Football PFFs Top 25 Cornerbacks of 2018 - Page 4

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.

staylor26 · 02-14-2019, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntexascardfan

Byron Jones must've been really good last year to make the list twice.

He’s arguably the best in the league IMO.

Although I could be a little biased because he was my guy the year we drafted Peters.

Chiefs4TheWin · 02-14-2019, 06:22 PM

If Steve Nelson is on this list, I don't want to use the criteria they use to judge cornerbacks.

Chiefs=Champions · 02-14-2019, 06:48 PM

Nelsen was solid but hes limited. Below average ball skills means he doesnt get turnovers and hes short so can be exposed by taller receivers. I think ideally the chiefs need a guy who can physically go with number one recievers.

-King- · 02-14-2019, 06:52 PM

He was probably better than my perception but in no way is he a top 25 corner. I stopped really paying attention to PFF when they said Jamaal Charles wasn't a top 100 player in 2013. They really haven't done anything since to make me think they know what they're doing.

BWillie · 02-14-2019, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

These stats mean **** all, Steven Nelson is not good.

You don't think yardage given up is a product of attempts? The Chiefs have the most explosive offense in the NFL. This enables the other team to HAVE to throw more, and run more plays. As a result, Nelson and the Chiefs defense see the most passing plays than any other team in the league.

Hoover · 02-14-2019, 07:15 PM

Beth isn’t a slut. Yeah she sleeps with a lot of different guys but she gets hit on more than the other girls...

-King- · 02-14-2019, 07:37 PM

Does anyone think Nelson was better than Fuller?

Jimkcchief88 · 02-14-2019, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

Beth isn’t a slut. Yeah she sleeps with a lot of different guys but she gets hit on more than the other girls...

Lol this...Nelson is an average corner at best. When you are in known passing downs and still can’t stop the opposition it’s a problem and Nelson was part of it. We’ve had plenty of good corners in KC. Nelson just ain’t one of them. Am I supposed to believe PFF or my lying eyes....

T-post Tom · 02-14-2019, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

Beth isn’t a slut. Yeah she sleeps with a lot of different guys but she gets hit on more than the other girls...

Do you have Beth's phone number?

Hoover · 02-14-2019, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Do you have Beth's phone number?

We all know a "Beth" and figured this response would be coming!

Titty Meat · 02-14-2019, 08:36 PM

PFF is trash tho

**SAUTO** · 02-14-2019, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Because you're a huge homer and I'm reasonable.

It's one of those "a broken watch is right twice a day" things. You should just be happy that you get to agree with me sometimes...

staylor26 · 02-14-2019, 09:09 PM

The funny thing is often when me and DJ strongly disagree, I’m right.

His arrogant ass won’t ever admit it though

FAX · 02-14-2019, 09:12 PM

I see no reason to bring Mr. Rain Man's sister Beth into this debate.

FAX

T-post Tom · 02-14-2019, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

We all know a "Beth" and figured this response would be coming!

Then why didn't you include her ph# in the original post?

02-14-2019, 03:33 PM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4577293	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: 20,216

02-14-2019, 06:22 PM	#47
Chiefs4TheWin Veteran Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollidaysburg, PA Casino cash: $3452783	If Steve Nelson is on this list, I don't want to use the criteria they use to judge cornerbacks.
Posts: 4,015

02-14-2019, 06:48 PM	#48
Chiefs=Champions Training Camp Hero Join Date: Oct 2006 Casino cash: $8504801	Nelsen was solid but hes limited. Below average ball skills means he doesnt get turnovers and hes short so can be exposed by taller receivers. I think ideally the chiefs need a guy who can physically go with number one recievers.
Posts: 5,996

02-14-2019, 06:52 PM	#49
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $2465743	He was probably better than my perception but in no way is he a top 25 corner. I stopped really paying attention to PFF when they said Jamaal Charles wasn't a top 100 player in 2013. They really haven't done anything since to make me think they know what they're doing.
Posts: 63,884

02-14-2019, 07:15 PM	#51
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1638179	Beth isn’t a slut. Yeah she sleeps with a lot of different guys but she gets hit on more than the other girls...
Posts: 17,360

02-14-2019, 07:37 PM	#52
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $2465743	Does anyone think Nelson was better than Fuller?
Posts: 63,884

02-14-2019, 08:36 PM	#56
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2257558	PFF is trash tho
Posts: 75,172

02-14-2019, 09:09 PM	#58
staylor26 In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2007 Casino cash: $1769040	The funny thing is often when me and DJ strongly disagree, I’m right. His arrogant ass won’t ever admit it though
Posts: 48,452

02-14-2019, 09:12 PM	#59
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I see no reason to bring Mr. Rain Man's sister Beth into this debate. FAX
Posts: 44,492