Ranking The Ten Best Cornerbacks In The NFL

There has been a ton of ascendance across the league this year at the cornerback position, so it seemed necessary to use my signature grading system to rank the very best ones as the 2022 season comes to an end. The most important thing to be aware of with corners is that it’s the second hardest position to play in football and more inconsistency is seen in this position than any other. These rankings are not just a reflection of this past year as multiple superstar talents have had down years but still deserve credit for previous performances. Every single player on this list has looked like a fool at times, but that’s just the nature of the position. All of these players’ grades were formed based on their film while analytics and stats were used to back it up. Their ranking is an accurate reflection of the total value they may bring to any given team. The difference in schemes is important to pay attention to as it can make a dramatic difference in how they play. Corners each receive four grades which are Press Man, Off-Man, Balanced, and Slot. As there are a ton of good corners playing right now, a lot of talented players didn’t make the list. An honorable mention is given to those who were close but didn’t make the cut. If anyone has any feedback or differing opinions, let us know on Twitter @FBIntellect.

CB Formula key

Grading scale: 1-7

Honorable Mentions

A.J. Terrell Jr. (85.5), Denzel Ward (85.5) James Bradberry (85.0), Trevon Diggs (84.8), Jamel Dean (84.2), J.C. Jackson (84.0),

Denzel Ward is a hyper-athletic corner with a lot of talent. He played very well in 2021 but has had a down season this year. A.J. Terrell Jr. is an ascending superstar, and only needs to become more consistent before making this list. James Bradbery is one of the best true press corners in the league. He has length and is extremely physical; plays great in deep third zones. Trevon Diggs simply has the best ball skills out of any corner in football and has greatly improved his coverage ability this year. It may seem unfair to leave him out of the top ten, but he gave up more yards than anybody in 2021 with over 1,000. If he keeps it up, he could certainly make this list in the future. Jamel Dean is a personal favorite and is a perfect fit it Tampa Bays’ defense. He is one of the best press corners in the NFL. J.C. Jackson played outstanding in New England, then had a very disappointing start to his Chargers career. He was one of the most underrated players in the 2021 season, and can perhaps get back into the top ten once he gets healthy.

10. Patrick Surtain II

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

After playing in a press-man scheme at Alabama where he looked incredible, Patrick Surtain II is now showing he can play just as well in a more balanced scheme. Coming out of college, he was an absolute technition playing press coverage. He could run both press-bail and press-man at a consintent high level coming out. He has now developed some of the best zone IQ and zone instincts in the league. This makes him a very versatile Corner schematically as he can use a variety of coverage techniques. He often plays a lot of deep quarter-field zones and has looked elite doing so. he has unparalleled timing both in-phase and with his hands in press. He shows ultra-quick reactionary skills playing in off-zone coverage, which makes up for his lack of elite atheltism. While he lacks great lateral agilty, he flip his hips faster than the vast majority of DBs. He also remains physical all the way through the receiver’s route. The list of small details that can pointed out with Surtain is astonishing. Considering he came into the league just two years ago, he is on his way to becoming an elite number-one corner.

9. Xavien Howard

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

Many would argue that Xavien Howard should be higher on the list but when factoring in his true coverage ability, this is actually a generous ranking. The numbers speak for themselves – Howard isn’t the best pure-coverage corner. What he excels in is disrupting the timing of routes with the stellar press, then having the instinct to make plays on the ball. While he hasn’t come away with many big plays this year, he has a long resume of doing so. One of the reasons he isn’t elite in coverage is his lack of high-end athleticism. He demonstrates a good technique in man, but it’s not on the level of someone like Stephon Gilmore.

Howard has a good balance of quality coverage and ability to bait QBs. He does a good job of always staying in position to make a play on the ball when in zone, but this also makes him give up too much space at times. That is partially why he’s given up so many yards. Even if he isn’t having the greatest season, the threat the brings is enough to make an impact. He’s getting up there in age, but don’t count Howard out to bounce back soon.

8. Stephon Gilmore

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

After winning the Defensive Player of The Year award in 2019, Stephon Gilmore, while not the same player, has still managed to play at a very high level into his 30s. While he’s lost a step in his speed, his man coverage technique and route recognition are still some of the best around. He also has a very good press technique, despite playing a lot of off-coverage lately. Gilmore has an outstanding change of direction speed and pairs it with an excellent mirroring technique. While he struggled early in his career with zone IQ and route recognition, he’s now one of the best in that department as he’s older now. He is extremely disciplined and is great at not giving up big plays. One aspect that was well demonstrated in his Patriot days was his ability to close on the receiver in phase. This is still something he’s very good at, but is just seen less often. When Carolina traded for Gilmore, they barely used him and many fans forgot about him. Now that he’s playing very well for the Colts, it’s time he gets some recognition back.

7. Sauce Gardner

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

Sauce Gardner is currently running away with the Defensive Rookie of The Year award and is looking like a long-term elite player. While Gardner was very pro-ready for a corner, it has been shocking to see his level of play at such a young age. Corners typically struggle their first year and to be a dominant one in his first year is rare. He has looked incredible in all aspects of playing the position. He particularly excels in man coverage which makes him fit well in Saleh’s man-heavy scheme. He often is used in press coverage where he can utilize his length and powerful hands. He pairs his excellent press with great mirroring technique. While his zone IQ could improve, he’s shown a lot of positive plays when he is asked to play zone. You can obviously tell he studies film, based on how prepared he is for certain route combinations. It’s just a matter of time before he develops one of the highest football IQs in the NFL.

One of the biggest reasons for Garnder’s success is his route recognition and play instincts which often take years to develop. His press-bail technique has improved from college and he still plays with an extremely physical edge. He also looks outstanding at finding the ball in phase which shows in his 12 pass-breakups. Through week 14, he has forced a 48.8 QB passing rating when targeted. Gardner oozes confidence and energy on the field, and it allows him intimidate his opponents and remain consistent even when he’s beat. He also plays with good discipline despite having an aggressive mindset. The way Gardner has looked so far would warrant him as the best Corner in football but he needs to prove sustained success before grading in the 90s. He is due to have downplay at some point, but the future outlook of his career is outstanding. If the draft could be redone, he would easily be taken number one. That is pretty remarkable for the Jets franchise.

6. Darius Slay

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

When Howie Roseman traded a third and a fifth for Darius Slay, then paid him a $50 million extension, it seemed like a risky move. At this point in time, that acquisition has paid off, and then some. Not only did Slay turn around his poor play and have a standout year in 2021, but he has been one of the top five corners this year as well. It is extremely difficult to be one of the best corners consistently at his age. While it helps to have a phenomenal number two to play alongside in James Bradberry, he is covering number one receivers more often than not. His most memorable performance this year was against Minnesota when he only gave up two receptions and 19 yards on eight targets. He also had two picks and a pass-breakup, and that was against one of the top receiving duos in the league. He also played in two games this season where he allowed a passer rating of zero.

Philadelphia likes to run a lot of match coverages which requires high zone IQ and good communication between DBs. Slay does a great job of executing these coverages and rarely makes mistakes. Because of his refined coverage ability, and high IQ, he can match up against explosive receivers and do well. Slay is just an all-around baller at Cornerback and it’s about time he gets the recognition he deserves.

5. Marshon Lattimore

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

2021 Stats

Marshon Lattimore is a personal favorite and a Corner that’s very reminiscent of Patrick Peterson. Not many corners have better top-end speed and lateral agility and he brings stellar press ability as well. He particularly has great technique in press coverage and makes great use of his hands. Playing against D.K. Metcalf in week five, he showed impressive physicality when he pressed him. Lattimore is always staying in the receiver’s hip pocket and remains physical all the way through the route. In addition to excelling in press coverage, he also plays off-coverage very well too.

He has a tendency to get overly aggressive and give up big plays, but this will also allow him to occasionally make big plays. The rate at which he gives up big plays has improved over the past two season’s as well. Lattimore is among the very best playing in phase and possesses the ability to close quickly on routes. The was New Orleans uses him, it is not necessary for him to be a great zone corner. Because the Saints have a loaded DB room, all of these guys can run variations of man the majority of plays. Because Lattimore plays so well in man, and is one of the best playing in single coverage, he is the perfect number one for this team. Another positive aspect to his game is his missed tackle rate – he has remained under 8% his whole career. He may not be the perfect player, but this is the type of Corner you’re happy to pay a ton of money.

