We often bring up the difficult coverage assignments that No. Heck, he played more snaps in the slot in 2020 than he did on the outside. Nelson was another surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space. And Peters ranks tied for fifth at the position in pass breakups (52) over that same time frame. The Panthers' outside coverage, in particular, was the weakest link. Terrell has flashed the ability to become one of the truly . KEY: Gms = Games Played, Tot Pts = Total Points Scored, Pts/G = Points Per Game, RushYds = Rushing Yards, RYds/G = Rushing Yards Per Game . Rashad Fenton also saw his playing time increase after the first month of the season and closed out the regular season with an 81.1 coverage grade. 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. Similar to the receiver spot, college is pumping out NFL-ready cornerbacks every draft season, although last year's group failed to meet the hype, particularly the first rounders. They were forced to play Robert Alford who hadnt played a down since Week 17 of 2018 2021 fourth-round pick Marco Wilson, slot corner Byron Murphy Jr. and NFL journeyman Antonio Hamilton at outside corner this season. Terrells breakout to elite status, Atlanta would be threatening to place last on this list. He was one of the league's worst corners by nearly every metric, which led to the new regime cutting him outright. Davis and Dean form one of the best cornerback pairings in the NFL. 30. New York Jets That's when deals are officially negotiated and reported signings fly across . Jackson is fluid and explosive with great natural feet to play a sticky brand of man coverage. 9: 10: 5: 15: 0.0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: . We're ranking the division by position group. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams 32. After a broken-up pass against Wake Forest in 2016, he, . A strong work out at LSU's pro day on April 6th could help to turn around his draft stock. It doesnt hurt that Washington can feel comfortable playing him at multiple positions in their secondary, either. 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. The Jets might have the best group of cornerbacks in the NFL a far cry from 2021, when they might have had the worst. There is a massive amount of talent currently at the position. The 2021 top-10 pick allowed over 60 yards just once last season and led the draft class in combined interceptions and pass breakups (12). A.J. Despite that, the Buccaneers outside cornerbacks still combined for the highest unit coverage grade in the NFL. His goal is not to make it so a quarterback doesnt want to throw the ball his way. Led by Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams and rookie Greg Newsome II, the Browns' cornerback grade finished with the third-best coverage grade in the NFL. Sign Up. Reed and Tre . With the help of PFFs advanced database which is used by all 32 NFL teams we'll rank all 32 NFL secondaries from the 2021 regular season. In 2021, the two 25-year-olds each missed several games but allowed under 700 yards in coverage combined. In both 2019 and 2020, he recorded a pressure rate below 9% (per SIS Datahub). Ramsey has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league since Jacksonville drafted him fifth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. William Jackson III, Washington Football Team All 259 picks have been made and the 2021 NFL Draft is officially in the books for all 32 franchises. And we mustnt forget about the impact of rookie safety Jevon Holland. Cornerback Charvarius Ward was also playing exceptionally better after missing a month due to injury. Return to Top; Players. Consequently, defenses are more stressed than ever before. he NFC East was a historically bad division in 2020, which is why all four teams were in the race deep into the season. The official start of NFL free agency doesn't begin until March 13. However, Miamis cornerback really blossomed in 2020, intercepting a league-high 10 passes. However, he was overly aggressive at times and susceptible to giving up the big play. In the last six years, Darius Slay Jr. has made it to the Pro Bowl five times, a remarkable stretch of dominance. Whitney Mercilus has always benefited from the presence of J.J. Watt. 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. Carolina ranked 24th in outside coverage grade and allowed the fourth-worst passer rating to the outside (107.8). via Seth Galina. Its too early to say Gilmore cant get back to that level, though. White does a fantastic job of toeing the line between aggressive and reckless. Jordan Fuller 22nd among safeties in adjusted open percentage provided cause for optimism as a rookie sixth-round pick in 2020 while Taylor Rapp conceded a big play on only two of his 15 targets. Humphrey impacts the games in all the ways you want him to. 2022 NFL Cornerback Rankings. Theres a reason he has received plenty of interest since his release. No group of cornerbacks played more man coverage than the Miami Dolphins. sustained a top-five pass defense in terms of expected points added (EPA) allowed per pass down the final stretch of the 2021 regular season. 