Cornerbacks (15)
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
#15 Overall, Patrick Peterson, Free Agent, Cornerback, #1 Cornerback
2023 Pre-Season Rank #15, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #15, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #18, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #21. Peak Period 2011-15
After going to eight straight Pro Bowls to begin his career, Peterson slipped badly, first suffering a six-game suspension in 2019, and upon his return, he wasn’t the same player. After two years with Minnesota and one in Pittsburgh, Peterson begins the season as a Free Agent, hoping to continue his career. If he doesn’t, his first eight seasons with Arizona will be the resume he will have to go with, and it comes with an All-Decade nod.
This should be enough to get him inducted, though it could take a few years.
Stats
- Games 201 (-4.3)
- Approximate Value 131 (-8)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.6517 (-0.0254)
- Games Started 200 (+0.80000000000001)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6555 (-0.0424)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 75 (+4.2)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 75 (+1)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 8 (+0.2)
- First Team AP All-Pros 3 (-0.5)
- Interceptions 36 (-15.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 17 (-9.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 3 (-7)
- Combined Tackles 652 (-246.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 246 (-101.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#20 Overall, Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins, #2 Cornerback
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 added a sixth Pro Bowl in 2022 and a seventh with his third team in Miami, which was impressive considering he only played ten games last year.
A seven-time Pro Bowl Corner will be challenging to keep out of Canton.
Stats
- Games 118 (-87.3)
- Approximate Value 86 (-53)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.7288 (+0.0517)
- Games Started 117 (-82.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.7350 (+0.0371)
- 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 22 (-29.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 17 (-9.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 13 (+3)
- Combined Tackles 474 (-424.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 298 (-49.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 1 (-0.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 1 (-0.2)
#34 Overall, Stephon Gilmore, Minnesota Vikings, #3 Cornerback
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 is now on a one-year deal with Minnesota. His veteran presence still makes him valuable, but bouncing between teams could impact his perception.
Stats
- Games 165 (-40.3)
- Approximate Value 87 (-52)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5273 (-0.1498)
- Games Started 158 (-41.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.5506 (-0.1473)
- 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 31 (-20.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 16 (-10.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 6 (-4)
- Combined Tackles 561 (-337.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 233 (-114.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 2 (+0.8)
#58 Overall, Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles, #4 Cornerback
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. While he did play in one, “Big Play Slay” hasn’t won the ring yet.
Nevertheless, Slay's second three-year Pro Bowl streak is ongoing, and still a top contender.
Stats
- Games 153 (-52.3)
- Approximate Value 76 (-63)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.4967 (-0.1804)
- Games Started 153 (-46.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 44 (+43.3021)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 47 (-23.8)
- Pro Bowls 4 (-3.8)
- 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 570 (-328.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 260 (-87.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 1 (-0.2)
#63 Overall, Marcus Peters, Free Agent, #5 Cornerback
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. It was a quick fall for a player 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)
#68 Overall, Xavien Howard, Free Agent, #6 Cornerback
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 off 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.
He still has not found a team, and off-field issues have played a part in that, but Howard could still offer a lot to an NFL team if 100 percent.
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)
#97 Overall, Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints, #7 Cornerback
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 Player of the Year was a Pro Bowl Selection four times in his first five seasons, but his last two 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 the Saints' defense is expected to be good this year.
Stats
- Games 90 (-115.3)
- Approximate Value 45 (-94)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5000 (-0.1771)
- Games Started 90 (-109.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 45 (+44.3021)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak .500 (-70.3)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 38 (-36)
- Top Five Aggregated MVP Finishes
Warning: Undefined array key 135 in /home/notinhal/public_html/templates/cosmos/html/com_k2/100/category_item.php on line 235
38 (+38) - 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 375 (-523.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 298 (-49.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#106 Overall, Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens, #8 Cornerback
2023 Pre-Season Rank #112, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #149, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #146. Peak Period: 2018-22
A three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Marlon Humphrey has had inconsistent seasons, but when he is on, he is among the best Cornerbacks in the game. Humphrey’s Ravens are contenders, and if they win it all, with Humphrey adding a Pro Bowl season, it will vault his chances.
Stats
- Games 100 (-105.3)
- Approximate Value 54 (-85)
- Approximate Value per Game .5441 (-0.133)
- Games Started 82 (-117.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6586 (-0.0393)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 47 (-23.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 47 (-27)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 3 (-4.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 13 (-38.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 10 (-16.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 5 (-5)
- 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)
#115 Overall, Sauce Gardner, New York Jets, #9 Cornerback
2023 Pre-Season Rank Unranked. Peak Period: 2022-23*
We were not going to rank any player who has only played two seasons, but with Sauce Gardner, we are making an exception. The 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year, is the second coming of Darrelle Revis, and he has already netted two First Team All-Pros. Gardner does not have an island on the field; he has a planet!
