Chandler Rivers NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Baltimore Ravens CB

The Baltimore Ravens selected Duke CB Chandler Rivers with the No. 162 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Chandler Rivers jumps off the screen with his zone prowess and ability to read quarterbacks. The way he sees the field and uncovers route concepts make him a dangerous defender to target for any offense.

Rivers was a 3-star recruit who has played all four of his collegiate seasons at Duke University. He's amassed 223 tackles (139 solo), 16 tackles for loss, one and a half sacks, seven interceptions, 29 passes defended, a fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles throughout his career.

He's a highly experienced cornerback who showcases that intelligence and comfort every time he steps on the field. He projects into the nickel, but can fill any role in the secondary.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Chandler Rivers highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Rivers excels in zone coverage where he can see the quarterback and read the field. His feel for space and ability to jump routes with anticipation can spark a defense.

— His versatility to play in zone and man with proper footwork and technique pairs well with his inside and outside positional flexability.

— He possess a natural feel for where the football is going. Those instincts help create incompletions and turnovers for the defense.

— Hip and ankle flexability allow him to turn and run to carry receivers downfield. He sinks his hips to decelerate and change direction quickly, too.

— Plays with an aggressive mindset when triggering on quick throws to the flat. He doesn't avoid tackling despite his smaller stature at the position (5'10", 185).

Areas of Improvement

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— Rivers isn't afraid to man up against bigger tight ends and receivers, but he needs to time his hands and jumps more consistently at the catch point to disrupt throws.

— He tends to be a touch late opening his gate to open up with receivers who stack him vertically. His recovery speed to close that space is lacking.

— While he doesn't avoid the run game, he could bring the same mentality downhill that he does blowing up screens. Improving his technique to square and wrap up ball carriers in space will help his all-around impact.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.8 (Second round - Key contributor)

COMPARABLE GRADE:  Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington (7.7 in 2022), Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah (7.9 in 2023), CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (7.8 in 2025)

OVERALL RANK: 34

POSITION RANK: CB6

PRO COMPARISON: Skinny Trent McDuffie

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 5'9 ½"

Weight: 185

Hand Size: 9 ½"

Arm Length: 29 ⅜"

Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.4

10-yard split: 1.55

Vertical: 39"

Broad: 10'10"

3 cone: N/A

Shuttle: N/A

Bench: N/A

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