NFL Cornerback Rankings 2022

These are the top 30 CB rankings heading into the start of the 2022 NFL season. This takes into account both slot cornerbacks and inside cornerbacks, rather than splitting them into separate categories.

The guys that generally rank higher have shown an ability to excel in both aspects of man and zone coverage as well as some diversity guarding different types of receivers. 

(Check out my other player rankings so far: Quarterback | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Running Backs | Edge Defenders | more to come!)

1. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

The reigning Super Bowl champion may not have had his best performance in the big game, but his dominance throughout the season and his career have never gone unnoticed. He has only allowed a passer rating of 78.0 when targeted in his career and last year had 16 passes defensed as well as 4 interceptions. He has dominated as both an outside corner and a slot corner and it is expected that he will continue his dominance in 2022. 

2. J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

I had the pleasure of watching J.C. Jackson quite a bit in person last season, and he is well deserving of this spot in the rankings. He is arguably one of the best pure man corners in all of football. He tallied 8 interceptions last season, second most in the NFL. He has also garnered a total of 19 career interceptions in man coverage, per PFF. 

3. Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

Despite only playing four games last season, Jaire Alexander showcased his ability to be one of the best cover corners in the NFL, with a PFF coverage grade of 90.7. He also accumulated a total of 30 passes defensed in 2019 and 2020 combined. With the help of Rasul Douglas on the other side of him, look for another exceptional year out of this GB secondary led by Alexander.

4. A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons

One of the bright spots of a weaker Atlanta defense last year came in the form of 2020 pick A.J. Terrell. He was able to assert his dominance in an NFC South filled with talented receivers like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and DJ Moore. He garnered 16 passes defenses and 3 interceptions last year. Above all, Terrell possesses the athleticism, footwork and intangibles that separate the good corners from the great corners. With another year under his belt and some new acquisitions alongside him, Terrell should see another step forward in 2022. 

5. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles

Darius Slay was able to make big leaps in 2021 in Philadelphia. Allowing 37 receptions for 427 yards on the season. He showed his effectiveness out of both zone and man coverage and only allowed a 78.8 passer rating when targeted. This year, Slay gets help with the addition of James Bradberry and should continue to dominate the NFC East in 2022.

6. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

Denzel Ward was able to get paid this year, and deservedly so. He has been a standout in man coverage throughout his career and barring some of the injury concerns, when healthy he is arguably one of the top 2-3 man corners in the business. He has only allowed more than 75 yards in two games over his four-year career and last season only allowed 4 touchdowns against 3 interceptions. 

7. Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

Marshon Lattimore came into the NFL and instantly produced but had a rough go at it last year. Despite that, he is still established as one of the best pure man corners in the NFL. His physicality and tough, gritty mindset when guarding against the likes of the Mike Evans and Davante Adams of the world give him the nod over most corners in the NFL. 

8. Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

Xavien Howard is one year removed from a 10-interception season and has totaled 15 over the last two seasons. The 6-foot-0, 200-pound corner has the length and ability that prevents quarterbacks from taking chances against him. He has some struggles in terms of pure man coverage and has allowed a few big games in his career, but he is everything a defensive coach looks for in terms of measurables in a corner.

9. Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills

This two time All-Pro was on pace to having one of his best seasons in his four-year career last season as he only allowed 345 yards in 12 games as well as only allowing over 50 yards once before he tore his ACL. While Tre’Davious White may be still adjusting and recovering, expect him to step back into his role as a lockdown corner in 2022.

10. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

According to Player Profiler, Marlon Humphrey spent 66% of his snaps in man coverage, which ranked ninth out of all corners. In 7 of the 12 games that Humphrey played in, he held his opposition under 25 yards. Add in the fact that on film he is easily the most physically imposing corner in the NFL, and there’s no argument Humphrey still has his place as a top-10 corner in the NFL. 

11. Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders

Kendall Fuller jumped out on this list with his versatility to play the nickel corner as well as defend outside receivers. He also is a standout in the run game as he totaled 71 tackles for Washington last season. Fuller is easily coming off one of his best seasons and with the rising potential of the Washington front seven, expect him to continue to make an impact all over the field this season.

12. D.J. Reed, New York Jets

D.J. Reed was one of the only positives of the Seattle season last year defensively. He showcased his ability as a zone corner and was able to average an opposing QB rating of 86.5 that came at the tune of 10 passes defenses and 2 interceptions. He steps into New York looking to build on a very successful coverage season and help turn the tide in the meadowlands. 

13. Adoree’ Jackson, New York Giants

Adoree’ Jackson played 13 games last season and allowed a total of 272 at an average of 21 yards per game, one of the best marks in the league. Another player that shows versatility in where he lines up defensively, it seems that Jackson is starting to find his stride in the league and with the athleticism he possesses, expect a strong 2022 campaign from him as well. 

14. Casey Hayward, Atlanta Falcons

He may not be the youngest, but Casey Hayward still has a lot left to offer. He heads down to Atlanta after posting a solid coverage year including only allowing 30 receptions with multiple games allowing 0 yards (minimum of 3 targets). Expect him to get more action this year on the other side of A.J. Terrell. Atlanta is hoping Hayward can turn back the clock one more time and give them another shut down year at corner. 

