Cornerbacks Capable of Rising Up Lions' Draft Board
From all accounts, the Detroit Lions are expected to take a cornerback within the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, if they don't, they could be in the market for a corner to close out Day 2 of the draft.
It's a deep defensive back class, so there should be a good number of quality corners still available come round three.
Without further ado, let's take a look at four “risers” at the cornerback position that Brad Holmes could target this April.
Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
Overshadowed by fellow Missouri corner Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Abrams-Draine has also made a name for himself throughout this pre-draft process.
Abrams-Draine, a little shy of 6-feet tall and weighing in around 175 pounds, was both a second-team All-America selection and a first-team All-SEC selection during his final season with the Tigers.
Abrams-Draine is known as a physical, alignment-versatile corner who thrived in press-man coverage at the collegiate level. He might not exactly possess prototypical NFL size, but from all accounts, he has enough short-area quickness and ball skills to become a contributor at the professional level one day.
The Missouri product ran a 4.44 40-yard dash, and produced a 33.5-inch vertical jump as part of his combine workout.
If I were Holmes, I'd start looking at taking Abrams-Draine in the third round.
Cam Hart, Notre Dame
Hart, standing in at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, has been one of my favorite “under-the-radar” corners all throughout this pre-draft process.
He's been labeled by a variety of draft pundits as a Day 2 prospect, and has been mocked most frequently in round three.
He now might have a chance to be drafted higher, after a strong showing Friday at the NFL combine. He recorded a 4.5-second 40-yard dash time, a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10’10”.
Hart is equipped with a high degree of athleticism, and is more than proficient in man coverage. In his final season at Notre Dame, he earned an 84.2 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, including an 81.0 man-coverage mark.
Hart possesses the necessary intangibles to thrive in both man and zone coverage at the next level. I definitely believe he could develop into a starter in Aaron Glenn's defense (and sooner rather than later).
Max Melton, Rutgers
Melton would look very good in Honolulu Blue.
Known as a fearless, tenacious defender, Melton – an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in both 2022 and 2023 – is not afraid to come up and make a stop against the run. Additionally, he has the capability of playing in both man and zone coverage schemes.
The Rutgers product had a solid, all-around showing in his combine workout Friday. Among all cornerbacks, he finished first in the broad jump (11’4”), fourth in the vertical jump (40.5 inches) and sixth in the 40-yard dash (4.39).
At the very least, the 6-foot, 190-pounder profiles as a competent starter at nickel corner at the next level.
Andru Phillips, Kentucky
Just like Melton, Phillips was one of the combine's best performers Friday.
He posted a 4.48 “40” time, a 11’3” broad jump (just behind Melton's) and a 42-inch vertical.
Also much like Melton, Phillips is an impact run defender, with the versatility to play in both man and zone coverage schemes.
I wouldn't expect him to be a Day 1 starter for the Lions. But, with his ability to line up both on the outside and at nickel, I do think he'd be a high-quality depth piece for Glenn's secondary.
And after Phillips’ impressive combine display, he might just sneak into the bottom-half of the third round.
