Mel Kiper Jr. highlights Duke's Chandler Rivers as a favorite cornerback prospect, praising his speed and playmaking despite size concerns.
The Duke Blue Devils are set to have a few players taken in the upcoming draft, just months after the program won the ACC championship.
Cornerback Chandler Rivers, center Brian Parker II, defensive end Wesley Williams and defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr. probably have the most likely chance of being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rivers could be the first Blue Devils player taken off the board. He recorded 59 total tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and eight passes defensed in 2025.
ESPN's Mel Kiper had some high praise for Rivers, though he noted his five-foot-10, 185-pound frame might not be ideal for the league.
Kiper likes that Rivers can play a "spunky" brand of football and named him one of his favorite cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft along with Avieon Terrell of Clemson and D'Angelo Ponds from Indiana.
"Rivers nearly matched Ponds, with seven INTs and 23 pass breakups over four years. He locates the ball well and can then plant and drive with his 4.4 speed," Kiper wrote. Terrell, Ponds and Rivers aren't shy about contact despite their frames.
"They're tough cornerbacks. And I'd bet all three do a lot of the same impactful things they did in college -- pick off passes, force fumbles, block kicks, etc. -- in the pros. Terrell and Ponds are second-rounders to me, and I'd say Rivers comes off the board in the third or fourth round."
During an interview with Kassidy Hill of the Panthers, Rivers said he prided himself on being a versatile member of the secondary. He believes he can play the nickel position.
"I showed it a lot on film when I was in college, coming in the third down package, or even the first, second down, if I needed to play nickel, I was able to play nickel, and I mean that's what I pride myself on, honestly, being versatile," Rivers said.
"I feel like I'm one of the most versatile DBs in the country, and I mean, I feel like it shows on film, and I feel like that's why teams want to see me everywhere…Honestly, I like playing all of it. I just like being able to move around."
Rivers could wind up being a sleeper in the upcoming draft. He could develop into a starter later in his career, though he might be on the bubble of being a starter in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season.