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Is Quincy Riley An Option to Replace a Current Commanders Cornerback?

by

Austin Peay v Louisville
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Quincy Riley, CB
School: Louisville | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 5’11” / 194 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd-4th Round

Player Comparison: Noah Igbinoghene

College Statistics

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Interceptions Fumbles
Season Team Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Comb TFL Sk Int Yds Avg IntTD PD FR Yds FRTD FF Awards
2019 Middle Tennessee State CUSA FR CB 3 3 0 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 Middle Tennessee State CUSA FR CB 6 11 3 14 1 0.0 2 77 38.5 0 4 0 0 0 0
2021* Middle Tennessee State CUSA FR CB 9 24 9 33 5 1.5 5 153 30.6 1 9 0 0 0 0
Career 18 38 12 50 6 1.5 7 230 32.9 1 13 0 0 0 0
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/1/2025.
Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Interceptions Fumbles
Season Team Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Comb TFL Sk Int Yds Avg IntTD PD FR Yds FRTD FF Awards
2022* Louisville ACC JR CB 13 24 3 27 1 1.0 3 101 33.7 1 2 0 0 0 0
2023* Louisville ACC SR CB 14 29 20 49 2 0.0 3 75 25.0 0 12 0 0 0 0
2024* Louisville ACC SR CB 10 21 12 33 3 0.0 2 -3 -1.5 0 13 0 0 0 1
Career 37 74 35 109 6 1.0 8 173 21.6 1 27 0 0 0 1
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/1/2025.
Punt & Kick Returns Table
Punt Returns Kick Returns
Season Team Conf Class Pos G Ret Yds Y/Ret PRTD Ret Yds KRTD APYd Awards
2022* Louisville ACC JR CB 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 101
2023* Louisville ACC SR CB 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 75
2024* Louisville ACC SR CB 10 6 53 8.8 0 0 0 0 50
Career 37 6 53 8.8 0 0 0 0 226
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/1/2025.

Player Overview

Hailing from South Carolina, Quincy Riley was a three-sport athlete that excelled at football, basketball, and track. He was a statewide winner in the 100m and 200m, running a 10.4 in the latter, and named South Carolina Boys Track Athlete of the Year. In football, he was a three-star recruit that enrolled at Middle Tennessee State. After redshirting his freshman year in 2019, Riley’s impact on the field led to him being named C-USA All-Freshman. Another productive season ended with Riley being named first team All-C-USA and transferring to Louisville.

Riley hit the ground running for the Cardinals, leading the team in interceptions in 2022. He was named All-ACC Honorable Mention after making 49 tackles, snagging three picks, and breaking up 12 passes in 2023. The last season of his college career, despite a dip in production, Riley earned second team All-ACC honors.

Strengths

  • Good hips and footwork to transition with receivers through routes
  • Excellent timing to arrive at catch point and make play on the ball
  • In off coverage, shows route recognition and ability to close quickly
  • Comfortable turning and locating the ball in the air
  • Aggressive at catch point; plays through the receivers hands
  • Not afraid to come up and make a tackle

Weaknesses

  • Lack of elite speed allows receivers to stack him deep
  • Although his footwork is good, can sometimes be a little sloppy
  • Despite aggression, could be stronger at the catch point
  • Tackling technique can improve; often tackles too low or high

Let’s See His Work

Quincy Riley’s 40 Yard-Dash Data
Provided by Next Gen Stats via nfl.com

How He Fits on the Commanders

The Commanders are going to look to improve the secondary this offseason and that starts with cornerback. Marshon Lattimore and Mikey Sainristil will be starters next season, but Benjamin St-Juste, Noah Igbinoghene, and Michael Davis will be free agents. The team will not only need a starter on the outside, but depth at the position.

Quincy Riley brings a lot to the table that could help the Commanders. He is versatile with the ability to be productive in man and zone coverage and the ability to play inside or outside. While he doesn’t have elite speed or physical traits, his technique helps him have consistent success. Riley could start his career in Washington in the same role as Igbinoghene. Assuming Washington finds a cornerback to start outside in free agency, they could draft Riley as depth behind starters outside and in the slot. Ultimately the plan for him would be to start outside, possibly when Lattimore’s contract ends.