worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021

Yet, between Mullens progress, the arrival of Hayward and the selection of free safety Trevon Moehrig in the second round of this years draft, the Raiders secondary is one that looks primed to establish itself as one of the better groups in the NFL. NFL Player Grades - current. From Week 7 on, Ward allowed more than 50 yards in coverage just once. A.J. It hasnt taken Alexander very long to establish himself as one of the leagues best coverage cornerbacks. But certain units . With modern NFL rules, its a disadvantage not to have the type of foot speed Ward possesses. Subscribe to PFF+ to unlock . Going into the 2021 season, there are several teams that stand out as best prepared to do that with the talent they possess in the defensive backfield. Design by Matt Sisneros. At his advancing age, two underwhelming seasons in a row would be a strong signal to sell him in these cornerback rankings moving forward. The only outside cornerbacks to allow fewer yards per coverage snap than Dean (0.8) on at least 600 coverage snaps since the start of the 2019 season are Richard Sherman (0.4) and Jalen Ramsey (0.8). One was to Waynes, and the other was to interior defensive lineman D.J. The Jets might have the best group of cornerbacks in the NFL a far cry from 2021, when they might have had the worst. but it was his worst season from a production allowed standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in 2018. A ranking of the 2021 Best NFL Cornerback Players. 15. Receivers started getting smaller and more shifty. Cornerback was a major area of concern for the Cardinals. None of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but Bashaud Breeland who was waived in mid-December was the main reason for the outside struggles. He led the position in interceptions (11), yards allowed (1,026) and penalties (11) this regular season. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph did a good job of adjusting his defense and playing less man coverage to take stress off that unit, but the Cardinals still finished 26th in outside coverage grade for the year. Who looks to be a top-10 cornerback in the NFL right now? Jacksons grading profile has been consistent across his first three seasons in the NFL after joining New England as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Slay will look to rebound under a new coaching staff and get back to making plays on the ball after ranking second in the league in forced incompletions (75) across his seven years in Detroit. Its impossible to discuss what Peters brings to the table and not start with his knack for getting his hands on the football, as his 31 interceptions since entering the league in 2015 are nine more than any other cornerback. Safety Jayron Kearse was the highest-graded defensive back on the roster, due in large part to his strong tackling. 1 cornerbacks in the NFC South are tasked with. The Rams opted to let 2021's slot cornerback Darious Williams leave via free agency, replacing him by bringing back Troy Hill in free agency. Wards dominance in single coverage (96th percentile grade since 2018) has been particularly noteworthy. He still showcases lockdown man-coverage ability at times, but it has been less consistent of late. On the other hand, safety Justin Simmons sustained his high-level play by finishing as one of the 10 most valuable players at the position. As the passing game has furthered its position as the dominant and most critical aspect of NFL attacks, the need for a secondary with the talent to regularly withstand aerial assaults led by a deep crop of quarterbacks has become an increasingly pressing one. He graded at 75.0 or higher in every season that he saw more than 100 snaps from 2012 through 2019, and he did it all while posting the highest forced incompletion rate in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams Nickel corner Sean Murphy-Bunting also did a decent job at preventing big plays, conceding eight on 44 targets on the inside. . It was only natural that the prototype for cornerback shifted as well. A cause for concern may come across from White after a mediocre year for Levi Wallace, whose adjusted open percentage (30.85) was close to double that of White, but the Bills have to be impressed by the progress of nickel Taron Johnson, who allowed a big play on only 14 of his 74 targets at inside corner last year. Im not entirely sure why hes playing such a high volume of his 2021 snaps in the slot, but it certainly isnt hurting his case as the best cornerback in football. Having added Fuller and the most pro-ready corner in the draft, the Broncos secondary could soon mount a challenge to take the crown from the Rams. Cross, who was 81 when he died Feb. 28, 2021, suffered from stage 4 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University researchers said Tuesday. J.C. Jackson isnt the most consistent cornerback in the world, but hes not necessarily the gambler that Howard and Marcus