Cornerbacks (10)
Champ Bailey (2019), Ty Law (2019), Ed Reed (2019), Charles Woodson (2021), Darrelle Revis (2023) & Ronde Barber (2023)
Modern Positional Average
Cornerbacks: Champ Bailey (2019), Ty Law (2019), Ed Reed (2019), Charles Woodson (2021), Darrelle Revis (2021) & Ronde Barber (2021)
Note that in 2019, all Defensive Backs were grouped together, and were Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, Ty Law, Ed Reed and Aeneas Williams. Cornerbacks and Safeties were split in 2020, but kept at four in both categories to keep everything modern. Last year, Barber and Revis entered and with Bailey, Law & Reed entering in the same year, we have six comprsing the Modern Positional Average. As we progress forward, Interception numbers will likely decline as elite Corners are rarely thrown to.
Here are the statistics that we are using based on the last group of Cornerbacks to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
- Games Played: 205.3
- Approximate Value: 139
- Approximate Value per Games Played: 0.6771
- Games Started: 199.2
- Approximate Value per Games Started: 0.6979
- Approximate Value per Five-Year Peak: 70.8
- Approximate Value’s Best Five Results: 74
- Top Five Defensive Player of the Year Finishes**: 4
- Pro Bowls: 7.8
- First Team All-Pros*: 3.5
- Interceptions: 51.7
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak: 26.5
- Top Five Interception Finishes**: 10
- Combined Tackles: 898.2
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak: 347.3
- Super Bowl Wins: 1.5
- Super Bowl Appearances: 1.2
*This is an aggregate of the Top Five finishes (5th = 1, 4th = 2, 3rd = 3, 2nd = 4th, 1st = 5)
**This is a reminder that the All-Pros we use are from the AP.
Stats
- Games 205.3
- Approximate Value 139
- Approximate Value per Game 0.6771
- Games Started 199.2
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6979
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 70.8
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 74
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 4
- Pro Bowls 7.8
- First Team AP All-Pros 3.5
- Interceptions 51.7
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 26.5
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 10
- Combined Tackles 898.2
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 347.3
- Super Bowl Championships 1.5
- Super Bowl Appearances 1.2
#20 Overall, Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh Steelers, #1 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season Rank #20, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #23, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #35, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #54, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #73.
The Rams believed that Jalen Ramsey was the best Cornerback in the NFL, and they went all in to get him during the 2019 season when he was disgruntled in Jacksonville. Ramsey was the top CB in 2020, adding a second First Team All-Pro, a fourth Pro Bowl, and posting a career-high in Approximate Value (15). Currently, over the AV/G, Ramsey added another Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro, and, more importantly, a Super Bowl in 2021, proving the Rams right. Ramsey claimed a sixth Pro Bowl in 2022 and a seventh with his third team in Miami, which was impressive considering he only played ten games in 2023.
The knock on Ramsey is that he is now on his fourth team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he is still excellent, and he begins this year supplanting the now-retired Patrick Peterson as the highest-ranked Cornerback on the Notinhallloffame Active Football Monitor.
Stats
- Games 135 (-70.3)
- Approximate Value 95 (-44)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.7037 (+0.0266)
- Games Started 134 (-65.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.7090 (+0.0111)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 63 (-7.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 63 (-11)
- Pro Bowls 7 (-0.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 3 (-0.5)
- Interceptions 24 (-27.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 17 (-9.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 13 (+3)
- Combined Tackles 534 (-364.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 298 (-49.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 1 (-0.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 1 (-0.2)
#32 Overall, Stephon Gilmore, Free Agent, #2 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season Rank #34, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #41, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #55, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #55, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #54. Peak Period 2016-20
It is usually easy to rank former Defensive Players of the Year, but as we are ten years deep into the career of Stephon Gilmore, we now know what we have. After a decent run in Buffalo, Gilmore had an out-of-nowhere DPOY year in 2019 (though it did follow a good 2018), though he has not matched that year since.
Since then, Gilmore has been a hired gun, playing one year each in Carolina, Indianapolis, and Dallas, and after a one-year deal with Minnesota, he is looking for work in 2025. His veteran presence still makes him valuable, but bouncing between teams could impact his perception.
Stats
- Games 180 (-25.3)
- Approximate Value 94 (-45)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5222 (-0.1549)
- Games Started 173 (-26.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.5433 (-0.1546)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 55 (-15.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 55 (-19)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 5 (+1)
- Pro Bowls 5 (-2.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 2 (-1.5)
- Interceptions 32 (-19.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 16 (-10.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 6 (-4)
- Combined Tackles 617 (-281.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 233 (-114.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 2 (+0.8)
#48 Overall, Darius Slay, Pittsburgh Steelers, #3 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season Rank #58, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #70, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #101, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #125, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #125. Peak Period: 2017-21
The last three seasons of Darius Slay’s career in Detroit were phenomenal (2017-19), but they came after three average years and a rookie year in which he only played four Games. Slay joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, where he looked for a shot at the Super Bowl, and last year, “Big Play” Slay got it in Philadelphia’s triumphant win over the Kansas City Chiefs. With the Eagles, Slay had another three-year streak of Pro Bowls (2021-23) and proved he still belonged in the upper echelon of Cornerbacks.
Slay enters 2025 with his third team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and is the active leader in Passes Defended (160, 7th All-Time), and should have some good football left in him to make that Hall of Fame push.
