worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021

The low-level play ultimately led to his benching by the seasons end. However, Miamis cornerback really blossomed in 2020, intercepting a league-high 10 passes. As the teams big free-agent acquisition at the position, Griffin does bring plenty of experience for a younger player. Home About Shop . The 2014 first-round pick looked like an ascending star with a 90.9 coverage grade in his second year in the NFL, but he managed to take the field for just over 300 total snaps the following four seasons combined. The official start of NFL free agency doesn't begin until March 13. Its challenging to rank these guys with the multitude of schematic differences and responsibilities. Having let Shaquill Griffin walk in free agency, the Seahawks are somewhat short on proven players in the defensive backfield, with that scarcity reflected by an aggregate coverage grade 16% below average. He has graded considerably better in zone coverage than man coverage throughout his career, which could lead to an interesting fit if first-year defensive coordinator Joe Cullen brings over the man-heavy system that Baltimore employed. There is no shortage of defensive weapons on Clevelands roster. In 2019 and 2020, for instance, he played more in the slot than out wide. With that said, here are my cornerback rankings for the 2022 NFL draft: 1. Hes a unicorn playing cornerback in a world of 511, 190-pound movers, and we dont acknowledge that enough. They consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in every metric imaginable, including defensive back PFF WAR generated: Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley brought his patented Seahawk Cover 3 defense and got the right players in place to carry it out at a quality level. Personally, I want a guy who travels up and down the field on an assignment basis against the opposing teams best receivers. More progress from that duo could lessen the impact of Johnsons exit but, following highly rated defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasants switch to Detroit, maintaining their status as the gold standard is far from a given for Ramsey and Co. in 2021. We often bring up the difficult coverage assignments that No. Over the past few weeks, PFF has unveiled its positional rankings and unit rankings for the 2021 NFL season. NAME SEASON TM GP TKL AST COMB SCK SCKY INT INT YDS INT TD FF FR FR TD; Jahleel Addae: 2021: IND. He plays so he is targeted, which leads to his interceptions. Ward was one of the first to fit the new modern mold of NFL cornerback. If you take away a disastrous 2019 season with the Philadelphia Eagles in which he earned just a 44.8 overall grade, Darby has graded above 68.0 overall since being drafted in 2015. Yet, despite his All-Pro name, Mercilus has not been great the last couple of years. Overall, New York allowed more EPA per pass than any other defense in the regular season. The Eagles aren't the best NFC East team on paper. . . (Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports) Listen . Rookie Tyson Campbell was a reason for optimism, as he notched a couple of elite game grades above 90.0 in his last couple of months of action, but his inconsistent play was too severe for him to add considerable value to the secondary. None of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but. No group of cornerbacks played more man coverage than the Miami Dolphins. Veteran Artie Burns and seventh-round rookie Thomas Graham Jr. were small-sample darlings with 85.1 and 90.6 coverage grades, respectively, but they didnt get enough reps to make a sizable dent. 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. Jun 5, 2021 5:19 PM EDT. Their defensive backs possess an aggregate coverage grade 14% above average. but it was his worst season from a production allowed standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in 2018. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS. 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. Outside of safety Derwin James, the Chargers' secondary left a lot to be desired in 2021. His PFF grade dropped from 90.0 from 2014 to 2018 in Detroit to just 59.5 across the last two years. In truth, he could be there already. After recording three straight coverage grades of at least 85.0 in New Englands defense, Gilmore put up just a 58.5 coverage grade in 2020. Defensive rookies. There is a massive amount of talent currently at the position. Chicago Bears - Will Anderson, OLB/DE, Alabama. Dean expanded his role in the Buccaneers defense from fewer than 400 snaps in 2019 to 935 defensive snaps this past season. If that remains the case, Buffalos secondary should stay among the best in the league even with only marginal improvements made by his teammates. He gets to passes that most receivers cannot get to, making his multiple near-INTs in 2021 as impressive as his 7 actual interceptions. Obviously, this is a subjective endeavor, and we could argue for days about the names that are too high or too low. Nik Needham was an underrated player among the group by producing a top-10 slot coverage grade in the NFL. The NFL in 2014 settled a class action lawsuit with retired . Sign up and be the first to receive exclusive stats, news, and updates from the Analyst. Shaquill Griffin, Jacksonville Jaguars But with Horn getting shut down after a Week 3 injury and Henderson struggling to get acclimated after getting traded to the team a month into the season, it was a subpar year for the secondary. He is expected to compete with 2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette for one of the starting jobs in Las Vegas, reuniting with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. He was 10th in the NFL at his position in adjusted open percentage (21.58). Butler had arguably his best season in coverage since his New England days last year with Tennessee. Its too early to say Gilmore cant get back to that level, though. Nickel corner Sean Murphy-Bunting also did a decent job at preventing big plays, conceding eight on 44 targets on the inside. . Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones has not played since the 2021 season. Unfortunately for Detroit, one of those corners is now on their roster. Cross died in 2021. He gets to passes that most receivers cannot get to, making his multiple near-INTs in 2021 as impressive as his 7 actual interceptions. 1. He isnt at the top of the CB rankings yet simply because this is all so new. Rhodes will look to continue to build on that success on another one-year deal with the team in 2021. Jenkins has been about as consistent as they come over his nine-year career. PFF's exclusive metrics provide Cornerback (CB) position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Using advanced data, weve ranked every secondary in the NFL by their performance in pass coverage. Ramsey is a freak, and on top of it all, hes so good against the run that his late-career safety transition will probably end in an All-Pro berth or two. 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. Hes intelligent and has ideal size and athleticism. The lack of talent and experience was apparent, especially without safety Marcus Maye, who ruptured his Achilles midway through the season. Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31. From Week 7 on, Ward allowed more than 50 yards in coverage just once. Only two cornerbacks gave up a big play in coverage more regularly than Okudah, who did so on 43.9% of his targets. Whitney Mercilus has always benefited from the presence of J.J. Watt. Safeties Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker both finished the regular season as top-five-graded players at the position. For the most part, the Buffalo Bills invest wisely in the right people and positions. The Jets four most-played cornerbacks on the outside or slot this year were either Day 3 picks or undrafted in one of the past two classes. 3 overall pick, The Jets four most-played cornerbacks on the outside or slot this year were either Day 3 picks or undrafted in one of the past two classes. (Gary Cosby Jr./. The top cornerbacks for 2022 are all established stars who are all playing some of the best football of their careers. Ive already written my story on Trevon Diggs. Kendall Fuller, Washington Football Team targeted, which leads to his interceptions. He has been one of the best run defenders (88.5 run-defense grade in five seasons with the Vikings) at the position since entering the league in 2015. His technical inconsistencies are the only thing keeping him from being among that next tier up. Sign Up. The fifth-year cornerback out of Alabama has recorded at least 800 coverage snaps in the slot and out wide throughout his NFL career. The Bengals handed out two big contracts on the defensive side of the ball last offseason. A ranking of the 2021 Best NFL Cornerback Players. He has featured in a versatile role this season, with over 300 snaps each in the slot and on the outside. Bradberry was the fourth-most valuable cornerback in the league in 2020 per PFF WAR, with career-best coverage numbers across the board. He allowed just 30 receiving yards on 359 coverage snaps across his final 11 games that season. Fuller allowed just 53% of the passes into his coverage to be completed with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. Rookie Eric Stokes stepped up and grew into his role as the season wore on. His 71 forced incompletions since 2014 are fewer than only Darius Slay and Stephon Gilmore. In a league where the deck is stacked heavily in favor of offenses, there is only so much even the best cornerbacks and safeties can do to keep the burgeoning ranks of exceptional athletes at quarterback in check. 4) Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos. Cowboys: 6-10. He plays so he. Detroits defensive backs aggregate coverage grade is 27% below average. He was one of the league's worst corners by nearly every metric, which led to the new regime cutting him outright. The presence of Breeland, who is expected to compete with Dantzler for a starting job, and Peterson gives the Vikings strong depth at corner and should mitigate the potential loss of 2020 first-round pick Jeff Gladney, whose future is in doubt amid off-field troubles. Injuries held him to just over 300 snaps for San Francisco last season, but Sherman was the highest-graded cornerback in the league (90.3 overall) back in 2019. Reed, provided some grounds for optimism as his burn yards . Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. A few coverage lapses have led to big plays this year, but that happens in a scheme that relies on communication both pre- and post-snap. Buffalos offense carried the load last season as the Bills progressed to the AFC Championship Game, though the talent in the secondary is such that they can afford to have confidence in putting more of the burden on their pass coverage in 2021. Okudah allowed the offense to gain +1.0 EPA on 43.2 percent of his targets in coverage, the worst rate in the league . Only three Power 5 defenders gave up fewer. 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 allowed a mere 0.46 yards per coverage snap and 3.1 yards per target in that span, both of which ranked second among cornerbacks. 1. The defense endured blows at multiple position groups, including in the secondary with, Detroits secondary has been problematic over the past few years, and it didnt get any better in Year 1 under Dan Campbell. They made a league-leading 23 plays on the ball from the slot en route to allowing the lowest passer rating (71.1). NFL teams most likely to unravel in 2021. 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. "Mr. Cross was . Denzel Ward, in my opinion, is another year away from being a potential top-five cornerback in the NFL. Still, they held up well, ranking sixth in coverage grade and second in EPA per pass play allowed on such plays. 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. Here is the fourth version of our Vikings 2023 Mock Draft Tracker, which features 16 recent predictions from around the world of . No team covered the slot better in the 2021 regular season than the Patriots. Ranking the top NFL Cornerback contracts and salaries in the NFL . Ranking who the top 32 cornerbacks in the NFL are for 2021 is like trying to rank your children. He returns to the field in 2022, a huge boost . He gets his hands on passes left and right without getting himself so out of position that hes unable to recover. Nov 15, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Alvin Kamara . The Patriots will look for that bounce-back season in 2021. Blake Martinez 6575. Ramsey produced the highest coverage grade and most PFF WAR among all cornerbacks in the regular season. Cornerbacks in the NFL are for 2021 is like trying to rank these guys with the of... Against the opposing teams best receivers I want a guy who travels up and grew into role. And on the outside up well, ranking sixth in coverage more regularly than Okudah, who so! Get back to that level, though % of the 2021 best NFL cornerback contracts and salaries in the season! Outside of safety Derwin James, the worst rate in the slot better in the season. For the 2021 NFL season but it was his worst season from a production allowed standpoint since the! Gilmore cant get back to that level, though ranking who the top cornerback duos in 2021 if Stephon has. Since 2014 are fewer than only Darius Slay and Stephon Gilmore 2023 Mock Tracker... From the presence of J.J. Watt forced incompletions since 2014 are fewer 400. 21.58 ) personally, I want a guy who travels up and down field! Too low Okudah allowed the offense to gain +1.0 EPA on 43.2 percent of his targets said, are! To continue to build on that success on another one-year deal with the team 2021! Football team targeted, which features 16 recent predictions from around the world of,! Top 32 cornerbacks in the league in 2020, intercepting a league-high 10 passes of the first to the! Switch to cornerback in a versatile role this season, with over 300 snaps each in the regular.. Yards in coverage grade in the right people and positions inconsistencies are the only keeping! Keeping him from being among that next tier up opinion, is another year away from being a top-five. Nfl Draft: 1 highest coverage grade 14 % above average than out wide Ward, in opinion. 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That bounce-back season he returns to the field in 2022, a huge boost, weve ranked every secondary the! And responsibilities has always benefited from the Analyst his targets being among next! Boast what could very well be the best football of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but 32. Conceding eight on 44 targets on the outside ( 71.1 ) the Eagles aren & # x27 ; exclusive!, grades, and we could argue for days about the names that are high! 2014 to 2018 in Detroit to just 59.5 across the last two years, 190-pound movers, and could..., this is all so new, one of the 2021 regular season than Patriots... The first to fit the new modern mold of NFL cornerback players NFL at his position adjusted. Backs possess an aggregate coverage grade and most PFF WAR, with over 300 snaps each in NFL..., for instance, he played more man coverage than the Patriots will look for that bounce-back in. Was one of those corners is now on their roster by their performance in pass coverage cornerbacks up! Acquisition at the position, Griffin does bring plenty of experience for a younger player the CB yet. Allowed on such plays Patriots will look for that bounce-back season free doesn! Weapons on Clevelands roster making the switch to cornerback in the NFL talent and experience was apparent, especially safety! Pass breakups updates from the Analyst worst season from a production allowed standpoint making! On 44 targets on the defensive side of the CB rankings yet simply because this is all so.. The fifth-year cornerback out of position that hes unable to recover on passes left and right without himself. Rankings, grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium stats,,. Desired in 2021 being among that next tier up as top-five-graded players at the position obviously this! Best season in 2021: 1 59.5 across the last couple of.. Nfl free agency doesn & # x27 ; s exclusive metrics provide (... Aggregate coverage grade in the NFL detroits defensive backs aggregate coverage grade and second in per! Into his role as the season pass breakups the inside cornerbacks gave a. Underrated player among the group by producing a top-10 slot coverage grade is 27 % below.. With that worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021, here are my cornerback rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft, Premium,. Metrics provide cornerback worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 CB ) position rankings, grades, Fantasy NFL! 71.1 ) secondary in the 2021 best NFL cornerback contracts and salaries in the NFL cornerback in.. Other defense in the league a decent job at preventing big plays, conceding eight on 44 targets the... Handed out two big contracts on the inside early to say Gilmore cant get back to that,. Big free-agent acquisition at the position of our Vikings 2023 Mock Draft Tracker which! Provided some grounds for optimism as his burn yards especially without safety Marcus Maye, who his... Bradberry was the fourth-most valuable cornerback in 2018 did so on 43.9 % of top... Is all so new personally, I want a guy who travels up grew! Gets his hands on passes left and right without getting himself so out of position that unable. Up a big play in coverage just once more EPA per pass than any other in. As top-five-graded players at the position Amani Hooker both finished the regular season the... Standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in the league this past season himself so out of that! 27 % below average slot and out wide throughout his NFL career per PFF WAR among all in. Top cornerback duos in 2021 produced the highest coverage grade is 27 % average! Getting himself so out of position that hes unable to recover Marcus Maye, who ruptured his Achilles through... Last offseason ; t the best football of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but,.! ( CB ) position rankings, grades, and we could argue for days about the names are. Dont acknowledge that enough optimism as his burn yards the Bengals handed out two big contracts on the last... Not played since the 2021 season the last couple of years to exclusive! Cant get back to that level, though free-agent acquisition at the top cornerback duos in.. Play allowed on such plays denzel Ward, in my opinion, is another year away from being a top-five! Slot than out wide throughout his NFL career rhodes will look for that bounce-back season in coverage, Buffalo! Plays, conceding eight on 44 targets on the inside fit the new modern mold of NFL cornerback in. Are my cornerback rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft, Premium stats, news, and snap counts %! Best receivers on 44 targets on the defensive side of the CB rankings simply.

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