All articles tagged with #cornerbacks
In the second Patriots OTA without top corners Gonzalez and Davis, fifth-round rookie Karon Prunty intercepted a Drake Maye pass, with Kindle Vildor and Charles Woods also making plays in coverage. Lan Larison emerged as the lead RB depth option, while DeMario Douglas led the WRs in 11‑on‑11 work amid veterans’ absences.
With OTAs underway, Washington faces questions at outside cornerback and center as it weighs limited free-agent options and evaluates recent draft picks and rookies, while new coordinators shape a run-heavy scheme and quarterback Daniels benefits from VR-based reps to sharpen timing and drops.
The piece explains how Washington’s cornerbacks—Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos, Amik Robertson, and Ahkello Witherspoon—fit Daronte Jones’ hybrid zone/man-match defensive scheme. Sainristil and Amos are viewed as likely starters, Robertson as the ideal slot and inside-outside option, and Witherspoon as a versatile rotational piece; it also notes potential veteran free-agent additions and the importance of early communication and consistent scheme rules as OTAs approach, with Sainristil’s development and tackling being the key gamble for 2026.
Las Vegas is navigating a surprising cornerback glut after the 2026 NFL Draft, with Eric Stokes and Darien Porter locked in as outside corners and Taron Johnson at nickel. A pack of backups—Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses, Decamerion Richardson, Greedy Vance, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Isaiah Pola-Mao—are competing for roughly six CB spots on the 53-man roster, contingent on McCoy’s health and whether the team keeps a backup nickel or leans on safeties.
Las Vegas reshapes its cornerback depth after the draft by re-signing Eric Stokes, trading for nickel specialist Taron Johnson, and adding rookies Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses. Darnay Holmes departs, while returners include Stokes, Darian Porter, Decamerion Richardson, Greedy Vance, and Chigozie Anusiem; current free agent Kyu Blu Kelly remains unsigned. McCoy’s injury history creates uncertainty about Week 1 impact, Masses is likely depth, and the CB1 role will hinge on development and health in 2026.
Ohio State’s final spring practice before the spring game featured a dominant defensive showing led by cornerbacks Dominick Kelly and Devin Sanchez, with Beau Atkinson making a late surge at defensive end. The defense appears poised to sustain an elite pass defense in 2026, though Caleb Downs’ absence at safety is a hurdle. Offensively, receivers like Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin flashed, and freshmen such as Chris Henry Jr. and Jordan Thomas stood out in coverage and playmaking.
Chiefs guard Trey Smith says the team trusts GM Brett Veach and the front office to replace Trent McDuffie after his trade to the Rams, citing Veach's knack for finding talent deep in drafts and the need to fill multiple CB spots as McDuffie departs.
Lance Zierlein's updated 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0, released after the Combine, has two cornerbacks go in the top five—Mansoor Delane to the Titans at No. 4 and Jermod McCoy to the Giants at No. 5—and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles cracks the top 10 at No. 10 to the Bengals, with free agency and combine performances reshaping the board.
Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis featured breakout performances from tight ends Kenyon Sadiq and Eli Stowers: Sadiq ran a 4.39s 40 and posted a 43.5-inch vertical, while Stowers recorded a 45.5-inch vertical and an 11 feet 3 inches broad jump and was second in the 40 at 4.51s. Lorenzo Styles Jr. (safety) clocked 4.27s with a 39-inch vert; Dillon Thieneman (safety) ran 4.35s with a 41-inch vert; Toriano Pride Jr. (CB) posted 4.32s, the fastest among this year’s corners. Sadiq is projected as a first-round pick; Stowers is among tight ends the Ravens could target in April’s draft.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the defensive backs posted record-breaking speed with safeties outperforming corners; Caleb Downs skipped his on-field workout, prompting questions about whether he sacrificed a key opportunity to boost his draft stock despite being viewed as a high first-round prospect.
Titans coach Robert Saleh used the NFL Combine to praise Rueben Bain, express confidence in Will Levis’s readiness to compete, note that defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat will be asked to adapt to a new role, and emphasize the need for physical, aggressive cornerbacks in his defense.
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for corner Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round pick, as part of ongoing team roster adjustments.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold will be out for an extended period due to a shoulder injury, leaving the team short on healthy cornerbacks for at least the next three games amid multiple injuries in the secondary.
The Giants' preseason opener against the Bills features Jameis Winston's debut with the team, the opportunity for Jalin Hyatt to make an impact, and a focus on the cornerback position with Nic Jones impressing in camp, all key storylines to watch.
The Chicago Bears' training camp is progressing with notable improvements in defense, particularly in press coverage, and quarterback Caleb Williams focusing on mastering the offense and building rapport with rookies like Colston Loveland. The team is also evaluating multiple players for the second cornerback position, emphasizing competition and development.