. Alongside Jaire Alexander, the Packers could have two Pro Bowl cornerbacks.
Like Mitchell, there's a good chance Arnold will be long gone before No. 25 overall, so the Packers would have to consider moving up.
3. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Versatile defensive back Cooper DeJean has been a popular choice for the Packers in mock drafts all offseason. DeJean didn't test at the NFL Combine as he recovers from a season-ending injury. His Pro Day will be important.
Some analysts view DeJean as a slot corner, others a safety. He can line up at both spots and played most of his snaps on the outside at Iowa. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst wants versatility in the secondary, and they would be getting that from DeJean, who can start just about anywhere.
DeJean had eight pass defenses and two picks this past season. In 2022, he intercepted five passes, returning three for touchdowns.
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Kool-Aid McKinstry didn't test at the NFL Combine due to a Jones fracture in his foot that will require surgery. It places some doubt on where he will go on draft night, but there's little doubting McKinstry's first-round talent.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, McKinstry has the sixth-best production score among Alabama defensive backs since 2015. And he's in good company: Patrick Surtain II, Marlon Humphrey, Brian Branch, and college teammate Terrion Arnold are among the other names.
McKinstry has CB1 potential, but his Pro Day numbers will determine how interested the Packers are.
5. Max Melton, Rutgers
Max Melton is rising up draft boards after the NFL Combine. His impressive Senior Bowl performance already made him an excellent Day 2 candidate for the Packers, and he backed it up in Indianapolis.
With a 4.39-second 40-yard dash (1.52-second 10-yard split), 40.5-inch vertical, and 11.4-inch broad jump (the best among cornerbacks), Melton earned an elite 9.65 Relative Athletic Score.
And it backs up his play on the field. Melton would immediately compete for a starting job on the outside, but the Packers may prefer him to replace Keisean Nixon in the slot.
The chances of Max and Bo Melton reuniting in Green Bay increased at the NFL Combine.
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