4. Marlon Humphrey

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

Marlon Humphrey is the definition of an elite press-man corner. Not enough people give credit to how good he is playing in Baltimore’s press-man system. He has some of the best combination of physicality and burst in all of football. His frame is absolutely jacked for his size and he shows incredible play strength. Since getting drafted, he’s done nothing but steadily improve to now being one of the league’s best. Humphrey likes to get in the receiver’s face and is great at making plays on the ball in phase. He flips his hips quickly and has great reactionary skills. He arguably has the best combination of press and man coverage technique in the league. Humphrey is an extremely physical tackler and has a knack for forcing fumbles with 13 over his career. Baltimore likes to use him in many different ways. He’ll play out of the slot occasionally and also brings good value as a Blitzer. While his zone IQ could improve, it is more than ideal for how often they run it. As more time goes on, the harder it is to leave Humphrey off the list of elite corners – he’s been sensational this year.

3. Tre’Davious White

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

2021 Stats (11 Games)

Ever since entering the league in 2017, White has been a consistent superstar and is a guy who often doesn’t get enough credit. He is undersized and doesn’t possess elite long speed, but brings a surprisingly balanced skillset to the table. With exceptionally quick feet and great footwork, he excels in off-man and playing deep quarters coverages. In addition, he brings the ability to press, as he has very good length and plays it with great patience. He is capable of running with the very best receivers in the league and is one of the very best at communicating with his secondary. He understands route combinations very well and is always keyed on to what the offense is doing. White covers at just as good of a level as any other corner, it’s just his ball skills and lack of big plays in zone that separates him from the best. He consistently contributes to the run game and has been a solid tackler as well. Now that he’s back playing healthy, with the other top corners having down seasons, White has the opportunity to get into the discussion for being the best in the NFL.

2. Jaire Alexander

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

With the season he and his defense are having, Jaire Alexander hasn’t quite played up to this ranking so far. However, when you project him in a different scheme, things would be different. Alexander was given 21 million for a reason this past off-season, and it’s just a matter of time before he gets back to his former self. Green Bay’s defensive playcalling has strongly emphasized conservative off-zone coverage, and this has greatly limited his play. Alexander thrives when able to ‘shadow’ the opposing team’s best receiver. He has basically been forced to play the least aggressive form of coverage possible and is in return not making the same plays as he did before. With all things considered, he is still playing at a very high level.

There are many things that blow you away on film with Alexander. His stop-and-turn ability is unparalleled and he accelerated like a Tesla. He has great hand placement in press coverage and is feisty to break up passes. Furthermore, he is a great player to use out of the slot as he is awesome playing in shallow zones with great run instincts as well. Where he doesn’t thrive is in deep third zones as he doesn’t have the greatest range to cover that much ground. When he’s playing in deep quarters and can man up receivers on vertical routes, he looks elite, however. Hopefully, the D-coordinator changes in Green Bay soon and Alexander can go back to dominating in his right role. He is still a fantastic player, despite playing in a less conducive role, and should receive a lot more credit across the league.

1. Jalen Ramsey

2022 Stats (Through WK 14)

After playing at an elite level consistently for three or so years, Jalen Ramsey has had a bit of a down season in 2022. Despite this, he has still had some great performances this year and is by far the most well-established player on this list. What makes Ramsey so special is his versatility as he looks incredible in all facets of the position. He is both the best perimeter corner and the best slot corner in the NFL. Not many other players can accelerate out of their backpedal faster than Ramsey and he is also exceptionally fluid. With great length and powerful hands, it is difficult for even the very best receivers to beat press coverage against him.

He has a tendency to give up big plays occasionally playing in deep quarter zones. However, he makes up for it by having dominant shutdown performances. Because of his elite burst and foot quickness, he excels in playing in quarters and in shallow zones. He is also one of the best at forcing contested catches, which is mostly due to his physicality and size. The trait that pops up on his highlights is his ability to blow up screens and make explosive hard hits. The list of things Ramsey does so well can go on and on. At 28 years old, there is still a ton of positive outlook for his career. Even if Ramsey isn’t the best corner this year, there’s no other corner who comes close to grading out as he does.