Justin Walley is a cornerback prospect from the University of Minnesota, standing at 5’11” and weighing 195 pounds. While not possessing elite size for the position, Walley has a sturdy frame that allows him to compete physically at the NFL level. His arm length measures 30 3/4 inches, which is on the shorter side for cornerbacks.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Justin Walley, Minnesota
Athletic Ability
Walley demonstrates good overall athleticism, with a projected 40-yard dash time of around 4.40 seconds. He showcases quick footwork, fluid hips, and the ability to change direction smoothly. His burst out of breaks allows him to close quickly on the ball, and he displays the necessary agility to mirror receivers in their routes.
Coverage Skills
Walley excels in short and intermediate coverage, where his sticky defense and leverage stand out. He plays with very good footwork and technique, allowing him to stay in phase with receivers. In zone coverage, Walley exhibits great awareness and disciplined eyes, reading quarterbacks effectively and squeezing receivers to the sideline. His experience in both man and zone coverages makes him a versatile defender capable of fitting into multiple defensive schemes.
Ball Skills
One of Walley’s standout traits is his ball skills. He finished his collegiate career with 27 pass deflections, showcasing his ability to disrupt passes at the catch point. Walley tracks the ball well in the air and plays through the receiver’s hands with excellent timing. His awareness and route recognition allow him to jump routes with a quick trigger, making him a threat to create turnovers.
Run Support and Tackling
Despite his average size, Walley is a willing and aggressive run defender. He displays urgency when flying downhill and closes space quickly on ball carriers. However, his tackling can be inconsistent, particularly in open-field situations where he sometimes takes poor angles or resorts to diving at legs. Throughout his college career, Walley has shown improvement in this area, finishing his final season with 12 run stops according to Pro Football Focus.
Production and Experience
Walley’s collegiate career at Minnesota was highly productive. He started 42 games over three seasons, accumulating impressive statistics. In his final year, he recorded 45 tackles (39 solo), two tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. This consistent production earned him All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023 and 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024.
Intangibles
Walley is described as a competitive and aggressive player with a high motor. His extensive starting experience in the Big Ten conference has helped him develop into a savvy defender with good instincts. Coaches and scouts praise his film study habits and improved understanding of offensive schemes.
Special Teams Value
With 357 snaps and seven tackles on special teams during his college career, Walley has demonstrated his willingness and ability to contribute in this crucial aspect of the game. This experience could help him secure a roster spot and see the field early in his NFL career.
NFL Projection
Justin Walley projects as a late Day 3 selection in the NFL Draft, likely in the 5th or 6th round. His best fit at the next level may be in a zone-heavy scheme that allows him to utilize his route recognition skills and quickness. While he primarily played on the boundary in college, his skill set could translate well to a nickel corner role in the NFL.
Walley has the potential to contribute immediately as a backup cornerback and core special teams player. His versatility in coverage schemes and competitive nature give him a solid foundation to develop into a reliable starter over time. His ceiling may be limited by his lack of elite size and top-end speed, but his technique, instincts, and ball skills could allow him to outperform his draft position.
Areas for Improvement
To maximize his potential at the NFL level, Walley will need to:
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Improve his tackling consistency, especially in open-field situations
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Refine his technique when playing press coverage
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Enhance his long speed to better handle vertical threats
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Continue developing his physicality to match up with larger NFL receivers
Pro Comparison
Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills serves as a fitting pro comparison for Walley. Both players share similar size and skill sets, excelling in short and intermediate coverage while providing value in run support and on special teams.
In conclusion, Justin Walley is a developmental cornerback prospect with the potential to become a valuable contributor in an NFL secondary. His combination of coverage skills, ball production, and competitive drive make him an intriguing option for teams looking to add depth and versatility to their defensive backfield in the later rounds of the draft.
