As we continue to give you so much in the Pewter report 2025 NFL Draft Whenever possible, I plan to regularly rank myself for each position group. It focuses primarily on BUCS needs. Cornerback is one of Bucs’ most discussed position groups, so despite the team re-signing Bryce Hall and adding Kindle Vildor, I wanted it to be one of the previous positions I cover,
2025 NFL Draft Cornerback
Tier 1
Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter – Photo: USA Today
In my top tier, only one player is featured. And like many other analysts, I have a Colorado Travis Hunter as a head and tail more than the rest of the group. The physical gift of the hunter is evident regardless of which aspect of the ball you are observing him. All of his tapes add to his lore given the context of the appearance of players on the field with over 100 plays per game.
Hunters are not technically perfect and can continue to learn more about the nuances of their positions. But he still plays with incredible intelligence. When he was a flat defender in Cover 2, he showed his innate ability to feed deeply before disrupting or picking up passes.
Tier 2
There are four players in the second class. There are two engineers and two raw talent, but physically talented players will join this group. I have a question about what the best role of Texas Jadae Baron is. He has almost 500 snaps as safe, over 700 in slots and over 800 in boundaries as an external cornerback. I think he’ll be a positive in one of three spots.
On the outside, I think he can be a very effective zone corner and play a deep third and quarter. Adding his offensive play on flats as cover 2, it’s interesting. Baron’s height and arm length will likely move him away from the Bucs radar, at least as a boundary player, but his talent is clear.
Will Johnson of Michigan has limited 2024 tapes; Injury, However, his 2023 play was special. He has now lost steam on many draft boards as he failed to do pre-draft tests, but I’m still sure what he’ll be like once he’s healthy again.
East Carolina’s Soap Level Junior is recovering from his own ACL tears, but his physical properties are special. Size, length, velocity, fluidity – he has it all. He ruled in the ECU despite his opposition to lower levels of competition. His tool belt is full, but he still needs to learn more consistent hand placement and understand the route and how theatre develops. But you cannot tell him how fast he recovers.
Iowa’s Darienporter is on a level of less refined version, but a little older. Fun with him offers a very high floor as a special team, in addition to his potential ceilings. Iowa last year had a massive amount of human coverage, and he was gradually staying on many routes. Man/Match Skill is elite, but he is a first year starter despite being at school. Six season.
Tier 3
Ole Miss CB Trey Amos – Photo: USA Today
Ole Miss’ Trey Amos isn’t as excited as some players before him, but it’s rare for him to go wrong. I think he is one of the few corners in this class that you can play in any scheme. Amos is big, physical, smart, looking to the backfield, reading the play better. He may not have the best ceiling, but Amos may be one of the best day one corners in his class.
Tier 4
Florida’s Azarei may be Thomas’ opposite Amos. He is one of the youngest players in this class, turning 20 on the day of draft and has a very high ceiling as a physical man/match player. However, he still struggles to read route combinations in zone coverage.
And I have some concerns about how Thomas’ speed will be maintained against faster receivers. He must use his impressive length strongly to combat that concern. The Bucs love long, developmental horns so Thomas could be a match, but a lack of speed (4.58) may cool him down.
Tier 5
Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morris – Photo: USA Today
Benjamin Morrison was one of the best players in Notre Dame’s defense in 2023. His 2024 was shortened due to hip injury that required surgery. My concerns are even more upset now, as I was worried about tension in my lower back before my injury.
That’s why I’m lower than most people in Morrison. His sophisticated techniques are some of the best in his class, with impressive footwork, strong instincts and high IQ. However, Morrison lacks the physicality of the press and struggles as a tackler. That may slow the Bucks’ interest in him.
Hairston, Maxwell, Kentucky, tests and performs in an explosive way. His ability to click and close is special. His sub-foot height and 31-inch arm mean that the Bucs are likely to consider him a slot. My concern for Hairston has to do with how well he can support his run game and his tackles, but he’s fast enough at 4.28 hours.
Tier 6
Kansas’ Coby Bryant’s mentality and ball skills are fun. It’s not that he lacks weight in his frame. If he’s 10 pounds heavier, then maybe he’ll have four spots and three layers higher. But his meager build at 6 feet, 180 pounds, will be a long shot to last him at the NFL level. He reminds me of Emmanuel Forbes’ lateness, which was just as low in 2023.
Bryant plays bigger than his height and does not retreat from anyone, but he can still be thrown to the top of the stem. He is in his best shape in the zone, allowing him to take his eyes off the backfield and challenge at catch points.
You can catch videos in my top 10. Complete the clips for each player Click here.
