2024 NFL Draft: CB Prospects For the Jaguars to Watch

Which corners make the most sense for the Jaguars in April's NFL Draft?

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (DB27) works out during / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback is widely regarded as one of the toughest positions in the NFL. Since becoming a Jaguar, Darious Williams has emerged as one of the league's more reliable cornerbacks. On the other hand, Tyson Campbell’s future as an NFL starter remains unclear. The Georgia product has flashed the potential that made him a 2nd round pick in 2021, but he hasn't stayed healthy enough to reliably contribute to the Jaguars secondary. With the uncertainty surrounding the team’s No.2 cornerback slot, it wouldn’t hurt to draft a cornerback early on.

Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)

If the Jaguars want a shot at Mitchell, it would likely have to be in the first round. It’s uncommon to see a skill position player from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) get drafted so early, but Mitchell has the tools to be a Pro Bowl cornerback. While the level of competition that he faced may raise questions, his impressive individual performance against Ohio State (matched up against Marvin Harrison Jr) proved that he can keep up with the nation's top talent.

We’ve heard about “fast-twitch muscles”. We’ve heard about players being able to “stop on a dime”. Whatever cliche sports term you use to quantify quickness can describe Mitchell’s most impressive trait. At Toledo, Mitchell was trusted in off-man coverage due to his ability to close gaps between him and a receiver in an instant. His violent, explosive breaks are a product of his fluid hips and polished footwork. Mitchell had the second-highest PFF coverage grade among all FBS cornerbacks in 2023 while finishing with the third most “forced incompletions”.

Many young defensive backs struggle with “opening the gate” early. They are threatened by getting beat deep, so they turn their hips and bail on the route prematurely. Mitchell, however, is disciplined and acutely observant. When playing the ball in the air, he emphasizes causing an incompletion rather than trying to haul in an interception. Mitchell often swats one hand at the ball, while using his other arm to strike the receivers elbow/arm to generate instability.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Mitchell was the highest graded cornerback based on his performance at the NFL combine. The Toledo product measured in at 6 feet tall and 195 pounds. He clocked a blazing 4.33 40 yard dash and finished with the most bench press repetitions among all cornerbacks (20 reps).

Mike Sainristil (Michigan)

It's unusual for the captain of a defending National Champion team to be “underrated”, but here we are. The first-team All-American fits the mold of a prototypical NFL slot/nickel corner. Before switching to defensive back in 2022, Sainristil started his college career as a wide receiver. The former Wolverine accumulated 37 catches for 539 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Sainristil has a knack for stepping up in big-time situations, most notably in the National Championship. With time winding down, Sainstril snagged a game-clinching interception on 4th down. Prior to that, Sainsristil spoiled another late-game fourth down conversion by darting into the backfield to disrupt a jail-break screen.

The 2023 National Champion communicates effectively, even in stressful situations. Sainristil understands the full scope of his responsibilities, which allows him to process offenses efficiently and relay coverage calls to his teammates. His football IQ and split-second decision make it seem like he has eyes in the back of his head.

In zone coverage, Sainristil often handles his assignment while also accounting for nearby zones that he isn't responsible for. Being the smartest player on the field in college doesn't always immediately transfer to the NFL, but Sainristil’s advanced understanding of the game should have defensive coordinators licking their chops.

Sainristil is not a surefire “top” prospect because of his size. At 5 foot 9 and 180 pounds, he probably doesn’t turn heads when he walks into a room. However, he uses his stature to his advantage. On screen passes and outside run plays, Sainristil effortlessly weaves through traffic and evades blockers en route to the ball carrier. Although he is two inches shorter than the average NFL corner, Sainristil uses his 40 inch vertical and 6 foot 2 wingspan to his benefit.

Mikey Victor (Alabama State)

If the Jaguars pass on drafting a cornerback early in the draft, there are still promising prospects that should be available in the later rounds of the draft.

Mikey Victor is an FCS All-American with potential that is simply too intriguing to ignore. The 6 foot 3 210 pound corner spent 6 years in college, starting at Ventura Community College before transferring to UNLV and ultimately ending up at Alabama State.

In the East-West Shrine Bowl, Victor proved that he can hold his own outside of the FCS level. The Alabama State product is comfortable as a field, boundary or slot corner. As the most talented player on his team's defense, he was asked to display his versatility on a regular basis.

Alabama State’s defensive coordinator often felt comfortable stacking the box, which might have to do with Victor’s reliability in man coverage. His sharp instincts pair well with his 6 foot 6 wingspan, particularly when jamming receivers and defending passes. Victor can effortlessly position his hands inside of a receivers frame, disrupting routes before the quarterback can go through his progressions.

A move to safety would not be shocking. Victor uses his size and wing-span to effortlessly shed blocks from smaller receivers, which has lead to him being an effective run-stopper. Unlike many cornerbacks who utilize the often ineffective “ankle-biting” tackling technique, Victor is a willing and disciplined tackler.

Although he was not at this year's combine, Victor recently attended the University of Alabama’s Pro Day. Victor completed the 20 yard shuttle in 4.28 seconds while posting a 35.5 inch vertical jump. After an impressive day of testing, Victor proved that his athletic ability is on-par with the prospects coming from more well-known programs.