FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Daylen Everette
Daylen Everette (CB – Georgia)
6-foot-1 | 190 Pounds
Background
Daylen Everette was a five-star recruit out of the IMG Academy who appeared in 14 games, with 13 tackles as a true freshman. He then stepped into a starting role the following year, with 29 tackles, five breakups and one interception.
Posted 58 tackles, three breakups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2024, and then 50 tackles, 10 breakups and one interception in 2025.
Positives
Tall, very long-limbed three-year starter for one of college football’s premier programs. Typically lines up on the short side of the field, with a mix of press-man and zone. From an athletic perspective, it’s immediately apparent why he was a five-star recruit, as he has very good speed, flexibility and fluidity jumping off the tape.
Matches release well at the line of scrimmage from press. Has plenty of speed to stick with opposing receivers down or across the field against routes that are typically man-beaters, like crossers. Constrains space well when defending outside releases on the boundary.
Does a nice job of using his hands to feel routes and stay connected when working in man. There’s some twitch to his game, with above-average reaction times at the stem. Shows a strong closing burst when driving or recovering. Length and flexibility allow him to impact throws well when in-phase. Has been a pretty reliable tackler, and his size/length gives him a lot of upside in run support with additional strength.
Negatives
Everette never quite put everything together and turned into the dominant cornerback he was expected to be. Allowed nearly 60% of his career targets to be completed, and gave up three touchdowns in each of his starting seasons. Looks more comfortable in man coverage than he does in zone coverage.
Processing against route combinations isn’t quite where you’d like it for someone with four years in school and three years as a starter. Can be a tick late, and there’s some wasted motion there. Overall instincts and route anticipation are a bit raw as well. Has the length to make plays on the ball, but isn’t in-phase as often as you’d like. Penalties ticked up a bit to five this past season. Can struggle to hold the point of attack in run support. Probably needs a bit more sand in his pants.
Summary
Arrived on campus as one of the most highly-regarded recruits in his class, with a rare combination of size, length, speed, flexibility and fluidity that immediately stands out on tape.
Everette never really managed to put everything together in school, lacking the polish, processing and consistency to reach his potential. Consequently, he is likely to be one of the more polarizing prospects in the draft, as a boom-or-bust type with a high ceiling but a developmental trajectory that isn’t the most encouraging.
At some point, the upside is going to prove too tempting, likely for a press-heavy team confident in their cornerbacks coach.
Projection: Round 4
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