*Gardner has only played two seasons.
Stats
- Games 33 (-172.3)
- Approximate Value 27 (-112)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.8181 (+0.141)
- Games Started 27 (-172.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.8181 (+0.1202)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 27 (-43.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 27 (-47)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 2 (-5.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 2 (-1.5)
- Interceptions 2 (-49.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 2 (-24.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 0 (-10)
- Combined Tackles 132 (-766.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 132 (-215.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#118 Overall, Tre'Davious White, Los Angeles Rams, #10 Cornerback
2023 Pre-Season Rank #110, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #113, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #108, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #129. Peak Period 2017-21
White was electric in 2019 and 2020, but while Buffalo went to the next level in the two years after, White did not, as injuries compiled and he only played 21 Games in the last three years. The Cornerback will look to be healthy and productive in 2024 with his new team, the Los Angeles Rams.
Stats
- Games 82 (-123.3)
- Approximate Value 52 (-87)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.6341 (-0.043)
- Games Started 82 (-117.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6441 (-0.0538)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 48 (-22.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 48 (-26)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 2 (-5.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 18 (-33.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 16 (-10.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 5 (-5)
- Combined Tackles 311 (-587.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 279 (-68.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#128 Overall, Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns, #11 Cornerback
2023 Pre-Season Rank Unranked. Peak Period 2019-23
A three-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 79 (-126.3)
- Approximate Value 40 (-99)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5063 (-0.1708)
- Games Started 76 (-123.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.5263 (-0.1716)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 52 (-18.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 52 (-22)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 3 (-4.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 0 (-3.5)
- Interceptions 15 (-36.7)
- 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)
#136 Overall, Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys, #12 Cornerback
2022: Pre-Season Rank: #133. Peak Period: 2020-23*
A four-year veteran with the Dallas Cowboys, Trevon Diggs was named the PFWA Most Improved Player in 2021, in a year where he was a First Team All-Pro. Digges went to his second straight Pro Bowl in 2022, but a torn ACL early in the 2023 Season derailed his push for a third.
*Diggs has only played four seasons.
Stats
- Games 47 (-158.3)
- Approximate Value 29 (-110)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.6170 (-0.0601)
- Games Started 46 (-153.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6304 (-0.0675)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 29 (-41.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 29 (-45)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 2 (-5.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 18 (-33.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 18 (-8.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 5 (-5)
- Combined Tackles 173 (-725.2)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 173 (-174.3)
- Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#137 Overall, Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos, #13 Cornerback
2023: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked. Peak Period 2021-23*
Patrick Surtain II has been the bright spot of a struggling Denver Broncos team over his first three seasons in the NFL and was a First Team All-Pro last year.
*Surtain has only played three seasons.
Stats
- Games 50 (-155.3)
- Approximate Value 29 (-110)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5800 (-0.0971)
- Games Started 46 (-153.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6304 (-0.0675)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 29 (-41.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 29 (-45)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 2 (-5.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 7 (-44.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 7 (-19.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 0 (-10)
- Combined Tackles 187 (-711.2)
- Top Five Aggregated Completed Tackles Finishes
Warning: Undefined array key 175 in /home/notinhal/public_html/templates/cosmos/html/com_k2/100/category_item.php on line 235
187 (+187) - Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)
#148 Overall, Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers, #14 Cornerback
2023: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked. Peak Period 2018-22
A two-time Pro Bowl and two-time Second Team All-Pro, Jaire Alexander might have a tumultuous career on and off the field, but he is at his peak and capable of a monster season.
Stats
- Games 50 (-155.3)
- Approximate Value 29 (-110)
- Approximate Value per Game 0.5800 (-0.0971)
- Games Started 46 (-153.2)
- Approximate Value per Games Started 0.6304 (-0.0675)
- Approximate Value: Five-Year Peak 29 (-41.8)
- Approximate Value: Best Five Years 29 (-45)
- Top Five Aggregated DPOY Finishes 0 (-4)
- Pro Bowls 2 (-5.8)
- First Team AP All-Pros 1 (-2.5)
- Interceptions 7 (-44.7)
- Interceptions Five-Year Peak 7 (-19.5)
- Top Five Aggregated Interceptions Finishes 0 (-10)
- Combined Tackles Five-Year Peak 187 (-160.3)
- Top Five Aggregated Completed Tackles Finishes
Warning: Undefined array key 175 in /home/notinhal/public_html/templates/cosmos/html/com_k2/100/category_item.php on line 235
187 (+187) - Super Bowl Championships 0 (-1.5)
- Super Bowl Appearances 0 (-1.2)