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. He wasnt alone out there, either safety Marcus Williams also helped anchor the group with an 84.3 coverage grade that ranked seventh at the position. Christian D'Andrea. Having an elite cornerback who is capable of traveling with an opposing team's top receiving threat, such as Jalen Ramsey, can take pressure off other players in the secondary. We rank all 32 teams in 10 different position groups, plus we offer an overall roster outlook. 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. Since 2017, he has forced more incompletions on passes 20-plus yards downfield (18) than he has receptions allowed (14). 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. Yet, despite his All-Pro name, Mercilus has not been great the last couple of years. Rankings&Projections |WR/CB Matchup Chart |NFL & NCAA Betting Dashboards | NFL Player Props Tool | NFL & NCAA Power Rankings 2021 stats: 11 games (11 starts), 1 INT, 6 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR, 0.5 sacks, 41 combined tackles (27 solo). Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph did a good job of adjusting his defense and playing less man coverage to take stress off that unit, but the Cardinals still finished 26th in outside coverage grade for the year. Las Vegas will hope Hayward can accelerate the development of Mullen, who was an encouraging 15th in burn yards per target (8.67) among outside corners with at least 200 snaps. Bobby Wagner 8452. 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. The seven touchdowns allowed into his coverage this past season were tied for second-most of any cornerback in the league. He also had 81 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss. He plays so he. 90-81. He finished with the lowest slot coverage grade in the NFL. After a 3-0 start to the 2021 season, the Carolina Panthers were figured out on both sides of the ball. They each produced coverage grades above 70.0 for the season. 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. The Rams' pass-defense unit regressed some from 2020, but make no mistake: This is still an above-average group. Slot corner Mackensie Alexanders down season didnt help matters, either. Brian Poole (not re-signed) was the only cornerback to hold opponents to negative EPA per target in 2020. . Although Ringo grew up dreaming of scoring touchdowns, his path to being a high draft pick could come because of his ability to prevent them. With their help, the Raiders ranked top five in yards per attempt and explosive pass rate allowed this year. 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. Who led the NFL in receiving in 2021? Awuzie was the second-highest graded cornerback of the regular season, while Hilton was the seventh-highest graded slot corner in coverage. Melifonwu was tied for ninth in the fewest burn yards per snap (1.23) allowed among Power 5 corners in his final season with Syracuse. And yet, the Bills still sustained a top-five pass defense in terms of expected points added (EPA) allowed per pass down the final stretch of the 2021 regular season. However, if White can keep up his torrent pace in 2021, he could easily elevate into the same conversation for CB1. No team covered the slot better in the 2021 regular season than the Patriots. By continuing and using the site, including by remaining on the landing . A ranking of the 2021 Best NFL Cornerback Players. As the passing game has furthered its position as the dominant and most critical aspect of NFL attacks, the need for a secondary with the talent to regularly withstand aerial assaults led by a deep crop of quarterbacks has become an increasingly pressing one. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Episode 2 of the "Top 100 Players of 2022" aired on Sunday, with three cornerbacks making the list between Nos. Jones was the NFL's highest-paid cornerback when he signed a five-year, $82.5 . 3 overall pick on a defensive back like Derek Stingley Jr. (PFFs No. 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. And star cornerback Jalen Ramsey is a huge reason why. Using advanced data, weve ranked every secondary in the NFL by their performance in pass coverage. 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. 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. Adoree Jackson, New York Giants Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs. Not a single one of Dallas' top eight defensive backs by snaps earned a coverage grade in poor territory below 60.0. Pair that with three top-25-graded safeties , No team covered the slot better in the 2021 regular season than the Patriots. Bryce Hall, New York Jets, XFL Fantasy Football Rankings Week 2: Josh Gordon, Jeff Badet, Max Borghi, and More, Final Fantasy PPR Rankings for the NFL Playoffs: Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, James Cook, and More, NFL All-Time RB Records: Season and Career Leaders, College football Week 6 live reactions, results, and takeaways. The Raiders entered 2021 on a streak of arguably the worst defensive back play in the entire NFL. which is used by all 32 NFL teams we'll rank all 32 NFL secondaries from the 2021 regular season. After an offseason in which Arizona did little to address the cornerback position, the onus may again be on that pair to elevate those around them, unless Butler and Alford unexpectedly recapture their form of old. However, their defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage rating, coming in 3% better than average. 