Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2025 NFL Draft with its position previews. Scott Reynolds starts the previews with the nickel cornerback position, offering a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at nickelback.

Josh Queipo then analyzes a detailed list of this year’s top nickel cornerback prospects while Reynolds provides the annual Pewter Report Bucs Best Bets – the most likely nickelbacks for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Nickel Cornerback

Bucs DB Christian Izien – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Assuming Tykee Smith, who was the starter in the slot last year as a rookie, moves to strong safety to replace Jordan Whitehead as expected, Tampa Bay is severely lacking in talent and depth at the nickelback position. The team currently has just two candidates who could play nickel cornerback in veteran Christian Izien and Tyrek Funderburk, who was an undrafted free agent last year.

Izien was a wire-to-wire starter at nickelback as a rookie in 2023, but the Bucs wanted more playmaking ability in the slot, which is why they spent a third-round pick on Smith last year. The idea is to make Smith, who also played safety at Georgia, a defensive back who will play 100% of the snaps next to Antoine Winfield Jr. rather than only see the field about 75% of the time as a nickel cornerback.

Yet Izien showed his true value in being a depth piece, who could sub in at free safety, strong safety and nickelback. He’ll get a chance to compete for the slot duty again this year, but Todd Bowles and Jason Licht will look to draft a nickelback or two this year to bolster the position.

Funderburk cross-trained at both outside cornerback and slot cornerback last year during his rookie season after splitting time at both spots during his career at Appalachian State. But there is no assurance Funderburk will make the 53-man roster this year.

What The Bucs Need At Nickel Cornerback

Unless the Bucs draft a top safety like Georgia’s Malaki Starks in the first round, Tykee Smith will likely move from nickelback to strong safety to replace Jordan Whitehead, who was released this offseason. That creates a vacancy in the slot where the team will need a starter. With Christian Izien and Tyrek Funderburk viewed more as depth pieces than starting-caliber nickelbacks, Tampa Bay will likely select at least one cornerback capable of playing in the slot – if not two – this year.

The Bucs interviewed six cornerbacks formally at the NFL Scouting Combine – some of which have played in the slot or started there during their college careers. The Bucs also brought in eight cornerbacks – more than any other position – for official 30 visits. Of those players, USC nickelback Jaylin Smith received both a formal interview and was brought in for a 30 visit. Tampa Bay also brought in nickel candidates in Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish and Oregon’s Nikko Reed for official 30 visits.

Top Nickel Cornerbacks In 2025 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Texas NCB Jahdae Barron – Senior – 5-11, 194 – 4.39

Barron has done it all in the secondary. After largely playing safety and nickel his first four years in college, Barron was asked to play perimeter corner in 2024. Barron not only took the change in stride, he thrived. He won the Jim Thorpe award while notching 16 pass deflections and leading the SEC in interceptions with five. While he is on the smaller side, his body control and fluid hips keep him competitive against receivers of all body types. His body positioning in zone forces quarterbacks to look away from him. His best tape is made up of throws not sent in his direction. He’s a quick click and close player who eats up ground in the blink of an eye.

Where I think he can excel as a nickel is his ability to play through blocks and physically help against the run and screen game in an increasingly important position. It’s also a spot where his lack of length won’t hamper his play style. Nickel will also keep Barron closer to the line of scrimmage where he plays better. He can get a bit lacksidasical in off-coverage, allowing receivers to get behind him. Ultimately, his tenacity, ball skills and versatility will make him an asset to any defensive backfield. Barron is likely a Top 15 pick.

2. Kentucky NCB Maxwell Hairston – Junior – 6-0, 183 – 4.28

Hairston is a compact and explosive athlete. He turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a blistering 4.28 in the 40-yard dash. His vertical jump was in the 87th percentile for his position and his broad jump is in the 88th percentile. His tape is littered with those traits and he was named second-team All-SEC in 2023. Hairston’s biggest superpower is his ability do click and close, with suddenness to quickly drive into throwing lanes and contest throws at the catchpoint. Playing in a unique defensive system at Kentucky gave him ample opportunity to get comfortable with both zone and man concepts as he was often in a quick match style of defense.

His smaller frame can lead to missed tackles, although it wasn’t for a lack of effort or want-to in 2024. But a 27% missed tackle rate is cause for some alarm. And for all the high-end reps you can find on tape, there is plenty of missed assignments and blown coverages. But his quick instincts, competitive drive, penchant for making plays on the ball – six interceptions in the last two seasons – and physical gifts make for a high-end athlete worth betting on as a slot defender or perhaps an outside cornerback. Hairston will be drafted in the second round, but has the talent and upside to sneak into the first round.