Stats
- Games 177 (-28.3)
- Approximate Value 82 (-57)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.4633 (-0.2138)
- Games Started 167 (-32.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started .4910 (-0.2069)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 44 (-26.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 47 (-27)
- Pro Bowls 6 (-1.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 28 (-23.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 17 (-9.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 5 (-5)
- Combined Tackles 619 (-279.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 260 (-87.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 1 (-0.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 2 (+0.8)
#69 Overall, Marcus Peters, Free Agent, #4 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season Rank #63, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #52, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #60, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #56, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #57. Peak Period: 2015-19.
Missing the entire 2021 Season with a torn ACL, Marcus Peters had a decent 2022 in Baltimore, but it was in the shadow of his past glory. A three-time leader in Interception Return Yards and former Defensive Rookie of the Year, Peters flamed out badly in Las Vegas and is not the player he used to be, and for the second autumn in a row, is looking for work. It was a quick fall for a player who was once in the Top Cornerback in the NFL conversation.
Stats
- Games 116 (-89.3)
- Approximate Value 73 (-66)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.6293 (-0.0478)
- Games Started 115 (-84.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6364 (-0.0615)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 54 (-16.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 58 (-16)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 3 (-4.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 2 (-1.5)
- Interceptions 33 (-18.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 27 (+0.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 12 (+2)
- Combined Tackles 385 (-513.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 257 (-90.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 1 (-0.2)
#73 Overall, Xavien Howard, Indianapolis Colts, #5 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season Rank #73, Pre-Season #2023 Pre-Season Rank: #50, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #61, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #114. Peak Period: 2017-18/2020-23
After rocketing up this list on the strength of a monstrous 2020, where he was third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, Xavien Howard continued to have good years, but in 2023, foot issues hampered his speed. After a sub-par season by his prior standards, Miami released him, and after a year not playing, the Indianapolis Colts signed Howard. If he can reclaim most of his speed, Howard could still contribute. Let's see what happens!
Stats
- Games 100 (-105.3)
- Approximate Value 63 (-76)
- Approximate Value per Game .6300 (-0.0471)
- Games Started 99 (-100.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6364 (-0.0615)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 55 (-15.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 55 (-19)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 3 (-1)
- Pro Bowls 4 (-3.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 29 (-22.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 28 (+1.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 12 (+2)
- Combined Tackles 331 (-567.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 223 (-124.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#77 Overall, Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos, #6 Cornerback
2024: Pre-Season Rank: #134. Peak Period 2021-24*
Doesn’t it feel like Patrick Surtain II knows what the Wide Receiver’s route is before he does?
Surtain has been a godsend for the Denver Broncos, who desperately needed a building block in their defense. Breaking out in his sophomore year, Surtain ran away with the Defensive Player of the Year last season, and enters this season as the CB1 of the NFL. He jumped 60 spots on this rank this year, and another 30 after five months of football is on the table.
*Surtain has only played four seasons.
Stats
- Games 66 (-139.3)
- Approximate Value 44 (-95)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.6667 (-0.0104)
- Games Started 65 (-134.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6769 (-0.021)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 44 (-26.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 44 (-30)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 5 (+1)
- Pro Bowls 3 (-4.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 4 (+0.5)
- Interceptions 11 (-40.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 11 (-15.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 0 (-10)
- Combined Tackles 232 (-666.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 232 (-115.3)
- Top Five Aggregated Completed Tackles Finishes 0
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#82 Overall, Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens, #7 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season #106, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #112, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #149, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #146. Peak Period: 2019-20 & 22-24
Marlon Humphrey went to his fourth Pro Bowl last season, which showed that when he is on his game, he is among the best Corners in Football. Humprhey has been inconsistent throughout his career, but he is a former Forced Fumble leader (8 in 2020), and goes into this campaign one Interception away from 20. A Super Bowl and third First Team All-Pro will give him the Hall of Fame push that he looked to have years ago.
Stats
- Games 116 (-89.3)
- Approximate Value 66 (-73)
- Approximate Value per Game .5690 (-0.1081)
- Games Started 98 (-101.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6735 (-0.0244)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 54 (-16.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 55 (-19)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 4 (-3.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 2 (-1.5)
- Interceptions 19 (-32.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 14 (-12.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 3 (-7)
- Combined Tackles 379 (-519.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 313 (-34.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#85 Overall, Marshon Lattimore, Washington Commanders, #8 Cornerback
2024 Pre-Season Rank #97, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #98, 2022 Pre-Season Rank: #106, 2021 Pre-Season Rank: #125, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #138. Peak Period 2017-21
The 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year was a Pro Bowl Selection four times in his first five seasons, but his last three years have been riddled with injury, and Lattimore’s momentum has been derailed. He has a lot more work to do in the next few seasons to get back on track, but he will now do so as a Washington Commander. Lattimore could very well be at the crossroads.
Stats
- Games 99 (-106.3)
- Approximate Value 48 (-91)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.4848 (-0.1923)
- Games Started 99 (-100.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.4848 (-0.2131)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 38 (-32.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 38 (-36)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 4 (-3.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 0 (-3.5)
- Interceptions 15 (-36.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 13 (-13.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 1 (-9)
- Combined Tackles 409 (-489.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 298 (-49.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#91 Overall, Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns, #9 Cornerback
2023 Pre-Season Rank #128. Peak Period 2020-24
A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Denzel Ward has sneakily been one of the most efficient Cornerbacks in the NFL. Still in his prime, Ward has time to make a Hall of Fame case.
Stats
- Games 95 (-110.3)
- Approximate Value 49 (-90)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5158 (-0.1613)
- Games Started 92 (-107.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.5326 (-0.1653)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 36 (-34.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 39 (-35)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 3 (-4.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 0 (-3.5)
- Interceptions 17 (-34.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 12 (-14.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 0 (-10)
- Combined Tackles 273 (-625.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 230 (-117.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)