As it stands for the moment, the NFL is playing its season in full come September. As the season approaches, I’m going to be taking a look at the landscape of the NFL, position by position, over the course of the next several weeks. We’ll be talking about the who’s who of the NFL in our own little version of the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” bit they do every year. Up first, we’re talking about the top 10 NFL cornerbacks for 2020!
Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks For 2020
10. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams – Call it ‘growing pains’ or what have you, but Ramsey just didn’t seem to fit in with the Rams defense right away. Still, even noted Ramsey haters like myself (I’m a Titans fan, come on) have to acknowledge the guy’s talent when he’s focused and motivated.
9. Byron Jones, Miami Dolphins – Technique, speed, and athleticism – that’s what comes to mind when I think about Jones. He may not have produced the big time stat line, but he is absolutely one of the best in the league and got the pay day from Miami to prove it.
8. Casey Hayward, Los Angeles Chargers – Most underrated corner in the league? I’d say so. He graded among the four best regular starters in 2019 per Pro Football Focus, and has cover skills for days. It’s time we put a little more respect on this man’s name.
7. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles – I love the way Slay plays the game – he’s a true lockdown guy who has a fighting spirit and plays a physical style. He’s long been underrated in Detroit – donning that Eagles uni ought to provide him with the opportunity to spread his wings and fly, pun completely intended.
6. Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens – Peters graded only behind Richard Sherman among corners with at least a thousand snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The Pro Bowl corner may very well be the best pure cover guy in the NFL (at least if you lend any credence to PFF’s coverage scores), and because of his and Marlon Humphrey’s skills, the Ravens are able to dial up a little more pressure.
5. Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills – The versatile Bills cornerback who can cover, tackle, disrupt, and really do it all had a breakout campaign in 2019, and earned All-Pro honors because of it. He might not get the pub that others do because he plays in Buffalo, but he’s definitely among the league’s best at his position.
4. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens – I might be a little higher on Humphrey than others, but I love how well-rounded he is, and the complete cornerback play he brings to the table. He can tackle. He can cover. He can disrupt pass plays. He has solid size. I expect him to continue on his trajectory to becoming one of the league’s best in 2020.
3. Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints – Lattimore really reminds me of this generation’s Darrelle Revis. Consistently one of the best in the league, but doesn’t post those eye-popping stats like other guys because opposing quarterbacks just don’t seem to throw at him that often. He’s tasked with the impossible job of locking down that murderer’s row of receivers in the NFC South six times each season and has still only allowed five touchdowns in his entire career. Ridiculous.
2. Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers – Richard Sherman is back, baby. He was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded cornerback with at least a thousand snaps last season. In particular, his pass coverage grade was stellar – the best in the league. When tested, Sherman was one of if not the best pure cover corner in the NFL in 2019 – and, he was shipped off to the Pro Bowl for it.
1. Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots – Gilmore has firmly entrenched his self as the premier cornerback in the NFL over the last two seasons, both of which yielded first team All-Pro honors for the Pats corner. He’s the reigning ‘Defensive Player of the Year,’ after a season that saw him lead the league in passes deflected and tied atop the league in interceptions. He’s the best all-around corner in the game, and is the glue that binds that solid Pats secondary.
OTHER 2020 NFL TOP 10S
Defensive Coordinators
Head Coaches
Offensive Coordinators
Wide Receivers
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