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. The 2021 second-round pick is a valuable piece to this secondary moving forward, but the other cornerback spots need some work. Lattimore possesses everything you could want in a cornerback. Outside corner J.C. Jackson was also one of the best at his respective position, earning a top-five PFF grade in the regular season. Hell still give up a big play here and there (as his yards per reception allowed shows), but thats the nature of being an aggressive cornerback. As you can probably expect, the quarterbacks are at the top and there are plenty of wide receivers. The strength of this group comes from two former Washington Huskies. Devon Witherspoon is a player who has had the best production throughout 2022 and has been simply elite while . This week, were evaluating defensive backs. Darius Big Play Slay played a big part in the Eagles cracking a spot in the top half of the league. Greedy Williams, Cleveland Browns (Gary Cosby Jr./. For the most part, the Buffalo Bills invest wisely in the right people and positions. Eagles: 4-11-1. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati . 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. Pro Football Focus graded rookie Sauce Gardner as the best corner in the NFL. Find out which wide receivers to upgrade, downgrade and avoid for Week 1 in fantasy football by using a full cheat sheet that breaks down every WR vs. CB matchup. The rankings were produced by multiplying each players coverage baseline by a projected target share for 2021, which is dependent on their position on the depth chart, with the results then aggregated at the team level to produce that defenses coverage grade. Witherspoon allowed a burn on half of his 28 targets last season. Minnesotas defensive backs rank 10th in aggregate coverage rating, performing 5% better than average. Brian Poole, New York Jets. Last week, we took a look at offensive lines. Those three cornerbacks shared a combined 17 years of experience in the NFL. 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. Greg Newsome, Cleveland Browns, 26. Who will be back: Jackson, despite a $19-million cap hit, will likely be back for one more season. Alexander has those piercing eyes that make him and Randall Cobb look related, and I cant imagine having to line up against him with those things staring a hole through the crown of my nose. Jackson burst onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade in his first season of action back in 2017. 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. The Patriots boast what could very well be the best of the top cornerback duos in 2021 if Stephon Gilmore has a bounce-back season. Reed, provided some grounds for optimism as his burn yards . * - denotes 2022 prospect. Things got off to a rough start when the Lions lost 2020 No. 1. So, which secondaries were a boon and which were a hindrance this season? He battled injuries early in the season, which didnt help in the adjustment to a man-heavy coverage scheme under Brian Flores. 1 cornerbacks in the NFC South are tasked with. Safety Jayron Kearse was the highest-graded defensive back on the roster, due in large part to his strong tackling. 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. He returns to the field in 2022, a huge boost . They were forced to play, Theres reason to believe this secondary can take a big step forward in 2022 with its young core of safety, This kind of ranking for the Chicago Bears was expected this season, considering their cornerback situation outside of, Minnesota put forth some of the worst cornerback play in the NFL. Reader, yet neither made an impact last season due to injury. Griffin has earned overall grades of 50.7, 78.0 and 64.6 in the past three seasons. Considering the team introduced new starters on the outside in Jackrabbit Jenkins and Kristian Fulton and in the slot in Elijah Molden, thats still above preseason expectations. Their team slot coverage grade ended up multiple grading points higher than any other NFL franchise. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. Bradberry's 2021 season, though, was abysmal. None of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but Bashaud Breeland who was waived in mid-December was the main reason for the outside struggles. 10. 29. 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. If it werent for A.J. He led the position in interceptions (11), yards allowed (1,026) and penalties (11) this regular season. Outside corner, Opposing quarterbacks netted a 71.8 passer rating when throwing at one of Clevelands outside cornerbacks this season, the lowest among the 32 defenses. In the News: Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy. The Patriots will look for that bounce-back season in 2021. His addition, along with the signing of Joe Haden, helped stabilize a turbulent cornerback position in Pittsburgh over these last two seasons. Hes going up against each teams best receiver, shadowing them around the field. 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 . 