NFL Draft: Top cornerback targets emerging for Ravens

You hear a lot about what the biggest need is in Baltimore, but cornerback should be a realistic option for the Ravens in Round 1. Cornerback is quietly emerging as a realistic early-round option for the Baltimore Ravens, and several prospects should be gaining traction. Players like Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane headline a group of defensive backs who could fit Baltimore's updated scheme under head coach Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. With a premium placed on versatility and physicality, the Ravens are always looking to strengthen their secondary.

As currently constructed, Baltimore has Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Chidobe Awuzie as starters. T.J. Tampa, Robert Longerbeam, Amani Oruwariye, Keyon Martin, Bilhal Kone, and Marquise Robinson offer depth with the second-year undrafted player, Keyon Martin, logging the most snaps in 2026 out of the reserve group.

While not an immediate need, the long-term outlook makes cornerback a position worth addressing. Depth, injuries, and evolving defensive schemes all factor into the equation. If the board breaks a certain way, don't be surprised if Baltimore pivots and selects a defensive back earlier than expected.

Here are five players to watch:

CB Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Delane is a potential top-10 pick and the best cornerback available after a dominant season at LSU, where he only allowed 14 catches on 35 targets across 11 games, intercepting two passes and breaking up seven others. Among 128 qualifying college cornerbacks, Delane allowed the second-best passer rating in man coverage (28.3) and ranked first in zone coverage (14.6).

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Terrell, an Atlanta native, is the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, who also attended Clemson and was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2020. Terrell finished the 2025 season with a team-high five forced fumbles and 11 pass-breakups. During his three years at Clemson, Terrell accounted for 125 total tackles, 25 passes defended, four sacks, eight forced fumbles, and three interceptions.

CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana

During his final season, Ponds started 14 games and missed one due to injury (at Iowa). He was named the Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl. He was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and received first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News. Additionally, he earned second-team All-America selections from the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He also received All-America recognition from The Athletic (2nd team), CBS Sports (2nd team), On3 (2nd team), and Sports Illustrated (1st team). Furthermore, he was named first-team All-Big Ten by both the conference's media and coaches panels.

Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

An under-the-radar player to watch, the 6-foot-1, 193-pound corner compiled a 4.41-second 40, a 42-inch vertical leap, and an 11-0 broad jump. A 6-2, 180-pound Cornerback from Mesquite, Texas, Demmings is an FCS All-American, and became the program's all-time leader in passes defended with 35 over his four years at Stephen F. Austin.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy didn't play at all in 2025 after tearing an ACL last January, but he's elite and had 4 interceptions and 9 pass breakups in 2024.

Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

Prysock started in all 12 games and finished fifth on the team with 45 tackles. He tallied six pass breakups with an interception. Prysock had a season-high nine tackles in the win over Illinois.

Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas

In 2020, Neal saw action in 12 games with 12 starts, tallying 55 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and ten pass breakups.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Five CB Targets emerging for the Ravens in Round 1