The same disclaimer applies for CB as applied for DT. The sample size is just too small. 51 drafted over ten years. In a CB-required league, that number would be markedly higher.
| Round | Drafted | Starters | Startable Rate |
| 1 | 34 | 22 | 64.7% |
| 2 | 11 | 3 | 27.3% |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Round | Average Drafted | Average Starters | Startable Rate | NFL Draft Breakdown |
| 2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100.0% | 1-1st Rounder (2.9%) |
| 3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 100.0% | 4-1st Rounders (11.8%) |
| 4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 60.0% | 3-1st Rounders (8.8%)
2-2nd Rounders (18.2%) |
| 5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 58.3% | 11-1st Rounders (32.4%)
1-2nd Rounder (9.1%) |
| 6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 30.0% | 7-1st Rounders (20.6%)
2-3rd Rounders (66.7%) 1-4th Rounder (33.3%) |
| 7 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 33.3% | 5-1st Rounders (14.7%)
2-2nd Rounders (18.2%) 2-4th Rounders (66.7%) |
| 8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 40.0% | 4-1st Rounders (11.8%)
5-2nd Rounders (45.5%) 1-3rd Rounders (33.3%) |
Like with DTs, this probably isn’t the most helpful, since a CB-required league would obviously change things considerably. The first CB was taken, on average, at pick 51.3. The earliest was Patrick Peterson at pick 2.09 in 2011. The latest CB1 was DJ Hayden at pick 6.05 in 2013.
I’m usually of the belief that drafting CBs is a waste of a draft pick. There are plenty available on the waiver wire and CB is the most streamable position, even in very deep leagues. That said, 47.1% of CBs taken in the NFL 1st Round were taken in the 6th round or later in rookie drafts in Dynasty Wars. I think throwing a 6th round pick at a NFL 1st round CB would be better than drafting a UDFA WR or RB who are 1 in a million shots.
Of special note are the players who are drafted at CB but eventually play at Safety. Michael Griffin (2007), Malcolm Jenkins (2009), Antrel Rolle (2005), Brandon Meriweather (2007), Aaron Williams (2011), Devin McCourty (2010) have averaged 4.2 startable seasons. Williams is the only player to have only (1) startable season and that’s due more to his neck injuries than play on the field. It definitely makes me take more notice of Desmond King who’s already been talked about moving to safety. Full disclosure, I’m an Iowa fan so I was planning on drafting him anyways, just a little more confirmation bias.
Dynasty Rookies 