This year's class of cornerbacks is a solid group with top-end talent and some depth.
It's not quite as deep a class as last year when seven cornerbacks were among NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's initial list of the Top 50 players in this class. That list included Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Detroit's top two picks in last year's NFL Draft.
Jeremiah has five true cornerbacks in his Top 50 this year and that's not including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who is listed as a wide receiver.
The Lions' need at cornerback will really depend on two big factors. 1. Will the team re-sign veteran Carlton Davis III in free agency? 2. Does the team feel Rakestraw is ready to take on a bigger role?
Top 5 cornerbacks to watch at the Combine:
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado, 6-1, 185
Hunter was a much better defender in 2024 than he was in 2023 and his ball skills really set him apart from the group, which allows him to be considered the best receiver in the class too. Hunter had four interceptions and defended 11 passes this past season and that was while getting a full slate of offensive snaps as well. He might be a full-time receiver and part time cornerback in the NFL as he'll likely have to choose a side of the ball to focus on for a full-time basis.
View photos of the defensive back prospects who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
LSU cornerback Zy Alexander (14) runs walks the sideline before an NCAA football game against UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos (9) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (7) defends during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against between Texas and Ohio State, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. warms up before an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Texas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Texas Tech wide receiver Coy Eakin, left, is unable to get to a pass as Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Bryant was called for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Colin E Braley)
Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke (10) breaks up a pass intended for Notre Dame wide receiver Jayden Harrison (2) during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Troy, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Syracuse defensive back Alijah Clark attempts to tackle Army wide receiver Ay'Jaun Marshall, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Nevada safety Kitan Crawford plays during an NCAA football game against Minnesota on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson (3) runs the ball for a touchdown after getting an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Lindenwood Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori (7) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
South Carolina defensive back O'Donnell Fortune (3) plays during an NCAA college football game between Clemson and South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston (1) bats away a pass intended for Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) reacts during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris celebrates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
California's Marcus Harris (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne, right, rushes against Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Miami (Ohio) running back Kevin Davis (8), defended by Toledo safety Maxen Hook (25) stretches but is unable to catch the pass during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
FILE - Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
North Carolina's Alijah Huzzie (28) covers on defense during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson (2) plays against Southern California in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Western Michigan's Bilhal Kone plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Navy safety Rayuan Lane III (18) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Rutgers defensive back Robert Longerbeam in action against Temple during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Florida defensive back Jason Marshall Jr. (3) in action during an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 19 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Central Florida defensive back Mac McWilliams (20) sets up for a play against Colorado during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Clemson safety R.J. Mickens, right, breaks up a pass intended for Syracuse wide receiver Donovan Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) sets up against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrates an interception that was called back due to a flag during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) attempts to break a tackle by Oregon defensive back Jabbar Muhammad (7) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Iowa State defensive back Darien Porter (10) gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa State won 20-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Ohio State defensive back Lathan Ransom plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
American team defensive back Johnathan Edwards of Tulane (18) and American team defensive back Caleb Ransaw of Tulane (13) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) during the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game against Boise State, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Louisville defensive back Quincy Riley (3) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Virginia's Jonas Sanker (20) defends during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Kansas State safety Marques Sigle (21) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Southern California cornerback Jaylin Smith celeb rates after making a stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) sets up for a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Western Kentucky defensive back Upton Stout (21) gets ready for a play during an NCAA football game between Western Kentucky University and Houston Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Bowling Green, Ky. WKU beat HCU 52-22.(AP Photo/James Kenney)
Virginia Tech's Dorian Strong (44) with an interception from Javon Harvey (4) in the second half against Old Dominion of an NCAA college football Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. breaks away from Florida State defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (8) for a 65-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Maryland defensive back Dante Trader Jr. (12) runs during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, against the Charlotte 49ers in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Iowa State defensive back Malik Verdon (7) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Minnesota defensive back Justin Walley (5) runs down the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) jogs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) runs around Villanova Wildcats defensive back Isas Waxter (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
California defensive back Nohl Williams carries the ball after an interception against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) reacts after tackling Michigan State running back Nathan Carter during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler (24) takes his stance during an NCAA football game against Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
California safety Craig Woodson stands on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
2. Will Johnson, Michigan, 6-2, 202
Teams are going to love Johnson's size, speed, technique and ball production. He was a playmaker both in man and zone for the Wolverines and that kind of versatility is valued in the NFL, where teams play multiple coverages. He'll have to prove to teams he's over the turf toe injury that cost him most of this season at Michigan but if the medicals come out clean, he should be a Top 15 pick.
3. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame, 6-0, 190
Most draft evaluators consider Morrison a much better off-ball corner than a man corner and that might limit where he fits best in the NFL. The one thing no one questions, however, is his ball production with nine interceptions and 18 passes defended in 31 games played at Notre Dame.
4. Jahdae Barron, Texas, 5-11, 200
Barron might be the most ready to play nickel corner in the class. His size and physicality stand out when watching him. He has the right instincts in both the pass and run game to be a good nickel in the NFL. His 40 time at the Combine is going to be huge for him as some draft evaluators question his long speed.
5. Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State, 6-2, 198
Thomas has good length and strength, and really excels playing press-man coverage. There might not be a more important 40 time among the group of cornerbacks than Thomas'. He plays a physical brand of football on the outside that fits the NFL, but will he be able to match the speed at receiver? If he runs a good time, he could shoot up some teams' boards because of his physicality and skillset.
Combine sleeper to watch: Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 6-1, 186
The West Bloomfield product is a little more slender than teams like on the outside, but he's got terrific ball skills and production. He recorded six interceptions over the past two seasons and returned three of those for touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks had a 67.5 passer rating throwing his way in 2023 and 78.2 this past season, per Pro Football Focus statistics. But can he hold up in run support? A fair question teams will have to answer.
Lions' need at the position: Yet to be determined
What the Lions decide to do with Davis in free agency is really the biggest factor in how big a need cornerback is. Davis was playing at a Pro Bowl level before breaking his jaw in mid-December and missing the rest of the season. He's one of the top cornerbacks in free agency, and at just 28 years old, there will be a good market for him.
"I thought we got very good play from him," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said of Davis after the season. "I will be honest, I thought that he played better this year than he did the year before, that last year in Tampa, and he'll tell you that too.
"We're aware of not only just Carlton, (Kevin) Zeitler, but we're aware of a lot of other guys that are either on expiring contracts that had good contributions to our team this year, or guys that are worthy for an extension or in consideration for an extension. We'll go through our normal process."
Arnold showed he can be a good starter in this league and the Lions are really high on his development and potential moving forward. Amik Robertson was a really good signing in free agency last year and proved he can play both in the nickel and outside. He's back in 2025.
And then there's Rakestraw. The rookie second-round pick played in only eight games and just 46 defensive snaps mostly due to injury. He was going to get a chance to start at nickel early in the year but hurt his hamstring in warmups and Robertson soon locked down the position for good. How big a step he can take in Year 2 will play a big factor in Detroit's talent level and depth at the position.
Key stat: The Lions were tied for the fifth-most interceptions in the NFL this season with 16, but only two came from the cornerback position, and both of those belonged to Davis. Davis, Arnold and Robertson did combine for 29 passes defended, however.
