The 2026 NFL Draft presents some solid options at defensive back, with considerable value to be found in the later rounds. Hezekiah Masses will likely hear his name called on Day 3 and represents some solid value. With the passing attacks forever evolving, adding as many quality DBs as possible has become the norm for most franchises. With that in mind, there will likely be more than one team targeting Masses in the later rounds.
Measurables
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 179 pounds
Arms: 31 1/8″
Hands: 8 1/4″
40-yard: 4.46
Vertical: 31.5″
Broad jump: 9’11”
School: California
Position: Cornerback
Hezekiah Masses NFL Draft Overview
Masses started his collegiate journey at FIU in 2022. Hezekiah saw action in all 12 games as a true freshman, earning six starts and posting 25 tackles along with four pass breakups. In 2023, he started 11 games and recorded 42 tackles, four passes defensed, and one interception that was returned for a score. As a junior in 2024, he appeared in all 12 games and added 38 tackles, another interception, and five passes defended.
After transferring to California in 2025, Masses’ game evolved into what his potential had always suggested. He finished with 47 tackles and delivered a career-best five interceptions with 13 passes defensed.
Strengths
- Natural ability to break when reading the quarterback
- Effective in man coverage and understands receiver’s goal in route
- Fluid hips in transition with good body control
- Possesses good hands and strength in contested situations
- Willing run defender that is unafraid to get his jersey dirty
- Surprisingly effective at jamming at the line despite slight frame
- Shows potential to evolve into a ball-hawking DB as a professional
Weaknesses
- Can be bullied by larger receivers and shielded from the ball
- Sometimes overly hands-on in man-to-man coverage which can lead to calls
- Doesn’t have the requisite core strength to shed receiver blocks
- Question of whether his frame can handle added muscle mass
Projection: Round 6
Best Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos
Bottom Line on Hezekiah Masses
The necessary tools are present for Hezekiah Masses to carve out an expanded role on Sundays. In order to maximize his potential, a team is going to have to be willing to get him in situations where he can utilize his ability to read the quarterback in space. In a primarily zone coverage scheme, Hezekiah can be an immediately effective component. There’s a situational pass defender here at worst, and a starting cornerback at best.
Hezekiah Masses athletically profiles similar to Ricky Reynolds of Washington. With enough speed to recover and the ability to break on the ball quickly, it’s Masses understanding of route concepts and where the quarterback is trying to go with the ball that gives him the ability to be in the right place at the right time, more often than not. For sure, Masses will have his detractors. His frame and the question of his ability to withstand the punishment of a professional is a legitimate one. However, all it takes is one defensive coordinator who sees the coverage instincts and playmaking ability as too valuable to pass on early on Day 3.
Main Image: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
