After playing seven NFL seasons in the secondary, I look for specific traits when breaking down defensive backs.
Physicality to challenge routes. Eye discipline to bait quarterbacks into poor throws. Range over the top to recover from missteps. Technique to win matchups at the line of scrimmage. Consistency to show he plays the same way in every game. And I want a ball hawk who's going to intercept passes and take them to the house.
Let's run through the best of the best in all the areas that matter for defensive backs: ball skills, range, press coverage, versatility, run defense, swag and much more. Twenty different categories in all, expanded from the 2016 version. Here's what the tape tells us about the league's top defensive backs:
Defensive back with the best range
Thomas was in this spot last season, and I don't see any reason to make a move. The 2010 first-round pick is still the best at combining his 4.4 speed with a top-tier football IQ to create enormous range in the post. That's why Thomas' angles to the ball are so clean. He gets a jump through recognizing the formation -- it's all about alignment and wide receiver splits -- and breaks on the ball before it's even thrown.
Thomas can also lie in the weeds to steal one, like he did here against Deshaun Watson and the Texans. He baited the rookie QB there. It's just another example of how he controls the middle of the field in the Seattle defense.
Honorable mention: Tashaun Gipson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Best overall cover corner
Casey Hayward, Los Angeles Chargers
Hayward has four interceptions with another 15 pass breakups this season, but he's my pick as the NFL's best cover man because of the consistent technique I see on film. Clinical stuff here, really. If you want to learn how the top pros match up in coverage, go study Hayward. Look at his footwork in press. Or check out his ability to open and bail out while staying on top of the route. And don't forget about his transition speed out of the pedal.
Plus, the flexibility I see to flip his hips and then drive on the football? Man, Hayward plays like he has WD-40 in his hips. This cat is so smooth, and I love how he finishes and competes. Trust me, I look for the best here. And Hayward has shown me the skill set to earn the top spot this season after Denver's Aqib Talib grabbed the title in 2016.
Honorable mention: Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars
Most complete safety
Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Smith's numbers don't necessarily jump off the page -- 64 total tackles, three interceptions, four passes broken up and 1.5 sacks -- but his game really pops on the tape because of his scheme versatility within Mike Zimmer's defense. Smith can do it all.
You want a safety to stick the run? Check. Blitz with technique to disrupt the throwing platform? Yep. Drop down as an underneath defender to read the eyes of the quarterback and tackle in space? All day. And Smith can play as a deep defender, too. He can patrol the deep half of the field or guard the post. With the athleticism to play at multiple levels of the field and the toughness to get dirty in the run front, Zimmer gets the best out of Smith. His omission from the 2018 Pro Bowl roster just doesn't make sense.
Honorable mention: Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans
Defensive back with the most swag
Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ramsey plays with an edge. It's a swagger, a supreme level of confidence. And I love it. The young superstar likes to talk a little bit, and he's going to mix it up on game days. Go ahead and let them know. You own that side of the field. Remember, it's OK to be brash and have fun in this league -- especially when you can back it up like Ramsey.
Honorable mention: Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants
Most versatile defensive back
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals
Mathieu is still the NFL's premier monsterback, the modern-day version of a hybrid defender who can make an impact from multiple positions. Here's where Mathieu has lined up in 2017:
Slot corner: 569 snaps (65% of snaps)
Free safety: 145 snaps (16%)
Linebacker: 96 snaps (11%)
Outside corner: 40 snaps (5%)
Strong safety: 29 snaps (3%)
He is the Cardinals' Swiss army knife. And with his explosive mobility back after the late 2015 knee injury, Mathieu can play in space over the slot, blitz from anywhere on the field, tackle in the run front or jump back into the post. Just find the ball. He's a weapon.
Honorable mention: Lamarcus Joyner, Los Angeles Rams
Defensive back I'd most love to coach
Landon Collins, New York Giants
From a coaching perspective, I want to work with smart, tough and physical players. That's where it all starts in the secondary. Gotta have that before talking about 40 times or ball skills. And after spending time with Collins this past summer for a story in ESPN The Magazine, I can tell you that his football intelligence is off the charts. Next-level stuff. Collins is super-passionate about the game, and his toughness and physicality shows up on tape. He's a leader, a guy who brings unique intangibles to the secondary -- along with Pro Bowl talent.
