The nickel position has become such an important piece of NFL defenses in recent years, needing not only the tools to cover but also the ability to provide resistance in the run game. Harden, a former 7th-round pick, doesn't lack any "want to," but he's a matchup opposing offenses want to target. He's susceptible to route nuances and release packages, and lacks the length to impact the catch point. His football IQ is still a work in progress, and his instincts, not just to locate where the ball is going, but to read routes in man and zone, are lacking. On top of it all, he struggles to tackle whether in space or squared up. Drafting Emmanuel McNeil-Warren should limit how often Harden sees the field.

The upside was always there, but putting it all together on the field just hasn't happened for Deonte Banks. The former first-rounder is constantly playing behind, relying purely on his athletic traits, and struggles to locate the football when it's in the air. It's hard to make plays when you're constantly behind and trying to catch up, and he gives little effort in the run game. Unless something drastic happens this offseason and a puzzle piece falls into place, it's not gonna happen for Banks.

Currently a free agent after sustaining an Achilles injury in Week 17, Armour-Davis was claimed by the Titans in August, started 10 games for them, and played the most snaps in his career. He struggled to mirror receivers, trigger quickly enough to impact the catch point, and locate the football in the air. It wasn't an easy season for the Titans' secondary, and after the injury that ended his season, Armour-Davis has a long way back if he's going to fight for a roster spot somewhere.

Playing the last two seasons for the Commanders as a nickel corner, Noah Igbinoghene has found a role in the NFL. He's an inconsistent player in all aspects, but it shows up more in his zone spacing and depth. His eye discipline gets him in trouble, and he doesn't anticipate route concepts or breaks. Every now and then, the former first-round pick flashes his athletic ability and man coverage upside. Igbinoghene looks the part of a big slot, and that's likely the role he'll be competing to back up for in Seattle.

A rookie season marred by injuries made for a tough start to Benjamin Morrison's NFL career. He looked uncomfortable and hesitant in transitions, struggled to keep up in man coverage, and had miscommunications/blown assignments in zone. He stayed healthy, started the final three games of the season, and played 100% of the snaps during that stretch, but he'll need to stay that way to grow in his second year as a pro.

Cam Taylor-Britt started the season as the Bengals' starter opposite DJ Turner, but struggled and was even benched at one point for the Week 7 matchup against the Steelers. He gave up four touchdowns, three in the first five weeks, and struggled to maintain consistency while sustaining a hamstring injury before Week 3. He appeared to be on the way back to starter play after riding the bench, but suffered a Lisfranc injury that ended his 2025 season. There wasn't much for the former second-round player to hang his hat on, but hoping a change of scenery could help his game.

Mekhi Blackmon was traded to the Colts before the start of the 2025 season after missing the 2024 season with a torn ACL, and he had to play more than expected. The results over 784 snaps were varied in a new defense, and he fell to the ground too often, giving up multiple big plays. He handled rotations to safety from corner, was a willing run defender, and flashed his physicality in man coverage throughout the season. The coverage busts and poor pursuit angles compounded an already-injured secondary, and going forward, there will be more competition in the Colts' corner room.

Max Melton hasn't planted his feet in the Cardinals' secondary, and injuries made it even harder for him to break out last season. The second-year player struggles against the run and compounds identification issues with poor pursuit angles and missed tackles. He gets beaten at the catch point too often, and while he flashes some good moments in man coverage, matching route concepts to the quarterback with his eyes is a work in progress. Melton got behind the eight ball last season and hasn't lived up to his second-round selection.

Joshua Williams certainly looks the part of an NFL corner, but has settled as a true backup and only played 17 snaps in 2025. He's a physical player who wants to get his hands on in man coverage, but his feet struggle to stay under him, and he will grab too often. Williams communicates well in zone coverage and typically plays with good spacing. A willing run defender and tackler, his angles to the football can be improved. Williams hasn't put the talent together on the field to this point, and he'll be looking to do that in Tennessee this year.

Emmanuel Forbes is a roulette wheel playing corner in the NFL; you never know what the dice is going to land on, and it might be fun to bet on the outcome. For a guy who got beaten down the field at an alarming clip with an exceptionally high rate of missed tackles, he took the ball away three times and added 18(!) PBUs in 2025. With the range of outcomes seemingly endless for Forbes during any given game, he's a frustrating player to watch. There's a bunch of raw talent in his thin, wiry frame, but the mental lapses, poor angles, and bad plays make him a better backup than an NFL starter.