50-41? His success showcased as he earned two First Team All-Pro honors, led the NFL in interceptions in two different seasons and was named to five Pro Bowl teams. With today's high-flying NFL offenses, it's a golden era for pass catchers. Even if he doesnt, hes a quality player. During his career with the Patriots Ty Law recorded 838 career tackles, 169 pass deflections, 53 interceptions and seven touchdown returns while helping the team win three Super Bowl titles. A ten time Pro Bowler, Renfro earned All-Pro honors after picking off a career best 10 passes in 1969. Whether they're a part of an impenetrable duo or are simply known as one of the best defenders in football, who do you think arethe best cornerbacks in the NFL right now? Arguably the greatest cover cornerback of all-time, less than average tackling skills drop Sanders to third on this list. Over his career Sanders made eight Pro Bowl teams, was selected as an All-Pro at cornerback six times and was the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Episode 9 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing the highest-ranked undrafted player in the players' list between Nos. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 1 receivers each week with sticky coverage and is a big play waiting to happen thanks to his speed, ball skills and understanding of pass concepts. Terrell in completion percentage allowed on the outside last season, per PFF. Take a look at the best photos from the red carpet. When you think of the greatest cornerback of All-Time one name that always comes out in debate is the great Deion Sanders. Sanders and the Cowboys defeated the Steelers in that year's Super Bowl. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Horror Movies That Don't Look Like Horror Movies, Deion Luwynn Sanders Sr. (born August 9, 1967), nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a retired American football player, baseball player and sports analyst who played in the National Football, Ronald Mandel Lott (born May 8, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen, Charles Cameron Woodson (born October 7, 1976) is a former American football player. 2021 NFL position-by-position rankings - 50-plus coaches, execs - ESPN Week to week, Diggs is doing an excellent job creating tough passing windows and contributing to one of the top defenses in the league by being a demon in coverage. As rule changes have altered the style of play, it has even gotten more difficult for defenses to play the game without having to worry about a penalty being called. NFL Network's 'Top 100 Players of 2022' has been unveiled. ", 10. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Outside Linebackers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Strong Safeties of All Time Rankings. Ranking of the NFL's top ten greatest cornerbacks of all time. Often times, cornerbacks lose sight of the receiver when the ball is in the air but not Howard. The cornerback position is one of the toughest positions in the NFL. Joe Lavender 2 of 51 48. 2023 NFL Draft order: Complete list of every pick His slot-outside flexibility has been an enormous help for the team as well. Who are the best cornerbacks in New York Giants history? Woodson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who retired with 71 interceptions, played in three Super Bowls with three different teams while helping the Ravens dismantle the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. He excelled in Dean Pees' scheme, which confuses quarterbacks with a variety of looks both pre- and post-snap. Reed, New York Jets DeAngelo Hall 3. David Carr enlists the help of his brother, Raiders QB Derek Carr, to provide their ranking of the five best active NFL brother duos heading into the 2022 season. His size disadvantage against larger receivers did make it difficult for him to be consistent, but hes been otherwise a great corner. Which 10 players make up Nos. Which corners do you love? 9-time Pro Bowler Super Bowl XVIII champion (Raiders) Key stat: 46 INTs NFL 75th Anniversary Team Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1997 NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019) Haynes teamed with. He garnered five interceptions as a rook and it was clear that he was extremely gifted. Williams was a three-time first-team All-Pro & he made eight Pro Bowls. A true game . Unlike some of the other cornerbacks on this list, Stephon Gilmore shadows players like an old-school shutdown corner. However, you've also got to consider long time vets like Patrick Peterson, not to mention Darius Slay, A.J. 1 player on its Big Board Rankings, as well. There was nothing the great Charles Woodson could not do on the football field on both sides of the football. Now he'll be tasked with repeating his 2021 performance and elevating a defense that tied for 29th in scoring last season. It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. The NFL has showcased countless talented cornerbacks with an alpha-like attitude in its existence. 26) LJarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs He's coming off a career year, posting 77 tackles, four INTs, 16 passes defensed, nine tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Sherman picked off two passes during the 2014 postseason to help Seattle return to the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year. No. Lets look at who the top cornerback in the NFL is and where the top NFL cornerbacks fall on the list after that. 1, ascending young stars, aging but still proficient corners, and a mean tiebreaker from . NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- comes to a conclusion on Sunday night. 24) Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers PFF Rankings: The NFL's top 25 cornerbacks ahead of the 2020 NFL season Achievements: eight-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, two NFL championships As great as Gino Marchetti was, Doug Atkins was the greatest defensive end of that era: and not just because. Who was the top rookie? Some of these men are considered to be the best cornerbacks to ever play the game, and if you're looking for a specific football player you can look for them by using the "search" function on this list. Aside from shutting down opposing receivers, he showcased fantastic run-stopping ability and is scheme neutral he can succeed at whatever is asked of him. After joining the Los Angeles Rams in 1952, Lane set the record for most interceptions in a season as well as by a rookie with 14. Ranked by All voters 1 196 votes Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Seasons: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 2 241 votes Jason Sehorn Seasons: 2002 , 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 3 196 votes Corey Webster Seasons: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 4 Dean is playing high-level football and has been for a little while. One of the most consistent cornerbacks in NFL history, LeBeau was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He played college football for Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a share of the national championship in, Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. (born June 22, 1978) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). Woodson ranks third All-Time with 71 career interceptions and holds the record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown with 12 over his career. Though he doesn't always make the splashy plays, White has been a consistent defender in coverage throughout his career, as he has allowed the second-lowest passer rating in coverage (64.2) since 2019, per PFF (min. 2 on the board, followed by Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young at No. Eagles: Texas running back Bijan Robinson: "While he is a raw pass protector and must refine his open-field vision to better work to space, Bijan Robinson is an elite running back prospect without any athletic limitations. School: Alabama. Here is every player who has ever held the position of New York Giantsstarting cornerback. Wherever you are, this is how you football! This list of the top cornerbacks in American football includes all the greats from both the NFL and college football. Terrell Buckley 1 of 51 49. Ward has allowed a 53.9 completion percentage in his career, the sixth-lowest among cornerbacks with 100-plus targets since 2018. Who Are the Best NFL Players Under 25 Right Now? What Kiper says: "He's going to be their . A native of Austin, Texas, he played professional football in the, Darrelle Shavar Revis (born July 14, 1985) is a former American football cornerback who spent the majority of his career with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Despite the solid number, Haynes lost out on additional statistics based on his ability to shut down the opposing teams top stars and forcing teams to not throw his direction. The former New England Patriots star was a key member of the teams success and their success on the defensive side of the ball. He played 13 seasons in the NFL, starting 100 games and dominating opposing. 32) Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders. 90-81) at Nos. Like Slay, Bradberry has length and speed and knows how to use it, though his quickness and instincts are just a tick below Slays. Revis Island was a four-time first-team All-Pro & he also made seven Pro Bowls. With one of their leaders back healthy, the Packers' defense should feed off his energy and build on last year's improvement. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. He shuts down No. As the Rams' defensive coordinator in 2020, Brandon Staley -- now entering Year 2 as the Chargers' head coach -- oversaw the league's top-ranked defense, and he had a true No. With great footwork and technique, his ability to blanket No. In 1982, he made second-team AP. The freak defensive back Rod Woodson was a god from the CB spot and an elite presence from the safety spot. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Vote up the best current cornerbacks in the NFL below and help deide which cornerback isat the top of their class. Twitter GMs were going wild during the first round of the 2023 NFL draft Thursday when the Washington Commanders selected Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes at No. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 21) Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks His consistent production on the island led to a massive contract extension this offseason, but his health remains a concern as he has yet to play a full regular-season slate. Despite being cut, Brown didnt disappoint becoming a full time starter for the Broncos after signing with them as a rookie. *Lets not forget that he was also a talented Kick Returner. 100 greatest Colts of all-time: Who's No. 1, Johnny Unitas or Peyton 25 cornerback in the 2023 class. He does a great job plastering himself to receivers in man coverage and never fails to create tight windows regardless of his assignment. He's a ballhawk, with 10 interceptions and 50 passes defensed in his first four seasons, and he might just be hitting his stride if he can stay healthy. Ranking the best Cornerbacks in the history of the NFL such as Deion Sanders, Darrell Green, and many more, By Fan Rankings | October 24, 2021 - 09:05 PM. 20 and 11. Sanders recorded 53 interceptions, nine interceptions returned for touchdowns and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. List of the most famous (American) football cornerbacks in the history of the sport, listed by popularity with photos of the players when available. 23) Kader Kohou, Miami Dolphins A 12 time Pro Bowler and three time All-Pro, Bailey retired with 52 career interceptions that included a career high of 10 picks in 2006. He played college football for Georgia, where he earned consensus, Richard Lane (April 16, 1928 January 29, 2002), commonly known as Dick "Night Train" Lane, was an American football player. He stays with the receiver and knows where the ball is at all times. 