Honorable mention: Jamal Adams, New York Jets
Best slot cornerback
Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos
Harris stays in the top spot for the second straight year because he plays a "two-way-go" inside of the numbers and tackles in space. People don't understand how difficult it is to have the lateral movement skills to play both an inside and outside release -- with no sideline to help. The ability to tackle is just as important when locking down a slot receiver, and Harris excels there. He has the short-area quickness and tackling skills to get down opposing receivers short of the sticks.
Honorable mention: Patrick Robinson, Philadelphia Eagles
Best ball hawk at cornerback
A.J. Bouye, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bouye's six interceptions rank second in the league, and he has broken up 10 other passes. Those are good numbers, but I'm also looking at his ability to finish plays. We can go back to the two picks against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, where Bouye played the ball at the highest point on deep throws, or look at this play in a critical game moment during the win over the Chargers. Recover, play to the wide receiver's hands and go get it. You better be careful when throwing at Bouye. He's going to take away that ball.
Honorable mention: Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs
Best ball hawk at safety
Seattle's Earl Thomas could be the pick here because he closes down the middle of the field so well -- that guy is the gatekeeper of the post. But I really like what Hyde has shown this season from the deep half and middle of the field alignments in Buffalo's defense.
The former Hawkeye got off to a blazing start with five picks in his first eight games this season. He plays with body control, range and vision, and he has the ability to read through the quarterback to break on the ball. That's why Hyde plays top-down and is consistently in the proper position to finish.
Honorable mention: Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
Defensive back with the best press-man skills
Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars
With a 6-foot-1, 208-pound frame, Ramsey has the length and physical skills to get up in the grill of opposing wide receivers at the line. And there are no free passes against the second-year Florida State product.
But don't forget about his footwork. Even with that size and ultra-aggressive style we see on tape, playing press-man coverage always starts with the feet. And Ramsey, who has four picks and 11 pass breakups this season, has the lateral ability to mirror, kick-step and stay square before striking with his hands to jam you up.
Honorable mention: Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
Defensive back with the best vision
Eye discipline is such an important aspect to level secondary play, and I don't think it is talked about enough with NFL defensive backs. But vision is one of the main reasons Slay has broken up 11 passes and leads the NFL with seven interceptions.
If you study the former second-round pick, he stays on top of the route and gets his eyes back to the quarterback. This puts him in a position to jump down on underneath throws or break inside on the football. And it also allows Slay to bait the quarterback into trouble.
Honorable mention: Jimmy Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Defensive back with the best closing speed
Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons
Have you ever watched Trufant break on the ball? He comes out of his pedal with speed and can transition from a bail technique with lightning quickness. That allows Trufant to close immediately on the curl, dig or out. That's the type of stuff defensive back coaches across America try to teach to their players.
Trufant is gifted with natural ability. Light feet. Pick 'em up and put 'em down. And close to the receiver with that short-area speed that consistently flashes on film.
Honorable mention: Ronald Darby, Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive back with the best footwork
Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
Peterson glides on top of the grass in his pedal, trimming the surface with his cleats. Silky smooth stuff. But that also shows up in press-man looks where Peterson can mimic the release of the wide receiver, open and then close back downhill to the throw.
And really, the cornerback is always under control. Why? Because of his footwork. It's top tier, putting Peterson in a position to take away the route using multiple techniques both inside and outside of the numbers. It's why he might be headed for his fourth first-team All-Pro selection in seven seasons in the league.
Honorable mention: Casey Hayward, Los Angeles Chargers
Defensive back with the best tackling technique
Landon Collins, New York Giants
Let's put it this way: I coach high school ball in the Chicago area at IC Catholic Prep, and my players and I watch tape on Collins because of his tackling technique. Yes, he can strike a ball carrier with power. He's nasty. But his technique -- the wrap and drive -- is awesome, too. In a league where so many safeties want to try to light up dudes with a shoulder blow, Collins is going to wrap his arms and drive his legs on contact and put ball carriers down with the proper technique. And he's still physical.
