Darnay Holmes

Darnay Holmes Player Profile

Summary

Darnay Holmes was selected in Round 4 (#110 Overall) of the 2020 Draft out of University of California-Los Angeles. At UCLA, he was known for his elite athleticism, competitive nature, and physical style of play. Over his NFL career (as of 2025), Holmes has appeared in over 70 games (12 starts), totaling 137 tackles, four interceptions, 21 passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He’s contributed on defense and special teams, offering value as a rotational and depth cornerback. Character-wise, Holmes is regarded as a hard-working, team-first player who has embraced different roles, and he’s earned trust through his effort and reliability.

Strengths

  • Explosiveness / Speed: Holmes has good burst and recovery speed which allows him to stay close in coverage and make plays.

  • Versatility in the Secondary: He can play both outside and in the slot, giving defensive coordinators flexibility.

  • Instinctive Playmaking: With four career interceptions and solid pass defensed numbers, he shows ball‑hawking ability. NFL.com

  • Tackling: He is a willing and physical tackler for a corner; he’s shown he can make plays in the run game and come up to support. CBS Sports

  • Special Teams Value: Holmes contributes on special teams, which increases his value as a depth corner.

  • Durability / Availability: He’s played in a significant number of games over his career. Las Vegas Raiders

  • High Motor / Competitiveness: He plays with energy and aggressiveness; in college and pros he’s known to battle for every play.

Weaknesses

  • Size / Length: At 5'10", he’s on the smaller side for a boundary corner, which may limit his effectiveness against taller receivers.

  • Technique Consistency: There are moments where his technique (especially in press or re-route situations) shows room for refinement.

  • Change-of-Direction / Agility: While explosive, his lateral quickness or agility isn't always elite, which could hurt him in fluid route situations.

  • Susceptibility to Double Moves: Because he can be aggressive early, some evaluators believe he’s vulnerable to double moves when his eyes aren’t disciplined.

  • Limited Length vs Bigger Targets: Against bigger receivers or tight ends, he may struggle due to lack of long arms.

  • Inconsistency in Pass Breakups: Though he has made plays on the ball, he doesn’t always generate consistent pass breakups or turnovers.

Fit & Outlook

Darnay Holmes projects best as a rotational cornerback and nickel defender in the NFL. His speed, competitiveness, and willingness to tackle make him a good fit in sub-packages, or as a depth piece who can spell starters in certain matchups. In Las Vegas (where he’s currently rostered), he could be used in slot roles, as a special teams contributor, and as a reliable option in nickel or dime defenses. Looking ahead, his outlook is solid but limited: he may not be a long-term lockdown boundary corner, but he has enough versatility and athletic traits to carve out a multi-year career. If he can polish his technique (especially in coverage) and continue to contribute on special teams, he can remain a valuable rotational piece. His physicality and competitive spirit give him a path to maintain a roster spot, and potentially earn more defensive snaps in the right system.