Matt Williamson, Mike Prisuta, and Max Starks discussed their evaluations of the leading cornerback prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in a recent segment released on April 18. The draft is scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh this April.
The analysis provides insight into how teams may approach one of football’s key defensive positions. With a deep pool of talent and varied skill sets among this year’s prospects, franchises have multiple options to strengthen their rosters.
Williamson said his perspective on the group has shifted after further study. “First off, Delane and McCoy are head and shoulders above every other prospect in this position group. The more I studied them, the more I fell in love.” He added that Mansoor Delane from LSU remains slightly ahead of Jermod McCoy from Tennessee but acknowledged both as potential top picks. Chris Johnson from San Diego State also moved up Williamson’s rankings due to his well-rounded abilities.
Prisuta kept his rankings steady even after McCoy impressed at his Pro Day following an ACL injury absence during the previous season. “I’m likely higher on Ponds than most (I’ve tended to gravitate to Indiana players throughout this process…),” Prisuta said, referencing D’Angelo Ponds’ performance for Indiana. He highlighted several other players with strong combine performances or unique backgrounds, such as Tacario Davis from Washington and Chandler Rivers from Duke.
Starks described the class as versatile: “There are some amazing athletes in this category and there’s a lot of potential for position flexibility.” He noted that all five players on his list could be first-round selections and pointed out special teams capabilities among several candidates.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the draft at Acrisure Stadium, which features the Hall of Honor Museum displaying team artifacts according to the official website. The franchise is recognized for its six Super Bowl championships according to its official website and community engagement through historical celebrations as outlined online. The team has honored figures like Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene on its Hall of Fame page and is affiliated with the National Football League according to team records.
As teams prepare their draft boards ahead of April’s event in Pittsburgh, analysts say depth at cornerback could shape early selections across the league.