Honorable mention: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
Defensive back who's the biggest hitter
I picked T.J. Ward in this spot last season, but his game has slipped a bit since he went to Tampa Bay from Denver. That's why I'm looking at Neal, who plays in a scheme that is tailor-made for his skill set. This allows Neal to play top-down on underneath throws and roam the middle of the field. And if you throw the ball underneath, he is going to drop the hammer. Better buckle up that chin strap.
Honorable mention: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
Best safety at playing the run
Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
Atlanta's Keanu Neal and Detroit's Glover Quin are in the conversation here. Same with Chicago's Adrian Amos and Minnesota's Harrison Smith. But I still view Chancellor as the top impact safety versus the run. When he's healthy and on the field -- a neck injury has kept him on the sideline since mid-November -- that Seattle run front is scary. Chancellor plays like a linebacker with that 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame. And he hits like one, too. This is downhill stuff, and Chancellor has a great feel for how to play in the box. Shoot a gap, chop down a ball carrier on the edge or erase the cutback lane. He's a beast.
Honorable mention: Glover Quin, Detroit Lions
Best cornerback at playing the run
Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Washington's Josh Norman was in this spot last season. And while he will still show up as a run defender, Sherman's technique -- shoulder pad to thigh board, wrap and drive -- sticks with me when I watch him play.
Crack down on the safety? Sherman is going to replace, squeeze the edge and wrap up on running backs. Yes, we always talk about Sherman as a press corner outside. But we don't focus enough on his tackling ability. He's a complete player. And, just like he does in coverage, Sherman wins with technique when defending the run. He'll be back in 2018 after a ruptured Achilles tendon in November ended his 2017 season.
Honorable mention: Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings
Best overall secondary
You've seen me mention a bunch of Jacksonville players, right? You shouldn't be surprised here. The Jags lead the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (168.9) while holding opposing quarterbacks to a Total QBR of just 38.1. That's a ridiculously low number, on par with the 2017 seasons of Miami's Jay Cutler, Cincinnati's Andy Dalton and Baltimore's Joe Flacco.
The tape tells the same story. Anchored by the league's top cornerback tandem in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, plus Aaron Colvin in the nickel spot, the Jags are playing to lock down teams at the line of scrimmage. Plus, with Tashaun Gipson looming in the deep middle of the field and strong safety Barry Church rotating down, the Jags can challenge routes at all three levels of the field. You want a physical secondary that absolutely dictates the flow of the game? This is it.
Honorable mention: Los Angeles Chargers
Best rookie cornerback
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Buffalo's Tre'Davious White could have been the pick here, and Desmond King of the Chargers has made an impact working in the slot. But Lattimore, the No. 11 overall pick, has played lights out this season -- he has four interceptions, seven pass breakups and 44 tackles. And his tape rivals some of the top veteran corners in the league. That's amazing when you think about just how hard the transition is for rookie corners making the leap to the NFL.
I'm seeing some of the same traits that popped on his college film at Ohio State. It's the man-coverage ability, tackling, closing speed and ball skills at the point of attack. Lattimore is going to squeeze routes, like he's on a string with the wide receiver. And his route recognition consistently shows up, just as it did when jumping this screen against Matthew Stafford and the Lions. I have been really impressed. And Lattimore should win the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Honorable mention: Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills
Best rookie safety
I looked at New Orleans' Marcus Williams and Chicago's Eddie Jackson as possibilities here. Both have been productive and made plays on the ball. I'm sticking with Adams, however, because I just love how he plays the game. He brings energy to the field, and he's not afraid to hit. Plus his versatility is a perfect fit for today's NFL. Just take a look at where the No. 6 overall pick has lined up this season for the Jets:
Linebacker: 420 snaps (47% of snaps)
Free safety: 233 snaps (26%)
Slot corner: 109 snaps (12%)
Strong safety: 96 snaps (11%)
Outside corner: 28 snaps (3%)
Like Mathieu in Arizona, Adams can play anywhere as a movable chess piece in the game plan. And he can do that because of his unique skill set.
Honorable mention: Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints