Seeking nuggets in pile of rookie DBs
Whether it be too little talent or too many rule changes favoring wide-open passing attacks, NFL secondaries no longer impact the game as they once did.
Newcomers from the 2024 Draft are not likely to fix the first part of that issue. Only three DBs went in the first round, and none before the No. 22 overall pick. That confirms pre-draft opinions that the 2024 Draft Class of DBs was thin at the top.
So, instead of USDA prime sizzle, we can hope for a buffet of choice-grade offerings. In a league that features a carnivorous passing attack, that may help stave off the predators.
In total, 57 DBs were selected. Only two teams did not indulge. The three first-rounders and a couple of DBs taken later could be immediate starters. But most of the 57 selected were late-round roster-fillers who will be locked in camp battles for a spot on the depth chart.
I have taken a “fight card” approach to outlining the impact rookie DBs. I named some honorable mention candidates who might also make an impact. Note that I use the format of “team, round, overall pick” after the player’s name. Here we go.
Potential Day-1 starters
Tyler Nubin (New York Giants, 2.47):
The New York Giants saw a young, talented starting safety bolt via free agency when Xavier McKinney signed with the Green Bay Packers, leaving a clear pathway for Nubin to step in and fill that void immediately. He has a formidable bloodline — several family members with productive college football careers. Nubin himself is currently the Gophers’ career interceptions leader (13) and hopes to land a starting role with his new family in the Meadowlands.
Kool-Aid McKinstry (New Orleans Saints, 2.41)
Safety Marshon Lattimore is coming off two injury-plagued seasons in which he played only 17 games. Although Alontae Taylor (2022, second round) and Paulson Adebo (2021, third round) played well in Lattimore’s absence, McKinstry has the talent and collegiate pedigree to relieve the Saints from Lattimore’s loathsome contract and contend with the other two for an immediate starting role.
Kamren Kinchens (Los Angeles Rams, 3.36)
Jordan Fuller went from the Rams to the Carolina Panthers, leaving behind 93 percent of the defensive snaps he took alongside starting safety Kamren Curl. The Rams have two undrafted 2024 rookies rostered (Jaylen McCollough and Kenny Logan) with two late-round draft selections: Jason Taylor (2023, seventh round) and Quentin Lake (2022, sixth round). So, it is safe to say there will be two Kamrens patrolling the Rams’s secondary to start the season.
Cole Bishop (Buffalo Bills, 2.60)
With Micah Hyde not re-signing and Jordan Poyer heading south to join their division rivals in Miami, Bishop has only to contend with a pair of veterans to be a Day 1 starter: Mike Edwards comes over from the Kansas City Chiefs, and holdover Taylor Rapp re-signed but has contributed mostly on special teams.
Mike Sainstril (Washington Commanders, 2.50)
The Commanders will be looking for Sainristil to step in and be a starter. New Washington DC Dan Quinn will be looking to improve a pass defense that finished dead last in yardage (262.2 per game). Sainstril’s competition includes veteran Mike Davis and last year’s first-round selection Emmanuel Forbes.
Rookie vs. rookie matchups to watch
Arizona Cardinals: Max Melton (2.43) vs. Elijah Jones (3.90)
Blessed with a stash of 2024 draft capital, the Cardinals used the most selections of any team on DBs (four). An open cornerback slot exists opposite veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Melton and Jones will be an early camp battle to nab that starting position.
Both of these players are physically gifted, with Jones (6-1 and 42.5”) having the height and vertical advantage. However, Max Melton (5-11, 40.5”) has slightly better speed (4.39 seconds in 40 yards vs. 4.44) and may be more ready for the pros by virtue of his brother, Green Bay WR Bo Melton, being in the league.
Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (1.30) vs. T.J. Tampa (4.130)
The Baltimore Ravens saw some change over when free-agent veterans Rock Ya Sin and Ronald Darby exited, leaving the team with an open spot across from perennial All-Pro Marlon Humphrey.
Although these two players were selected exactly 100 picks apart, the difference in where they finish on the depth chart may come down to the old saying, “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” Both players have good size, measuring around 6-1, with Tampa being a bit bulkier. However, Wiggins’ explosive speed (4.28) and acceleration propelled him into the first round and make him the clear favorite to win this spot.
Detroit Lions: Terrion Arnold (1.24) vs. Ennis Rakestraw (2.61)
In a season when the Detroit Lions fans had much to cheer about, they still had concerns over their secondary. The unit was hit with injuries early, and its cornerback play was spotty throughout the season. The result? A complete overhaul of the defensive backfield this offseason, with the Lions going after veteran help in free agency and an infusion of draft talent.
Now, back to Arnold and Rakestraw. Physically, both players are nearly identical, with Arnold enjoying a slight size advantage. But it’s when the top picks puts on his pads that his superior talent and skills push him past not just Rakestraw, but all other 2024 rookie corners this side of Quinyon Mitchell (who went two picks ahead of him).
Green Bay Packers: Javon Bullard (2.58) vs. Evan Williams (4.111) vs Kitan Oladapo (5.169)
It is safe to say the Packers have overcompensated for their 2023 Round 2 blunder, which saw them essentially trade safety Brian Branch to a division rival. They signed Xavier McKinney in free agency and then selected three more safeties in this year’s draft, hoping to find a starter next to McKinney.