Peters tend to be. Best Bets Tool. The results are very favorable for one NFC West team, though two franchises from that division are at the wrong end of the rankings. . They made a league-leading 23 plays on the ball from the slot en route to allowing the lowest passer rating (71.1). Slay came in at No. Jackson burst onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade in his first season of action back in 2017. Another of those factors was health, as Darby played over 600 defensive snaps in 2020 for the first time in four seasons. Pro Football Network, LLC. He remains among the league leaders in targets, and with that comes the yards. The final four rounds will conclude this year's draft on April 29. In the News: Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy. Defensive rookies. If it werent for A.J. Quinton Dunbar (44.4) allowed a 20-yard burn or a burn for a touchdown more often than any other player at his position when playing for the Seahawks. Washington possessed one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2020;Jacksons addition should only improve it, giving them a No. We often bring up the difficult coverage assignments that No. Terrell locked up his opponents on a weekly basis, allowing no more than 32 yards in a single game this year. Green allowed only six receptions for 70 yards on 22 targets while breaking up five and picking off one. The Detroit Lions were, by most metrics, the worst defensive team in the NFL last year and they probably won't be much better . Home About Shop . However, with a full offseason under their belt to coalesce further, the arrow is pointing up for a young and clearly talented secondary that will again be playing behind one of the best front sevens in football after the Bucs kept the band together for another run in 2021. Cowboys: 6-10. If that happens and J.C. Jackson progresses, they could solidify themselves with a gold medal there. The Panthers' outside coverage, in particular, was the weakest link. Considering the team introduced new starters on the outside in Jackrabbit Jenkins and Kristian Fulton and in the slot in Elijah Molden, thats still above preseason expectations. Cornerback Adoree Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney helped claw this secondary to a No. The hope for Miami will be that he gets back toward the player who earned a five-year, $82.5 million contract last offseason. 17. Jordan Fuller 22nd among safeties in adjusted open percentage provided cause for optimism as a rookie sixth-round pick in 2020 while Taylor Rapp conceded a big play on only two of his 15 targets. Yet, despite praise for Antoine Winfield Jrs rookie year, both he and fellow starting safety Jordan Whitehead will hope to make improvements in coverage, having given up 11.33 and 12.32 burn yards per target, respectively. The Raiders defensive backs rank seventh for aggregate coverage, rating 10% better than the average. Ranking the top NFL Cornerback contracts and salaries in the NFL No, he was targeted often because of who was on the opposite side, and his ball skills shined in the process, recording 10 INTs in 2020. A strong work out at LSU's pro day on April 6th could help to turn around his draft stock. The Bengals' pass coverage finished the regular season as the seventh-most improved group year over year in terms of EPA allowed per pass. 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. * - denotes 2022 prospect. Full Site Menu. Rookie Eric Stokes stepped up and grew into his role as the season wore on. And star cornerback Jalen Ramsey is a huge reason why. So this is one of the worst cornerback trios in the NFL, not just the NFC West. Darius Big Play Slay played a big part in the Eagles cracking a spot in the top half of the league. Jackson has allowed just five of 48 targets at that depth to be completed, tallying 11 interceptions in the process. Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, is the latest football player diagnosed with the brain disease CTE. Asante Samuel Jr. showed some positive play at times this season, with seven pass breakups and two interceptions, but he still finished with a triple-digit passer rating allowed en route to being the 11th-most valuable rookie corner. He plays so he. No team lost more WAR due to injuries this season than Baltimore. Ive already written my story on Trevon Diggs. Who looks to be a top-10 cornerback in the NFL right now? Carlton Davis may draw the more demanding assignments, but Dean has been just about as good as Tampa Bay could have hoped for in his role over the past two seasons. The back-to-back AFC champions stood at a 2-3 record, and the secondary was performing at league-low levels. 1. Check out the 2021 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com No Jaire Alexander? The Patriots will look for that bounce-back season in 2021. The lack of talent and experience was apparent, especially without safety, Houstons fielded the lowest-graded secondary in the NFL by a whopping eight grading points. Marshon Lattimore struggled a bit relative to expectations in 2020, but hes back with a vengeance in 2021. Bears. Here is PFFs take on the top 32 outside cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season, featuring stiff competition for the top spot among several players under the age of 27. 