Top 5 Cornerback prospects in 2026 Draft

Ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, draft analysts rank the top CB prospects

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Ahead of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, draft analysts have ranked the top cornerback prospects, with LSU's Mansoor Delane, Clemson's Avieon Terrell, and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood among the top 5 players at the position. The cornerbacks will participate in team interviews, media availability, on-field drills, and the 40-yard dash at the combine in Indianapolis this week.

Why it matters

The cornerback position is crucial in the modern NFL, and these top prospects will be heavily scouted as teams look to bolster their defensive secondaries through the draft. Strong combine performances could solidify these players' draft stock and improve their chances of being selected in the early rounds.

The details

The top 5 cornerback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft are: 1) Mansoor Delane, LSU (6'0", 190 lbs); 2) Avieon Terrell, Clemson (5'11", 190 lbs); 3) Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (5'10", 193 lbs); 4) Colton Hood, Tennessee (6'0", 195 lbs); and 5) Brandon Cisse, South Carolina (6'0", 190 lbs). These players will showcase their skills at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, including team interviews, media availability, on-field drills, and the 40-yard dash.

  • The cornerbacks will arrive in Indianapolis on Tuesday and begin team interviews by request.
  • They are scheduled for media availability on Thursday.
  • The on-field position drills, 40-yard dash, and agility workouts will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.
  • The bench press will be held on Saturday.

The players

Mansoor Delane

LSU cornerback who spent three years at Virginia Tech and had 29 starts before transferring to LSU, where he had a dominant senior season in 2025.

Avieon Terrell

Clemson cornerback with speed, quickness, burst, and natural instincts in coverage, as well as plus traits as a run defender.

Jermod McCoy

Tennessee cornerback who missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, but was a first-round lock based on his 2024 game film.

Colton Hood

Tennessee cornerback who had a breakout 2025 season and is considered one of the top press-man corners in the class.

Brandon Cisse

South Carolina cornerback who is a leading candidate to impress at the combine with his length and Olympic-sprinter speed.

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The takeaway

The 2026 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented cornerback prospects, and their performances at the upcoming Scouting Combine will be closely watched as teams look to bolster their defensive secondaries. These top-ranked players have the potential to be early-round selections and make an immediate impact in the league.