3 CBs to Pair to Compete for Starting Job Opposite Patrick Surtain

The depth at corner for the Broncos is lacking, and this class has plenty of options to help that solve that problem.

Oct 8, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) runs / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While the Denver Broncos have Patrick Surtain manning one corner spot, they need someone to step up opposite him. Ja’Quan McMillian was an excellent find for playing the slot, but they still lack that second boundary option. 

Demarri Mathis failed with his opportunity, and Riley Moss was coveted enough for the Broncos to trade up for him, but he didn’t get a shot during his rookie season. Without being given a shot, it is hard to hand him the job without more competition. This is a strong class for corners, and the Broncos could find that competition among one of these three corners. 

Sep 17, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2) / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Ennis Rakestraw Jr | Western Michigan

• Height: 5-foot-11
• Weight: 183 pounds
• Arm Length: 32 inches
• Hands: 8-1/2 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 6.11

Pros

Rakestraw is a competitive corner, who is tough and physical in all elements. His press at the line is challenging for receivers to break from, and he consistently punishes them when trying to get off the snap. He has good movement skills and good body control in coverage, which helps him stay tight on his assignment. 

The toughness and physicality show up as a run defender and throughout the routes. He pesters receivers and will work through blockers to make a play. When he sees the throw, he quickly triggers and drives on the ball to make a play. There is solid length, and he uses it well to pester the catch point. The length also shows up when working as a tackler in space. 

Cons

The ball skills are questionable, and Rakestraw doesn’t have the controlled physicality leading to multiple flags. At the NFL level, with the rules the NFL has that the collegiate doesn’t, there is an even bigger chance Rakestraw draws penalties more consistently. 

There isn’t ideal speed with Rakestraw, and he is limited to working as a press corner only in the NFL. He doesn’t have the awareness to work in zone, and there are too many instances of him looking lost in zone coverage. Rakestraw also missed a lot of time due to injury during his college career. 

Fit With Broncos

If the Broncos will be more press-man, then Rakestraw is a good fit. That is what Surtain does best, but they had to use more zone coverage due to issues getting home with four pass rushers. If the Broncos keep using more zone to cover their blitzes, Rakestraw would be a poor fit due to his awareness issues in zone. 

Big Board Position: No. 52 overall.

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Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) runs with the / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Sainristil | Michigan

• Height: 5-foot-9
• Weight: 182 pounds
• Arm Length: 30-7/8 inches
• Hands: 8-1/2 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 8.41

Pros

Sainristil might be the best slot corner in the draft. He is a great athlete and has plenty of explosions in his game. Additionally, he has the attitude and physicality that NFL teams desire in all phases. There is exceptional blitzing ability from the slot, where he picked up 20 pressures and four sacks on 68 pass rush attempts over the last two seasons. 

He is a former wide receiver, and there are multiple instances on tape of him running routes better than his matchup. He has shown good ball skills with seven interceptions and 12 passes broken up over the past two seasons. 

The tenacity and ferocity are there in coverage and as a run defender. Sainristil is fearless in mixing it up in any phase of defense. While he is a slot-only corner, there is still some versatility, as he can play in any scheme in the NFL. 

Cons

There are two years of experience, and at times, a lack of seasoning shows with his reads of plays as they develop. Technical areas also need to be cleaned up and developed, including his backpedal and transitions out of his pedal.

He is an aggressive corner and will bite on fakes to try and make a play only to get caught and have to recover. This led to a boom-or-bust element as a corner, with five touchdowns allowed over two years, including four in 2023. 

He is a willing run defender and blitzer, but his lack of size does create some issues. There are issues working through blockers due to the size, and they can get caught up even on smaller slot receivers. If facing a bigger slot as a blocker, Sainristil is likely out of the play. The lack of size also created some issues with securing tackles. 

Fit With Broncos

While McMillian stepped up in 2023, it would be wise to provide some insurance for him if he regresses, much like Mathis from the 2022 to 2023 season. However, Sainristil is viewed as a day-two pick, and the Broncos cannot afford that kind of pick on a slot-only corner, especially with it being for an insurance policy. 

Big Board Position: No. 59 overall.

Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback D.J. James (4) makes a / Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

D.J. James | Auburn

• Height: 6-foot-0
• Weight: 175 pounds
• Arm Length: 31 inches
• Hands: 8-3/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 5.74

Pros

James has good technique, fluidity, and is smooth with his change of direction. He can mirror receivers in coverage, and it is hard for receivers to shake. Balance and body control significantly boost his movement skills and helps keep him in phase. 

His instincts and awareness in zone coverage are a plus, and his quick reaction makes him effective in off-coverages. There is good versatility in moving around and working in multiple schemes. The ability to plant and drive and ball skills led to many plays on the ball, with five career interceptions and 23 passes broken up. 

Cons

Despite being tall and slim, James doesn’t bring elite speed to protect the deep part of the field. He can get beat by speed and doesn’t have the recovery athleticism to make up for it. His lower body technique needs to be cleaned up, which can help speed up his transitions. 

James also lacks the strength and physicality you want. There isn’t much effort as a run defender, and he doesn’t mix it up consistently, even when the play is in front of him. This is also an issue in coverage; bigger, more physical receivers will bully him through their routes. 

Fit With Broncos

If the Broncos are going to be more of a zone coverage team, then James makes sense. However, the lack of physicality and run defense is not ideal for any defense. Those issues could lead the Broncos to go another way, especially the run defense issues, with the Broncos needing to improve. 

Big Board Position: No. 105 overall.

Better Fit for Broncos

The better fit all depends on what the Broncos are planning to do. If they want to be more press-man, Rakestraw is the best fit. In contrast, James would be a better fit in a zone-heavy scheme. The best player of the three is Sainristil, but his limitation to a slot-only corner drives his value down and keeps him from being an ideal fit for the Broncos unless they want to upgrade over Ja’Quan McMillian. 

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