Similar to some other yr, there will likely be a number of competitors in terms of the most effective cornerbacks in 2023.
It’s a place that appears to draw gamers with large egos who take satisfaction in being the most effective. That’s not less than a part of the explanation why it’s arduous to differentiate between the highest cornerbacks within the NFL yr after yr.
Rating the ten finest cornerbacks in 2023
Who’re the most effective NFL cornerbacks at the moment? Properly, we created a protracted listing of contenders earlier than narrowing it all the way down to the highest 10.
In fact, we all know there may be a number of room for debate among the many corners on this listing. However right here is our listing of the ten finest cornerbacks in 2023.
10. Charvarius Ward
It’s no coincidence that Charvarius Ward performed for probably the greatest defensive groups within the NFL final season after signing with the 49ers. In fact, the San Francisco protection would have been good with out him, however Ward clearly helped take the 49ers to a brand new stage together with his protection abilities.
He’s clearly not one of many highest-paid corners within the league, nor does he have the resume of the opposite prime corners within the league. However he was an underrated a part of Kansas Metropolis’s success for a number of years and has continued to excel with the 49ers, which is why Ward deserves to be talked about among the many NFL’s prime corners.
9. James Bradberry
Regardless of changing into one thing of a scapegoat within the Tremendous Bowl final season, James Bradberry nonetheless must be talked about among the many finest corners within the NFL proper now. Take note he was a Second-Workforce All-Professional final yr, taking part in a pivotal function in serving to the Eagles get to the Tremendous Bowl within the first place.
That controversial penalty within the Tremendous Bowl apart, the Eagles knew what that they had in Bradberry, which is why he obtained an extension this offseason. He needs to be able to put that penalty behind him and have one other sturdy season in 2023.
8. Stephon Gilmore
Greater than a decade into his profession, Stephon Gilmore refuses to go away. Now with the Cowboys, Gilmore will likely be taking part in for his fourth completely different workforce in 4 years this season. But, he nonetheless figures to be probably the greatest cornerbacks in 2023.
Gilmore missed a while in 2020 and 2021, however he got here again sturdy in 2022, taking part in 16 video games for the Colts with two interceptions and 11 defended passes. As a five-time Professional Bowler, Gilmore brings a wealth of expertise to the desk that few corners within the league can match. Needless to say he’s nonetheless just a few years faraway from being the NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months in 2019, so there may be nonetheless each motive to consider Gilmore belongs among the many prime corners within the NFL.
7. Trevon Diggs
Groups lastly found out to not throw the ball towards Trevon Diggs final season after he collected 11 interceptions in 2021. In fact, Diggs nonetheless had three picks and 14 defended passes in 2022 on his approach to being named to the Professional Bowl for the second straight season.
It looks as if Diggs has been round so much longer than he has, however he solely has three seasons below his belt. Meaning he needs to be getting into his prime years and is poised for one more spectacular marketing campaign in 2023.
6. Marshon Lattimore
It’s just a little tempting to overlook about Marshon Lattimore after a kidney harm restricted him to seven video games final season. However there’s no motive to assume that he’s not able to getting again to the identical stage he was earlier than the harm.
In any case, Lattimore has been to 4 of the final six Professional Bowls and is simply two years faraway from signing a $97.8 million extension with the Saints. When he was totally wholesome two years in the past, Lattimore collected 19 defended passes and averaged shut to fifteen defended passes per yr in the course of the first 5 seasons of his profession. He’s very a lot in his prime proper now and Lattimore ought to show that in 2023.
5. Darius Slay
For a very long time, Darius Slay has been probably the greatest corners within the NFL. He’s gone to 5 of the final six Professional Bowls and performed an enormous function in Philadelphia’s success final season. Slay is sweet for not less than a few interceptions yearly and impressed with 14 defended passes in 2022.
Even in his early 30s, Slay is displaying no indicators of getting older and can proceed to be among the many NFL’s elite at his place in 2023.
4. Jaire Alexander
Coming off an injury-plagued 2021 season, Jaire Alexander proved final season that he’s nonetheless among the many elite cornerbacks in soccer. There may be additionally little doubt that he’ll be probably the greatest cornerbacks in 2023 if he can keep wholesome.
Alexander completed final season with a career-high 5 interceptions and 14 defended passes, making groups pay for considering he had misplaced a step after his accidents in 2021. Clearly, he was left off the All-Professional Workforce in 2021 due to the accidents. However Alexander rapidly obtained again to that stage final yr and should not have any downside sustaining that stage this season and past.
3. Patrick Surtain II
Because the son of a three-time Professional Bowler, Patrick Surtain II has a number of work to do get out of his father’s shadow. Nonetheless, he’s nicely on his approach to doing that simply two seasons into his profession.
Surtain has already amassed 24 move deflections and 6 interceptions over two seasons, incomes First-Workforce All-Professional honors final yr. He seems to be the a part of a top-flight cornerback together with his dimension and physicality, which is why Surtain performed such a giant function on a terrific Denver protection final yr. We’re anticipating extra of the identical from him in 2023, particularly since he’s solely 23 and may have his finest years forward of him.
2. Jalen Ramsey
There’s little doubt that Jalen Ramsey will go down among the many greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. He’s been to 6 straight Professional Bowls, helped the Rams win a Tremendous Bowl, and can be the highest-paid defensive again in NFL historical past. Clearly, Ramsey’s observe document speaks for itself. However he’s nonetheless solely 28 and really a lot in his prime proper now.
Being traded to the Dolphins in March means a change of surroundings and a few new challenges for Ramsey. Nonetheless, taking part in with a brand new workforce ought to give Ramsey so much to show in 2023, which is why he nonetheless figures to be among the many elite corners within the league this yr.
1. Sauce Gardner
After only one season, it’s not a stretch to name Sauce Gardner the most effective cornerback within the NFL. Not solely did he win Defensive Rookie of the 12 months honors final yr however he was additionally a Professional Bowler and a First-Workforce All-Professional. That’s what occurs once you lead the league in defended passes with 20. Gardner stepped out of faculty and instantly performed at an elite stage. He has an opportunity to be even higher in 2023 now that he has a yr of expertise below his belt.
It’ll be fascinating to see if groups are cognizant of avoiding him this season. However even when they don’t, it’s clear that Garner is up for the problem and figures to be one of many prime cornerbacks within the NFL for a very long time.
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