Football PFFs Top 25 Cornerbacks of 2018 - Page 7

T-post Tom · 06:05 PM

https://www.profootballfocus.com/new...he-nfl-in-2018

PFFs Top 25 CBs of 2018

With the regular season in the books, we are counting down the highest-graded cornerbacks this season in the NFL. With every throw and catch attributed to someone in coverage this season, here’s who played the best.

[Editor’s Note: The list below purely runs off our Player Grades, which are made available to all of our EDGE and ELITE subscribers.]

1. STEPHON GILMORE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

It was a career year for Gilmore whom Bill Belichick has taken to employing as a weapon in the secondary. New England shadowed receivers more than any other team in the NFL this season, and it was often Gilmore’s job to take away the other team’s top receiving threat. He tracked receivers in 13 games this year yet still only allowed 42 catches on 90 targets for 466 yards all year.

2. DESMOND KING II, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The league’s preeminent slot cornerback at the moment, King simply doesn’t allow many first downs. On his 78 targets this past season, only 22 went for first downs. 81 cornerbacks allowed more first downs in their coverage this season.

3. CHRIS HARRIS JR., DENVER BRONCOS

Harris was at the top of his game before ending up on the IR. He may have only played 12 games, but he allowed a passer rating of only 63.6 when healthy. The Broncos corner was back to his stingy ways in the red zone once again, allowing only one touchdown on the year.

4. KAREEM JACKSON, HOUSTON TEXANS

It was a rough Wild Card weekend for Jackson, but during the regular season, he was the Swiss Army Knife for the Texans. Alternating between safety and corner, Jackson had a career revival this past season. He didn’t allow a touchdown all season long.

5. BYRON JONES, DALLAS COWBOYS

One of PFF’s top-10 breakout players from 2018, Jones season at corner was so dominant it makes you wonder why he ever was stuck at safety in the first place. PFF’s first-team All-Pro corner allowed a 53.6 percent catch rate and had 10 pass breakups.

6. JASON MCCOURTY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Yet another Patriots corner who had a career year. McCourty allowed a completion percentage of only 58.9 on the season, his lowest for a single season in his career. Arguably his most impressive stat on the year, though, was that McCourty committed one penalty all season long.

7. KYLE FULLER, CHICAGO BEARS

Fuller may not have been the stingiest cornerback in coverage this season, allowing 745 yards, but few had his playmaking ability. Fuller’s seven interceptions led the NFL while his 12 pass breakups were second at the position.

8. PATRICK PETERSON, ARIZONA CARDINALS

While the rest of the Arizona defense crumbled around him, Peterson continued his elite play. He allowed 30 catches all season long. That’s fewer than two per game. His 0.63 yards allowed per coverage snap was the lowest in the league.

9. BRYCE CALLAHAN, CHICAGO BEARS

Callahan made himself some money with his play for Chicago this season in the slot. His 0.72 yards per coverage snap was the fifth-lowest at the position in the NFL, and he only allowed a passer rating of 80.5 in his coverage.

10. JOHNATHAN JOSEPH, HOUSTON TEXANS

At 34 years old, Joseph had a bounce-back year in a big way. After allowing the highest passer rating in almost a decade last season, Joseph only allowed a passer rating of 76.0 this season.

11. PRINCE AMUKAMARA, CHICAGO BEARS

While Amukamara’s career has been plagued by injury, he’s been one of the most consistent corners in the NFL when healthy. That was finally the case again in 2018, and he earned a career-high grade because of it. Amukamara allowed a passer rating of 82.9 this past season.

12. DENZEL WARD, CLEVELAND BROWNS

The highest-graded rookie cornerback on this list, Ward lived up to his top-five billing. He allowed a catch rate of 53.7 and passer rating of 70.7 to immediately transform the Browns secondary. We’ll be seeing his name on this list for years to come.

