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Mel Kiper’s Top 10 Cornerback Rankings | 2026 NFL Draft, Combine Results

John Canady

Host · Writer

Just Missed: Julian Neal, Arkansas
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 11
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 92nd Pick Overall
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Pick Made By: Yates
Julian Neal quietly put together a strong campaign with 55 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions. His size and physical presence give him an intriguing upside as a developmental option.

Julian Neal's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 203 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 32 3/4"
Julian Neal's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.49
- 10-Yard Split: 1.59
- Vertical Jump: 40”
- Broad Jump: 11’2”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.13
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.2
- Bench Press: 16
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
2026 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. Top 10 CBs
As the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh draws near, draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has unveiled his definitive cornerback rankings. While the premier tier remains the focal point for NFL front offices, this latest update reveals a major reshuffle among the "next wave" of defensive backs jockeying for early-round positioning.

Defensive Risers and Ball-Hawking Production

The most striking development is the surge of San Diego State standout Chris Johnson, who has vaulted to No. 6 in the positional rankings. Johnson’s meteoric rise is fueled by a stellar senior campaign in which he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, punctuated by four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. His ascent highlights the volatility of this year's secondary class, where thin margins are separating the rising stars from those sliding down the board.
1) Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 1
- Top 25 Big Board: 16
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 14th Pick Overall
- Team: Baltimore Ravens (Miller)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 24th, Browns
Even after missing the 2025 season with an ACL injury, Jermod McCoy remains firmly on the radar after a breakout 2024. He’s a physical corner who thrives in press coverage, using his strength and competitiveness to disrupt receivers early in routes. Teams will be monitoring his recovery closely, but the upside is still clear.

Jermod McCoy's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 188 lbs.
- Hand: 9"
- Arm: 31 1/4"
Jermod McCoy's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: 14
2) Mansoor Delane, LSU
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 2
- Top 25 Big Board: 17
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 10th Pick Overall
- Team: Cincinnati Bengals (Miller)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 10th, Bengals
Mansoor Delane delivered a productive 2025 season with 45 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, consistently finding ways to impact the ball. He shows strong instincts in coverage and plays with the awareness needed to handle multiple schemes at the next level.

Mansoor Delane's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 187 lbs.
- Hand: 8 7/8"
- Arm: 30"
Mansoor Delane's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
3) Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 3
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 26th Pick Overall
- Team: Buffalo Bills (Miller)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 52nd, Packers
A true playmaker, Avieon Terrell filled up the stat sheet with 48 tackles, 9 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 sacks. His versatility stands out, as he can impact the game in coverage, as a blitzer, and against the run, making him one of the more dynamic defensive backs in the class.

Avieon Terrell's Measurements
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 186 lbs.
- Hand: 8 5/8"
- Arm: 31"
Avieon Terrell's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: 34 inches
- Broad Jump: 10'3"
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: 17
4) Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 4
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 29th Pick Overall
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs (Kiper)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 44th, Jets
Brandon Cisse showed flashes of high-end ability with 27 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 interception, and a forced fumble. He has the athletic tools and closing burst to make plays, and continued development could unlock more consistency.

Brandon Cisse's Measurements
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 189 lbs.
- Hand: 8 1/2"
- Arm: 30 3/4"
Brandon Cisse's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: 41 inches
- Broad Jump: 10'11"
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
5) Colton Hood, Tennessee
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 5
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 42nd Pick Overall
- Team: New Orleans Saints (Miller)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 29th, Chiefs
With 50 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 1 interception, and a forced fumble, Colton Hood proved to be a steady contributor in Tennessee’s secondary. His physical nature and willingness to engage make him a reliable option on the outside.

Colton Hood's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 193 lbs.
- Hand: 9"
- Arm: 31 3/8"
Colton Hood's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.44
- 10-Yard Split: 1.58
- Vertical Jump: 40.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’5”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: 14
6) Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 8
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 44th Pick Overall
- Team: New York Jets (Yates)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 43rd, Dolphins
Chris Johnson was one of the more productive ball hawks, finishing with 48 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, a forced fumble, and a sack. His ability to track the ball and capitalize on opportunities stands out on tape.

Chris Johnson's Measurements
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 193 lbs.
- Hand: 9 7/8"
- Arm: 30 5/8"
Chris Johnson's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.4
- 10-Yard Split: 1.54
- Vertical Jump: 38 inches
- Broad Jump: 10'6"
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: 17
7) D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 6
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 61st Pick Overall
- Team: Los Angeles Rams (Kiper)
- Kiper Mock 4.0 (4.15): 59th, Texans
Despite being undersized, D'Angelo Ponds produced at a high level with 60 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He plays with urgency and instincts, showing the ability to stick with receivers and compete at the catch point.

D'Angelo Ponds's Combine Measurements
- Height: 5'9"
- Weight: 182 lbs.
- Hand: 9 5/8"
- Arm: 29 3/8"
D'Angelo Ponds's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: 43.5”
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
8) Chandler Rivers, Duke
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 7
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 69th Pick Overall
- Team: Houston Texans
- Pick Made By: Kiper
Chandler Rivers turned in a consistent season with 59 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He processes quickly in coverage and does a solid job staying in position to contest throws.

Chandler Rivers's Combine Measurements
- Height: 5'9.5"
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 29 3/8"
Chandler Rivers's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.4
- 10-Yard Split: 1.55
- Vertical Jump: 39”
- Broad Jump: 10’10”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
9) Keionte Scott, Miami
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 9
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 64th Pick Overall
- Team: Seattle Seahawks
- Pick Made By: Yates
Keionte Scott brought physicality and production with 64 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He’s active around the ball and contributes in multiple phases of the defense.

Keionte Scott's Combine Measurements
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 193 lbs.
- Hand: 9 5/8"
- Arm: 31 3/8"
Keionte Scott's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
10) Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 10
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 79th Pick Overall
- Team: Atlanta Falcons
- Pick Made By: Reid
With 52 tackles, 6 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, Davison Igbinosun offers ideal size and length for boundary coverage. He competes well at the catch point and has the tools to match up with bigger receivers.

Davison Igbinosun's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 189 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/8"
- Arm: 32 7/8"
Davison Igbinosun's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.45
- 10-Yard Split: 1.58
- Vertical Jump: 34”
- Broad Jump: 10’0”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
Just Missed: Julian Neal, Arkansas
Mel Kiper NFL Draft Player Rankings
- Previous Rank: 11
- Top 25 Big Board: NR
- ESPN 3-Round Mock: 92nd Pick Overall
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Pick Made By: Yates
Julian Neal quietly put together a strong campaign with 55 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions. His size and physical presence give him an intriguing upside as a developmental option.

Julian Neal's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 203 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 32 3/4"
Julian Neal's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.49
- 10-Yard Split: 1.59
- Vertical Jump: 40”
- Broad Jump: 11’2”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.13
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.2
- Bench Press: 16
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
2026 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. Top 10 CBs
As the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh draws near, draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has unveiled his definitive cornerback rankings. While the premier tier remains the focal point for NFL front offices, this latest update reveals a major reshuffle among the "next wave" of defensive backs jockeying for early-round positioning.

Defensive Risers and Ball-Hawking Production

The most striking development is the surge of San Diego State standout Chris Johnson, who has vaulted to No. 6 in the positional rankings. Johnson’s meteoric rise is fueled by a stellar senior campaign in which he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, punctuated by four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. His ascent highlights the volatility of this year's secondary class, where thin margins are separating the rising stars from those sliding down the board.