FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Chandler Rivers
Chandler Rivers (CB – Duke)
5’10” – 185 lbs.
Background
Three-star recruit who started six of thirteen games as a true freshman back in 2022, playing heavily and finishing with 52 tackles, six breakups, and an interception. Took over a starting role the following year, ending up with 58 tackles, seven breakups, and one pick-six, then had a very productive 2024 season (54-7.5-1.0, eight breakups, three picks with one touchdown, and two forced fumbles.) Recorded 59 tackles, eight breakups, two picks, and a forced fumble in 2025.
Positives
Highly productive, consistent player with four years of high-end production and experience playing both inside and outside, with a good mix of different coverage techniques. Culture-wise, there’s a lot to like; is a good pre-snap communicator who plays the game with a lot of energy and urgency. Smooth athlete with impressive speed, burst, and short-area quickness. Matches releases well at the line of scrimmage. Able to stick with opponents on crossers when working in man. Instinctive, decisive processor with good recognition skills, allowing him to fly around the field. Twitchy with loose hips and a naturally low center of gravity. Sniffs out developments underneath and drives on spots effectively, whether when playing the run or defending in the screen game. Exhibits very good closing burst to get in-phase and contest throws. Shows good ball skills and got his hands on at least seven passes in each of his four seasons. Very willing in run support, with a quick trigger. Has some violence in his hands when shedding blocks in run support, and the quickness to slip by some opponents. Surprisingly effective as a tackler given his smaller frame.
Negatives
Smaller than many of his peers in the class, so he could be viewed as a potential slot conversion candidate. At times, plays a little too fast, leading to false steps and relying on his athleticism to get back in position, when more patience would have saved him the trouble. Some balance issues crop up when he tries to turn a tight corner without gearing down, showing up as a blitzer, for example. Can struggle to match up against stronger, bigger-bodied receivers. Allowed over seventy percent of his targets to be completed this year, per PFF. Can struggle to hold the point of attack against stalkers, and working around them can lead to some inefficient paths to the ball. Doesn’t have the widest tackling radius.
Summary
While he may be one of the smaller cornerbacks in the class, he’s also one of the most instinctive and decisive, traits which, when combined with his impressive speed, quickness, and burst, allow him to play very fast. That can sometimes work against him, with occasional false steps and balance issues, but generally makes good decisions and should be a credit to the culture of whichever team drafts him. Has played in the slot on about a quarter of his career snaps and could be headed back there at the next level.
Projection: Round 3-4
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