Ranking the top 10 cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 cornerbacks in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:

1. Terrion Arnold, Alabama, 6-0, 189

Preseason No. 2 cornerback on Alabama was No. 1 cornerback in the nation after the season.

Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, middle, celebrates an interception against Auburn on Nov. 25, 2023. AP

Tied for No. 5 nationally with 17 passes defended and five interceptions.

Bump-and-run press coverage. Flips his hips, accelerates and hits like a safety.

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2. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, 6-0, 195

School-record 46 career pass breakups.

Physical at the line of scrimmage against the pass on “Mitchell Island” and the run. No touchdowns allowed in 2023.

Special teams coverage experience.

NFL combine-best cornerback (20 reps at 225 pounds) on bench press.

3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson, 6-1, 173

Lanky ball hawk likes to jump routes (two career pick-sixes) who sometimes falls off too far in his cushion.

Blazer who reached 22.6 mph on field runs step-for-step with fast receivers to take away deep sideline shots.

Run support is a concern. Looks to create psychological edge.

Clemson’s Nate Wiggins speaks with the media at the 2024 NFL Combine. USA TODAY Sports

4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa, 6-0, 202

Pairs smashmouth ways of a safety with prolific ball skills.

Seven career interceptions and four touchdowns, including one as an elite punt returner.

Sidelined for most of pre-draft process by broken leg. NFL hasn’t had a full-time white starting cornerback since 2002.

5. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, 5-11, 199

Top-10 overall prospect before last season raised some deep-speed and press-coverage concerns.

Ran 4.47-second 40-yard dash before scheduled foot surgery (March).

Rarely blows assignments. Alpha personality. Dynamic punt returner.

Bad habit of using sideline for tackling help.

Kool-Aid McKinstry warms up before running the 40-yard dash at Alabama’s pro day on March 20, 2024. AP

6. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri, 5-11, 183

Don’t let size fool you.

Plenty of fire and physicality in that body. An extra perimeter defender to upend a running back.

Brings contagious energy. Of 24 career passes defended, only one was an interception.

Takes away underneath routes.

7. Max Melton, Rutgers, 5-11, 187

Swaggy four-year starter whose older brother is an NFL receiver.

Rose to the challenge against Ohio State’s prolific receivers.

Reads quarterback’s eyes and drives on the ball to break up passes. Inside/outside versatility.

Showed knack for blocking punts. Paintball-gun-related arrest in 2021.

Rutgers cornerback Max Melton makes the play against Wagner on Sept. 30, 2023. Getty Images

8. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia, 5-11, 186

Always around the ball to challenge the catch because of instincts. Doesn’t miss tackles. Better suited for zone coverage. Didn’t allow more than two catches in a game or draw a pass interference penalty in 14 games last season, per The Athletic.

9. T.J. Tampa, Iowa State, 6-1, 194

Tampa is from St. Petersburg, Fla.

Jams receivers at the line of scrimmage and uses long arms to get breakups, but deep speed is a concern. Takes some risks jumping routes. “Gamer” who rarely comes off the field.

Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa participated in the Big 12’s pro day in late March. AP

10. Mike Sainristil, Michigan, 5-9, 182

First-team All-American slot in just his second season playing defense.

Twitchy former receiver’s ball skills showed up with six interceptions in 2023.

A coach on the field. Size is a factor against high-point catchers. Not a shy tackler.

Late Riser

D.J. James, Auburn, 6-0, 175

Added a pre-draft carb-loading diet to ease concerns about rail-thin frame.

Favorite of scouts who swear by tape.

D.J. James does the long jump during Auburn’s NFL pro day on March 22, 2024. AP

Comfortable in man-to-man or zone coverage but not much experience inside, where his size could force him.

Promising ball disruption.

Falling Fast

Kalen King, Penn State, 5-11, 190

After Big Ten-best 21 passes defended in 2022, King had just two in 2023. Strange dip in production was then amplified by disappointing all-around NFL combine showing. Could be better suited at safety but needs to clean up tackling.