15. Pat Surtain, Denver Broncos

Pat Surtain showed a ton of promise in his rookie season in Denver. He was in coverage in nearly 60 percent of his snaps and was able to compile 13 PD’s and a passer rating of 78.7. With another year under his belt, I expect Surtain to rise up into elite status and solidify his place as a top man corner. 

16. Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders

An impressive first season for the late-round pick showed that Nate Hobbs can do more than just be a role player. He came in to play the nickel position and was able to hold some of the most dynamic playmakers — Jaylen Waddle, Keenan Allen and Tyler Boyd — to 72 total yards combined. I expect another nice step forward with the new look Las Vegas Raiders this season. 

17. Rasul Douglas, Green Bay Packers

Rasul Douglas had 5 interceptions last season and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He allowed only 10.9 yards per reception and only 339 yards on the season. With the absence of Jaire Alexander, Douglas proved to be very valuable and worthy of a place as a top corner heading into 2022.

18. Rashad Fenton, Kansas City Chiefs

Rashad Fenton was in man coverage in nearly 60% of his snaps last season and allowed only 28 receptions and 285 yards in 2021. The former late-round pick showed versatility lining up in both the slot and outside corner positions. With the addition of Trent McDuffie, expect Fenton to line up all over the field and continue being impactful this season.

19. Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jamel Dean defended 440 routes last season and allowed a total of 357 yards to a tune of 10.2 yards per reception according to Player Profiler. While he did spend a significant amount of time in zone coverage, Dean established himself as one of Tampa Bay’s best corners and he did it lining up against some of the best in the league.

20. Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carlton Davis has consistently been at the top of the league in passes defensed. In his last three seasons combined, he has gotten 42 PDs with 13 of them being last season. He steps back into Tampa Bay as one of the top ball-skill players on the defense as well as one of the most reliable man outside corners in the NFL.

21. Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

12 interceptions and 16 pass breakups spoke very loudly for Trevon Diggs‘ 2021 season. What that disguised was his struggles to play consistently in phase in man coverage. Despite having a lower coverage grade than the corners at the top of the list, his ability to turn the ball over puts him in the top half of NFL corners. 

22. Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

The former Kansas City Chief heads to San Francisco after having 12 pass breakups and allowing a QB rate of 87.9. Charvarius Ward has established himself as one of the better corners after coming out of Middle Tennessee undrafted in 2018. 

23. Avonte Maddox, Philadelphia Eagles

Avonte Maddox provided serious reliability as a slot corner for the Eagles last season. He was easily one of the best cover corners in one of the toughest defensive positions on the field. Add in the fact that he only allowed a passer rating of 84.3 and 9.7 yards per reception, and you can say that Maddox could jump up this list if he is able to build on that strong 2021 campaign.

24. Chidobe Awuzie, Cincinnati Bengals

Chidobe Awuzie proved to be the Bengals’ best option in coverage during the Super Bowl. He held Cooper Kupp to only 39 yards on 5 targets and a few weeks prior he was able to hold Tyreek Hill to only 20 yards. Add in his 13 passes defenses and you are looking at a formidable player for the Bengals’ questionable secondary headed into 2022.

25. James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles

With 18 pass breakups and 4 interceptions in 2021, James Bradberry was absolutely a playmaker defensively for the Giants. Now, he gets to partner up with Maddox and Slay in Philadelphia and cement the strong secondary that is being built. 

26. Stephon Gilmore, Indianapolis Colts

Despite the contractual situations of last season and the injuries, Gilmore is still a top corner in the NFL. Despite only playing in 19 games over the course of two seasons, he still showcases the ability to play solid man defense when needed. He was able to be effective against numerous top receivers last season including Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin and Antonio Brown, allowing a total of 114 yards combined between all three matchups. 

27. Shaquill Griffin, Jacksonville Jaguars

Shaquill Griffin spent nearly half of his snaps in man coverage and was able to hold his matchup to 50 yards or less in 13 games last season. This year he will look to add more to his stats as the consensus No. 1 corner in Jacksonville.

28. Greg Newsome, Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome caught many people by surprise last year, including Bengals standout Ja’Marr Chase. One of his best games of the year came when holding Chase to 46 yards, with 5 passes defenses in that game alone. Newsome showed high promise and versatility for Cleveland by being able to shut guys down in the slot as well as take over the outside when Ward or Greedy Williams missed with injury. The second-year player will come in this year looking to build on what he has showcased already in 2022.

29. Rock Ya-Sin, Las Vegas Raiders

Along with having one of the greatest names in the league, Rock Ya-Sin stood out for the Colts last year and will look to take his talent to Las Vegas in 2022. He only allowed 208 yards on 21 receptions for an average of 9.9 yards per reception last season. Expect him and Nate Hobbs to be strong in a loaded AFC West. 

30. Jalen Mills, New England Patriots

Jalen Mills was an understudy for Bill Belichick and the Patriots last season as he was switching positions into a natural corner. While the adjustment period took a little bit, Mills was able to settle in and help the Patriots ascend to one of the top defenses in the NFL.