2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Duke Cornerback Chandler Rivers

Chandler Rivers attended Beaumont United High School in Texas, where he played cornerback and wide receiver. During his career, he had 25 interceptions on defense and 85 receptions for 1,715 yards with 31 total touchdowns on offense. Rivers also lettered in track & field for four years, played two years of basketball, and was a three-star recruit who committed to play football at Duke University. 

Rivers was an honorable mention Freshman All-American during his freshman season in 2022. He appeared in all 13 games, making six starts, and compiled 52 tackles, two tackles for a loss, 0.5 sack, one interception, six passes defended, two quarterback pressures, and a blocked punt. He kept the momentum going in 2023 when he started all 13 games in his sophomore season and registered 58 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one interception, seven passes defended, and one quarterback pressure. 

Rivers was named the Birmingham Bowl MVP after tallying two tackles for a loss, one quarterback pressure, and three pass breakups. Rivers was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2024 for the Blue Devils, starting 12 games and collecting 52 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, one sack, three interceptions, and one interception returned for a touchdown. He stayed at Duke for his senior season, hoping to improve his draft stock for the 2026 selection process. 

Strengths

• Speed
• Tackling
• Athleticism
• Ball Tracking
• Special Teams
• Competitor

Chandler Rivers has the speed and footwork to mirror receivers on the outside one-on-one. He is the “total package,” bringing athleticism, speed, and technique to his game. Although only 5-foot-10, he jumps well and disrupts contested catches. 

Rivers is the ultimate competitor who plays from whistle to whistle while always hustling. He does an excellent job of tracking passes and knows when to turn his head around toward the ball to minimize penalties. During his time at Duke, he has been a weapon on special teams, blocking kicks and making plays on kick coverage. 

Weaknesses

• Size
• Strength
• Shedding blocks
• Press Coverage

Rivers is only 5-foot-10 and may not have as easy a time in press coverage in the professional ranks. He has a smaller frame and may struggle to add muscle and mass. Rivers is a willing tackler who steps up and makes plays; however, going up against bigger and stronger receivers, he has issues with disengaging as quickly as he needs to. 

In zone coverage, he can get overly aggressive and will be baited on pump fakes and play actions. His recovery speed has bailed him out at the collegiate level, but will it at the NFL level? 

Conclusion 

Chandler Rivers started the season as a mid-round prospect but has risen in mock drafts during the year. He is now considered a third-round pick who has the skillset to raise some eyebrows at the combine. 

While Rivers may not have the high ceiling that Jaire Alexander had when he was selected in the first round out of Louisville in 2018, he shares a lot of the same skill sets. Both were star cornerbacks from the ACC who were able to shut down the opponent’s best receiver. Draft Nation feels that Rivers has the competitiveness and fire to become a starting cornerback in the NFL.