Justin Walley NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Minnesota CB

HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 190

HAND: 10"

ARM: 30¾”

WINGSPAN: 74⅞”

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.40

3-CONE: 7.01

SHUTTLE: 4.36

VERTICAL: 32"

BROAD: 10'0"

---

POSITIVES

— Sticky defender in the short and intermediate pass game. Plays with very good leverage and footwork. Displays great short area quickness, does a very good job of sinking hips and breaking on a dime. As well as showing a burst out of breaks.

— Very good ball skills. Calm with the ball in the air and does a good job of locating and playing through the receivers to the quarterback. Shows good timing when playing the receivers hands.

— Aggressive against the run. Flies upfield to close ground on the ball-carrier and throws his body around.

---

NEGATIVES

— Top end speed can taper off downfield. Lacks the ideal recovery speed to quickly get back in phase when out of position.

— Inconsistent tackling in the open field. Takes below average angles and dives for the ball-carrier's legs. Does not consistently wrap up and when does, has shown to melt off of tackles.

---

2024 STATISTICS

— 10 Games, 42 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 INT, 1 PBU

---

NOTES

— Born Sept. 22, 2002

— Games Started: 42

— 3 Star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: 2nd Team All-Big Ten

— 2023: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten

— Shrine Bowl Invite

---

OVERALL

Justin Walley is a competitive and aggressive cornerback from Minnesota, whose game is defined by his tenacity and ability to stick with receivers in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Standing at 5'11" and weighing 195 pounds, Walley possesses a sturdy frame and quick footwork that make him a reliable option in both man and zone coverage. His physical play style and ball skills make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for depth in the secondary.

Walley thrives in the short and intermediate passing game, where his sticky coverage and leverage stand out. His footwork and transitions are polished, and he displays loose hips to swivel and match receivers in their routes. Walley's burst out of breaks allows him to close quickly on the ball, and he has developed crafty techniques, such as subtle hand usage, to maintain positioning. His ball skills are a significant strength; Walley tracks the ball well in the air, plays through the receiver's hands, and often disrupts passes with excellent timing. However, his lack of top-end speed can be a concern when facing faster receivers downfield, as he struggles to recover if out of position.

Walley is an aggressive run defender willing to support the defense at the line of scrimmage. He flies downhill with urgency and does well to close space quickly on ball carriers. His physicality is apparent when he throws his body into tackles, though he can be inconsistent in the open field. Poor angles and a tendency to dive at legs occasionally lead to missed tackles. Despite these shortcomings, Walley's effort and high motor in run support undeniably provide valuable energy and tenacity.

Justin Walley is a developmental cornerback who can provide immediate value as a backup and potential rotational player in nickel and dime packages. His ability to excel in short-area coverage, paired with his aggressive run support, makes him a candidate for teams that value competitive secondary players with versatility. While his lack of top-end speed and inconsistent tackling may limit his role early in his career, Walley's instincts and technique provide a strong foundation for growth.

---

GRADE: 6.3 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 174

POSITION RANK: CB21

PRO COMPARISON: Taron Johnson

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.