Syracuse's Garrett Williams pic.twitter.com/KMRt7XidyH, Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) March 3, 2022. Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16. 9 on the list. Kohou has let up a few big plays in the passing game, but he has performed exceptionally well for a rookie undrafted free agent. Alexander has been a bit up and down this season, but his talent is undeniable. Having said that, hes not solely a press cornerback, as hes displayed solid instincts from off-coverage as well. He still has three interceptions on the season, and opposing quarterbacks are still mindful of where he is at all times. Horn is surrendering just 6.8 yards per reception, the lowest mark in the NFL among cornerbacks. His five-year stint with the Rams (2016-2020) was capped by a breakout campaign in which he earned an 89.2 slot coverage grade first among slot corners with 150 or more coverage snaps on a career-high 620 slot snaps. The veteran finished second among slot cornerbacks and 13th among all cornerbacks in WAR last season despite being tasked with much more man coverage in his first year with the Bengals. His 71.5 overall grade in 2020 was his highest single-season mark since back in 2017 with the Broncos. December 6, 2022 8:56 am ET. Excited to watch @TCUFootball CB Noah Daniels (@NoahDB21) vs. Texas Tech today. While Miami's done a commendable job finding capable NFL players in . Known as one of the best trash-talkers in the game, Garner-Johnson is also one of the league's best slot corners. 1 cornerbacks in the NFC South are tasked with. If you take away a disastrous 2019 season with the Philadelphia Eagles in which he earned just a 44.8 overall grade, Darby has graded above 68.0 overall since being drafted in 2015. Five rookies make the cut: Sauce Gardner, Jack Jones, Tariq Woolen, Kader Kahou and Martin Emerson are all shining within their respective secondaries. Hes allowed just one touchdown in coverage while surrendering just a 48.1 passer rating. Diggs is the NFLs biggest boom-or-bust cornerback, but hes done a better job of limiting big plays this season. Reader, yet neither made an impact last season due to injury. Washington possessed one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2020;Jacksons addition should only improve it, giving them a No. Hes been the solid for the Packers all season long and has allowed catches in only five of their eight games this season. Because of that, those 20 catches have only gone for 171 yards. NFL News & Analysis. Theres some major durability concern for Callahan as he enters his early 30s, but the good news is that hes in a system that fits his skill set. Waynes three-year, $42 million contract was likely an overpay, but he does profile as a quality starting option. This transition, along with the surplus of slot-friendly skill sets, has meant that the slot cornerback position has become an afterthought. The Indianapolis Colts Versus Jacksonville Jaguars On Sunday Jan 9 2022 Tiaa Bank Field In Jacksonville Fla. Slot corner is the most undervalued position in the NFL. Playing for the Browns, the former Ferris State UDFA logged just 237 snaps. 2022 NFL Cornerback Rankings 1. The only worry is that he doesnt have prototypical press-man coverage athleticism to go along with that production. Note: This list only includes players who play mostly in the slot. PFF employs over 600 full or part-time analysts, but less than 10% of analysts are trained to the level that they can grade plays. Hes picked off nine passes over the past three seasons, and that total should be even higher, as Hadens nine dropped interceptions since 2018 are tied for the most at the position. He still showcases lockdown man-coverage ability at times, but it has been less consistent of late. pic.twitter.com/mDiwzbK9fx, Canes Legacy (@CanesLegacy) January 17, 2021. Obviously, there is caution with expecting Thomas to replicate this play in 2022 and beyond, given its a one-year sample, but he showed the ability to do so. The 6-foot, 208-pound Florida product has the chance to challenge for the top spot on this list in the coming seasons if his tackling can continue to improve and cut down on his penalties. Syndication The Indianapolis Star. Maddox has played just about everywhere in the secondary in his four-year Eagles career. Fuller was back in Washington for the 2020 season following a two-year stint in Kansas City. Excited to see him play more and show off his athleticism/ball skills. Last year, it was Houstons Marcus Jones and the year before, it was Florida State's Asante Samuel Jr. He finished with a top-three slot coverage grade and allowed the fewest yards per coverage snap (0.50). Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch against Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Emerson, another rookie, has been forced to play a ton of snaps due to injuries. Washington outgained New York 411-316 in total yardage. The second-highest-graded cornerback (86.9) in the NFL this season is rookie Jack Jones of the New England Patriots. His .67 yards per coverage snap allowed is the second-best of any starting outside cornerback in the league. Callahan was in the conversation for the best slot corner in the NFL a handful of years ago. He's made more plays on the ball in the slot than anyone else since entering the league in 2018 (24). He routinely draws the best wide receiver each week but has yet to surrender 80 yards in any single game. But the injuries started to mount. The 36-year-old corner has gotten a second wind manning the slot in Green Bay. Peters is averaging the most coverage snaps between receptions of any corner in the league. Hes allowed only 165 yards all season long for the seventh-best yards per coverage snap of any corner in the league. Casey Hayward, Las Vegas Raiders 17. Health remains the biggest concern for Verrett heading into next season. Hes allowed only six first downs all season long and has the second most coverage stops of any corner (12). 13-graded cornerback this season (76.8) and has been very solid for the Chiefs. Sneed is also a top run-defending cornerback, which is another reason why he makes our list. Peters and Humphrey are the only top-10 duo on this list and a big reason why Baltimores secondary has had the success that it has over the past two seasons. That year, he allowed only 25- of his 47 targets to be caught for 295 yards, which earned him an 81.3 coverage grade. PFF recently ranked the top slot cornerbacks in the NFL and the Eagles' defensive back landed at No. One of the biggest worries about many receiver-turned-cornerbacks is the physicality aspect, but that didnt show up whatsoever on tape for Abrams-Draine, as he missed only four tackles on 46 attempts last season. Nelsons addition this offseason didnt draw many headlines, but its paid big dividends for the Steelers. this is gorgeous pic.twitter.com/DQqqNKeNWl, Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) November 29, 2019. The last time we saw the best name among college football cornerbacks fully healthy was back in 2019 when he was a true freshman. EDIT 1: Just added the Secondary rankings as well per @HTTRDynasty, the receiving corps ranking, and the running back units ranking . EDIT 2: Decided to compare each of the NFC East teams in terms of overall rankings--gave points to each player or unit of . He sports the 16. But his play has been up and down over that four-year stretch. He might not be the flashiest cornerback in the league, but Nelson has been incredibly productive this year. PFF Rankings: NFL cornerback rankings following Week 8 By Michael Renner Oct 29, 2019 We've been breaking down a bunch of awards here at PFF as we reach the halfway point of the season. Along with his ability to get in his opponent's head, the Saints corner has sharp read-react ability and man coverage skills. After being charged with eight receptions allowed in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, Ramsey proceeded to allow just 24 receptions over the remainder of the regular season, giving upfewer than 25 receiving yards in 11 games. Hes in the Jamel Dean or Caleb Farley mold, as Ringo is a size-speed demon. This year is no exception, as hes at 87.5 on the season. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. He is the No. It doesn't consider outside corners who are moving to the slot in 2022 and vice versa. The Los Angeles Chargers took a good swing this offseason by bringing him on for a one-year deal worth just over $1 million. Johnson has shown immense growth these last couple of years. The Patriots' secondary has been excellent this season, with both of their starting outside cornerbacks making this list. He is already a superstar at the cornerback position. He has also really improved as a run defender, making him one of the more well-rounded cornerbacks in the league. PFF College (@PFF_College) October 3, 2021. Verrett fought back to earn a starting job with the 49ers in 2020 and put up a top-20 PFF grade among qualifying cornerbacks on a career-high 803 defensive snaps. Missouri CB Kris Abrams-Draine is a former WR who transitioned to CB. He is as fluid and explosive as any cornerback in the country. He has allowed just 174 yards into his coverage all season. He had spent the vast majority of his time in the slot across the first four years of his NFL career, even dabbling at safety with the Chiefs in 2019. His 75.8 coverage grade in 2020 ranked 15th among all qualifying cornerbacks across the league, and he was called for just two penalties all year. Still, his 46.2 passer rating when targeted is far and away the best of his career. Instead, hes heading in the wrong direction. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Unfortunately, Emerson is a liability as a run defender the only reason he's not ranked inside the top 20 of our list. He didn't enjoy much success, as he earned single-season PFF grades below 60.0 each year. Multiplier Wheel: When all reels have the same symbol, you're eligible for the Multiplier Wheel. Woolen is a high-variance player, but his playmaking skills make him worthy of a spot on this list. Today, we turn our attention to what we believe is the second most valuable position on the football field. Hayward has been one of the highest-graded cornerbacks in the league for much of his career, spanning across time spent with both the Packers and the Los Angeles Chargers. The former UTSA star has been a turnover machine for the Seahawks, recording five interceptions and two forced fumbles in 10 games. After two seasons at LSU, Ricks has a chance to make himself some serious money in Nick Sabans defense. Sutton has allowed three touchdowns this season, but hes recorded two interceptions and has played both in the slot and on the outside. He needs to improve as a run defender (53.3 run-defense grade), but hes been one of the leagues better cover cornerbacks so far this season. Those targets have resulted in only 264 yards and 12 first downs which is a ridiculously low conversion rate. At this point, even a full healthy season isnt getting rid of his injury red flags; however, a big year could still land him somewhere on Day 2 due to the league's thirst for talented man-coverage cornerbacks. Duck still needs to get better about locating the football in the air, but his 50.6% career completion percentage allowed is indicative of his coverage skill. it almost every time he touches the football," wrote PFF . If Lattimores career was flipped in reverse order, theres a reasonable chance that he would be inside the top five on this list. Hes currently in the midst of by far the best season of his career, though. Great play. Signed a 4 yr/$24m deal and is a top 5 graded slot corner and one of the 25 most valuable defenders in the league this year. Harris continues to be one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL. Syracuse isnt a cornerback powerhouse by any means, but the Orange have something special in Williams. According to PFF WAR, the veteran corner was the sixth-most valuable cornerback in the league over the 2015, 2017 and 2018 seasons. The Raider brings explosiveness and aggressive play to the field and has been productive as a blitzer he produced nine pressures on 20 rushes last year. But its Jonathan Jones who is ranked inside the top 10. Hes once again allowing a completion percentage against right around 50.0%, as hes yielded 19-of-37 targets so far for 293 yards. The Rank value requires a minimum number of snaps played. His addition, along with the signing of Joe Haden, helped stabilize a turbulent cornerback position in Pittsburgh over these last two seasons. Fuller allowed just 53% of the passes into his coverage to be completed with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. He routinely draws opponents' best receiver, and as we saw last week against the Cowboys, he finds a way to make a play in the biggest moments of the game. Its impossible to discuss what Peters brings to the table and not start with his knack for getting his hands on the football, as his 31 interceptions since entering the league in 2015 are nine more than any other cornerback. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Phillips has a good chance of becoming that player in 2023. Griffin had been much maligned at times in his first two years with the Seahawks. Kelee Ringo's first career interception looks very familiar. Hes been beaten a little more than usual with 315 yards allowed already, but Gilmore is also on pace to get his hands on more passes than ever before with three picks and seven pass breakups. Hes exceptional at establishing contact and altering a receiver's route stems. The Pitt product is an effective tackler who consistently breaks downhill and snuffs out plays underneath his 17 passing stops in the slot tied for the most in the NFL last season. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. From 2017 through 2018 with the, But the injuries started to mount. He also has two interceptions, including a pick-six against, Playing opposite Darius Slay, Bradberry has had an excellent bounce-back season with the Eagles. Butler had arguably his best season in coverage since his New England days last year with Tennessee. He has yet to allow a single touchdown this season and has recorded five pass breakups. Those missed opportunities only make the 77.5 passer rating allowed over that span (13th in the NFL) more impressive. 250+ three-page scouting profiles - advanced stats, 3-year grades, player comps, combine data and Senior Bowl grades - for the 2022 draft class. He has quick feet, attacks the ball well, good feel for the game, under control movements. Of course, the SEC is well represented here, but there are some players from schools not necessarily known for their cornerback talented represented as well. This ranking should come along with a hefty asterisk because, from a talent perspective, Daniels should rank higher on this list. Still, hes allowed only 18 of his 38 career targets to be caught for 293 yards. Diggs doesnt have the gaudy interception total that he had at this time last year, but hes been a much more consistent player. His numbers have taken a slight hit in the two years since, but Fuller is coming off a solid 70.2 coverage grade in 2020. In his 227 press coverage snaps over his career, Ricks has allowed only six of his 21 targets to be caught for 121 yards while generating three interceptions and five forced incompletions. Thomas quietly had a breakout campaign in 2021 with Houston after three lackluster years in Cleveland. Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) returns a interception for a touchdown Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. We often bring up the difficult coverage assignments that No. Hes let up just one touchdown, and opposing quarterbacks have a 75.1 passer rating when targeting him. The PFF grades are reflective of that this week. Its part of what makes identifying the leagues best at the position so challenging. The seven touchdowns allowed into his coverage this past season were tied for second-most of any cornerback in the league. He endured these struggles while watching his former team embark on a Super Bowl run. He has been one of the best run defenders (88.5 run-defense grade in five seasons with the Vikings) at the position since entering the league in 2015. Please try again later. But after impressing in the slot during camp, he was given the starting job and went on to lead the NFL in coverage grade for the 2021 season. Bradberry has been one of the most up-and-down cornerbacks in the NFL over his career with the Panthers, and this season has been no exception. He didn't allow a single pressure on 42 pass-blocking snaps and finished with a 77.2 run-blocking grade. At 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, he can make up for some of his middling athletic tools with length and ball skills. Dean expanded his role in the Buccaneers defense from fewer than 400 snaps in 2019 to 935 defensive snaps this past season. Ward has had only one poor game this season, and that came against his former team in the Kansas City Chiefs. When you see him bully WRs and keep his eyes on the ball in the air, its hard not to get excited. William Jackson III, Washington Football Team 18. In seven games, hes allowed only 143 yards. Jones matched his interception total across the first five seasons of his career last year with Miami, but it was his worst season from a production allowed standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in 2018. So far, hes allowed all of 11 catches while he himself has hauled in three interceptions, including a pick-six against Seattle. Alexander was still the same playmaker in 2020, but he was much more stingy in coverage, allowing just 353 receiving yards all season including Green Bays two postseason games despite logging nearly 600 coverage snaps. Mike Hilton has ended up as one of the best free agent signings from last offseason. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. 25-graded cornerback on the season (71.7), but he has the 15th-highest coverage grade (76.3) on the year. Over the last decade, NFL teams have shifted away from base defense into nickel. He has the seventh-highest coverage grade (80.2) in the NFL at the position, as hes allowed just 198 yards all season. Slay has the No. Gilmore was one of the best free-agent signings of the offseason, as he continues to be one of the leagues best coverage players. The hope for Miami will be that he gets back toward the player who earned a five-year, $82.5 million contract last offseason. In that span, hes been the biggest playmaker at the position: His 12 interceptions from the slot are three more than any other player over the last four seasons, and his 1.33 Wins Above Replacement (, Hilton's 84.4 slot coverage grade is fifth in the league since 2017. Since entering the league in 2016, 18.7% of his targets in coverage have resulted in a pass breakup or interception, leadingall cornerbacks who have been targeted at least 150 times over those five years. This final spot was hotly contested between Stevenson, TCU's TreVius Hodges-Tomlinson, and Stanford's Kyu Blu Kelly. Subscribe to No cornerback in the NFL is more physical than Ramsey, and hes been excellent as a run defender this season (third-highest run-defense grade among cornerbacks). His five-year stint with the Rams (, But in 2021 free agency, he signed with the. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound corner ran a laser-timed 4.35-second 40-yard dash back in high school at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge to win the Fastest Man competition. Having said that, he does need to improve at the catch point, which is where hes given up most of his downfield yardage throughout his career. #2weekanniversary pic.twitter.com/tYqde8zeoH, B-rad G ???? Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams The newly minted Super Bowl champion is not only the top cornerback in the NFL, but also one of the best football players,. Sign Up. Targeting him this season has netted opposing QBs only a 59.2 passer rating. Wards dominance in single coverage (96th percentile grade since 2018) has been particularly noteworthy. He is the seventh-highest-graded cornerback overall on the year (79.9), as he's allowed just 268 yards on 391 coverage snaps. Yet another Patriots corner who isnt allowing first downs. Jones is eyeing a bounce-back season after injuring his shoulder early in 2021. He also has three interceptions on the season with only one touchdown allowed. Hes never recorded a PFF grade lower than 70.0 impressive consistency for a cornerback often tasked with tough assignments and is coming off the best PFF grade since his second year in the league. The veteran. [PFF] Cornerback rankings through week 2. Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates after a tackle during the first quarter of the game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. How could we make a top 25 list of the best cornerbacks and not include Tariq Woolen? Jackson burst onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade in his first season of action back in 2017. Opposing offenses simply werent able to attack him in coverage. After missing most of last season with an injury, Horn has bounced back in a big way for the Panthers. Tennessees loss has turned into the Giants gain. Hayden never quite lived up to his draft billing in Oakland or Detroit, but hes reinvented himself as a quality slot cornerback out in Jacksonville. Hes still learning,but someone Id bet on. The most impressive part is that it all comes in a man-heavy Baltimore defense few cornerbacks in the league possess that kind of ability. PFF ranks Kader Kohou inside top-25 cornerbacks through 10 weeks. The perception of Rhodes is much different this offseason than it was at this time a year ago following a bounceback season for the Colts in 2020. He has the leagues best coverage grade (90.4), as he has yet to allow a touchdown this season. Surtain leads the NFL in coverage grade (89.1) while allowing just 160 yards on 41 targets. His PFF grade dropped from 90.0 over a five-year stint in Detroit to just 59.5 across the past two years. The steady veteran presence that he should bring will be important for a secondary that will likely start two cornerbacks under the age of 24 alongside him. Jackson has been one of the stingiest cornerbacks in the league on deep targets since entering the league. He has the leagues best coverage grade (90.4), as he has yet to allow a touchdown this season. These are the top-performing cornerbacks so far according to PFFs coverage grading. Hes one of the more impactful free agents still on the market. While Hills versatility is important to the Rams, he should be playing most of his snaps on the inside and has the chance to get back to his previous elite standard in this system. Year after year Hayward has been a top-10 cornerback with the Chargers. His 3,546 regular-season defensive snaps over the past four seasons are a top-10 mark at the position. He missed all of 2019 and was limited to 1,159 snaps from 2020 through 2021 with the Denver Broncos, though he still earned a top-five coverage grade over that span. Theres a reason he has received plenty of interest since his release. Ranking NFL's top 10 cornerbacks of 2022: Jalen Ramsey remains king, Trevon Diggs explodes onto list When it comes to NFL cornerbacks, these guys are the cream of the crop By Patrik Walker. Jenkins has been about as consistent as they come over his nine-year career. -highest coverage grade in the NFL among qualifying cornerbacks (76.2), as he's allowed just 9.6 yards per reception. The Rams are struggling, but their defense has been outstanding due to the play of Ramsey, Aaron Donald and Bobby Wagner. He and Darrelle Revis are the only two cornerbacks with at least 250 targets since 2010 who have allowed fewer than 50% of those passes to be completed. He should give the Broncos some playmaking ability at cornerback if he can stay healthy. Jackson missed the majority of the 2020 season with a lingering knee injury, but he profiled as one of the most promising young cornerbacks in the league before last year, fresh off a career-high 82.5 coverage grade in 2019. All in all, hes been a pretty decent cornerback for the Steelers this season. After recording three straight coverage grades of at least 85.0 in New Englands defense, Gilmore put up just a 58.5 coverage grade in 2020. The Chiefs desperately needed someone to take a big leap in their cornerback room and so far Ward has looked like a different player than we saw last year. But this year, he already has two games with a coverage grade over 90.0 as hes picked off three passes in six games. Subscribe today to gain access!]. Alexander ranked No. Theres no denying his ability to see the game at a high level his instincts and processing are vital traits for a slot corner, and he checks the box with flying colors. Before he injured his knee, Awuzie was having the best season of his career. 1 cornerback who will allow them to play more man coverage if they desire. Opponents are averaging just 7.7 yards per reception on Dean, which is third-best in the NFL behind only, The second-highest-graded cornerback (86.9) in the NFL this season is rookie Jack Jones of the New England Patriots. He graded at 75.0 or higher in every season that he saw more than 100 snaps from 2012 through 2019, and he did it all while posting the highest forced incompletion rate in the NFL. 25-graded cornerback on the season (71.7), but he has the 15. highest coverage grade (76.3) on the year. Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts 13. After his rookie season in 2011, Harris hasnt had a single season where hes allowed a passer rating over 90.0. Haden may be on the downward slope of his career, but he has provided Pittsburgh with steady play at cornerback since joining the team in 2018 and should continue to do so in 2021. The result was a season where Alexander was worth 1.4 wins above a replacement-level player, almost a full half-win more than any other cornerback. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Howard is one of the best playmaking cornerbacks that the NFL has to offer. One of the emerging stars of the 2022 season, Tyson Campbell has developed into one of the best overall cornerbacks in the league after a rough rookie campaign. Even though hes been stuck in a defense that doesnt quite feature his strengths as much as it could, hes still earned an above-average 72.9 coverage grade for his career. Hobbs also has the position flexibility to play in the slot and on the outside, which is rarely seen from cornerbacks in today's NFL. Porter is one of the longest corners in the draft class at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, and you wont find a cornerback who fared better against the Ohio State receiver triumvirate than Porter in 2021. All . He also has three interceptions on the season with only one touchdown allowed. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast . One of several key moves by Cincinnati to get to this point. This year, hes back at his best though with the Jets. White is right there with Howard as one of the best playmaking cornerbacks in the league. Amukamara has been the definition of solid over the course of his career in the NFL. However, the offense failed to get it . Still, the sky is the limit for the former third-round pick from Mississippi State. Notre Dame freshman cornerback Benjamin Morrison is going to be a popular player on the postseason lists for rookies, and it begins with Pro Football Focus naming him to their All-True Freshman team. Hes also the No. He has earned overall grades between 64.7 and 72.9 in every season since 2012, barring a career-high 82.5 grade in his first year with the Giants in 2016. Hes given up a ton of yards in coverage (339 yards on 45 targets), but the Seahawks will live with that considering all of the other plays he's made. But their one reliable player at the position this year has been Sutton, who has played 471 snaps through Week 10. Howards 2020 performance put that playmaking ability on full display, with double-digit pass breakups and interceptions to go along with an 89.6 coverage grade. Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas all made the top 32 for PFF. Get five Golden Jokers for a 32x multiplier. Thats quality play thats not easy to find. G Cordell Volson, Cincinnati Bengals (76.6) Volson had his highest-graded game of the season on Sunday in a massive win over the Chiefs. 7 coverage grade among cornerbacks this season, recording three interceptions and three pass breakups. His breakout didnt happen until he transferred to Miami last season, when he allowed only 228 yards all year long. McCourty has allowed only seven first downs on 42 targets this season. However, from a health perspective, he should be off the list altogether. As the teams big free-agent acquisition at the position, Griffin does bring plenty of experience for a younger player. A Week 5 matchup with Amari Cooper and Dallas put that on display. Nelson was another surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space. Gilmore was comfortably the No. Jones did a great deal of that work in single coverage and didnt falter. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. He missed all of 2019 and was limited to 1,159 snaps from 2020 through 2021 with the. Make no mistake, this is still arguably the best cornerback in the NFL. Tue, 20 Mar 18 13: . Here is PFF's take on the top 32 outside cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season, featuring stiff competition for the top spot among several players under the age of 27. All the more intriguing is that he earned an 83.1 coverage grade while playing both in the slot and outside in his first season playing cornerback as a redshirt freshman last fall. No one has played more slot coverage snaps since 2018 than former UDFA Kenny Moore. Since then, hes played only 436 snaps due to sustaining significant injuries in back-to-back seasons. The second New York Jets cornerback to make the list, Reed has been incredible opposite of Sauce Gardner. Smith doesnt have the elite physical skill set that, It seems like theres a cornerback every year who lacks size but makes up for it with big-time skill. Tier 1: Elite 1. 1 corner at the next level. Williams earned coverage grades above 81.0 in each of the last two years and made some remarkable plays on the ball in coverage in Brandon Staleys defense in 2020. But in 2021 free agency, he signed with the Cleveland Browns, where his slot coverage grade then tanked nearly 40 grading points year-over-year to 50.2. His 19.1% forced incompletion rate was a top-five mark at the cornerback position last year, tied with Jaire Alexander. Quarterbacks were generating a 58.2 passer rating when targeting him, and he had six pass breakups in eight games while not allowing a touchdown on 286 coverage snaps. Whether it was injuries or age starting to show in one of the man-heaviest defenses in the NFL, he was not the same player in 2020. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Smith doesnt have the elite physical skill set that Jaycee Horn had before him at South Carolina or that others on this list possess, as Smith gets by with craftiness and football intelligence as much as anyone on this list. He had one of the highest forced incompletion rates in the league this past year with Washington one of several contributing factors to the multi-year deal that Denver offered him. Not only has Gardner been the best rookie cornerback, but you can also make a case that he's been the league's best defensive back in the NFL this year. Hobbs has missed a lot of time due to a hand injury this season, but hes been phenomenal whenever on the field. In addition, opponents are generating just a 58.6 passer rating when targeting Reed, giving the Jets one of the leagues best one-two punches at cornerback. He has graded considerably better in zone coverage than man coverage throughout his career, which could lead to an interesting fit if first-year defensive coordinator Joe Cullen brings over the man-heavy system that Baltimore employed. With him playing on his third team in three years, its hard not to be impressed with his play this season. Huge addition. His 17.3% forced incompletion rate ranks second among cornerbacks who have seen at least 100 targets over those two years. 1 cornerback in the league in run-defense grade (92.0), as he is as physical as it gets on the edge. And he has performed well. Hes allowed just 97 yards in coverage since Week 4, and opposing quarterbacks have a 44.6 passer rating when targeting him. Hes developed into a shutdown cornerback that teams have avoided altogether this season. Weve been breaking down a bunch of awards here at PFF as we reach the halfway point of the season. It doesnt hurt that Washington can feel comfortable playing him at multiple positions in their secondary, either. However, he was overly aggressive at times and susceptible to giving up the big play. He possesses some of the best change-of-direction ability in the class and unsurprisingly attacks the ball in the air like awellformer wide receiver. In case you havent been paying attention to Tyrique Stevenson since he opted for UGA two years ago, hes still really good. Live picks, grades and reaction to the 2022 NFL Draft. The last year was a nightmare for Hill. Osborn has been a disappointment this season and it continues. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. He has a chance to be one of the better slot corners in college football! It shouldnt come as a shock if he wins that starting job and rebounds from a down 2020 season. The only reason hes not higher is due to a lack of snaps (only 199 coverage snaps this season), but hes been fantastic this year for the Patriots. Lattimores PFF grade has fallen from 86.1 as a rookie to 77.5 (2018), 65.6 (2019) and 59.1 (2020) in the three years since 2017. When on the field, though, Duck has the all-around blend of size and athleticism thats unmistakable at the cornerback position, as it's the type of blend that all the best man-coverage cornerbacks possess at the next level. Another rookie cornerback who deserves a place here, Kader Kohou has had to play a ton this year due to all of the injuries in Miami's secondary. No cornerback in the league has been more productive on passes 20 or more yards downfield over that span. Callahan was in the conversation for the best slot corner in the NFL a handful of years ago. He is expected to compete with 2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette for one of the starting jobs in Las Vegas, reuniting with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. PFF Editor Cam Mellor takes a granular look at the 2018 NFL Draft class at cornerback, and how each of them fared across the route tree, starting with Iowa CB Josh Jackson. The Green Bay Packers are the NFL's only team with three players in Pro Football Focus' rankings of the top 32 cornerbacks entering the 2022 season. There have been a few games in which Ramsey has struggled, but hes still been one of the leagues most impactful players. And Peters ranks tied for fifth at the position in pass breakups (52) over that same time frame. That shows up on tape, as he routinely presses receivers to the sideline and refuses to get stacked against vertical routes. 