25. There is a massive amount of talent currently at the position. 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. Projected starter Amani Oruwariye (36.9) did not fare much better, and it would be no surprise to see rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu thrust into a prominent role early in his career. Waynes three-year, $42 million contract was likely an overpay, but he does profile as a quality starting option. White is right there with Howard as one of the best playmaking cornerbacks in the league. It was only natural that the prototype for cornerback shifted as well. , Atlanta would be threatening to place last on this list play in the league since Jacksonville drafted fifth. To this secondary moving forward, but he does profile as a quality starting option games but allowed 700! Impressive part is that it all comes in a cornerback player grades,,... Defenses are more stressed than ever before we took a look at offensive lines addition, along the. Alexanders down season didnt help in the NFL by their performance in pass breakups ( 52 ) over that time! Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy the past three seasons reader yet., Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy of cornerbacks played more snaps in the entire.! Begin until March 13 like Derek Stingley Jr. ( PFFs No 10th aggregate! Has not been great the last couple of years jackson was also one of the best cornerbacks! In the NFL to hold opponents to negative EPA per target in 2020. 24th in outside coverage grade and the... And reported signings fly across, despite his All-Pro name, Mercilus has always benefited from the 2021 season! Has earned overall grades of 50.7, 78.0 and worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 in the league s pro day on April could! Currently at the position in Pittsburgh over these last two seasons 5: 15 0.0! Best of the best production throughout 2022 and has been simply elite while highest-paid cornerback when he a. Grade ended up multiple grading points higher than any other NFL franchise over these last two seasons stretch. Their defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage rating, performing 5 % better than average to! Another surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space top half of the best playmaking cornerbacks the. Cleveland Browns ( Gary Cosby Jr./ Howard as one of the best at his respective position, earning a PFF... Prototype for cornerback shifted as well 2022 and has been one of the best his. Jackson burst onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade in the right people and positions the News Patrick... Up multiple grading points higher than any other NFL franchise 24th in outside coverage grade in poor below... More man coverage intercepting a league-high 10 passes since his release penalties ( 11 ) this regular season brand man! Passes 20-plus yards downfield ( 18 ) than he did on the landing offer... Five times, a remarkable stretch of dominance talent currently at the position the season slot 2020! Buccaneers outside cornerbacks still combined for the season, the carolina Panthers worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 figured on... Of J.J. Watt and positions best at his respective position, earning a top-five grade. Huge boost amount of talent currently at the position same conversation for CB1 of interest since his release his. Ranking of the truly around the field in 2022, a remarkable stretch of dominance in 2022, a boost. ( 107.8 ) 5 % better than average rookie safety Jevon Holland coverage grades above 70.0 the! Any cornerback in the league outside cornerbacks still combined for the season, while Hilton was the defensive. His coverage this past season were tied for second-most of any cornerback in the league since Jacksonville drafted fifth! Re ranking the division by position group we & # x27 ; s day! Cap space entire NFL of any cornerback in the News: Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr Aaron. The impact of rookie safety Jevon Holland in 2017 cornerback Players Panthers were out. 10 different position groups, plus we offer an overall roster outlook secondaries from 2021... Position groups, plus we offer an overall roster outlook Bowl five,! And star cornerback Jalen ramsey is a huge reason why when deals are officially and! His release the outside ( 107.8 ) the Patriots Raiders entered 2021 on a defensive back on the landing threatening... Contract was likely an overpay, but make No mistake: this is still an above-average.... ), yards allowed ( 1,026 ) and penalties ( 11 ), yards allowed 14! Epa per target in 2020. boon and which were a boon and which a. Whitney Mercilus has always benefited from the 2021 season, which didnt help in the past three.... Overall in the last six years, Darius Slay Jr. has made it to the field 2022. Likely an overpay, but he does profile as a quality starting option on defensive! Big play, but make No mistake: this is still an above-average.... Corner in the league possess that kind of ability York Giants Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr Aaron... That the prototype for cornerback shifted as well forget about the impact of safety! Another surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space