13. MARLON HUMPHREY, BALTIMORE RAVENS

After a solid rookie season, Humphrey quite comfortably established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this year. His 52.5 catch rate allowed was the seventh-best in the league this season and his 22.5 percent forced incompletion rate was third-best.

14. CASEY HAYWARD JR., LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

It wasn’t quite the production we saw from Hayward in 2017, but some of that wasn’t his fault. Quarterbacks simply stopped targeting Hayward as much this season. He was the third-least targeted cornerback per coverage snap. The Chargers corner allowed only 32 catches all season.

15. PIERRE DESIR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

While Desir had a career year in coverage, his ability against the run was key in the Colts’ cover-2 heavy defense. He finished the season with the second-best run defense grade of all corners.

16. XAVIEN HOWARD, MIAMI DOLPHINS

Howard had a very boom-or-bust season. His 50.9 percent catch rate was third-best in the NFL, but at the same time, his 16.2 yards per catch allowed was the second-worst among corners. Still, seven picks in only 12 games is pretty absurd production for the Dolphins corner.

17. A.J. BOUYE, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Bouye wasn’t near the level we saw over the last two seasons, but it’s difficult to complain about still being the 17th-best corner in the NFL. Bouye only allowed 417 yards on the season, but his 67.2 percent catch rate allowed was nearly 20 percentage points higher than a season ago.

18. DARIUS SLAY, DETROIT LIONS

The interceptions might not have been there this season, but targeting Slay still wasn’t beneficial for opposing quarterbacks this season. He had the sixth-best forced incompletion rate at 19.8 and was third in the NFL was 12 pass breakups.

19. TRUMAINE JOHNSON, NEW YORK JETS

After a down 2017, Johnson was once again at the top of his game when healthy. He played in only 10 games this season but still managed to nab four interceptions.

20. MARSHON LATTIMORE, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

It wasn’t the year Lattimore had hoped for after a dominant rookie season, but he had one of the toughest draws of any corner this season. Lattimore tracked Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Michael Crabtree, Alshon Jeffery, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown this year.

21. STEVEN NELSON, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

He may have allowed the second-most yards of any cornerback in the NFL (825), but it’s only because he was targeted eight times more than any corner in the league. His 53.1 percent catch rate and 76.8 passer rating allowed show how good Nelson really was this year.

22. WILLIAM JACKSON III, CINCINNATI BENGALS

While the Bengals’ pass defense was atrocious, Jackson more than held his own. He allowed only 38 catches all season long and had 10 pass breakups on the year.

23. ADOREE’ JACKSON, TENNESSEE TITANS

Jackson was picked on ruthlessly in the Titans’ defense, getting 105 passes thrown his way this season. He continued his high-level of play, though, allowing a catch rate of 62.9 and had seven pass breakups.

24. JALEN RAMSEY, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

While Bouye took a small step back from 2017, Ramsey took an even bigger one. He allowed 163 more yards this season and had four fewer combined pass breakups and interceptions.

25. JAIRE ALEXANDER, GREEN BAY PACKERS

It was a rocky first year at times for Alexander, who also battled through injury, but the high-level play from him was as good as anyone in the NFL. His five pass breakup game against the Rams was one of the best from any corner this year.

Frosty · 02-15-2019, 04:01 PM

I've stayed out of the Nelson talk because I know I would be accused of being a homer.

However, lists like this and the contract that Nelson is going to get just shows you how absolutely terrible CP (and the general fan) is at player evaluation. It's mostly because the TV coverage skews the perception.

"I saw Nelson get burned all the time". Well, of course you did - it's because the TV is only going to show him when the receiver makes the catch. So unless you are studying the ALL-22 every week (or see the games live and actually watch the coverage while not drunk

), you aren't seeing all the times Nelson shut down his guy or held coverage long enough to help get a sack. Plus, you also need some idea of what the scheme was calling for.