102 overall pick to close out the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday. Episode 2 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" aired on Sunday, with three cornerbacks making the list between Nos. Over his career Green recorded 1,159 career tackles, 54 interceptions and six touchdowns. NFL Draft Bible, our sister publisher in the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network, agrees with Kiper, naming Carter the No. 1. With that in mind, we bring you the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. While his style might not transition into the rules of the modern game of football, it worked during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Theyve gotten more than their moneys worth as hes turned into a zone-coverage maven that didnt allow a touchdown all season, doesnt allow yards after the catch and made life difficult for even some of the best receivers in the NFL. How would you rank the greatest Cornerbacks in history? 30 and 21. He made three first-team All-Pro nods & three second-team All-Pro nods. Intel on a Crystal Ball prediction for NC State in the 2024 class 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper predicts where college football's top prospects will go. Blackmon was ranked as Dane Brugler's No. He unleashed a career-high 7 interceptions in 1993. James Bradberry, New York Giants. The dominance of the modern passing game in the NFL forces teams to invest in cornerbacks and for fans to more closely pay attention to the back seven, making the question of who the best cornerbacks are in the NFL even more relevant than it has been in the past. Vikings general manager Kwesi. The third-year pro earned PFF's second-highest coverage grade (85.6) among 133 cornerbacks with at least 150 coverage snaps in 2021, second to only Jalen Ramsey's 86.3 grade. Cornerbacks drive modern NFL defenses, and without an elite one, its impossible to lay claim to a high-level defense. Williams will start the season on IR I imagine, but he will play next year and he makes a lot of sense in the 3rd/4th round if he falls. NFL Draft Bible, 6. The NFL has showcased countless talented cornerbacks with an alpha-like attitude in its existence. Blount was a key part of the Steelers defensive units that are considered to be one if not the greatest defenses of All-Time. Well, Im going to untwine the 10 best cornerbacks of all time. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson Land? One play showed the Commanders everything they loved about Forbes. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and prime-time regular-season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand and more! NFL Draft Bible, What Kiper says: "He is a stellar downfield passer with pinpoint accuracy and anticipation. Champ Bailey vs Randy Moss pic.twitter.com/0t5kTYy63u. David Carr constructs his own ranking of the top 10 cornerbacks, but All-Pro . Which team boasts three representatives? Darius Slay has been a nightmare for opposing passers, with one of the highest rates of pass breakups in the NFL when targeted. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade) Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma 28. Top 10 Washington Redskins CBs of All Time - Sports Articles Hes recorded six seasons of at least 4 interceptions. While his style might not transition into the rules of the modern game of football, it worked during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Take a look at how all 24 of his selections stack up. NFL's best players ever at every defensive position - ESPN Bears: Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson: "He showed significant improvement in his footwork and his hand placement which, while still a work in progress, are no longer true weaknesses. Over his career, Woodson would record 65 interceptions, 11 interceptions returned for touchdowns, force 33 fumbles, recover 18 fumbles and return two fumbles for touchdowns. 5 overall. Gardners been sticky in coverage and has been able to take on receivers of every stripe, playing quick players tightly and breaking up passes for contested-catch mavens. The 6-foot-1 cornerback weighs only 166 pounds, but in three years at Mississippi Stae, playing in the SEC against the best players in college football, Forbes set an FBS record with six interceptions returned for touchdowns. Nevertheless, Sanders' greatness in pass coverage is second to none. Join the contest by ranking below. Reed, New York Jets 19) Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars 20) Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers 21) Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks 22) Desmond King II, Houston Texans 23) Kader Kohou, Miami Dolphins 24) Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers How can you take Forbes over Christian Gonzalez? Hes too skinny. We had him as a second-round pick.. Some of this has to do with the dearth of shutdown cornerbacks across the league, but Gardner is playing at an elite level. Injuries have slowed him down and hes no longer the elite corner he once was, but he could recover that athleticism and level of play going forward. Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks of All Time Rankings Lions: Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon: ""There are some minor concerns about Witherspoons size, but his elite agility, instincts, and ability to consistently stay attached to wide receivers warrant a top 60 selection. While with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-1996), he forced 20 fumbles and scored six defensive TDs. Fresh off helping the Rams win the franchise's second Super Bowl, Ramsey has returned to practice after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and is poised to once again lead the backend of Los Angeles' star-studded defense. Deion Sanders Must Be The Money pic.twitter.com/I63YgOUt7D. Three cornerbacks, Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and Kenny Moore, were revealed in Episode 2 (Nos. pic.twitter.com/t6GnxAVQUJ, Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 28, 2023. In addition, Woodson was a six time First Team All-Pro and led the NFL twice in interceptions. Possible Trade Scenarios in the NFL Draft, Possible Chaos Scenarios in the NFL Draft, 2022-2023 Fantasy Football Review: Dameon Pierce, 2022-2023 Fantasy Football Review: Isaiah Hodgins, 2022-2023 Fantasy Football Review: Deshaun Watson, Dynasty: Three Running Backs to Trade Away Before the NFL Draft, 3 Best Landing Spots in 2021 Free Agency for Melvin Ingram iii. 40-31? He had seven seasons of 5+ interceptions. Surtain is one of the best cornerbacks to come into the league over the last half-decade. In the second round of the draft on Friday night, cornerback Cam Smith was selected by the . So great that the NFL created the "Mel Blount Rule" in 1978 which prohibited a defensive back's contact with a receiver. 1 receivers makes him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Despite their challenges, cornerbacks continue to be a vital part of an NFL team. There have been many legendary cornerbacks in the NFL and NCAA, and you'll find all of them on this list below. The Green Bay Packers legendary profile Charles Woodson impressively won DPOY from the CB spot in the 2009 campaign (which featured him hauling in nine interceptions, three pick-sixes, nine tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles). Crystal Ball Forecast: Major CB target to NC State The list you're viewing is made up of different items like Deion Sanders and Ronnie Lott. Cornerback Rankings: The 32 best outside cornerbacks entering the - PFF 1 cornerback (Jalen Ramsey) that year. 25) Martin Emerson, Cleveland Browns NFL Draft best available players for New York Giants: Jalin Hyatt, Drew Blackmon is the third Trojan taken in the draft along . Alexanders athletic skill set allows him to play all three CB spots, and his instincts give him great opportunities to close down on his opponents. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. The five-time Pro Bowler is elite at seeing route concepts develop and understanding where he needs to be on the field. Pro Football Network, LLC. What Kiper says: "He's going to be their face of the franchise for years to come, though they need to focus on putting talent around him. Ranking the greatest defensive players in NFL history: Where does Aaron After suffering a torn ACL midway through the season, Chidobe Awuzie was unable to contribute to a Bengals defense that ended up needing someone as talented as him to finish out their playoff run. After a stellar career in New York that including. On the defensive side of the ball, Woodson was one of the greatest cornerbacks to play the game and one that had a knack for the ball while also having the physical tools to shut down any of the great wide receivers to play during his career. His athleticism and confidence are two reasons he broke out as a rookie, allowing the second-lowest passer rating in coverage (69.7) last season, per PFF (among 42 players with at least 75 targets in coverage). Gil Brandt's greatest NFL punters of all time From Marquette King to Sammy Baugh, the NFL has a long history of legendary punters. 5. Darrell Green 2. Copyright 2019-2023. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! MORE: Sauce Gardner Named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Top 10 Cornerbacks of all Time - Pro Football Mania Slays length and speed truly stood out this past season in the Eagles scheme, and passing windows are tighter than ever. NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. When it comes to current cornerbacks, few hold down the CBposition better than players like Jalen Ramsey, Xavier Rhodes, and Casey Hayward. Sherman, who the Seattle Seahawks selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft has solidified his name as one of the games top cornerbacks year in and year out. Though he can gamble and make mistakes, his ability and awareness to get his hands on the ball is tremendous. 19 on 'The Top 100 Players of 2017', New York Jets, 2007-2012, 2015-2016; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2013; New England Patriots, 2014 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 29 career interceptions, Detroit Lions, 1967-1977 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times Recorded 56 career interceptions, seven of which were returned for touchdowns Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1961-1969; Dallas Cowboys, 1970-1972 Three-time Super Bowl Champion, Five-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 48 career interceptions, seven of which he returned for touchdowns Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1961-1976 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 47 career interceptions Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Washington Redskins 1999-2003; Denver Broncos, 2004-2013 Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Recorded 52 career interceptions, four returned for touchdowns, Los Angeles Rams, 1952-1953; Chicago Cardinals, 1954-1959; Detroit Lions, 1960-1965 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Recorded 68 career interceptions, which ranks No. Marlon Humphrey has been a fantastic ball-hawk for Baltimore and a big part of their blitz-heavy, man coverage-dependent scheme, though hes shown the versatility to win in similar zone situations, like Cover-4 and Cover-3. He, too, has been better in zone coverage with his eyes pointed at the quarterback, which might explain the dropoff in play in 2022, but hes still a fantastic player. Blount was the 1975 Defensive Player of the Year, two time First Team All-Pro, led the NFL in interceptions and made five Pro Bowl teams. Episode 8 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing notable NFL siblings in the players' list between Nos. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Throughout the 1990s, Rod Woodson made a compelling case as the most complete cornerback of all time, if not the greatest. Episode 7 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" airs on Sunday, revealing two productive QB-pass catcher combos in the players' list between Nos. Broncos draft Riley Moss: Where does playmaking DB fit in Vance Joseph He also reached a milestone in his career as he now has the most interception return yards in NFL history with 1,541, surpassing Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (1,483). I have to believe that played a role in the Chargers' decision to sign Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million deal this offseason. In 2021, he allowed just 200 total yards on the season. That'd be an asset in New York if they're looking to complement . The 49ers have had elite play at all three levels of the defense, so its difficult to fully appreciate the great players that play alongside Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga.