East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. recently announced his decision to forego his last year of eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Revel is currently recovering from a torn ACL injury that ended his season in September. He remains a first-round prospect with an incredibly high ceiling.
Revel is a long and athletic defensive weapon who recorded interceptions in consecutive games before suffering his knee injury. The Pirates standout is a fiery competitor who possesses the dynamic skill set required to thrive in coverage at the next level. Revel is an outstanding athlete in press-man and also enjoys creeping up towards the line of scrimmage to impact the run game.
With Revel having declared for the draft, we've identified three potential team fits.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders recently made a big-time move to acquire Marshon Lattimore at cornerback, but he's nursing an ongoing injury that has prevented him from making his debut. Lattimore is signed through 2026, so he'll be a long-term boundary starter for new head coach Dan Quinn.
The spot opposite Lattimore has less certainty. General manager Adam Peters will have a decision to make on Benjamin St-Juste, a pending free agent who was originally drafted by the previous regime. Quinn and Peters may also be anxious to replace Emmanuel Forbes at cornerback, a first-round bust who does not fit the new culture and approach. Drafting Revel would help the Commanders' current leadership structure continue putting their thumbprints on the roster.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers must start revamping the cornerback room this offseason. No. 1 corner Jaire Alexander is playing quality football despite nursing nagging injuries. Alexander is signed through 2026, but his running mates could look drastically different over the next few seasons. The team declined the fifth-year option on Eric Stokes, who was recently benched for poor performance. Stokes won't return to the Packers in 2025.
Keisean Nixon is a bridge-type solution who replaced Stokes at boundary corner. Depth corner Corey Ballentine is also slated for free agency. The Packers have been playing three safeties with regularity, including rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams, as opposed to fielding a traditional nickel cornerback. General manager Brian Gutekunst loves athletes and production. Revel would address a position that's been a problem spot for the Packers all season long.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have allowed a 27th-ranked 233.3 passing yards per contest. GM Chris Ballard has invested a ton of picks into the secondary in recent drafts, but the only solution is to keep revamping the defensive backfield until they reach an acceptable level of play. A lack of depth is still an issue. With JuJu Brents on IR, 2022 fifth-round selection Samuel Womack III has been starting on the boundary.
Sophomore seventh-rounder Jaylon Jones is playing quality ball, but Ballard needs to continue embracing competition in his young corner room. Revel has an opportunity to elevate his pre-draft stock into the top-20 conversation. Revel could be the next corner off the board after Travis Hunter and Will Johnson.