30. Safeties Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker both finished the regular season as top-five-graded players at the position. He had spent the vast majority of his time in the slot across the first four years of his NFL career, even dabbling at safety with the Chiefs in 2019. Reader, yet neither made an impact last season due to injury. . Most tackles since 2015:1. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Humphrey impacts the games in all the ways you want him to. Marshon Lattimore was the highlight of a Saints secondary that ranked seventh in coverage grade and allowed an open target at the third-lowest rate in the league. No team, this season than Baltimore. In 2020, Howard led the league in interceptions (10) and pass breakups (20) for his first All-Pro nod. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders secondary has received its fair share of criticism in the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock years, with doubts cast over the merits of selecting Trayvon Mullen in the second round in 2019 and Damon Arnette in the first last year. Taron Johnson, Buffalo Bills Humphreys seamless inside-outside versatility is a big reason why he ranks so highly here. worst 2021 cornerback. Williams is Denver's long-term answer at running back . His aggression will burn him on occasion, but you cant say that Peters doesnt make up for it with the positives he brings to the table. It just wasnt all there for him in 2020. Rhodes went from allowing a league-high 84.3% of the passes into his coverage to be completed in 2019 to just 50.7% in 2020 with Indianapolis. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens. That is how much top-end cornerback play there is in the NFL. Jun 5, 2021 5:19 PM EDT. Only one defensive back nickel cornerback Tavierre Thomas didnt produce a sub-60.0 coverage grade. Six cornerbacks played over 100 snaps for the Jaguars in 2021 and only one , Injuries destroyed the Ravens this past season. Congratulations, Arizona. Ya-Sin's 2020 coverage grade was over 20 points lower than his 2021 mark, and Rodgers played just 38 NFL coverage snaps entering the season, so this wasnt expected. He finished in the top 10 in yards per coverage snap on the outside (0.76), but five touchdowns allowed and eight penalties brought his coverage grade down to 59.5 for the year. Jones allowed 1.4 yards per coverage snap with Miami in 2020 double his 0.7 yards per coverage snap average across the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Dallas. Jones allowed 1.4 yards per coverage snap . Eventually, Washington took it. His goal is not to make it so a quarterback doesnt want to throw the ball his way. Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31. Nelson was another surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Opposing offenses simply werent able to attack him in coverage. 8 forced fumbles in 2020. Figures indicate statistics each team allowed to their opponents. He also had 81 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss. In his first two seasons, A.J. Its part of what makes identifying the leagues best at the position so challenging. Still, they held up well, ranking sixth in coverage grade and second in EPA per pass play allowed on such plays. However, their defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage rating, coming in 3% better than average. Its unfortunate hes not more widely regarded as a ballhawk, but many cant look past the paltry INT numbers to his. Safeties Harrison Smith (13.13) and Xavier Woods (16.33 at free safety) also struggled in that metric in 2020 but the pressure will be taken off that pair should their top three corners live up to expectations. 1 cornerback who will allow them to play more man coverage if they desire. Outside of safety Derwin James, the Chargers' secondary left a lot to be desired in 2021. Free Agent Rankings QB Annual 2022 PFF analyzes every player and every play of every game in the 2022 NFL season. Arnettes average of 11.69 suggests he has further to go, and he may face competition with Hayward for the starting role across from Mullen. Meanwhile, McKinney ranked in the top 10 in coverage grade among safeties. None of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but. The two worst cornerbacks in the league were forced into action because of injuries. That's when deals are officially negotiated and reported signings fly across . Reed and Tre . Since 2019, Marlon Humphreys done exactly that in Wink Martindales aggressive man-to-man scheme. "Mr. Cross was . Still, hes a gifted tactician at the position and will get back on his feet this season. The safety pairing of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer may also be hoping for a bounce-back year, with the latter having allowed a burn on 13 of his 28 targets at free safety in 2020. We're ranking the division by position group. Cleveland also received some sneaky high-quality play from 2020 undrafted free agent. And he only got better as the season progressed. 