Rookie CBs Who Could Start Week 1

NFL mandatory minicamps get underway this week, a stepping stone to the rest of summer’s operations, culminating with training camp and preseason games.

A handful of rookie CBs could see the field in Week 1, and these are the candidates around the NFL.

The 2025 NFL Draft is about seven weeks in the rearview, and thankfully, folks can glean which rookies may start out of the gate.

These are the cornerbacks around the sport who could fulfill the task. They’re listed alphabetically.

1. Jahdae Barron (DEN)

Barron is virtually assured to start in September, playing alongside Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss. Veteran Ja’Quan McMillian is a pretty decent football player, but the goal will be for Barron to be even better.

If Barron doesn’t start Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans on September 7th, something will actually be quite wrong. Denver’s defensive depth chart is tailor-made for Barron’s immediate emergence.

2. Maxwell Hairston (BUF)

Like Barron, Hairston feels like a shoo-in to start right away, which is a testament to him as some draft pundits initially labeled him a 2nd-Rounder back in February and March.

Buffalo no longer employs Rasul Douglas — he remains a free agent — leaving a void for Hariston to fill, and probably why the Bills picked Hairston in the first place.

3. Will Johnson (ARI)

One of the draft’s strangest developments, Johnson slid to Round 2 after months of consideration as a Top 12 pick. The Cardinals swooped in Round 2, and here we are.

And thank God they found Johnson — cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was recently lost for the season. That unfortunate circumstance paves the way for Johnson to enter the starting lineup.

4. Darien Porter (LV)

Porter probably has to dethrone one man for a starter’s job: Eric Stokes. And that man has fired up passer-rating-against marks of 100.0 in 2024, 145.3 the year before that, and 123.5 in 2022. Stokes is not insurmountable.

Also remember — Porter is already 24 years old and will be 25 by the end of the regular season. He’s an “old” rookie, meaning he should be game-ready and able to take Stokes’ job.

5. Shavon Revel Jr. (DAL)

Trevon Diggs’ health is in question, and if he heals in time, he could also be traded. The Cowboys’ financial situation isn’t necessarily a mess, but there won’t be much money to go around if the team extends Micah Parsons’ contract soon, a deal that will set records.

Insert Revel Jr., a gem draft find for Dallas in Round 3. If Diggs doesn’t play because of injury or trade, Revel Jr. will be ready.

6. Nohl Williams (KC)

The Chiefs have a rich recent history of empowering non-1st-Round cornerbacks to starters’ jobs and stardom. La’Jarius Sneed in 2020 comes to mind. Williams could be the latest example.

Williams could swipe a starter’s role before too long from Jaylen Watson or Kristian Fulton if he balls out at training camp and the preseason. He may be the least likely example on the list, but he deserved a mention, nevertheless.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.