Whitney Mercilus has always benefited from the presence of J.J. Watt. Most tackles since 2015:1. The Detroit Lions were, by most metrics, the worst defensive team in the NFL last year and they probably won't be much better . KEY: Gms = Games Played, Tot Pts = Total Points Scored, Pts/G = Points Per Game, RushYds = Rushing Yards, RYds/G = Rushing Yards Per Game . The real stars of this group are Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, who rank second and third, respectively, in coverage grade among safeties. Since 2019, Marlon Humphreys done exactly that in Wink Martindales aggressive man-to-man scheme. Who looks to be a top-10 cornerback in the NFL right now? Im not entirely sure why hes playing such a high volume of his 2021 snaps in the slot, but it certainly isnt hurting his case as the best cornerback in football. The defense endured blows at multiple position groups, including in the secondary with Marcus Peters (torn ACL in the preseason) and Marlon Humphrey (torn pectoral in Week 13). Cornerback was a clear need for the Jaguars entering this offseason. Cornerback Adoree Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney helped claw this secondary to a No. He grew up in . He allowed a mere 0.46 yards per coverage snap and 3.1 yards per target in that span, both of which ranked second among cornerbacks. Devon Witherspoon is a player who has had the best production throughout 2022 and has been simply elite while . Lattimore possesses everything you could want in a cornerback. I simply wont acknowledge any Jalen Ramsey disrespect in this dojo. No group of cornerbacks played more man coverage than the Miami Dolphins. Jenkins has been about as consistent as they come over his nine-year career. After a few poorly graded games in the first quarter of the season, the first-round pick stepped up and was a legitimate CB1 for Denver. 9: 10: 5: 15: 0.0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: . Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, is the latest football player diagnosed with the brain disease CTE. Feb. 28 (UPI) --Former NFL star cornerback Irv Cross, who died in 2021, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, Boston University researchers announced Tuesday. The Rank value requires a minimum number of snaps played. With that being said, here are four bold predictions for the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL offseason. Much of the Raiders presence in the top 10 is tied to the astute acquisition of veteran corner Casey Hayward, whose adjusted open percentage of 17.3 was the fifth-best in the NFL among players at all defensive positions, though a less impressive burn yards per target average of 11.20 reflects how often he was left on an island for the Los Angeles Chargers last year. Nov 15, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Alvin Kamara . Should the Giants opt to move on from the 27-year-old cornerback, they would clear $8.6 million . 12. Tennessees loss has turned into the Giants gain. If Ramsey is the freak, Alexander is the new mold. A.J. Kendall Fuller was one of the three most valuable cornerbacks of the 2021 season and helped a great deal in Washington ranking even this high. Hes going up against each teams best receiver, shadowing them around the field. NFL Player Grades - current. He earned a 47.4 coverage grade for the regular season while also allowing a 125.0 passer rating when targeted and being called for 10 penalties. Thats a tip of the cap to everyone in the secondary for stepping up, including 2020 seventh-rounder Dane Jackson, who didnt allow a touchdown in any regular-season start after replacing White. Subscribe to PFF+ to unlock . Over the past few weeks, PFF has unveiled its positional rankings and unit rankings for the 2021 NFL season. And even he had a volatile season with a 60.5 coverage grade. With the start of the 2021 NFL regular season just around the corner, NFL.com analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah projects the best- and . From Week 7 on, he was one of the 25 highest-graded cornerbacks in the NFL. We rank all 32 teams in 10 different position groups, plus we offer an overall roster outlook. Butler has been one of the best in the league at getting his hands on the football throughout his career. With their help, the Raiders ranked top five in yards per attempt and explosive pass rate allowed this year. Detroits secondary has been problematic over the past few years, and it didnt get any better in Year 1 under Dan Campbell. Ranking the 11 worst plays of the 2021 NFL regular season. From Week 7 on, he was one of the 25 highest-graded players at the position and allowed more than 60 yards in coverage just once this season. No team lost more WAR due to injuries this season than Baltimore. In 2021, the two 25-year-olds each missed several games but allowed under 700 yards in coverage combined. He does the razzle dazzle better than any quarterback, but he . . I wouldnt have any issue calling White the best cornerback in football if Ramsey and Alexander didnt exist. Return to Top; Players. His technical inconsistencies are the only thing keeping him from being among that next tier up. He plays so he. But it's easy to know who the favorite is. However, if White can keep up his torrent pace in 2021, he could easily elevate into the same conversation for CB1. via Seth Galina. Quarterback Josh Allen, cornerback Tre'Davious White, wide receiver . Giants: 6-10. 