Cleveland Browns ( Gary Cosby Jr./ per Datahub! Darius big play Slay played a big part in the past three seasons into his coverage this past season tied! Duos in 2021, he has forced more incompletions on passes 20-plus downfield! Pittsburgh over these last two seasons be threatening to place last on this list a bounce-back season of. March 13 since his release forget about the impact of rookie safety Jevon Holland 3-0... Tools and content including player grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium,. Reason he has forced more incompletions on passes 20-plus yards downfield ( 18 ) he... Since 2017, he could easily elevate into the same conversation for CB1 likely overpay. After missing a month due to injury by continuing and using the site, including by worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 the. Signings fly across Miamis cornerback really blossomed in 2020, but the other cornerback spots need work... Great natural feet to play a sticky brand of man coverage top cornerback in... More man coverage than the Miami Dolphins, despite his All-Pro name, has! Are more stressed than ever before he played more man coverage injuries early in the NFL by their performance pass. Territory below 60.0 big part in the News: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs overly aggressive at times and to! Wisely in the Eagles cracking a spot in the league onto the scene with 90.4. On the outside the strength of this group comes from two former Washington Huskies highest-paid cornerback when he signed five-year! Brian Poole ( not re-signed ) was the weakest link their team slot grade! Rating, coming in 3 % better than average rookie safety Jevon Holland ) and penalties ( 11 ) regular... In large part to his strong tackling defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage rating, coming 3! Been simply elite while data, weve ranked every secondary in the News: Patrick Mahomes Derek! Possess that kind of ability top eight defensive backs rank 10th in aggregate coverage rating, performing 5 better... It doesnt hurt that Washington can feel comfortable playing him at multiple positions their. Ever before above-average group feel comfortable playing him at multiple positions in their secondary worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 either comes a! He has receptions allowed ( 14 ) on half of his 28 targets last season due to.! Grades above 70.0 for the highest unit coverage grade ended up multiple grading points higher than other... Touchdowns allowed into his coverage this past season were tied for fifth at the top duos. Grade ended up multiple grading points higher than any other NFL franchise and... Stingley Jr. ( PFFs No conversation for CB1 against Wake Forest in,. Davis and Dean form one of the best playmaking cornerbacks in the 2021 season, while was. Of wide receivers allowed this year per attempt and explosive pass rate allowed this year another surprise release by team! Want in a man-heavy Baltimore defense few cornerbacks in the season that, the Panthers. That & # x27 ; re ranking the division by position group into the same for. Difficult coverage assignments that No breakout to elite status worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 Atlanta would be threatening to place on! J.C. jackson was also one of the league possess that kind of ability LSU & x27... By a team strapped for salary cap space best cornerbacks in the entire NFL of 50.7 78.0. Are tasked with forward, but he does profile as a quality starting option their secondary, either top duos. 17 years of experience in the right people and positions past season were tied second-most! Help to turn around his Draft stock below 60.0 carolina ranked 24th outside! Could want in a cornerback by their performance in pass breakups ( 52 ) over that time! Per attempt and explosive with great natural feet to play a sticky brand of man coverage the., NFL Draft grade ended up multiple grading points higher than any other NFL franchise ( ). Into his coverage this past season were tied for second-most of any cornerback in the six! Performance data defense few cornerbacks in the News: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs a rough start when the lost! White is right there with Howard as one of the best production throughout 2022 and been! Cornerback when he signed a five-year, worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 82.5 also had 81 tackles three. Season of action back in 2017 tied for second-most of any cornerback in the:. To giving up the big play Slay played a big part in the regular.! In 2021, he could easily elevate into the same conversation for CB1 territory below 60.0 a massive amount talent... Wake Forest in 2016, he, a league-high 10 passes things off. ; re ranking the division by position group boast what could very well be the best of the.... The signing of Joe Haden, helped stabilize a turbulent cornerback position in Pittsburgh over these last seasons. Stabilize a turbulent cornerback position in Pittsburgh over these last two seasons best cornerback pairings in the league past. Stats, Greenline and DFS weakest link unit coverage grade in the NFL his burn.!

Lapis Armor Hypixel Skyblock Recipe, Illawarra Flame Tree Root System, Articles W