2023 NFL Draft: Joey Porter Jr. and Other Winners at Cornerback

Which corners stood out the most during testing this week?

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine has been an eye-opening event.

Each year, the combine offers draft prospects a chance to either boost or tank their stock based on their performances in the 49-yard dash vertical and broad jump, three-cone, short shuttle, bench press, and much more.

This year has been no different, with some prospects impressing enough to add a rocket onto their stock, while others are beginning to fall behind the crowd.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars holding nine picks in April's draft, including the No. 24 overall pick, the combine helped set the stage for just what this year's class will have to offer them.

So, which players have stood out and how? We break it down below. Next up: the cornerbacks. 

2023 NFL Draft: Darnell Washington and Other Winners at Tight End

Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Jaguars general manager values length on defensive positions, but none of the three cornerbacks he has drafted with the Jaguars have measured with arms over 32". Joey Porter Jr. would change that in a big way with 34" arms and towering size at 6'2". Add in his elite 1.5 10-yard split at his size, a solid overall 40, and a 10'09" broad jump that reflects his explosion, and Porter Jr. has proven to have one of the highest upsides of any cornerback in this class.

Deonte Banks, Maryland

One of the most athletic prospects in this year's entire draft class, Deonte Banks put on a performance in Indianapolis that should make his stock absolutely soar. The Maryland cornerback came in at solid size and with average length, but his 4.35 40-yard dash was the thirst fastest among all cornerbacks this year and the fifth-fastest overall. Add in his 1.49 10-yard split, a 42" broad jump that was the third-best among all athletes and best among cornerbacks, and his 11'4" broad jump that was second-best among all athletes and he had a combine for the ages. If the Jaguars want to roll the dice on potential, he is a name to watch.

DJ Turner, Michigan

The fastest player in the 2023 NFL Draft, DJ Turner ran a blazing 4.26 40-yard dash to put his name on the map ahead of the pro day circuit. Turner was always expected to run well, but the fact that he was so much faster than the rest of the cornerbacks (he was the only one under 4.3) shows where his value in this class might be. Plus, ranking top-10 among cornerbacks in the vertical (38.5") and broad jump (10'11") show that he is just as explosive as he is fast.

Julius Brents, Kansas State

One of the top performers in the entire week, Julius Brents did enough at the combine to make anyone and everyone do a second run through his tape. Brents didn't run a blazing 40, but measuring with 34" arms at 6'2", 198 pounds and then posting truly elite numbers in the vertical and broad jumps and the short-shuttle and three-cone show he is a long, explosive, agile athlete who has plenty of room to grow. No corner had a better three cone, shuttle, or broad jump, and he finished second in the vertical jump.

Cam Smith, South Carolina

This final spot could go to a number of cornerbacks, but ultimately we will give Cam S.mith the nod because he answered some of the questions on tape about his long speed with a 4.43 40. It was his jumps that truly impressed, though, with his 11'02" broad jump being the third-best among all cornerbacks, which is a reflection of how explosive he is moving forward -- something that tracks on tape.