This is a strong class at cornerback with a couple potential Top 10 picks among the group. Overall, the class is one of the deeper position groups in this draft. There are impact players who could be Day 1 starters deep into the second day of the draft.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah named seven cornerbacks in his initial list of the Top 50 prospects in this draft.
Top 5 cornerbacks to watch at the Combine:
1. Derek Stingley Jr., LSU, 6-1, 195
Stingley has a rare blend of size and speed with a ton of upside. He played in just 10 games over the last two seasons, so there's a little bit of projection work here, but he was an elite prospect already as a freshman with six interceptions in his first season at LSU. He's got fluid hips with elite ball skills. Most analysts think he can be a Pro Bowl caliber corner early in his NFL career.
2. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cincinnati, 6-3, 200
Gardner has elite size and speed, and uses his length to re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage. He allowed just 6.6 yards per reception this past season, helping lead Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff. He recorded three interceptions in each of his three seasons with the Bearcats, returning two of those for touchdowns.
View photos of the defensive back prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
Baylor safety JT Woods tracks the play during the first half of the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
American Team cornerback Tariq Woolen of UTSA (20) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cincinnati Bearcats safety Bryan Cook (6) defends in coverage on defense during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won, 27-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
National Team cornerback Joshua Williams of Fayetteville State (30) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team safety Tycen Anderson of Toledo (35) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team wide receiver Christian Watson of North Dakota State (1) carries the ball after a reception over American Team cornerback Zyon McCollum of Sam Houston State (32) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
East defensive back Percy Butler, of Louisiana, (9) in coverage against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
East safety Juanyeh Thomas, of Georgia Tech, (29) celebrates after a play against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jalyn Armour-Davis (5) defends in coverage on defense during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Cincinnati, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won, 27-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
East defensive back Decobie Durant, of South Carolina State, (7) in coverage against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) attempts to avoid Louisville defensive back Qwynnterrio Cole (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris (27) and defensive back Dane Belton (4) follow a play during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Baylor safety Jalen Pitre (8) in game action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State for the Big 12 Conference championship in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman)
Oregon Ducks safety Verone McKinley III (23) defends in coverage on defense during the an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon won, 34-31. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) runs on the field during an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Washington defensive back Trent McDuffie (22) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) waits for the snap during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields drops into coverage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Houston cornerback Marcus Jones is seen during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) covers a play against Samford during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn safety Smoke Monday (21) reacts after a stop against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Oklahoma safety Delarrin Turner-Yell makes an interception against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Kentucky defensive back Yusuf Corker (29) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov.13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) plays against Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary lines up against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson (1) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri defensive back Akayleb Evans plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2021, file photo, Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner watches a play develop during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Navy in Annapolis, Md. Gardner is nicknamed Sauce and is the Bearcats' best player. The long-armed lockdown corner from Detroit picked Cincinnati over Indiana, Kentucky and other P5s in 2019 and has developed into a potential first-round pick. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine (16) follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Arkansas corner back Montaric Brown (21) against Pine Bluff during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker (1) warms up for an NCAA college football game against Illinois in State College, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Washington State defensive back Jaylen Watson stands on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Pittsburgh defensive back Damarri Mathis (21) runs with the ball after making an interception against Clemson during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Southern California cornerback Chris Steele (8) breaks up a pass intended for Notre Dame wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. (21) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden (21) defends in coverage on defense during an NCAA college football game against the Virginia Cavaliers on Thursday, Sept 30, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Brandon Sloter via AP)
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) plays against South Carolina during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Coby Bryant (7) defends during a NCAA college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct 2, 2021 in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (Brandon Sloter via AP)
Arizona State defensive back Jack Jones (0) in the first half during an NCAA football game against Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Southern California cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart (6) plays against Oregon State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt is shown before an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Houston cornerback Damarion Williams (6) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
Georgia defensive back Derion Kendrick (11) shown in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Texas Tech's DaMarcus Fields (23) during an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
LSU Tigers cornerback Cordale Flott (25) defends during the an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won, 38-27. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during an NCAA football game against Florida State on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill (30) in action in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Michigan's Vincent Gray plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Arizona State defensive back Chase Lucas (24) in the first half during an NCAA football game against Southern Utah on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (7) defends in coverage on defense during the an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won, 38-27. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Oregon cornerback Mykael Wright (2) warms up prior to an NCAA football game against Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Texas' Josh Thompson (9) celebrates after a play against Louisiana-Lafayette during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Maryland's Nick Cross in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
UCLA defensive back Quentin Lake (37) during an NCAA football game against Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Florida A&M University safety Markquese Bell speaks at during an NCAA college football news conference, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Jackson State University and Florida A&M will play in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Alabama defensive back Josh Jobe (28) defends against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington defensive back Kyler Gordon lines up against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Baylor University defensive back Kalon Barnes (12) looks to defend during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. plays against Ohio State during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
3. Trent McDuffie, Washington, 5-11, 195
McDuffie doesn't have the size of Stingley or Gardner, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in quickness and awareness. He's got very good technique and plays well in both man and off coverage. He's also a good run defender and sure tackler. He could be a star on special teams early in his career.
4. Kyler Gordon, Washington, 6-0, 200
Gordon is a dynamic athlete who is expected to test through the roof in the Combine process. He's got a ton of upside because his game doesn't quite match his athleticism from a technical standpoint. He's got strength and speed, and can play press man or off coverage. He'll rise in the pre-draft process because of his athletic traits.
5. Andrew Booth, Clemson, 6-0, 200
Booth is still a little bit of a work in progress, but he's got good speed and quickness and is a willing tackler in the run game. He's got better ball skills than his production would indicate, and he'll be one of the better testers among the cornerback class in the pre-draft process.
Combine sleeper to watch: Roger McCreary, Auburn, 5-11, 190
McCreary had a nice week at the Senior Bowl. He's a press-man corner, who likes to use his strength and physicality to his advantage. He plays with an aggressive style. His best game this season was against Alabama, which showed how disruptive he can really be when he gets his hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage.
Lions need at the position: Moderate
On paper, I really like where the Lions are at with Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Jerry Jacobs and AJ Parker all under contract for next season. However, Okudah is coming back from a major Achilles injury, and Jacobs tore his ACL in December. Will Okudah lose a step? When will Jacobs be cleared to return to the field? Those are two big questions at the cornerback position for the Lions.
Oruwariye is poised to become a No. 1 cornerback in this league after finishing third with six interceptions last year, and allowing just one touchdown in his coverage area. Teams can always use players who can cover, but there are probably bigger needs at wide receiver, edge rusher and safety for the Lions. Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see Detroit add to the group.
Key stat: Oruwariye was one of three NFL players to log at least 50 tackles, 10 passes defended and six interceptions in 2021. He is only the ninth player in franchise history to produce such a season, and only the fifth cornerback (Darius Slay, Dre Bly, Corey Raymond and Ray Crockett).