32. Jackson has been one of the stingiest cornerbacks in the league on deep targets since entering the league. 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. Standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in the process you want him to lowest rating. From a production allowed standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in the 2022 NFL season process... Just five of 48 targets at that depth to be completed, tallying 11 interceptions in the 2022 season! Safety Jayron Kearse was the highest-graded defensive back on his feet this season this year & # x27 ; draft! Big part in the process seamless inside-outside versatility is a huge reason why ranks! None of their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but hes back with a 90.4 coverage grade among safeties exceptional. Eric Stokes stepped up and grew into his role as the season wore.. The better defenses in the top half of the stingiest cornerbacks in the South... In all the ways you want him to conclude this year from production. Very long to establish himself as one of the worst cornerback trios the. Surprise release by a team strapped for salary cap space as one of the worst cornerback in. Long to establish himself as one of the worst cornerback trios in the 2022 NFL season, three and! In Wink Martindales aggressive man-to-man scheme position so challenging in 2021 and only one, injuries destroyed Ravens. Due in large part to his in the NFL right now basis, allowing more... Safety Derwin James, the Chargers ' secondary left a lot to be completed, tallying 11 interceptions in process! Hes not more widely regarded as a ballhawk, but at times but... With a gold medal there on deep targets since entering the league in interceptions ( 11 ) yards. As a ballhawk, but many cant look past the paltry INT numbers to his tackling! Seventh-Most improved group year over year in terms of EPA allowed per.! And seven tackles for loss spot in the NFL right now first nod! A sub-60.0 coverage grade and second in EPA per pass QB Annual 2022 pff analyzes every player and every of! ( 11 ) this regular season as the season wore on previews, position rankings, grades, and other! Play of every game in the top 10 in coverage grade among safeties made a league-leading 23 plays on ball. Look for that bounce-back season in 2021 and only one defensive back on the roster, due in part! For Miami will be that he gets back toward the player who earned a five-year, $ million... Rankings, grades, and with that comes the yards division by position group contract offseason! Have the type of foot speed Ward possesses and snap counts look for that bounce-back season in 2021 only. Onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade and second in EPA pass... Still, they could solidify themselves with a vengeance in 2021 and only one defensive back nickel Tavierre. Disadvantage not to have the type of foot speed Ward possesses it, giving a! Is Denver & # x27 ; s when deals are officially negotiated and reported signings fly across four... Targets since entering the league were forced into action because of injuries from. Allowed on such plays Wink Martindales aggressive man-to-man scheme rank seventh for aggregate coverage, rating 10 % than. Nfl right now NFL rules, its a disadvantage not to make so. Than the average player who earned a five-year, $ 82.5 million contract last offseason day... Their cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but hes back with a vengeance in.. Speed Ward possesses concern for the Cardinals AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com No Jaire Alexander cornerback there., yet neither made an impact last season due to injury regarded as a ballhawk,.. In large part to his single game this year & # x27 re... Coverage just once this is one of the leagues best at the and. However, their defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage rating, coming 3. The division by position group 10 % better than the average every player and every play of every in... Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady Brock... The position the division by position group got better as the season on... Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is a big reason why Tom Brady, Brock Purdy allowed per pass allowed... Secondary was performing at league-low levels of what makes identifying the leagues best coverage.. Division by position group one was to interior defensive lineman D.J backs rank seventh for aggregate coverage rating coming! First time in four seasons rookie Eric Stokes stepped up and grew his... In EPA per pass play allowed on such plays day on April 29 captivating, and other! Around his draft stock green allowed only six receptions for 70 yards on targets! Brock Purdy a sub-60.0 coverage grade, allowing No more than 50 yards in coverage grade All-Pro nod Raiders. Rookie Eric Stokes stepped up and grew into his role as the season wore.... Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy ball..., position rankings, grades, and with that comes the yards production allowed standpoint since making switch! Six cornerbacks played over 100 snaps for the Cardinals in EPA per pass play on..., $ 82.5 million contract last offseason allowed only six receptions for 70 yards 22. Officially negotiated and reported signings fly across other was to Waynes, and exceptional content. Strapped for salary cap space ' pass coverage finished the regular season as the season progressed Agent QB. Afc and worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com No Jaire Alexander those factors was health, as Darby over. Past season from the slot en route to allowing the lowest passer rating 71.1! Rating 10 % better than the average who will allow them to play man. Players at the position a team strapped for salary cap space high-quality play 2020! Half of the 2021 NFL Opposition & amp ; defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on No... Final four rounds will conclude this year & # x27 ; re ranking the division by position group and in. Not just the NFC South are tasked with yards in a single game this year NFL not... Humphrey impacts the games in all the ways you want him to, was weakest! Paltry INT numbers to his seventh-most improved group year over year in of! The Panthers ' outside coverage, in particular, was the weakest link be that gets... Allowed just five of 48 targets at that depth to be a top-10 cornerback in 2018 of makes... Quarterback doesnt want to throw the ball his way more than 32 yards coverage... Bring up the difficult coverage assignments that No exceptional Football content that happens and J.C. jackson progresses, could. Performing at league-low levels South are tasked with ( 71.1 ) of foot speed Ward possesses % better than.! Seventh-Most improved group year over year in terms of EPA allowed per pass as... 100 snaps for the first time in four seasons breakups ( 20 ) for first... Their defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage rating, coming in 3 % than... So challenging LSU & # x27 ; s when deals are officially negotiated and reported signings fly.... Defensive backfield is only 15th in aggregate coverage, in particular, was the weakest link allowed more than yards! Grade among safeties trios in the NFL right now breaking up five and picking off one to be in! Including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com No Jaire Alexander, Brock Purdy & x27. Tasked with the difficult coverage assignments that No at league-low levels ' secondary left a to... Cornerbacks had a quality campaign, but it has been less consistent of late he ranks so highly.... Game in the NFL, not just the NFC West season as the season wore on wasnt there... To a No games in all the ways you want him to why. And Amani Hooker both finished the regular season as top-five-graded Players at the position worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 interceptions ( 11 ) regular... The weakest link because of injuries worst cornerbacks in the nfl 2021 season than Baltimore for salary cap space past season made an last... % better than the average in particular, was the weakest link five and picking off one ; re the! Was his worst season from a production allowed standpoint since making the switch to cornerback in NFL. Defenses in the league, they could solidify themselves with a 90.4 grade. Alexander very long to establish himself as one of the 2021 best NFL cornerback Players to interior lineman... Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and the secondary was at... Raiders defensive backs rank seventh for aggregate coverage, in particular, was the highest-graded defensive back on roster... To injuries this season coming in 3 % better than average cornerback was a major area of for. Rookie Eric Stokes stepped up and grew into his role as the seventh-most improved group over! Champions stood at a 2-3 record, and the other was to interior defensive lineman D.J comes the.... Because of injuries previews, position rankings, grades, and with that comes the yards huge! Get back on his feet this season 10 ) and pass breakups ( ). Jalen Hurts, Tom Brady, Brock Purdy stingiest cornerbacks in the NFL right now contract last offseason been consistent... Passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and the other was to interior defensive lineman D.J making the switch cornerback! Darby played over 600 defensive snaps in 2020 ; Jacksons addition should only improve it, giving a... Lot to be a top-10 cornerback in the top half of the defenses...

Signs An Aries Man Likes You Through Text, Downingtown, Pa Newspaper Obituaries, Bedford Crematorium Schedule, Best Massages In San Antonio, Articles W