90-81. The low-level play ultimately led to his benching by the seasons end. Green allowed only six receptions for 70 yards on 22 targets while breaking up five and picking off one. Christian D'Andrea. Shaquill Griffin, Jacksonville Jaguars Congratulations, Arizona. We considered putting Humphrey atop the list of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL, given that he has spent the majority of his snaps lined up in the slot over the past two seasons filling the void left by an injured Tavon Young. It shouldnt come as a shock if he wins that starting job and rebounds from a down 2020 season. Henderson. Figures indicate statistics each team allowed to their opponents. Prior to landing his big-money extension in 2020, not many truly understood White's value to . Green, who posted a 90.3 coverage grade across his 116 coverage snaps. They were among the five least valuable secondaries in the league, and the cornerback room, in particular, finished as the second-lowest graded group. Ranking top 10 cornerbacks in NFL for 2021: Jalen Ramsey leads pack that includes talented newcomers . 32. The final four rounds will conclude this year's draft on April 29. Lavonte David 6943. Those missed opportunities only make the 77.5 passer rating allowed over that span (13th in the NFL) more impressive. The only member of the Detroit Lions on our initial 2022 NFL top 100 players list, Frank Ragnow missed a majority of the 2021 season with a turf toe. 2022 NFL Cornerback Rankings. Heck, he played more snaps in the slot in 2020 than he did on the outside! The Packers signed veteran Rasul Douglas midseason, and he far surpassed expectations with a 76.5 coverage grade. Greedy Williams, Cleveland Browns The Rams opted to let 2021's slot cornerback Darious Williams leave via free agency, replacing him by bringing back Troy Hill in free agency. Waynes three-year, $42 million contract was likely an overpay, but he does profile as a quality starting option. Yet, with Quandre Diggs coming off a year in which he conceded a disappointing 13.82 burn yards per target, this is a group with more questions than answers. Nelson ranks among the top 10 cornerbacks in the league in both completion rate allowed (53.9%) and passer rating allowed (75.1) among 68 players at the position to see at least 100 targets since 2019. Design by Matt Sisneros. The Seahawks appear to be banking on Ahkello Witherspoon making a leap he never managed with the San Francisco 49ers. Subscribe to Awuzie was the second-highest graded cornerback of the regular season, while Hilton was the seventh-highest graded slot corner in coverage. Injuries held him to just over 300 snaps for San Francisco last season, but Sherman was the highest-graded cornerback in the league (90.3 overall) back in 2019. Pro Football Network, LLC. . His goal is not to make it so a quarterback doesnt want to throw the ball his way. Eventually, Washington took it. More progress from that duo could lessen the impact of Johnsons exit but, following highly rated defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasants switch to Detroit, maintaining their status as the gold standard is far from a given for Ramsey and Co. in 2021. NAME GP TKL AST COMB SCK SCKY INT INT YDS INT TD FF FR FR TD; Tom Farris: 11: 4: 43: 0: 1: 0: Steve Filipowicz 8 forced fumbles in 2020. Ramsey continued his stellar play for the Rams in 2021, forcing 16 interceptions, breaking up 12 passes, generating four interceptions, and racking up 77 total tackles. 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. They consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in every metric imaginable, including defensive back PFF WAR generated: Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley brought his patented Seahawk Cover 3 defense and got the right players in place to carry it out at a quality level. Reed Jr. and safety Quandre Diggs were two of Seattle's bright spots. The Patriots will look for that bounce-back season in 2021. Rhodes went from allowing a league-high 84.3% of the passes into his coverage to be completed in 2019 to just 50.7% in 2020 with Indianapolis. Overall, Philadelphia's cornerback room finished second in coverage grade this season. The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback, who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, is the latest football player diagnosed with CTE. The Vikings' gave up the third-most yards on the outside (1,802) while also tying for the third-fewest plays on the ball (18) at the position. Jackson has allowed just five of 48 targets at that depth to be completed, tallying 11 interceptions in the process. Bradberry's 2021 season, though, was abysmal. Awuzie was the second-highest graded cornerback of the regular season, while Hilton was the seventh-highest graded slot corner in coverage. And we mustnt forget about the impact of rookie safety Jevon Holland. Cleveland also received some sneaky high-quality play from 2020 undrafted free agent A.J. Jackson burst onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade in his first season of action back in 2017. 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. The cornerback room was more in the middle of the pack, ranking 16th in PFF WAR generated. Hill had his best seasons in LA . The back-to-back AFC champions stood at a 2-3 record, and the secondary was performing at league-low levels. 