The Cleveland Browns have plenty of weaknesses heading into the 2026 season, but their outside starting cornerbacks aren't one of them. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell are a strong duo, even if Campbell's play doesn't quite live up to his contract.
But NFL teams can't survive with just two cornerbacks. Outside of those top two, Cleveland is alarmingly thin at the position. Undrafted rookie Michael Coats Jr. is currently set to play a real role in the secondary.
The Browns should look to build on their strength in the 2027 NFL Draft, and there are plenty of cornerback prospects who should be worth taking early. As the college football season gets underway, Cleveland should keep tabs on these five defensive backs.
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5 Cornerbacks Browns should already have their eyes on for 2027 NFL Draft
If you built a cornerback in a lab, he would probably come out looking a lot like Kelley Jones. The Mississippi State cornerback stands at six-foot-four and runs a 4.42-second forty-yard dash. He has the coverage skills to match his unreal athleticism, especially in man assignments.
Jones has limited experience in the slot, so Campbell would likely kick to the inside if the Browns drafted the Mississippi State product.
Zabien Brown's game doesn't have an obvious weakness. He's fast, physical, and disciplined in coverage. While his speed may be his only elite trait at this point, the Alabama cornerback could be a solid NFL starter from the time he arrives in the league.
He has some experience playing in the slot, too. Cleveland could move him inside in nickel packages, creating an elite cornerback trio.
Ashton Hampton is the big physical cornerback that many NFL coaches covet. The Clemson defender has good size at six-foot-two and can hold up in both man and zone coverage. If he shows progress in his third season with the Tigers, he should be a first-round pick in next year's draft.
We're getting to the point where the Browns may not be able to justify spending such an early selection on another cornerback. If Cleveland drafts a cornerback in the first round, it will likely mean that Campbell gets traded away.
Ellis Robinson IV barely has one season of production under his belt, but his early performances at Georgia have been encouraging. The young cornerback produced four interceptions and four pass deflections in 2025, establishing himself as one of the best defensive backs in the SEC.
He's a bit undersized at 180 pounds, but he makes up for it with his physicality, both as a tackler and at the catch point. Robinson would be a strong addition for the Browns.
Leonard Moore isn't just the top cornerback in this draft class. He's arguably the best cornerback prospect of the last half-decade. The Notre Dame defender is elite in almost every area, though he could stand to improve his tackling efficiency.
The Browns likely won't have the chance to draft Moore, but we couldn't put together a ranking of cornerback prospects without having him at the top.
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