His measurables and game tape quickly eliminated Evan Williams from contention. Bullard played mostly nickel at Georgia and made his presence known with relentless pursuit and terrific run support.
The Packers landed a diamond in the rough when they selected Kitan Oladapo near the back end of the fifth round. At 6-2 and 218 pounds, Oladapo possesses the prototypical size of a true safety. Not only can he play the deep split safety role, he can come down into the box and play the run or take on opposing tight ends—a skill this team sorely needs with Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, and Cole Kmet roaming the NFC North.
Indianapolis Colts: Jaylon Carlies (5.151) vs. Jaylin Simpson (5.164) vs. Micah Abraham.
The Colts needed to address their secondary position, but it took until the later rounds to do so.
I predict that this battle of the two “Jays” will not produce much. Neither projects to be a starting safety. I see the 6-3, 227-pound Carlies moving to middle linebacker, since he does not possess the coverage skills to be a deep split safety. Simpson, at 6’0” and 179 pounds, is a ‘tweener — he lacks the size to play safety and does not demonstrate the cover skills to be a full-time corner. Maybe he will stick as a dime corner, but he’ll likely have to make his mark on special teams.
Simpson and Carlies will not likely contribute to the Indy secondary right away, but late-round gem Micah Abraham (6.201) just might. A four-year starter at Marshall, Abraham established himself as a ballhawk unafraid to deliver a hit. He ended his college career with 12 interceptions and a staggering 55 pass break-ups for the Thundering Herd. The Colts hope that production transfers to the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers: Tarheeb Still (5.137) vs. Cam Hart (5.140)
In selecting these two DBs, the Chargers expect to improve on a 30th-ranked pass defense (249.8 per game). In terms of athleticism, Still and Hart are pretty even, but their respective sizes likely dictate where they’ll play. The 6-3, 202-pound Still has the potential to match up against bigger wide receivers or to move inside as an extra safety. Hart has great ball instincts, finishing sixth in FBS last season with five INTs in 10 games. He also averaged nearly five tackles a game in his career at Notre Dame. He has a chance to be a dynamite slot corner.
Rookies vs. veterans
Quinyon Mitchell (1.22) and Cooper DeJean (2.40) vs. Darius Slay and James Bradberry
No, I did not forget about the dynamic duo the Eagles drafted with their first two selections. Philadelphia’s pass D was the second-worst in the NFL last year. (Only Washington’s was sorrier.) Slay, a six-time Pro Bowl player, is entering his 12th year.
The 30-year-old Bradberry comes off an awful 2023, in which he allowed nearly four receptions and 50 yards per game and gave up a whopping 11 touchdowns. The pair’s subpar play last year made it a no-brainer for the Eagles to focus on their secondary in the draft.
Mitchell and DeJean each made a name for themselves in their final college season and in pre-draft workouts. Mitchell has all the physical traits to match up with divisional foes CeeDee Lamb and rookie Malik Nabers. He’s a physical corner whose ability to close on the ball is second to none. The Eagles got a steal when Mitchell managed to fall to No. 22.
DeJean was a consensus All-American and would likely have been a first-round selection had he not still been recovering from a broken fibula that ended his 2023 season. The former Hawkeye is expected to contribute not only at cornerback but will likely be the Eagles’ return specialist.
Honorable Mentions: Mid-late round gems to look out for.
Carolina Panthers: Chau Smith-Wade (5.157)
The Carolina Panthers had three cornerbacks depart either by trade or free agency this offseason. They did sign former Bills’ DB Dane Jackson, whom Smith-Wade will likely compete with for a starting spot opposite Jaycee Horn.
Dallas Cowboys: Caelen Carson (5.174)
Carson starts training camp behind two premier cornerbacks — Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland — with little hope of supplanting either, barring injury. But I see him getting immediate playing time in that No. 3 corner spot.
Denver Broncos: Kris Abrams-Draine (5.145)
With All-Pro corner Patrick Surtain II locking down one side, the other corner spot is wide open. Abrams-Draine has the potential to land some quality playing time for the Broncos this season.
San Francisco 49ers: Renardo Green (2.64)
As do the Broncos, the 49ers enter the season with a clear-cut CB1 in Charvarius Ward. Green enters the league having been battle-tested against some of the elite wide receivers of this class. The former Seminole played an integral role in Florida State’s Week 1 win over LSU and a Tigers offense loaded with 2024 first-round talent — QB Jayden Daniels (No. 2) and WRs Malik Nabers (No. 6) and Brian Thomas Jr. (No. 23). Green finished the game with four tackles, a PBU in the end zone and an INT.
Houston Texans: Kamari Lassiter (2.42) and Calen Bullock (3.78)
Lassiter has to contend with two former top-10 first-round selections in 2020 — Jeff Okudah (No. 3, Lions) and C.J. Henderson (No. 9, Jaguars) — both of whom signed as free agents this offseason. Fortunately for Lassiter, neither one of these players has lived up to his high draft status. As far as Bullock, he has four safeties in front of him, all over the age of 30, each of whom enters free agency after the 2024 season. Look for both Lassiter and Bullock to make an impact for a rejuvenated Texans defense.
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