The NFL in 2020 is a passing game more than ever, and these 25 men might be the only people on earth who can dissuade quarterbacks.
The 2020 NFL season is on track to kick off this fall despite Covid concerns and fans everywhere are ready to rejoice. Things will look different as crowd restrictions are set into place but the product on the field won’t be impacted in a significant way if players can stay healthy. Our focus is on what to expect this NFL season and projecting what can happen after a busy off-season.
We’ve fleshed through data and film to rank the NFL’s top-25 cornerbacks heading into this 2020 season. It’s a difficult task considering how quality of opponents, scheme and surrounding cast have major effects on the data aspect, but by prioritizing their consistency and technique and trusting that these two factors will lead to long-term sustainability, this list attempts to portray a talent-loaded position across the league.
Surely this will be highly debatable and will change after the season kicks off and rookies prove their chops, but we want to hear your feedback and top corners. Let us know where you disagree and what you think will happen in 2020.
25. James Bradberry, New York Giants
The Giants shocked free agency when they gave James Bradberry a three-year, $43.5 million deal considering Bradberry failed to take a big step forward in 2019. Bradberry’s a solid press corner, though, and is a reliable coverage player who is lacking the ball skills to be more well-regarded.
Take Bradberry’s massive contract out of the equation and he’s a very good starter with growth potential. His reputation will benefit being out of the treacherous NFC South talent pool, and the Giants can trust him more than anyone they’ve trotted out since 2017’s version of Janoris Jenkins.
24. JC Jackson, New England Patriots
An analytics darling in 2019 and massive breakout, JC Jackson ranked first in passer rating allowed at only 35.9, with 31 receptions on 65 targets and 328 yards. Jackson’s a physical beast at the line of scrimmage, bullying receivers off the line much like Brandon Browner used to do for this defense.
Jackson benefits from playing in a tailored situation for his skill set but he’s deservedly mentioned as one of the best second corners on any roster.
23. Desmond King, Los Angeles Chargers
I don’t value the slot position too highly, and though Desmond King is great at what he does, playing the position in a zone-based secondary affords a lot of freedom that often catches the viewer’s eyes. King is very good but not incredibly impactful in coverage. The trade rumors around him earlier this off-season actually made a lot of sense if the Chargers could’ve gotten the right value for him.
They didn’t, though, and the frenetic and chaotic energy he brings is a great asset for the unit. He’s able to cover shifty slot receivers and running backs effectively, and has a good natural feel for where the ball is going. More turnovers and production is needed for him to reach his reputation, though.
22. William Jackson III, Cincinnati Bengals
Stats matter for cornerback’s reputation, and unfortunately for William Jackson, he had terrible ball production in 2019 as the unit struggled. He has just two career interceptions, and only three pass breakups in the entire 2019 campaign. His technique is strong and he was likely a top-13 corner for me this time last year but there’s not much room for drop-off.
That being said, Jackson’s a talented No. 1 corner and should take a huge jump with Lou Anarumo running the defense. Filtering passes his way will help big plays come easier. I trust Jackson on an island more than half the corners on this list but now he has to turn that smothering ability into game-changing plays.
21. Quinton Dunbar, Seattle Seahawks
The steal of the off-season was the Seattle Seahawks trading just a fifth-round pick for Quinton Dunbar. The Washington Football Team lost two players on this list, Dunbar and Bashaud Breeland, for almost nothing. But their loss is Seattle’s massive gain now that Dunbar is off the commissioner’s exempt list and is eligible to play.
Dunbar has excellent field vision and play strength. He’s an above-average zone defender and athletic enough to be trusted on most man route patterns. Expect to see him flourish in this talented secondary and to play in a lot of off-zone coverage.