The Beast: One-liners on the 2025 NFL Draft’s top cornerbacks

The Falcons have a need at cornerback. What does Dane Brugler think of some of the class’s top options?

It’s back, baby.

The most comprehensive look at the NFL draft is back as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released the 2025 version of The Beast for everyone to enjoy.

400+ profiles. 2,700+ prospects. In a few words, it’s an NFL Draft lover’s dream.

On his cameos on The Athletic Football Show, Brugler speaks about how scouts can boil down a prospect to one line. One sentence to describe hours of film study and days of research on a kid’s potential in the NFL.

So, this year, we look at a few of the one-liners that Brugler put on some of the top names in the 2025 NFL draft at positions of need for the Atlanta Falcons.

I hope you enjoy, and please, if you haven’t, go and read The Beast. Words can’t describe how invaluable a tool it is to get an in-depth look at all the top prospects in the draft.

Positions of Need for the Atlanta Falcons

Brugler listed the following three positions as the top positions of need for Atlanta in the 2025 Draft, with the following note on the importance of this year’s draft for General Manager Terry Fontenot:

EDGE

CB

OT

Atlanta has trumpeted its collaborative approach since Terry Fontenot was hired as GM. He and Raheem Morris insist that no one in the room dominates the decision-making. This will be Fontenot’s fifth draft with the Falcons, and it could be his last if the team’s fortunes don’t change.

2025 NFL Draft’s Top Cornerbacks

Michigan’s Will Johnson

Overall, Johnson is more “good” than “great” in terms of twitch and speed, but he has outstanding eyes, feet and coverage IQ to match and make plays on the football.

Texas’ Jahdae Barron

Overall, Barron doesn’t have the top-tier size that most teams prioritize at the position, but he trusts his instincts and competes with the toughness and ball skills to hold up versus pass or run.

Ole Miss’ Trey Amos

Overall, Amos has an appetite for press, but I liked him best in zone (Cover 2, Cover 3, quarters), where he can trust his athletic instincts from depth to read and rally.

Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas

Overall, Thomas isn’t the most sudden or button-upped cover man, but he consistently crowds receivers on the outside with his size, fluidity and competitiveness.

East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr.

Overall, his durability will be questioned, understandably, but Revel is a boundary bully with terrific speed, length and ball-tracking skills.

California’s Nohl Williams

Overall, Williams will need to prove he can overcome his average long speed against NFL competition, but there are far more pros than cons to his game, including his awareness, ball skills and physical play demeanor.

Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison

Overall, the play strength and durability concerns will follow him to the next level, but Morrison is an athletic, technically-sound cover man who works hard to stay attached to routes and make plays on the ball.

Louisville’s Quincy Riley

Overall, Riley will need to prove that he won’t be a liability against NFL size and strength, but he has the requisite speed and nose for the football to carry vertical routes and challenge catch points.

Iowa State’s Darien Porter

Overall, Porter is a unique prospect that requires heavy projection because of his meager experience, but he has the rare combination of physical traits and promising ball skills to develop into an NFL starting corner.