JC Jackson Is Elite - My Top 10 Cornerbacks In the NFL
MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images. Getty Images.I recently ranked the Top 100 players in the NFL, but now will break them down by position groups.
Here's how I view the Cornerbacks going into this season.
*NOTE: The rankings go off of last season + a future projection. Given Packers CB Jaire Alexander only played four games last season, he was ineligible for this list.
10) Tre'Davious White - Buffalo Bills
This is tough, but I simply cannot leave him off this list. He tore his ACL in November and there are conflicting reports on his status.
Some say he'll be ready to start the season and some say he'll start the season on IR. Two polar opposites, but assuming he'll be on the field, he's dynamite. He's only going into Year 6, so fully in his Prime. I'm looking for him to continue the stellar play for the Super Bowl contending Bills.
9) Patrick Surtain II - Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II stepped on an NFL football field last season as a rookie and was already elite. In 15 starts he had 14 pass breakups which was 11th in the league. He also had 4 INTs. But his movement skills are special. He is lockdown city and I have full confidence that within two years we'll be talking about him as the best Cornerback in football.
8) Marshon Lattimore - New Orleans Saints
Lattimore has been in the league five years and made five Pro Bowls. He continued to prove that he's sticky in coverage and not afraid to tackle as he finished 2021 with career-highs in PBUs (19) and tackles (68).
7) Marlon Humphrey - Baltimore Ravens
Humphrey is down 28 spots from last year's list after failing to finish the season with a torn pec. He saw a dip in forced fumbles, which has kind of been his calling card, falling from 8 to just 1 last season, but he's still a lights out player. Probably better than anyone in the league, he executes the 'Peanut Punch' (which he's re-named the 'Fruit Punch') to perfection. I'm expecting him to get back on track in 2022.
6) Darius Slay Jr - Philadelphia Eagles
In addition to his normal sticky coverage, he lived up to his nickname "Big Play Slay" with a career-high 3 Defensive Touchdowns in 2021. With a retooled Eagles team looking to make waves this season I'm expecting Slay to continue to play at a very high level.
5) A.J. Terrell - Atlanta Falcons
A.J. Terrell is LIGHTS OUT. He didn't make a Pro Bowl in his second season, but he has outstanding awareness and athleticism. He's a terrific player who is very much on the rise and is already one of the elite players at his position.
4) Denzel Ward - Cleveland Browns
The run on Browns continues with the $100 million dollar man in Denzel Ward. Ward finished 2021 with 3 INTs 10 PBUs and this touchdown. He rewarded for his outstanding play with his 2nd Pro Bowl and a new 5-year $100.5M deal. He is only 25 years old but he's already an elite player at his position.
3) JC Jackson - Los Angeles Chargers
If we're talking JC Jackson, we have to start with ball production, which is outstanding. He led the league with 23 passes defensed in 2021 in addition to being 2nd in the league in interceptions with 8. Phenomenal numbers, but the guy isn't just a stat stuffer, he plays with elite technique and despite being 6'1" 198 lbs., he can choke you out at the line.
2) CB Xavien Howard - Miami Dolphins
Xavien Howard had a down year, there is no getting around that. Coming off an insane 10 INTs 20 PBUs season in 2020, he finished 2021 with 5 INTs and 16 PBUs, which are also insane numbers. Howard has the instincts you'd want in a Cornerback mixed with the athleticism to actually carry out all of that football intelligence.
1) Jalen Ramsey - Los Angeles Rams
Ramsey made his 2nd straight 1st Team All-Pro for the Rams out at Corner. That team has built their foundation around Ramsey and Aaron Donald and it obviously paid off a few months ago with a Super Bowl Championship. Ramsey can do it all at Corner and regularly takes out his assignment, no matter how good they are.
He's also got pretty good ball skills are you can see here…
Here's the full list: