NFL power rankings: The top 25 cornerbacks in 2020
By Ian Wharton
20. Bashaud Breeland, Kansas City Chiefs
Arguably the most underrated corner in the league over the last handful of years, Bashaud Breeland’s journey and lack of long-term commitment from a franchise has been tough to explain.
Breeland was Washington’s best corner in 2016 and ’17, played well for Green Bay in two months after his three-year deal with Carolina was voided due to injury, and led a defensive transformation for the Chiefs last year. He’s facing a potential suspension this year but he’s worth much more than his one-year, $3 million deal.
Breeland’s an above-average man corner with great length, strength, hand usage and closing ability. He’s able to impact the receiver at the catch point consistently and that’s exactly what’ll keep him in the league for years to come.
19. Steven Nelson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Both Steelers corners are coming off career-best years and they deserve massive credit for boosting their defense into an elite unit. Nelson had moments of brilliance with Kansas City but put it together in 2019 as he fit well into Pittsburgh’s blended man and zone scheme. His length is a massive positive at the catch point, and his discipline hit new consistency this past year.
He allowed only .86 yards per coverage snap and an incompletion rate of 15.2 percent, while ranking top-11 in completion rate as well. The 27-year-old is trending upwards as a solid starter.
18. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Injuries have kept Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward from climbing these tiers even higher but he’s a fantastic playmaker when he’s available. Ward’s thin 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame doesn’t limit him too often thanks to his insane speed, quick hips and leaping ability. He’s one of few corners who can boast being well above-average in both man and zone coverages.
Ward’s poise when the ball is arriving is notable as well. He’s advanced as a technician and is rarely out of position to challenge at the catch point. Expect him to rise in profile if he can stay healthy.
17. Adoree’ Jackson, Tennessee Titans
The light finally started to come on consistently for Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson in 2019. The uber-athletic playmaker has as good of recovery skills as any defender in the league, but unfortunately had to use it too much in 2017 and ’18 due to his lack of eye discipline and raw technique. He’s still not a reliable man cover corner but there’s been significant growth in his game-to-game output.
His statistics are massively improved and some that are situation-related and not a direct reflection of his vulnerabilities against patient route-runners. But he’s now an established starter, and not a massive bust risk. Hopefully he can stay healthy and take another jump in 2020 into the top-15.
16. Chris Harris Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
How did the Chargers land Chris Harris Jr. on a very team-friendly two-year deal with an out after 2020? It’s a massive miss by the league, and now the Chargers have an elite secondary thanks to the signing. Harris is an overqualified second corner even at 31 years old thanks to elite burst, short area quickness, tenacity and versatility.
He’s a good outside man corner and a terrific zone defender, and his ability to move into the slot is well-known. This will pay off against teams like Kansas City and Baltimore, teams with great speed at receiver and the ability to move their playmakers into the slot. Harris has made the Chargers a must-watch defense each week.