3. Kansas State NCB Jacob Parrish – Junior – 5-10, 191 – 4.35

Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: USA Today

Parrish showed his sprinting background when he clocked a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. And it’s that speed, paired with his compact frame that helps him stay balanced throughout the rep from backpedal, to transition to close. He has shown ball production throughout his three years at Kansas State, but more so in breaking up passes than picking them off. But he was able to pick off four passes in 2023. Despite his smaller stature, Parrish’s plus footwork and consistent hand placement and strike timing allows him to hold up as a press-man corner.

Even with his shorter frame, he is dense and well-proportioned so he can play more physically than other sub-six-foot corners. He’s also a solid tackler. However, he can get thrown at the top of routes from large receivers who are willing to throw their weight around. Parrish is similar to Maxwell Hairston in that he’s a competitive athlete who plays bigger than his size and has enough physicality to stand up to the demands in the run game of a modern nickel. He’s likely a third- or fourth-round pick.

4. Kansas NCB Cobee Bryant – Senior – 6-0, 180 – 4.53

Bryant is an aggressive, mentality-first defender who profiles best in the slot despite spending his college career on the outside. He makes up for a lack of elite speed by reading and reacting quicker than your average bear. With 35 passes defensed and 13 interceptions in his career at Kansas, he has phenomenal playmaking instincts. Those ball skills helped him to three First Team All-Big XII selections and a 2024 Second Team All-American. He’s a physical competitor, though you wouldn’t immediately be able to tell looking at him. Many were surprised he was able to bulk up to 180 pounds for his Combine weigh-in.

That weight is a concern as it is an outlier, especially at his height. His aggressiveness can be used against him as he is not immune to biting on double moves and he has a penchant for drawing flags. With a move to the slot he will have to develop a feel for blitzing and there are legitimate concerns on how well he will perform fitting the run. But his alpha mentality and playmaking will have some teams questioning how hard and fast they want to stick to their size guardrails.

5. Ohio State NCB Jordan Hancock – Senior – 6-0, 186 – 4.45

Ohio State DB Jordan Hancock – Photo by: USA Today

Hancock was a standout defender on Ohio State’s national championship team, logging snaps in the slot, the post and the box. No matter where he was lined up, Hancock was around the ball, registering 48 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, none passes defensed and an interception. He is aggressive at the line of scrimmage, with quick hips to match two-way releases. He’s an improved tackler who can fit the run and has the requisite demeanor to take on and slip blocks. His speed will play at the NFL level, but it isn’t a plus. And he doesn’t trust himself all the time in his backpedal leading to reaches and flags.

Hancock’s versatility makes him a Swiss-army knife depth piece that can fill in reliably in a pinch across multiple spots in the secondary. His value will be in the eye of the beholder as to where NFL teams see his best role. Some might believe he is at his best playing the post or as a two-high safety, where others will value him as a slot. Hancock is a Day 3 selection.

6. Louisville NCB Quincy Riley – Senior – 5-11, 194 – 4.48

Riley is a ballhawk. His 15 passes defensed led the ACC in 2024 and he had eight picks and 34 pass breakups over the last three years. And that was after posting 20 pass breakups and seven interceptions the two years prior at Middle Tennesse State. Riley’s eyes consistently stay in the backfield which has fueled all of this ball disruption. And when he forces a turnover, he has more often than not turned it around with long and impactful returns. He plays a more patient game than other corners, using his hands less so he isn’t the penalty risk others may be. But he can stay in phase and make quick plays on the ball in the air.

Not a burner, Riley has enough speed at both the burst and top end. But his play strength is suspect at best and he’s not a reliable tackler. He struggles to get off of receiver blocks and there are plenty of questions as to how he would hold up against tight ends and power slots both in the run game as well as on perimeter screens. Teams will love the ball skills and fluid movements, but real questions about how well Riley can hold up against NFL size and strength will be the true test of his impact in the league. Riley could wind up being a Day 3 steal.

7. Tulane NCB Caleb Ransaw – Senior – 6-0, 197 – 4.33

Ransaw is consistent “do your job” corner with positional versatility. He has experience on the outside, in the slot and as a box safety, but profiles best into the slot at the NFL level. Ransaw can also provide immediate special teams value to the team that drafts him. But Ransaw’s lack of ball production, just nine passes defensed and one interception in 49 career games, pushes his value down.

