NFL Draft Late Round Value Picks:: Underrated Defensive Backs

Identifying late-round cornerback and safety prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats safety VJ Payne (19) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Several cornerback and safety prospects will be selected during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Two safeties (Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman) and at least three cornerbacks (Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood) are expected. This year's NFL Draft boasts a strong crop of defensive back prospects.

Once the obvious names come off the board, attention shifts to late-round value prospects for NFL teams searching for high-upside cornerbacks and safeties who may develop into starters. A handful of underrated prospects project to make immediate impacts in a defensive backfield. We've identified the most underrated cornerbacks and safeties in this year's NFL Draft.

2026 NFL Draft: Late-Round Value Picks at Cornerback & Safety

Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke defensive back Chandler Rivers (DB28) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers is one of the more competitive and experienced players at the position in this year's NFL Draft. A 45-game starter for the Blue Devils, he was highly productive as both a nickel and boundary corner. Rivers' size (5-9 ½”, 185 pounds) and arm length deficiencies (29 ⅜”) strongly suggest he'll permanently play inside, but his change of direction ability paired with his football IQ make him an excellent bet to develop into a high-quality starting slot cornerback.

Bud Clark, S, TCU

Nov 8, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) intercepts a pass intended for Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Brett Eskildsen (9) during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

TCU safety Bud Clark has been outstanding throughout the pre-draft process. He was an authoritative figure at the Senior Bowl, displaying excellent communication skills on the practice field with a bunch of teammates he was playing with for the first time. Clark is a sixth-year senior, so ageism may lead to better mid-round value for whoever drafts him. The Horned Frogs standout notched 15 interceptions in the previous four seasons as a coverage-versatile defender who can play from multiple alignments. He's also 6-1 and ran a 4.41 at the NFL Combine, also leaping a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump.

Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) intercepts the ball against Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Treydan Stukes is listed as a "defensive back" because he was a cornerback essentially playing big nickel safety for Arizona this past season. Stukes is another sixth-year senior, but teams would be making a mistake if they let that devalue him. The 6-1, 190-pound playmaker went from walk-on to team captain through undeniable leadership traits. The Litchfield Park, Arizona native is a passionate defender with high-level processing skills, leading to 35 career pass breakups and seven interceptions.

Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

SFA cornerback Charles Demmings tries to pull down ACU tight end Jed Castles Saturday Sept. 6, 2025. Abilene Christian University defeated Stephen F. Austin University at home, 28-20. | Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings became the first Lumberjacks player in program history to receive a Senior Bowl invite. He showed up in Mobile and proved he belonged alongside bigger-school prospects. Demmings plays with a high-level intensity as a result of his background story. In 2021, he started a grass-cutting company with his father, thinking a pro football future wasn't within grasp. Now, he's one of the top sleeper prospects after an outstanding college career. The FCS standout had four interceptions in 2025. His pre-draft showcase continued with a 4.41 (40 time), 42-inch vertical, and 11-foot broad jump at the NFL Combine.

VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats safety VJ Payne (19) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas State safety VJ Payne is a durable and seasoned 42-game starter. The Georgia native was highly productive for the Wildcats, notching 196 tackles, 13 pass breakups, 10.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles. Payne is a bigger prospect at 6-3, 206 pounds with 33 ¾” arms and 9.5-inch hands. He's super versatile on tape as a rangy defender with a large tackle radius. Play him inside the box, at nickel, or in the secondary.

Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon

Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) forces Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) to fumble during the third quarter of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Jadon Canady played at Tulane and Ole Miss before a strong senior season at Oregon in 2025. He enters the NFL Draft with 23 career pass breakups, including 12 for the Rebels in 2024. Canady projects as a sticky nickel cornerback due to light feet, closing burst, and effortless change of direction ability.

Avery Smith & Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toledo defensive back Avery Smith (DB30) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren isn't the only Toledo secondary defender worth drafting this year. The Rockets have a pair of cornerbacks who are highly intriguing in Avery Smith and Andre Fuller. Smith has athletic limitations, but he's instinctual with route-recognition skills, with 29 career breakups. Fuller is the more athletic of the two, having run a 4.49 at 6-1, 200 pounds. He's a longer press-man cornerback with 12 PBUs in 2025.