With today's high-flying NFL offenses, it's a golden era for pass catchers. Ranking of the NFL's top ten greatest cornerbacks of all time. One of the most aggressive and feared cornerbacks of All-Time, Mel Blount made opposing receivers cringe at the thought of having to go up against him week in and week out. 23) Kader Kohou, Miami Dolphins A little more inconsistent than the other cornerbacks on this list, Jaire Alexanders best is still among the elites. The former New England Patriots star was a key member of the teams success and their success on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerbacks not only have to cover football's fastest players, but they have to do so while anticipating their movements while also playing under rules that are not in their favor. No. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Martin is one of the best running backs of all time because he blended good ability with outstanding durability and versatility. Who are the best cornerbacks of all time? Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. Jeremy Bergman provides five items that he believes should have been handled differently by the "Top 100 Players of 2022" voters. With great footwork and technique, his ability to blanket No. It all got us thinking about where these legends of the game stack up all time at their respective positions. He unleashed a career-high 7 interceptions in 1993. A young phenom mired in an otherwise disappointing defense, A.J. Gil Brandt NFL.com Senior. 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 Despite moving to safety later in his career, Williams was a great shutdown cornerback for most of his NFL career and was considered at the top of the list each season during each season he played the position. 3 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Atlanta Falcons, 1989-1993; San Francisco 49ers, 1994; Dallas Cowboys, 1995-1999; Washington Redskins, 2000; Baltimore Ravens, 2004-2005 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Recorded 53 career interceptions and returned nine of those for touchdowns, which ranks tied for fourth all-time Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Slays length and speed truly stood out this past season in the Eagles scheme, and passing windows are tighter than ever. He earned an 86.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus (first among cornerbacks with a minimum of 120 coverage snaps). Sanders, a Hall of Famer who retired with 53 career picks, returned the balance of power back to the Cowboys after signing with Dallas in 1995. You can see Mel Kiper's complete final 2023 mock draft here. Teams are afraid to throw at Surtain, and he has one of the lowest target totals among cornerbacks in the NFL right now. With that in mind, Michael Robinson provides his ranking of the top 10 active undrafted players heading into the 2022 season. Like Slay, Bradberry has length and speed and knows how to use it, though his quickness and instincts are just a tick below Slays. Trevon Diggs is playing better at cornerback than he was last year when he earned All-Pro consideration and led the league in interceptions. Commanders: Illinois safety Jartavius Martin 48.. The leader of Seattle's Legion of Doom defense, Sherman earned four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro nods from 2012-16. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. In 1982, he made second-team AP. Pro Football Network, LLC. Michigan added another player to its No. Which corners do you love? 30-21? New Orleans Saints (via trade) Bryan. So great that the NFL created the "Mel Blount Rule" in 1978 which prohibited a defensive back's contact with a receiver. Williams was selected for eight Pro Bowl teams and as a First Team All-Pro three times. Joe Lavender 9. 31) Adoree Jackson, New York Giants With one of their leaders back healthy, the Packers' defense should feed off his energy and build on last year's improvement. We asked 50 experts, reporters and analysts to name the NFL's greatest player of all . That'd be an asset in New York if they're looking to complement . Blount, who retired with 57 career regular season interceptions, picked off three passes in Super Bowl competition that included two interceptions off of Hall of Fame quarterback, Roger Staubach. Teamed up with fellow standout cornerback Lester Hayes, Haynes and the Raiders won Super Bowl XVIII while shutting down the Redskins' talented receiving duo of Charlie Brown and Art Monk. Cincinnati Bengals Myles Murphy, edge, Clemson 29. ", Scouting report: "A smart-accurate passer who doesn't force throws and rarely makes mistakes. Sanders recorded 53 interceptions, nine interceptions returned for touchdowns and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. 32) Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders. 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. Prior to his injury, he had only one pick and six passes defensed in 11 games played. the all-time FBS . 26) LJarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs It's finally here: the 2023 NFL Draft is upon us and the next generation of pro football talent is ready to take the next step, moving up from the ranks of college football's best to realize their dreams and become the next faces of the NFL. Woodson, who retired with 65 career interceptions over 18 NFL seasons, made the Pro Bowl during his final NFL season after picking off five passes at the age of 39. 1 cornerback (Jalen Ramsey) that year. 3, Texas running back Bijan Robinson at No. 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. With that in mind, Maurice Jones-Drew provides his ranking of the top 10 QB-pass catcher duos heading into 2022. Yes, you read that correctly. He's allowed more than 45 receiving yards in a single game just once, and opposing quarterbacks have a 58.8 passer rating when targeting Campbell. But, according to Next Gen Stats, it was Forbes who was the 2023 drafts second-ranked cornerback. The defensive side of the ball is filled with a difficult task each week during the NFL schedule in stopping opposing offenses from scoring. As soon as Sanders entered the league, he began to make life hell for opposing QBs. The five-time Pro Bowler garnered 57 ints in his career. Over his career, Haynes recorded 46 career interceptions, two interception returns for touchdowns and recovered 11 fumbles. David Carr constructs his own ranking of the top 10 cornerbacks, but All-Pro . While his style might not transition into the rules of the modern game of football, it worked during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Darrell Green 2. 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. Nevertheless, Sanders' greatness in pass coverage is second to none. 27) Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins And with that in mind, mock drafter extraordinaire Mel Kiper went to work creating his final look at how this year's draft could shake out in the first round. Who Are the Best NFL Players Under 25 Right Now? (Photo: Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports) The best cornerback of his era, "Revis Island" is a seven time Pro Bowler and four time All-Pro. Who was the top rookie? Alexander, who became the league's highest-paid CB in average annual value this spring, comes into this season looking to pick up where he left off before his season-ending injury in 2021. After a stellar career in New York that including. He'll provide a big boost to a Chargers unit that ranked 29th in scoring defense in 2021. One of the most aggressive and feared cornerbacks of All-Time, Mel Blount made opposing receivers cringe at the thought of having to go up against him week in and week out. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. His physical talent stands out immediately; its not just that players that large shouldnt be able to move with that speed or agility, its also that he does it with such fluidity and ease that it looks effortless. Join the contest by ranking below. In fact, Brugler projected Blackmon as a potential fifth- or sixth-round pick. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper predicts where college football's top prospects will go. 1 player on Kiper's big board and is still projected to be a high first-round selection despite the star player's legal issue from this offseason relating to the car accident that killed two people. Safeties and cornerbacks are counted on to cover the most elite athletes on the other team's offense and, in the crucial moments of games, make plays that can be the difference between winning and losing. 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. Stroud rounds out the top five. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-medrectangle-4-0'); As his NFL continues to roll along, Richard Sherman has anchored himself as one of the top cornerbacks of All-Time and could potentially play himself into the Top 10. Sanders was a dominant cornerback in an era with numerous stars at wide receiver. Two Silver and Black legends back together. He was as crucial to Philadelphias run at the Super Bowl as any defensive lineman. Sherman picked off two passes during the 2014 postseason to help Seattle return to the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year. The mythical CB Darrelle Revis was the best CB at erasing an opposing WR1 for a long time. Cornerbacks Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes visited HQ to reflect on their legacy in a Raiders uniform. 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. In 94, he ousted a personal best three pick-sixes. 50-41? The best cornerback of his era, "Revis Island" is a seven time Pro Bowler and four time All-Pro. NFL Draft Bible, What Kiper says: "I'm hearing Houston will take an edge rusher, either Anderson or Tyree Wilson, unless it throws everyone a curveball. When thinking about the greatest cornerbacks of All-Time it is hard to not consider Mike Haynes as one of the greats based on his success on the football field. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson Land? Gonazlez was widely considered the second-ranked cornerback, but teams with a need at cornerback passed on Gonzalez, including Washington. 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. Terrell in completion percentage allowed on the outside last season, per PFF. He had four seasons of 4+ interceptions. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee (6-0, 176 pounds) The 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner demonstrated that he can make explosive plays. 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. Ward has allowed a 53.9 completion percentage in his career, the sixth-lowest among cornerbacks with 100-plus targets since 2018. ?Charles Woodson INT compilation?#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/AWOtn8ANho. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. Hes already turned in high-level performances both years of his career. After a stellar career in New York that including helping the Jets to advance to consecutive AFC title games, Revis signed with New England in 2014 while helping the Patriots win their first Super Bowl in a decade. The former Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams standout cornerback was named to the NFL in 2014. 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. He allowed just 200 receiving yards and a 43.9 completion percentage in coverage. 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. However, you've also got to consider long time vets like Patrick Peterson, not to mention Darius Slay, A.J. When thinking about your prototypical type of cornerback Darrell Green might not get looked at based on his 5 ft 9 inch stature in size. With that in mind, we bring you the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. 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. Not known for his tackling abilities, Sanders made up for it with his ability to shut down opposing receivers while being able to make a play on any pass thrown his way. In short, there are plenty of killer cornersout there going up against the best wide receivers,but only one can be considered the very best. Vikings general manager Kwesi. And in that spirit, hes closing out his opponents. In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. Vernon Dean 10. 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. Woodson also had two other AP seasons from his CB position (which arrived in 1999 and 2011). CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. However, it wasnt all easy for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders star after having to make a name for himself after being cut by the Houston Oilers to start his career. After three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons in Atlanta, Sanders took his talents to San Francisco in 1994, where he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors that season while helping San Francisco knock off Dallas (after losing the Cowboys in each of the previous two NFC title games) en route to a victory in Super Bowl XXIX. Take a look at how all 24 of his selections stack up. 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. 16 overall. ", Scouting report: "Blessed with rare athleticism, a lightning quick first step and violent hands, the Bulldogs defensive tackle makes a living in the opponents' backfield." He does a great job plastering himself to receivers in man coverage and never fails to create tight windows regardless of his assignment.