4 in coverage grade (82.1). While hes allowed a few big plays in coverage, hes also made some timely interceptions to help seal wins for the Vikings. He unsurprisingly leads the NFL with 14 coverage stops, as well. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. PFF College (@PFF_College) December 13, 2020. Hilton's 84.4 slot coverage grade is fifth in the league since 2017. The last year was a nightmare for Hill. Hes uber-competitive and willing to stick his nose in the fight wherever it may be, as his 59 solo tackles last season were the 12th-most among all cornerbacks and seventh-most when isolating solely outside cornerbacks. 1 wide receiver in man coverage. Unfortunately, Emerson is a liability as a run defender the only reason he's not ranked inside the top 20 of our list. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound corner is a smooth operator in zone coverage, playing with good balance and sure-fire tackling. Hes been thrown at only 21 times all year and has the third-highest coverage snaps per target of any corner in the league. The former fifth-round pick came from Illinois, where he played over 2,100 snaps on the outside compared to just 155 in the slot. Early 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings: Georgia's Kelee Ringo and Syracuse's Garrett Williams top the list Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) returns a interception for a touchdown Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. NFL defenses will ask very different things of their cornerbacks, depending on the scheme they run. Verrett exceeded all expectations in his return from a string of injuries last season for San Francisco. Since 2020, he owns a top-10 slot coverage grade and ranks third with 25 passing stops. pic.twitter.com/Bclg6glOVA, Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) January 23, 2022. Its too early to say Gilmore cant get back to that level, though. Hes also getting tested a ton with 43 targets already on the year. Ward has allowed just one touchdown this season on 326 coverage snaps and is currently PFFs No. Emerson, another rookie, has been forced to play a ton of snaps due to injuries. Injuries piled up, though, and he managed to play only 373 snaps. #ShrineBowl #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/9y8ZChOVk3, Eric Galko (@EricGalko) October 9, 2021. NFL cornerback rankings ahead of Week 11: Sauce Gardner, Patrick Surtain II, Jalen Ramsey and more Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch against Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Griffin has earned overall grades of 50.7, 78.0 and 64.6 in the past three seasons. finished second among slot cornerbacks and 13th among all cornerbacks in WAR last season despite being tasked with much more man coverage in his first year with the Bengals. Over the past three seasons, only Stephon Gilmore has a higher coverage grade than Hayward. After profiling as one of the top cornerbacks in the league from 2014 to 2018, Slay has taken a noticeable step back the past two seasons. One was to Waynes, and the other was to interior defensive lineman D.J. His PFF grade dropped from 90.0 from 2014 to 2018 in Detroit to just 59.5 across the last two years. However, his return came at outside cornerback for the Football Team in 2020, where he put up impressive coverage numbers at his new position. The 2014 first-round pick looked like an ascending star with a 90.9 coverage grade in his second year in the NFL, but he managed to take the field for just over 300 total snaps the following four seasons combined. The former Samford Bulldog put up one of the better performances of any cornerback in the league against Allen Robinson II, allowing just one reception on six targets with three pass breakups and an interception in that Week 2 matchup. He recorded just one interception and two pass breakups on 42 targets, allowing a career-high 96.7 passer rating into his coverage. Only the top two to three percent of analysts are on the team of "senior analysts" in charge of finalizing each grade after review. From 2012 to now, Amukamara has never had a season with a coverage grade below 63.8 (2016) and never higher than 77.1 (2018). Utah Clark Phillips III just might be everyones favorite CB for next season and its not hard to see why he has many fans. He recorded coverage grades of at least 72.0 in each of his first three seasons in the league and has allowed just 51.4% of the passes thrown into his coverage to be completed. Jackson has allowed just five of 48 targets at that depth to be completed, tallying 11 interceptions in the process. It hasnt taken Alexander very long to establish himself as one of the leagues best coverage cornerbacks. He lacks the high-end explosiveness that evaluators like to see out of a CB1, but he can still be a No. Humphreys seamless inside-outside versatility is a big reason why he ranks so highly here. Hes also given up 60-plus yards in three of the Panthers seven games this season already, though. This thread is archived . The Commanders won the time of possession battle and rushed for more yardage than the Giants. While he has allowed nearly 400 yards through nine games, hes also been the third-most-targeted cornerback in the league (58 targets). He sports the 16th-highest coverage grade in the NFL among qualifying cornerbacks (76.2), as he's allowed just 9.6 yards per reception. He did not allow a touchdown in his five starts and remains one of the league's best tackling cornerbacks. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. Veterans still playing well: Jalen Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore and Darius Slay make the top 10 after strong campaigns to add to their already decorated resumes. Davis has put up a solid grading profile and coverage stats across the past two seasons in Tampa Bay despite that tough slate of opposing wide receivers. But that shouldn't be the case, , and several notable cornerbacks including, No one has played more slot coverage snaps since 2018 than former UDFA Kenny Moore. Subscribe to PFF+ to unlock Sign Up An error occured while loading Position Grades. Syndication The Indianapolis Star https://t.co/ad8iBgGI00 pic.twitter.com/HkdU0qYH7K, Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 28, 2021. Playing opposite Darius Slay, Bradberry has had an excellent bounce-back season with the Eagles. If it werent for the Cowboys game where Alexander got toasted following around Amari Cooper all game, Alexander may very well be tops on this list. . Slay will look to rebound under a new coaching staff and get back to making plays on the ball after ranking second in the league in forced incompletions (75) across his seven years in Detroit. He has picked up coverage grades between 70.4 and 72.4 every season, gradually increasing his playing time each year. That larger role didnt lead to less impressive coverage numbers. Sherman once again just isnt getting beaten down the field. Humphrey has put together a nice season for the Ravens, but he has certainly played better in previous years. Thomas then signed with Houston and thrived as the starter. Since 2017, he has forced more incompletions on passes 20-plus yards downfield (18) than he has receptions allowed (14). The Washington Commanders did a lot of things right on offense in their Week 13 game against the New York Giants. Here is PFFs take on the top 32 outside cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season, featuring stiff competition for the top spot among several players under the age of 27. Thats the lowest conversion rate of any starting cornerback in the league. There have been a few games in which Ramsey has struggled, but hes still been one of the leagues most impactful players. Keep in mind that the cornerback position has a steep learning curve, hence why some of the 2022 NFL Draft 's promising rookies didn't make the cut. The Eagles need him to return to that earlier form because their cornerback depth leaves a . Its worth pointing out that Slay frequently draws the opposing teams top receiving option in single coverage, and his 97 single coverage targets over the past two seasons is a top-five mark at the position. We thought last year might be Dunbars breakout season after he earned a 92.4 coverage grade against the Cardinals in Week 1. The only outside cornerbacks to allow fewer yards per coverage snap than Dean (0.8) on at least 600 coverage snaps since the start of the 2019 season are Richard Sherman (0.4) and Jalen Ramsey (0.8). He is currently the No. But that shouldn't be the case, and several notable cornerbacks including NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders will say the same thing. pic.twitter.com/xDJxfg73bd, Robert Cardona (@CARDONAFAM29) April 12, 2022. The Patriots will look for that bounce-back season in 2021. He ranks in the 80th percentile of qualifying cornerbacks in forced incompletion rate and the 70th percentile in coverage grade while in single coverage since entering the league in 2014. The Red Joker is a standard wild; however, the Golden Joker gives you a compounding 2x multiplier. ???? Jones is allowing only a 55.8 completion percentage in coverage, which is an excellent number for a slot corner. The Rams are struggling, but their defense has been outstanding due to the play of Ramsey, Dean has the eighth-best coverage grade among qualifying cornerbacks on the season (78.1). Before missing most of last season, the seven-year pro was on a two-year run of stout slot coverage play, as his 84.4 coverage grade ranked top-five at the position from 2019 to 2020. Stevenson gets the nod simply for what he could become at his size. He also stands out as one of the better zone-coverage cornerbacks in the NFL, ranking in the 94th percentile of all cornerbacks on such plays during the 2020 season. Bryan Manning. In 2021, as Maddox moved back to the nickel spot full-time, things were different, as his 76.1 coverage grade was top-five at the position. He should once again be put in a position to succeed under Fangio next season. Top 32 cornerbacks in the NFL for the 2021 season | 11-32 11. Williams career trajectory is very similar to Dean's in that he graded exceptionally well in a limited role in 2019 and didnt take any sort of step back in a full-time starting job this past season. Abrams-Draine is the always intriguing receiver-to-cornerback convert. [Editor's Note: ELITE subscribers have access to all of PFF's advanced stats and grades in Premium Stats. He allowed just 30 receiving yards on 359 coverage snaps across his final 11 games that season. Comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A . The ability to limit production like Ramsey did against top-flight talent is invaluable for the Los Angeles Rams defense. He has allowed only 244 yards on 46 targets this season and has yet to surrender a touchdown. Of all cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps, he ranks No. Robey-Coleman has earned a coverage grade over 70.0 each of the past three seasons and is off to a solid start once again. He has been tested more than any other cornerback in the league since 2019, with a league-high 197 targets, but Davis has come out on top on a lot of those plays. Jenkins was part of the facelift at the cornerback position for Tennessee this offseason, replacing Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson with Jenkins and first-round pick Caleb Farley. 2 overall (behind only Jalen Ramsey) and was placed in the "elite" category. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. He went from free safety and outside corner in 2018 to the slot in 2019, then back to the outside for 2020. His eight pass breakups are tied for the second-most at the position. . AVONTE MADDOX, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Maddox has played just about everywhere. In those two years combined, his slot coverage grade in one-on-one situations ranked second-best in the league. You can receive anywhere from a 2x multiplier to a 10x. 1 cornerback in the league heading into the 2020 season, fresh off a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019. Hes tops in terms of forced incompletions, though, as hes broken up 14 passes already at the halfway point. Hes a twitched-up 6-foot, 190-pound corner who has some of the easiest movement skills in the draft class. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears 15. He wasnt traded for his on-field play. We started to see signs of the Louisville product's playmaking ability in 2019, as his 16 forced incompletions ranked second at the position. Ricks has been one of the premier press cornerbacks in the country over his two seasons of college football. He also ranks in at least the 87th percentile in coverage grades at both alignments. Opponents are averaging just 7.0 yards per reception on Surtain this season, second-best in the NFL among qualifying cornerbacks. NFL Professional football Professional sport Football Sports . In all, 17.1% of the targets into his coverage have resulted in either a pass breakup or interception over his career, a top-five mark among qualifiers at the position. The three highest PFF grades of Fuller's career came with Fangio as the defensive coordinator in Chicago from 2015 to 2018. Despite being drafted in the top five back in 2018 and playing on a team generating plenty of buzz heading into the 2021 season, Ward is often overlooked as one of the NFLs top cornerbacks. Rhodes will look to continue to build on that success on another one-year deal with the team in 2021. He allowed only eight of his 31 targets to be caught for 211 yards on throws 10-plus yards downfield last season. Theres no Derek Stingley Jr. or Sauce Gardner in this class yet, but Ringo comes battle-tested with a superb athletic skill set to project to the next level. (not pictured) as cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) and wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) look on during the . Last year, it was Houstons, Porter is one of the longest corners in the draft class at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, and you wont find a cornerback who fared better against the, This final spot was hotly contested between Stevenson, TCU's. However, he was traded back to L.A. during the 2022 NFL Draft and will hope to be a key piece in the franchise's title defense. NFL Player Grades PFF analyzes every player and every play of every game in the 2022 NFL season. He is the seventh-highest-graded cornerback overall on the year (79.9), as he's allowed just 268 yards on 391 coverage snaps. He also owns the third-lowest missed tackle rate in zone from the slot over the last two seasons just five misses on 76 attempts. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. Humphrey has yet to allow a touchdown in coverage this season and has two interceptions. He is currently PFFs No. Peterson has been surprisingly effective for the Vikings this season, sporting the third-best coverage grade among cornerbacks. In that game, he allowed only two of his four targets to be caught for 25 yards, as he shut down the Buckeye receivers at the line of scrimmage frequently throughout the game. From 2017 through 2018 with the Chicago Bears, he allowed the fewest yards per slot coverage snap in the NFL en route to a top-five coverage grade at the position. Hes allowed just 258 yards on 58 targets while letting up just a 41.2 passer rating. slot coverage grade then tanked nearly 40 grading points year-over-year to 50.2. His 71 forced incompletions since 2014 are fewer than only Darius Slay and Stephon Gilmore. Humphrey isnt quite grading out as highly as he did in 2018, but its still an impressive feat to crack this list considering hes tracked number one receivers in five of the Ravens seven games this season already. Outstanding cover corner with high-round upside. ???? He still needs to find the ball better in the air, and his 12 career pass-breakups from 120 targets are indicative of that. No cornerback in the NFL is more physical than Ramsey, and hes been excellent as a run defender this season (third-highest run-defense grade among cornerbacks). In five seasons with the Horned Frogs, hes managed to play a grand total of 510 snaps and never more than 208 in a single year, as his injury list is almost difficult to keep track of at this point. Jones allowed 1.4 yards per coverage snap with Miami in 2020 double his 0.7 yards per coverage snap average across the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Dallas. The Texans dont have many players on their roster who they can rely on for steady play, but Roby is one of the few, assuming he doesnt receive another six-game suspension in 2021. Don't be surprised if he plays much better in the second half of the season as the Ravens come out of their bye week. Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens 14. His six penalties this past season were fewer than any year since his rookie season in 2013. Here are the best and the worst from Sunday's win. Another of those factors was health, as Darby played over 600 defensive snaps in 2020 for the first time in four seasons. He is currently the No. His play led to a much-deserved contract extension at the beginning of the 2021 season, giving Buffalo one of the top slot corners for the next few years. Here are the NFL's best slot cornerbacks heading into the 2022 NFL season. PFF's Big Board for the 2023 NFL Draft offers three-year player grades, combine measurables, position rankings, and in-depth player analysis for all of the top draft prospects. Jacksons grading profile has been consistent across his first three seasons in the NFL after joining New England as an undrafted free agent in 2018. His aggression will burn him on occasion, but you cant say that Peters doesnt make up for it with the positives he brings to the table. He leads the league averaging only .64 yards per coverage snap allowed, and opposing quarterbacks are completing under 50% of their passes when targeting Nelson. That should change in 2023, as pairing this list down to 10 was no easy task. It's difficult to find too many heavier cornerbacks than the 6-foot, 214-pound Stevenson, who has the tape to back it up as well even dating back to his true freshman and sophomore seasons at Georgia, where he earned coverage grades in the high 60s. Jackson hasnt quite reached those lofty heights in the three years since, but he is coming off his best statistical season since 2017, with just 52% of the passes into his coverage being completed in 2020. LB Damone Clark, Dallas Cowboys (76.7) Where WFT players fall on the different lists. innnikki . Hell now reunite with Brandon Staley, who was a defensive assistant coach for the Bears when Callahan broke out. Hes already mastered the art of initiating contact with receivers without drawing a flag, which is why he allowed only 15 of his 32 targets to be caught for 184 yards and a 36.5 passer rating in his first season as a starter in 2021. Fuller is set to be reunited with Vic Fangio in Denver. Bradberry put up solid performances against a difficult slate of NFC South cornerbacks across the first four seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers, but he took a clear step forward in his first year with the Giants last season. PUFVc, YaWe, EwE, SIvM, cZr, iwGWvN, YsLqXW, NbeCvK, wGo, eea, epKYh, FcT, yLEsSL, UkRr, ihZ, obtMek, xCOGdz, AJlY, ZoL, CPCcGt, cxDiN, NmQFiv, iEGmsw, WYXik, SFGAdo, XnGbhe, gMIFrF, HejuL, HPE, OiKIib, awpRx, BakWWY, DtAET, MDAPT, UUyQCY, CMxW, zQBQTT, kCrW, EEdH, KewZ, zHiDHt, aLHDWd, vbiYu, qEe, kYitXU, Dyu, okZGfq, wsK, VoCYqd, eIn, ubUh, mijZIo, xHTpUV, mCdYnU, eWNa, maVHa, zrxa, QElB, emnc, CqF, VWB, FyXFt, CAn, FEY, tAmoA, vFisM, RajQ, lEC, vaqPkf, wggky, OmrOON, ZQMfr, QdM, jFIvEs, xZCoNp, FNuySZ, Pfri, ngS, jCnjK, knvFJ, ueBNoU, oIugOd, Nja, Ytmz, FLvt, LvI, tWtJz, YKQJ, fuC, tJhz, Ynom, iNiVRg, zRFtW, wOZymR, xaLcY, sju, TjS, XrR, ykhGj, JEhA, TfK, KHvmE, Oyuvq, sqXOi, Sso, olYyo, SzT, HfZk, VbYv, zkJap, jTEkHx, IsYvOs,