#52 - Brandon Cisse - CB - Clemson

[Joemailman]

By Lance Zierlein NFL Analyst

Draft Projection - Round 2

Overview

Teams will be willing to take a chance on Cisse’s explosive athleticism and upside, but a refinement runway might be needed to smooth some of the rougher edges. He’s scheme-versatile in coverage and is an A-rated run supporter. Work ethic and athletic testing will work in his favor. However, a lack of instincts and break anticipation could cost him in coverage against quality route runners. His press will become a more effective weapon with technical work and his route recognition should improve with more reps. Cisse’s traits and competitiveness are clear selling points, but a lack of on-ball production and coverage consistency create a more volatile floor.

Strengths

• Explosive athletic ability.
• Has length and strength to become more disruptive in press.
• Sits on short routes and squeezes work space from off-man.
• Quick dig-and-trigger to the throw from the top of his drop.
• Imposes size on catch point when he’s tight in coverage.
• Long speed to stay in-phase with deep routes.
• Supports the run like a box safety.
• Beats blockers with quickness and meets runners at or near the line.

Weaknesses

• Below-average in route recognition and break matching from off.
• Struggles to find playmaking positioning with back to the ball.
• Below-average tracking and adjustments on downfield 50/50 balls.
• Needs to more consistently read/react to quarterback’s eyes/operation.
• Ordinary career production on the ball.

Sources Tell Us


“You draft him more for tomorrow’s tools and not for today’s tape. The bad reps are going to get corrected. I like his makeup and his speed.” – AFC national scout

[Joemailman]

[ThunderDan]

Not real impressed with the pick. His college production wasn’t great. Looks like a great athlete.

[Joemailman]

Not real impressed with the pick. His college production wasn’t great. Looks like a great athlete.

He's not yet 21. Lot of room for development.

[Bretsky]

Not real impressed with the pick. His college production wasn’t great. Looks like a great athlete.

This pick has Gutebag written all over it. Crazy athlete but his tape isn't elite. Does not look like a ball hawk at all.

If it doesn't work out, like Lucas Van Ness, Gute will say we have to coach the players up 25 different ways and blame the coaches.

Hopefully he develops. You have to think GB drafted him to start right off the bat given where we are at CB

[pittstang5]

Didn't think he'd be there at 52. Thought he'd go late 1st, early 2nd. I like the pick. From what little I've read/heard about Gannon's defense, he's a really good fit - an aggressive, boundary type corner that isn't afraid to tackle.

[Fritz]

Great athlete, but no instincts. A classic Guter pick. RAS out the ass. But really I don’t know anything. It’s not like I sit around and watch tapes of players.

[Joemailman]

HFVfPU0WEAA77Xr?format=jpg&name=small.jpg

[bobblehead]

Very interesting pick. I don't hate it for when we picked to be honest, but I see more of an eraser free safety type of guy than a cover corner. Maybe a Derwin James or Nick Collins type. The fact that he had a shitty shuttle and didn't even run the 3 cone is kinda damning for a CB. In traditional Gutes fashion he drafted for need though and took a CB with his first pick in a draft that isn't really strong at CB hoping his coaches can max this kid out just in time to pay him. I'd have rather had a more pro ready prospect and we can be positive they won't ever turn him into a safety which seems to be his best position from my lying eyes. Better than a lot of his recent picks. I was half wrong on Bullard who I was pretty sure wasn't a safety. I even called him losing that job to Williams coming out of their first camp. But they moved him to the slot and he is really good. Maybe they will shock me and let this kid play some hybrid and get mentored by McKinney.

[Sparkey]

PFF 2nd rd prediction:

52. Green Bay Packers: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina With their first pick in 2026, the Packers are oriented to select a cornerback given that both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are on effective one-year contracts. Cisse’s physicality and ball skills, especially in zone — where he earned a 72.1 PFF coverage grade in 2025 — make him an ideal fit.

Was not sure about the pick, but their description of him makes me feel better about the pick.

[MadScientist]

After seeing some highlights, I really like how he attacks the ball, hands, and arms to break up the pass. I am concerned that even in the highlights he looked grabby.

[Joemailman]

Rob Demovsky:

Round 2, No. 52: Brandon Cisse, DB, South Carolina


My take: This was the Packers' greatest need. They bring backthe two cornerbacks who started on the outside at the end of last season in Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, and they signed free agent Benjamin St-Juste. Nixon and Valentine, however, are entering the final year of their contracts and might not be re-signed, and St-Juste signed only a two-year deal this offseason. Before the draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst pinpointed cornerback as the team's lightest spot, saying, "That's probably our group, from a numbers perspective, that we're going to need to add the most numbers."

Will he start as a rookie?: If there is a position where a rookie could start from Day 1, it's cornerback. But it had to be the right cornerback. They needed an outside corner with size, length and speed, and Cisse fits all three. He stands 5-11¾, has arm length of 30¾ and ran a 4.41 40 at his pro day. "Smart, tough, physical corner [with] good foot quickness and can run," Packers area scout Mike Owen said. "There's a lot to like, and he's wired right."

[Jaire]

Richard Sherman interviewed him a few days ago. He's gonna put in all the work. Great, great interview. Worth a listen. Most likely to succeed imo. Also Chris Simms, fwiw, has him as his number two corner. Love the pick, and all our picks. My favorite Gutey draft.

[Joemailman]

The thing I like about Cisse is the way he plays the run. Not that that's more important than pass coverage, but it says something about attitude. His tackling ability alone puts him ahead of Valentine.

[Jaire]

This kid has the best chance in this class to be all pro, depending on coaching. I think he has the right path and his head on right to do that. He's ONLY 20 (one of the fifth youngest in the whole draft), played WR in HS, is more mature than any cb on our team, is getting props and tutelage from HoFers, has athleticism to do it. I wasn't big on cb in round 2, but I definitely see why they took him. He has hardly begun and is doing everything right to be a great one. .... Not gonna pretend I can grade corners, but his highlights show me he has enough traits. (And Richard Sherman gave him excellent advice on how to get interceptions, if the coaches let him.)

2/3 of the game is mind and heart. I think he has it. Edit: See GB scout Mike Owen "WIRED RIGHT" is the most important thing. I haven't been stoked about a cb since Jaire. I hope they throw him in the fire right away so he can get the reps.