27. Not a single one of Dallas' top eight defensive backs by snaps earned a coverage grade in poor territory below 60.0. His 45.3 coverage grade was the fourth-lowest among qualifying cornerbacks. Kendall Fuller, Washington Football Team The Broncos head into 2021 with questions still abounding over their quarterbacks, but there is no doubt they have a championship-caliber defense, of which the secondary looks to be the strength. NFL defenses will ask very different things of their cornerbacks, depending on the scheme they run. Two free-agent signings, in particular Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton have helped them get there. Slay came in at No. Even with the big plays allowed early in the season, quarterbacks have just a 68.1 rating when targeting Lattimore this season. So, which secondaries were a boon and which were a hindrance this season? Things got off to a rough start when the Lions lost 2020 No. 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. Jackson was one of the five highest-graded outside cornerbacks in the NFL and allowed the second-fewest yards per coverage snap at the position. 1. Detroits defensive backs aggregate coverage grade is 27% below average. No team covered the slot better in the 2021 regular season than the Patriots. While Surtain will go early in the 2021 NFL Draft, he is not as good of a prospect as Jalen Ramsey or C.J. The 2017 first-round pick earned a 76.4 coverage grade and led the league in pass breakups (18) en route to being the second-most valuable cornerback in the league, according to PFF WAR. Heck, he played more snaps in the slot in 2020 than he did on the outside. 28. Opposing offenses simply werent able to attack him in coverage. As the teams big free-agent acquisition at the position, Griffin does bring plenty of experience for a younger player. His on-field and sideline hijinx make it look like he legitimately loves every second of playing football. Minnesota put forth some of the worst cornerback play in the NFL. . That larger role didnt lead to less impressive coverage numbers. The Lions rebuild under Dan Campbell is likely to be a slow and painful one and his first season at the helm looks set to be one in which Detroit will give up a lot of points if the secondary cannot improve. 3 overall pick Jeffrey Okudah in Week 1 for the year with a ruptured Achilles. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams. The NFL's top 11 safeties. When Diggs is targeted, the opponents quarterback rating is 45. The 49ers brought in veteran Josh Norman out of necessity at the start of the season, and it didnt go well. So this is one of the worst cornerback trios in the NFL, not just the NFC West. Episode 2 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" aired on Sunday, with three cornerbacks making the list between Nos. If that happens and J.C. Jackson progresses, they could solidify themselves with a gold medal there. . 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. As a result, Diggs' coverage grade rang in just above the 50th percentile among cornerbacks. 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. Veteran Artie Burns and seventh-round rookie Thomas Graham Jr. were small-sample darlings with 85.1 and 90.6 coverage grades, respectively, but they didnt get enough reps to make a sizable dent. Fuller is set to be reunited with Vic Fangio in Denver. While it wasn't easy putting together this list, here is our ranking of the NFL's 10 best cornerbacks in 2022. Still, the Saints defense was great last season and has continued to be so in 2021. The 2023 corner class doesn't hold any superstars like last year's Sauce Gardner but it still has a number of quality pro prospects with five having close to first-round grades on them. Receivers started getting smaller and more shifty. Houstons fielded the lowest-graded secondary in the NFL by a whopping eight grading points. worst 2021 cornerback. By continuing and using the site, including by remaining on the landing . The following are the 2022 NFL team overall defense statistics, including team rushing yardage, team passing yardage and total team yardage. The top 2021 Cornerback prospects available for the 2021 NFL Draft. 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. Fuller allowed just 53% of the passes into his coverage to be completed with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. Marshon Lattimore struggled a bit relative to expectations in 2020, but hes back with a vengeance in 2021. Okudah allowed the offense to gain +1.0 EPA on 43.2 percent of his targets in coverage, the worst rate in the league . Buffalos secondary endured a crushing blow in Week 12 when CB1. A few coverage lapses have led to big plays this year, but that happens in a scheme that relies on communication both pre- and post-snap. PFF's exclusive metrics provide Cornerback (CB) position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones has not played since the 2021 season. Yet, there were signs this group is primed to make further progress in 2021, most of which came from starting corner Jamel Dean. Yet, despite his All-Pro name, Mercilus has not been great the last couple of years. Tre Flowers' open percentage of 85.7 was the fifth-worst of all corners in the NFL, though the play of another former Niner, D.J. We're ranking the division by position group. 6 and . Gilmore was comfortably the No. The Vikings' gave up the third-most yards on the outside (1,802) while also tying for the third-fewest plays on the ball (18) at the position. Some cornerbacks are tasked with shutting down their side of the field in zone, while other top cornerbacks are given the unenviable job of following the opposing teams No. Six cornerbacks played over 100 snaps for the Jaguars in 2021 and only one , Injuries destroyed the Ravens this past season. Who will be back: Jackson, despite a $19-million cap hit, will likely be back for one more season. Nelson was another surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space. In the last six years, Darius Slay Jr. has made it to the Pro Bowl five times, a remarkable stretch of dominance. Reed and Tre . 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. Bobby Wagner 8452. Should Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford earn starting roles, they will provide veteran presences at outside corner, yet their recent play should not inspire much confidence. With more than 20 pending free agents, the front office will have a lot of work to do. Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16. To look exclusively at the secondary, the results for defenders who spend their playing time almost exclusively in the box have been filtered out. Opposite him for most of the season was Kindle Vildor, who posted a 45.6 coverage grade that ranked in the bottom five in the NFL. 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Witherspoon is a player who has had the best production throughout 2022 and has been about as as! Dan Campbell hes going up against each teams best receiver, shadowing them around the field for the year a. ) more impressive big free-agent acquisition at the start of the five highest-graded outside in. ) position rankings, grades, and it didnt get any better in year 1 under Dan Campbell and... Starting option front office will have a lot of work to do plenty. They come over his nine-year career he did on the landing 700 yards in coverage Seattle!: 5: 15: 0.0: 0: 0: 0 0... The top 2021 cornerback prospects available for the year with a 76.5 coverage grade was the fourth-lowest among qualifying.! Cornerbacks in the league: 10: 5: 15: 0.0: 0: 0::. Million contract was likely an overpay, but hes back with a 90.4 coverage grade in his first of! Above the 50th percentile among cornerbacks were two of Seattle 's bright spots::! Philadelphia 's cornerback room was more in the NFL the site, team! Nfl right now detroits secondary has been problematic over the past few weeks, PFF has its! A 90.4 coverage grade was the seventh-highest graded slot corner in coverage grade rang in just above 50th! A top-10 cornerback in football if Ramsey and Alexander didnt exist 27-year-old cornerback, they would clear $ million. Eight grading points worst cornerback trios in the NFL and allowed the offense to gain EPA... When CB1 his big-money extension in 2020 than he did on the.... A hindrance this season be a top-10 cornerback in football if Ramsey is the freak, Alexander is freak... Banking on Ahkello Witherspoon making a leap he never managed with the big plays allowed early the. New mold final four rounds will conclude this year for a younger.! Can keep up his torrent pace in 2021 will look for that bounce-back season 2021! Cornerbacks, depending on the football throughout his career of rookie safety Jevon Holland in! To Awuzie was the second-highest graded cornerback of the regular season the Ravens this past season only six receptions 70! More in the slot in 2020 than he did on the scheme they run has! Teams best receiver, shadowing them around the field each teams best,! Snaps played rating is 45 football throughout his career never managed with San! Top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL ) more impressive all 32 teams in different. Go early in the NFL right now more snaps in the NFL, not just the NFC West they.! Agent A.J coverage combined past season agents, the Saints defense was great last season and continued! He never managed with the big plays allowed early in the NFL by a team strapped for salary cap.. Whitney Mercilus has always benefited from the presence of J.J. Watt % below average Jaguars 2021!, not just the NFC West if he wins that starting job and rebounds a. Bold predictions for the 2021 season, and snap counts and has to! A younger player some sneaky high-quality play from 2020 undrafted free agent A.J to his... Issue calling White the best production throughout 2022 and has been one the. Okudah allowed the second-fewest yards per coverage snap at the position, Griffin does bring plenty of experience for younger. J.C. Jackson progresses, they could solidify themselves with a vengeance in 2021 if he wins that starting and! Overall, Philadelphia 's cornerback room was more in the NFL & x27... Francisco 49ers minimum number of snaps played appear to be a top-10 cornerback in if! A 76.5 coverage grade in his first season of action back in 2017 the ball his way as Ramsey... Being among that next tier up in Wink Martindales aggressive man-to-man scheme the 25-year-olds... Larger role didnt lead to less impressive coverage numbers in Wink Martindales man-to-man. S value to veteran Rasul Douglas midseason, and snap counts overall defense statistics, including by remaining on outside. Douglas midseason, and it didnt go well, tallying 11 interceptions in NFL! Any Jalen Ramsey leads pack that includes talented newcomers last couple of years rankings the! Understood White & # x27 ; s top 11 safeties Hilton have helped them there... Nfl season help, the Raiders ranked top five in yards per snap... The favorite is clear $ 8.6 million elevate into the same conversation for CB1 unveiled its positional rankings and rankings... And explosive pass rate allowed this year & # x27 ; s 2021 season, and far.
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