2026 NFL Draft - Top Nickel Corners
Most Recent Update: 2/5/2026 7:00 PM EST
Position/Conference Rankings
| Rank | O/A | Chng | Player/School | Ht/Wt | Elig. | BIO |
 |
+10
CBs Drafted by Round
| Round | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | Avg |
| RD1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 3.8 |
| RD2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 4.8 |
| RD3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3.5 |
| RD4 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4.8 |
| RD5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4.5 |
| RD6 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 5.7 |
| RD7 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5.7 |
| Total | 36 | 37 | 37 | 27 | 32 | 29 | 33.0 |
Glossary of Terms
Cornerback Position
Cornerback Position
Outside/boundary CB
The outermost defensive backs responsible for covering receivers.
Nickel/slot CB
A CB that replaces a LB on the interior (usually split out from the line over a receiver) in suspected passing situations and/or to match offensive personnel.
Press Coverage
A technique in which the CB lines up on the line, face-to-face with his receiver, using physicality to disrupt the receiver's release and the timing of the route.
Off Coverage
A technique in which the CB starts 5-8 yards away from the line of scrimmage, using read-and-react techniques with eyes on the QB.
Press-bail
A technique in which the CB shows press coverage before the snap and immediately drops off as the ball is snapped.
Cover 0
All defensive backs are either blitzing or in man coverage (no help over the top).
Cover 1
All defensive backs are in man coverage except for the free safety who is responsible for the deep middle of the field.
Cover 2
Each safety is in charge of half of the deep portion of the field, CBs can be in man or zone coverage.
Tampa 2
Similar to cover 2, made famous by Tony Dungy in Tampa Bay, but with a twist; the middle linebacker drops into a deeper zone than usual, creating a hybrid cover 2/cover 3 look.
Cover 3
Zone coverage in which two CBs cover one third of the field (each on the outside) while the FS mans the middle third
Quarters
Sometimes called cover 4, is similar to cover 3 except each CB has an outside quarter and each safety has an inside quarter.
Nickel
A formation in which 5 defensive backs are in the field (one in the slot).
Dime
A formation in which 6 defensive backs are in the field (two in the slot).
Pass Defensed
When a defensive player deflects or 'breaks up' a pass (statistic).