He’s a controlled and balanced tackler who can help in the run game. His movements are explosive and can become even more impressive if he learns how to become more efficient with his footwork. Currently he takes too many steps leading to unnecessary space between him and his assignment at the top of route stems. Ransaw profiles as an ideal special teamer who can pinch hit at multiple positions in case of emergency. Look for him to be a late Day 3 pick.

8. UCF NCB Mac McWilliams – Senior – 5-10, 191 – 4.41

McWilliams leveled up in competition, transferring from UAB to UCF in 2024. Unfortunately for him, his ball skills did not level up with him. After racking up 24 pass break ups in 31 games in Conference USA, he registered just three in 11 games in the Big Twelve. A process-sound corner with great speed and fluid hips, he is quick to click and close. His quick feet and efficient movements allow him to stop and start to stay with double moves and stay connected at the stem point.

But his lack of height and length make him a liability on the perimeter where he will above the rim. Despite the lack of ideal size, McWilliams is a strong enough run defender, playing with the requisite tenacity to work in the modern NFL as a slot.

9. Western Kentucky NCB Upton Stout – Senior – 5-8, 181 – 4.44

Stout is one of the smallest corners in this draft. But his quick feet and fluid hips make him one of the smoothest movers in space as well. That fluidity helps him maintain speed while changing directions and carrying crossers. He is an effective tackler despite his diminutive size, but his play strength is below average at best, and he struggles to play throws at the highest catch point.

He has explosive deceleration and secondary burst to click and close, and he has a competitive demeanor to exploit those traits to their fullest. But he’s not a great ball winner and he can get handsy leading to flags. With NFL offenses pushing their biggest and best receivers into the slot more and more it is fair to wonder if Stout can manage in the modern NFL, but some team will bet on the mentality and physical traits over the size concerns.

10. USC NCB Jaylin Smith – Senior – 5-11, 187 – 4.45

USC CB Jaylin Smith – Photo by: USA Today

Smith’s smooth transitions and quick feet help him compete and stay in phase in press man looks from multiple alignments. While he played primarily on the outside his last season in college, he has experience in the slot where he profiles best at the NFL level. His quick movements work best near the line of scrimmage as his long speed is not ideal. That paired with improvements in run defense and his tenacious mentality are all pros for a move inside to the slot.

Smith’s ball production doesn’t match others in this class with just eight pass defenses and three interceptions in four years. Smith has special teams experience which should help secure him a draft slot. His actual play strength doesn’t quite match his play style which can get him into trouble at times. The biggest concern facing Smith as he transitions to the NFL is whether he can remain healthy. Smith profiles as a late Day 3 pick.

Bucs Best Bets By Scott Reynolds

Rounds 1-3: Kentucky NCB Maxwell Hairston

Hairston checks the ballhawk box for Bucs head coach Todd Bowles. He had five interceptions at Kentucky in 2023, including a pair of pick-sixes, and then had another pick-six last season for the Wildcats. Hairston also checks the speed box for Bowles, who likes fast cornerbacks. Jamel Dean has 4.3 speed and Zyon McCollum ran a 4.33 at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2022. Hairston was the fastest player at the Combine this year, clocking a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash. At 6-foot, 183 pounds, Hairston has nearly identical size to former Buccaneer Sean Murphy-Bunting, a second-round pick in 2019 who played in the slot and helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV.

While Hairston has great ball skills and the ability to run with any receiver, he still needs to refine his game. He’s beaten on double moves at times, and is prone to miss some tackles. Hairston will need to hone his instincts at the next level, but has the ability to play in the slot or even outside in Bowles’ scheme. That versatility could help propel him to be the Bucs’ first-round pick, or be drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round if somehow he’s still available. The Bucs brought Hairston in for an official 30 visit and also formally interviewed him at the Combine.

Rounds 4-7: USC CB Jaylin Smith

Smith is an ideal nickelback given his toughness, tenacity and athleticism. At 5-foot-11, 187 pounds with 4.45 speed, he’s got the measureables and traits that Todd Bowles likes in slot defenders. Smith was moved outside at USC last year and proved to be productive there with a pair of interceptions to lead the Trojans secondary. He has dealt with some injuries during his college career and has yet to play a full season. Those injury concerns, his lack of interceptions and good, but not great speed will likely cause Smith to fall to the later rounds.

The Bucs had Smith in for a formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine and also brought him to Tampa Bay for an official 30 visit. There is a chance that the Bucs could draft two nickelbacks this year – one in the middle rounds and then add Smith in either round five or round seven (or round six if Tampa Bay makes a trade to acquire a pick in that round) for depth and competition. The hard-hitting Smith was a special teams standout at USC and was an exceptional gunner.