I have felt from day one that Nelson's size is going to limit him to being a slot corner and I still believe that's where he plays best so I don't have a problem with letting him go. I do think that there is no guarantee that the Chiefs will be able to get someone next season that will match his production. I'm hoping the scheme change will help in that regard.

Frosty · 02-15-2019, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

This is sad. We're debating the relative worthiness of players who are objectively average (at best).

Let's stop settling for middling, mediocre play. Let's think in terms of fielding a #1 defense which will match up better with our #1 offense. Like a nice scarlet club tie with a well-tailored, grey pinstripe suit.

That's great but with the cap and the general shortage of really great players, it's impossible to have outstanding players at all positions. Sometimes, "average" is absolutely okay. Just don't pay average players like outstanding players, which is why Nelson will be playing somewhere else next season.

htismaqe · 02-15-2019, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

That's great but with the cap and the general shortage of really great players, it's impossible to have outstanding players at all positions. Sometimes, "average" is absolutely okay. Just don't pay average players like outstanding players, which is why Nelson will be playing somewhere else next season.

Exactly.

Chris Meck · 02-15-2019, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

I've stayed out of the Nelson talk because I know I would be accused of being a homer.

However, lists like this and the contract that Nelson is going to get just shows you how absolutely terrible CP (and the general fan) is at player evaluation. It's mostly because the TV coverage skews the perception.

"I saw Nelson get burned all the time". Well, of course you did - it's because the TV is only going to show him when the receiver makes the catch. So unless you are studying the ALL-22 every week (or see the games live and actually watch the coverage while not drunk

), you aren't seeing all the times Nelson shut down his guy or held coverage long enough to help get a sack. Plus, you also need some idea of what the scheme was calling for.

I have felt from day one that Nelson's size is going to limit him to being a slot corner and I still believe that's where he plays best so I don't have a problem with letting him go. I do think that there is no guarantee that the Chiefs will be able to get someone next season that will match his production. I'm hoping the scheme change will help in that regard.

that's fair. And since I'm arguing with someone who likes the player, I'm cast a bit as 'hating' on Nelson, when all I'm trying to say is he's a #3 corner on a good defense, tops. Which for most teams, is their slot guy, no? He's miscast as an outside CB in one-on-one coverage.

I don't think that is worth $12 a year or whatever. I'm also not handing Smith the job, I just think it's reasonable to project his physical skills along with some improvement in his second season.

I don't think either is a #1 CB, and we need one of those. It's likely we will be unable to afford a guy like that in FA (unless we unload one of the big 3) so we'll probably have to draft one.

FAX · 02-15-2019, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

That's great but with the cap and the general shortage of really great players, it's impossible to have outstanding players at all positions. Sometimes, "average" is absolutely okay. Just don't pay average players like outstanding players, which is why Nelson will be playing somewhere else next season.

That's what player analysis, the draft, and coaching are for.

Or did I miss something?

FAX

DJ's left nut · 02-15-2019, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

I've stayed out of the Nelson talk because I know I would be accused of being a homer.

However, lists like this and the contract that Nelson is going to get just shows you how absolutely terrible CP (and the general fan) is at player evaluation. It's mostly because the TV coverage skews the perception.

"I saw Nelson get burned all the time". Well, of course you did - it's because the TV is only going to show him when the receiver makes the catch. So unless you are studying the ALL-22 every week (or see the games live and actually watch the coverage while not drunk

), you aren't seeing all the times Nelson shut down his guy or held coverage long enough to help get a sack. Plus, you also need some idea of what the scheme was calling for.

I have felt from day one that Nelson's size is going to limit him to being a slot corner and I still believe that's where he plays best so I don't have a problem with letting him go. I do think that there is no guarantee that the Chiefs will be able to get someone next season that will match his production. I'm hoping the scheme change will help in that regard.

I wondered when you'd get around here.

I'm pretty sure it was you and Staylor that I went round and round with for the last several years. I was gonna just call you that damn Oregon State homer but it seemed unprovoked...

But I mean, now that you're here...

sedated · 02-15-2019, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

That's great but with the cap and the general shortage of really great players, it's impossible to have outstanding players at all positions. Sometimes, "average" is absolutely okay. Just don't pay average players like outstanding players, which is why Nelson will be playing somewhere else next season.

Nonsense, NE wins because they have HOF'rs at every position every year. They would never trade a talent like Chandler Jones.

DJ's left nut · 02-15-2019, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

That's what player analysis, the draft, and coaching are for.

Or did I miss something?

FAX

Kinda.

The Paradox of Skill.

As more and more front offices get better and better at player evaluation (and they undeniably have), the line between success and failure gets closer and closer.

And at that point, a lot of it comes down to blind, stupid luck.

You can have the best front office in football but if there are 15 front offices that are all pretty good as well and they're all similarly situated in terms of draft capital (or in our case, situated BETTER), then saying "hey, why don't we just be the best at EVERYTHING" is pretty unrealistic unless you just keep getting dealt 21.

There are enough other good front offices in the league right now that the possibility of us just having great players at every position and not having to find ways to simply make due at a handful of them is...well it's zero. That's not gonna happen. In fact, the rules are set up to prevent it from happening - the league doesn't want it to.

Chris Meck · 02-15-2019, 04:15 PM

Ultimately, you can think Nelson's pretty good, or you can think he's pretty mediocre. He's not going to be here next season more than likely. Surely we can agree on that?

Of course it's ALL speculation. As is anything we're talking about on a message board in February.

Frosty · 02-15-2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I wondered when you'd get around here.

I'm pretty sure it was you and Staylor that I went round and round with for the last several years. I was gonna just call you that damn Oregon State homer but it seemed unprovoked...

But I mean, now that you're here...

I argued with you over the pick initially because I understood how raw Nelson was and how it was going to take time. It took almost the first season just to wash the Mark Banker stink off of him. After that (the next season), he had a really solid season as the slot corner.

Then he had to learn to play on the outside and struggled. Then this season, it looks like he was starting to learn.

Was a 3rd round pick too high for someone so raw? Probably. Unfortunately, it looks like the Chiefs will have gone through the all the growing pains just for another team to benefit from it.

FAX · 02-15-2019, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Kinda.

The Paradox of Skill.

As more and more front offices get better and better at player evaluation (and they undeniably have), the line between success and failure gets closer and closer.

And at that point, a lot of it comes down to blind, stupid luck.

You can have the best front office in football but if there are 15 front offices that are all pretty good as well and they're all similarly situated in terms of draft capital (or in our case, situated BETTER), then saying "hey, why don't we just be the best at EVERYTHING" is pretty unrealistic unless you just keep getting dealt 21.

There are enough other good front offices in the league right now that the possibility of us just having great players at every position and not having to find ways to simply make due at a handful of them is...well it's zero. That's not gonna happen. In fact, the rules are set up to prevent it from happening - the league doesn't want it to.

That argument sounds oddly familiar.

I remember the first game (Jags, maybe?) we played with Wally as HC in 2013. Prime Hali, DJ, EB, Houston, Flowers, and Poe played well in that game (all of those guys were Pro Bowlers that year, by the way). That wasn't the best defense we've ever had, but it was pretty damn good. That level of talent acquisition is no longer feasible? I'd hate to think that's true.

I was expecting someone to counter with the #1 defense idea will never work ... and I know it's highly unlikely. On the other hand, I'd rather shoot for the moon and hit a cloud than waddle around in a puddle of mediocrity while attempting to convince myself that it's the Amirandes swimming pool.

We can do better and we shall. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

FAX

Chris Meck · 02-15-2019, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

That argument sounds oddly familiar.

I remember the first game (Jags, maybe?) we played with Wally as HC in 2013. Prime Hali, DJ, EB, Houston, Flowers, and Poe played well in that game (all of those guys were Pro Bowlers that year, by the way). That wasn't the best defense we've ever had, but it was pretty damn good. That level of talent acquisition is no longer feasible? I'd hate to think that's true.

I was expecting someone to counter with the #1 defense idea will never work ... and I know it's highly unlikely. On the other hand, I'd rather shoot for the moon and hit a cloud than waddle around in a puddle of mediocrity while attempting to convince myself that it's the Amirandes swimming pool.

We can do better and we shall. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

FAX

You haven't said anything I disagree with here.

With a true franchise QB you still gotta have a defense, we've seen that. A franchise QB with a good defense= SB champs. See Tom Brady, Manning's Denver run, hell Elway's 2 rings, Marino's lack of a ring, Russell Wilson's ring, etc., etc.

Mahomes has IT. The thing that makes the great ones great. It's more than stats. It's something inside that makes them great in the clutch. However, they can't do it alone. You still need a defense.

htismaqe · 02-15-2019, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

That argument sounds oddly familiar.

I remember the first game (Jags, maybe?) we played with Wally as HC in 2013. Prime Hali, DJ, EB, Houston, Flowers, and Poe played well in that game (all of those guys were Pro Bowlers that year, by the way). That wasn't the best defense we've ever had, but it was pretty damn good. That level of talent acquisition is no longer feasible? I'd hate to think that's true.

I was expecting someone to counter with the #1 defense idea will never work ... and I know it's highly unlikely. On the other hand, I'd rather shoot for the moon and hit a cloud than waddle around in a puddle of mediocrity while attempting to convince myself that it's the Amirandes swimming pool.

We can do better and we shall. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

FAX

None of those guys were drafted by Dorsey. As good as he was at identifying offensive players, the defensive cupboard is pretty freaking bare.

FAX · 02-15-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

You haven't said anything I disagree with here.

With a true franchise QB you still gotta have a defense, we've seen that. A franchise QB with a good defense= SB champs. See Tom Brady, Manning's Denver run, hell Elway's 2 rings, Marino's lack of a ring, Russell Wilson's ring, etc., etc.

Mahomes has IT. The thing that makes the great ones great. It's more than stats. It's something inside that makes them great in the clutch. However, they can't do it alone. You still need a defense.

I don't wish to hijack this awesome thread-thing, but I think that was the concept behind acquiring Sammy "Feets" Watkins, Mr. Chris Meck.

I imagine the off-season logic went something like ... "We've seen enough to know that we have a good thing going here with a lot of potential. But, what if we can make it even better? It will be expensive, but if it works, we'll be unstoppable." (something like that, anyhow).

You don't achieve greatness by striving for the mean. There are tons of reasons why teams don't reach their NFL goals (league parity, salary cap, injury, etc.) ... but the main one is they don't take the necessary risks.

I'd love to see Nelson progress (and I think he can). Personally, I think he needs a better off-season, personal trainer. But he's not the kind of player who changes the game in our favor. At least, I haven't seen it. We can do better.

FAX

Chiefs4TheWin · 02-15-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

"I saw Nelson get burned all the time". Well, of course you did - it's because the TV is only going to show him when the receiver makes the catch.d.

Incorrect. I also see him celebrating an incomplete pass standing on top of his 2nd pass interference penalty of the game, or his 8th Holding call.

