Last year was my first season providing cornerback rankings for PlayerProfiler. From Week 1 all the way through the Super Bowl, I tracked the stats, broke down the film, and ranked which cornerback was the best. This year I’m getting started even earlier. Here is the first version of the 2024 NFL Cornerback Rankings.
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Honorable Mentions
Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints
Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
Marin Emerson, Cleveland Browns
Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams
These cornerbacks were just on the outside of the top 20 Cornerback Rankings. Whether it be due to inconsistency in 2023, being in a new situation or needing to prove themselves again in 2024, these corners have what it takes to be in the top 20 but landed just outside of the initial rankings.
16-20
No. 20 – Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Surtain II is the son of longtime NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain, Patrick Surtain II has developed into one of the most effective shadow corners in the league.
Surtain II has been reliable throughout the first three years of his career.
No. 19 – Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions
Detroit needed a number one cornerback, and they got one in Terrion Arnold. Arnold possesses the talent and the mentality to be a playmaker in the NFL. The Lions may have gotten the steal of the night in round one.
No. 18 – Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints
Kool-Aid McKinstry has been an ultra-prospect ever since he graduated from high school. At Alabama, opposing teams decided to avoid him at all costs. McKinstry stands to be the Joey Porter Jr. of the 2024 cornerback class.
No. 17 – Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
Trent McDuffie covered the slot nearly 55-percent of the time, and he was very good in that role. He will need to take on opposing team’s WR1’s for the Chiefs now that Sneed is in Tennessee. Luckily for the Chiefs, McDuffie’s 53.9 Man Coverage Rate suggests he has the ability to play more outside of the hashes.
No. 16 – Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia made Quinyon Mitchell the first corner off the board in the 2024 draft when they selected him at pick No. 22. Mitchell has the size, speed, and stickiness to be one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL.
11-15
No. 15 – Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Denzel Ward is so tough to get away from because he is one of the fastest cornerbacks in football.
In 2023, Ward was top 10 in Catch Rate Allowed, Passer Rating Allowed, and Coverage Rating.
No. 14 – Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
As long as he can stay on the field, Jaycee Horn is one of the most talented defensive backs in the sport. This is mostly a projection having him inside the top 15. Horn will have a big role in the Panthers secondary.
No. 13 – Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are expected to have one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. As long as Trevon Diggs comes back healthy and plays up to his massive contract, you will not want to start fringe wideouts against the Cowboys.
No. 12 – A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta selected Terrell to be their best cornerback, and he was exactly that in 2023. Terrell is one of the best corners in man coverage.
No. 11 – Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
His career resume is the only thing keeping Jaire Alexander inside the top 20 cornerback rankings. He did not play well in 2023 but is expected to return to form in 2024.
6-10
No. 10 – L’Jarius Sneed, Tennessee Titans
L’Jarius Sneed was awesome for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Now the top corner for the Titans, Sneed will be expected to cover opposing teams best wideouts all year long.
No. 9 – DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys
It was a record-breaking season for DaRon Bland. He filled in for Trevon Diggs in spectacular fashion recording FIVE pick-sixes which broke the NFL single season record.
No. 8 – Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
Still a very effective cornerback, Charvarius Ward was the best defensive back for the Niners last season. He racked up the most Pass Breakups in the league.
No. 7 – Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Devon Witherspoon played like an absolute maniac throughout his rookie season. He had eight Pass Breakups and was great at defending the running game.
No. 6 – Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
Once Derek Stingley Jr. returned in Week 10, he played like the top three pick he was destined to be. He did not allow more than 50 yards receiving from Week 15 on.
1-5
No. 5 – Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Even seven years into his NFL career, Marshon Lattimore was still a nightmare to line up against.
He finished inside the top 10 in a number of key defensive back metrics.
No. 4 – Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
It was made perfectly clear that the NFL messed up letting Joey Porter Jr. fall into the second round of the NFL Draft. The Steelers eased him into the lineup, but once he was unleashed, he was dominant. His 55.3-percent Shadow Rate showcases the confidence Pittsburgh had in the rookie.
No. 3 – Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
Sauce Gardner‘s sophom*ore campaign wasn’t as good as his rookie year. However, he was still a shutdown corner. Gardner posted the No. 2 highest Man Coverage Success Rate last year. Therefore, Gardner belongs at the No. 3 spot in the cornerback rankings.
No. 2 – Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
The emergence of Jaylon Johnson in 2023 was truly impressive. He finished with the best Yards Per Reception and Yards Per Target in the entire NFL. Johnson’s 66.1 Passer Rating Allowed ranked fourth on the season.
No. 1 – Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins
Once Jalen Ramsey returned from injury he was ranked amongst the best in the NFL. Ramsey had the best Man Coverage Rate and gave up only 2.1 receptions per game. Quarterbacks shied away from even throwing at Ramsey. He ranked No. 1 in Target Rate and opposing teams just threw at him 3.8 times a game.
Which cornerbacks should fantasy managers attack and which corners should be avoided? Continue to check PlayerProfiler.com for the future installments of the corner back rankings.
See Matty’s grades of NFL Teams’ 2024 Drafts here: NFL Draft Grades for ALL 32 Teams – Reacting to the 2024 NFL Draft