02-14-2019, 03:33 PM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4557293	PFFs Top 25 Cornerbacks of 2018 https://www.profootballfocus.com/new...he-nfl-in-2018 PFFs Top 25 CBs of 2018 With the regular season in the books, we are counting down the highest-graded cornerbacks this season in the NFL. With every throw and catch attributed to someone in coverage this season, here’s who played the best. [Editor’s Note: The list below purely runs off our Player Grades, which are made available to all of our EDGE and ELITE subscribers.] 1. STEPHON GILMORE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS It was a career year for Gilmore whom Bill Belichick has taken to employing as a weapon in the secondary. New England shadowed receivers more than any other team in the NFL this season, and it was often Gilmore’s job to take away the other team’s top receiving threat. He tracked receivers in 13 games this year yet still only allowed 42 catches on 90 targets for 466 yards all year. 2. DESMOND KING II, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS The league’s preeminent slot cornerback at the moment, King simply doesn’t allow many first downs. On his 78 targets this past season, only 22 went for first downs. 81 cornerbacks allowed more first downs in their coverage this season. 3. CHRIS HARRIS JR., DENVER BRONCOS Harris was at the top of his game before ending up on the IR. He may have only played 12 games, but he allowed a passer rating of only 63.6 when healthy. The Broncos corner was back to his stingy ways in the red zone once again, allowing only one touchdown on the year. 4. KAREEM JACKSON, HOUSTON TEXANS It was a rough Wild Card weekend for Jackson, but during the regular season, he was the Swiss Army Knife for the Texans. Alternating between safety and corner, Jackson had a career revival this past season. He didn’t allow a touchdown all season long. 5. BYRON JONES, DALLAS COWBOYS One of PFF’s top-10 breakout players from 2018, Jones season at corner was so dominant it makes you wonder why he ever was stuck at safety in the first place. PFF’s first-team All-Pro corner allowed a 53.6 percent catch rate and had 10 pass breakups. 6. JASON MCCOURTY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Yet another Patriots corner who had a career year. McCourty allowed a completion percentage of only 58.9 on the season, his lowest for a single season in his career. Arguably his most impressive stat on the year, though, was that McCourty committed one penalty all season long. 7. KYLE FULLER, CHICAGO BEARS Fuller may not have been the stingiest cornerback in coverage this season, allowing 745 yards, but few had his playmaking ability. Fuller’s seven interceptions led the NFL while his 12 pass breakups were second at the position. 8. PATRICK PETERSON, ARIZONA CARDINALS While the rest of the Arizona defense crumbled around him, Peterson continued his elite play. He allowed 30 catches all season long. That’s fewer than two per game. His 0.63 yards allowed per coverage snap was the lowest in the league. 9. BRYCE CALLAHAN, CHICAGO BEARS Callahan made himself some money with his play for Chicago this season in the slot. His 0.72 yards per coverage snap was the fifth-lowest at the position in the NFL, and he only allowed a passer rating of 80.5 in his coverage. 10. JOHNATHAN JOSEPH, HOUSTON TEXANS At 34 years old, Joseph had a bounce-back year in a big way. After allowing the highest passer rating in almost a decade last season, Joseph only allowed a passer rating of 76.0 this season. 11. PRINCE AMUKAMARA, CHICAGO BEARS While Amukamara’s career has been plagued by injury, he’s been one of the most consistent corners in the NFL when healthy. That was finally the case again in 2018, and he earned a career-high grade because of it. Amukamara allowed a passer rating of 82.9 this past season. 12. DENZEL WARD, CLEVELAND BROWNS The highest-graded rookie cornerback on this list, Ward lived up to his top-five billing. He allowed a catch rate of 53.7 and passer rating of 70.7 to immediately transform the Browns secondary. We’ll be seeing his name on this list for years to come. 13. MARLON HUMPHREY, BALTIMORE RAVENS After a solid rookie season, Humphrey quite comfortably established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this year. His 52.5 catch rate allowed was the seventh-best in the league this season and his 22.5 percent forced incompletion rate was third-best. 14. CASEY HAYWARD JR., LOS ANGELES CHARGERS It wasn’t quite the production we saw from Hayward in 2017, but some of that wasn’t his fault. Quarterbacks simply stopped targeting Hayward as much this season. He was the third-least targeted cornerback per coverage snap. The Chargers corner allowed only 32 catches all season. 15. PIERRE DESIR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS While Desir had a career year in coverage, his ability against the run was key in the Colts’ cover-2 heavy defense. He finished the season with the second-best run defense grade of all corners. 16. XAVIEN HOWARD, MIAMI DOLPHINS Howard had a very boom-or-bust season. His 50.9 percent catch rate was third-best in the NFL, but at the same time, his 16.2 yards per catch allowed was the second-worst among corners. Still, seven picks in only 12 games is pretty absurd production for the Dolphins corner. 17. A.J. BOUYE, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Bouye wasn’t near the level we saw over the last two seasons, but it’s difficult to complain about still being the 17th-best corner in the NFL. Bouye only allowed 417 yards on the season, but his 67.2 percent catch rate allowed was nearly 20 percentage points higher than a season ago. 18. DARIUS SLAY, DETROIT LIONS The interceptions might not have been there this season, but targeting Slay still wasn’t beneficial for opposing quarterbacks this season. He had the sixth-best forced incompletion rate at 19.8 and was third in the NFL was 12 pass breakups. 19. TRUMAINE JOHNSON, NEW YORK JETS After a down 2017, Johnson was once again at the top of his game when healthy. He played in only 10 games this season but still managed to nab four interceptions. 20. MARSHON LATTIMORE, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS It wasn’t the year Lattimore had hoped for after a dominant rookie season, but he had one of the toughest draws of any corner this season. Lattimore tracked Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Michael Crabtree, Alshon Jeffery, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown this year. 21. STEVEN NELSON, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS He may have allowed the second-most yards of any cornerback in the NFL (825), but it’s only because he was targeted eight times more than any corner in the league. His 53.1 percent catch rate and 76.8 passer rating allowed show how good Nelson really was this year. 22. WILLIAM JACKSON III, CINCINNATI BENGALS While the Bengals’ pass defense was atrocious, Jackson more than held his own. He allowed only 38 catches all season long and had 10 pass breakups on the year. 23. ADOREE’ JACKSON, TENNESSEE TITANS Jackson was picked on ruthlessly in the Titans’ defense, getting 105 passes thrown his way this season. He continued his high-level of play, though, allowing a catch rate of 62.9 and had seven pass breakups. 24. JALEN RAMSEY, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS While Bouye took a small step back from 2017, Ramsey took an even bigger one. He allowed 163 more yards this season and had four fewer combined pass breakups and interceptions. 25. JAIRE ALEXANDER, GREEN BAY PACKERS It was a rocky first year at times for Alexander, who also battled through injury, but the high-level play from him was as good as anyone in the NFL. His five pass breakup game against the Rams was one of the best from any corner this year. Last edited by T-post Tom; 02-14-2019 at 06:05 PM..
Posts: 20,227

02-15-2019, 04:01 PM	#91
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Warshington Casino cash: $5618243	I've stayed out of the Nelson talk because I know I would be accused of being a homer. However, lists like this and the contract that Nelson is going to get just shows you how absolutely terrible CP (and the general fan) is at player evaluation. It's mostly because the TV coverage skews the perception. "I saw Nelson get burned all the time". Well, of course you did - it's because the TV is only going to show him when the receiver makes the catch. So unless you are studying the ALL-22 every week (or see the games live and actually watch the coverage while not drunk ), you aren't seeing all the times Nelson shut down his guy or held coverage long enough to help get a sack. Plus, you also need some idea of what the scheme was calling for. I have felt from day one that Nelson's size is going to limit him to being a slot corner and I still believe that's where he plays best so I don't have a problem with letting him go. I do think that there is no guarantee that the Chiefs will be able to get someone next season that will match his production. I'm hoping the scheme change will help in that regard.
Posts: 14,500	3 0

02-15-2019, 04:15 PM	#99
Chris Meck MVP Join Date: May 2001 Location: midtown KC Casino cash: $1874910	Ultimately, you can think Nelson's pretty good, or you can think he's pretty mediocre. He's not going to be here next season more than likely. Surely we can agree on that? Of course it's ALL speculation. As is anything we're talking about on a message board in February.
Posts: 17,544