<
        >

          Matt Bowen's 2019 Shutdown Index: The NFL's best defensive backs in every category

          • Matt BowenDec 12, 2019, 06:55 AM ET
            Close
              Matt Bowen is a fantasy football and NFL writer for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2015, writes regularly for ESPN+ and spent multiple years on "NFL Matchup." After graduating from the University of Iowa, Matt played safety in the NFL for St. Louis, Green Bay, Washington and Buffalo over seven seasons.
            Follow on X

          Patrick Peterson is out. So is the Bears' secondary. And Earl Thomas just missed the cut in his first season with the Ravens. But there are also several new names in this year's Shutdown Index, the fourth straight year I've picked out the NFL's best DBs at several categories. Marcus Williams jumps into the mix. Quandre Diggs is here, too.

          This has been a tremendous season for defensive back play, from the Patriots locking down receivers to the rise of Minkah Fitzpatrick after his trade to the Steelers. There are also a few players who return to my list, too.

          After playing seven NFL seasons in the secondary, I look for specific traits when breaking down cornerbacks and safeties. 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 every area that matters for defensive backs: ball skills, range, press coverage, versatility, run defense and much more:

          Best overall coverage cornerback

          Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots

          In New England's man-heavy defense, Gilmore's game shows up play after play. He has all the traits of a top cover corner -- footwork, transition ability, closing speed and ball skills -- and I see high-level technique here that puts him in a position to finish on the ball, where he has produced four interceptions and eight pass break ups.

          Plus, Gilmore has the versatility to play specific matchups based on opposing personnel. With more than 100 snaps logged in the slot this season, he can win in space, locking down receivers inside the numbers. As the nearest defender in coverage, Gilmore has allowed quarterbacks to complete just 45.5% of their passes, according to NFL Next Gen Stats data. That's No. 1 in the league among defenders who have been targeted at least 50 times.

          And he has the physical makeup to check tight ends, too. Just go back to the Week 11 tape versus Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. I want cornerbacks who challenge routes from the jump with the polished fundamentals and playmaking ability to create on-the-ball production. And that's what I see from Gilmore in a loaded New England secondary.

          Honorable mention: Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

          Best monsterback

          Jamal Adams, New York Jets

          With 6.5 sacks and 12.5 disrupted dropbacks this season, Adams is a versatile weapon in Gregg Williams' defensive scheme. To reiterate: This is a defensive back with more sacks than Von Miller, Vic Beasley Jr. and Frank Clark. The hybrid safety/sub-package linebacker cleans up in the run game, and he has the traits to match underneath in coverage. His play speed jumps off the film, too. That gives the Jets more flexibility to utilize Adams' unique talent and natural traits in multiple roles.

          Just check out the snap splits on Adams' season so far:

          • Safety: 374

          • Outside linebacker: 297

          • Slot: 84

          • Cornerback: 35

          • Inside linebacker: 27

          It's similar to how he was used last season, when I also gave him this award. In addition to the pressure numbers, Adams has posted 64 total tackles, with two forced fumbles, five pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns. This is an impact player who can change the tempo of the game -- just like he did in the Jets' Week 10 win over the Giants when he took the ball right out of the hands of quarterback Daniel Jones for a defensive score (check out the video below). Ridiculous stuff.

          Honorable mention: Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs

          Best secondary

          New England Patriots

          The Patriots mix in some Cover 3 and split-safety schemes in Bill Belichick's defense, but let's be honest here: This unit wins by challenging opposing teams in man coverage. And with New England playing man coverage on 68% of the snaps this season -- tops in the league -- it's more than just the talent base of Gilmore that has allowed the Pats to hold opposing teams to 171.8 passing yards per game (No. 2 in the NFL).

          Go check out Jonathan Jones and Jason McCourty in coverage, the versatility of J.C. Jackson or the multiple roles for safeties Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon. Plus, with the range and coverage ability of post safety Devin McCourty -- who is tied for the league lead with five interceptions -- the Patriots can dictate the flow of the game from the secondary in base or sub-package personnel. I love it.

          The Pats have a league-leading 21 interceptions this season, with 16 of those picks coming from the secondary. And given their ability to play specific matchups because of the versatility of this group -- while using their safeties to cut, double or bracket top offensive targets -- you won't find many teams that create consistent production in the passing game versus this lockdown unit.

          Honorable mention: Baltimore Ravens

          The defensive back I'd love to coach

          Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

          Why the second-year Packers corner? Because Alexander has so many natural traits with room to develop. Give me a physical, coverage corner who competes like Alexander, with the instant transition speed and ball skills to drive on the throw.

          I want guys in the secondary who challenge receivers from the jump, and you get that with Alexander, who has 13 pass breakups this season. Given the high ceiling I see here on film, I think Alexander has the makeup of a future All-Pro if he continues to improve. And that's exactly the type of talent you want to coach.

          Honorable mention: Marcus Maye, New York Jets

          Biggest hitter

          Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks

          Diggs is a downhill thumper, and he has excelled in Seattle's zone-based scheme since a midseason trade from Detroit. That's where he can play top-down on wide receivers or tight ends after the catch. Speed to the rock, then deliver a violent hit, all in a 5-foot-9 frame.

          Check out Diggs as an alley safety, where he can align in a post-safety shell to fill the void. Want an example? Watch the clip below from the Week 13 win over the Vikings. The lesson for ball carriers is to not dance after the catch when Diggs is in a position to light you up.

          Honorable mention: Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders

          Best ball hawk at cornerback

          Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens

          If you study Peters, you know he's a gambler in coverage. He will bait quarterbacks, sit on routes and jump throws. But that also points to his ability to make plays on the ball. With a whopping 27 interceptions since he was drafted in 2015, he's one of the best true ball hawks in NFL history.

          Whether we're watching Peters lie in the weeds as a Cover 2 defender or playing off-coverage to entice an underneath throw to a hitch route -- check out this pick-six of Russell Wilson in Peters' first game in Baltimore -- he is going to put himself in a position to take the ball away. Peters has three interceptions (two returned for TDs) since he was traded to Baltimore at midseason.

          Honorable mention: Logan Ryan, Tennessee Titans

          Best ball hawk at safety

          Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

          Playing more as a single-high safety after the trade that sent him from Miami to Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick's five interceptions are tied with Devin McCourty for the league-lead. He has been consistently around the ball since the trade, and the Steelers defense has been elite with him in the lineup. It's not too much to say that Fitzpatrick has completely transformed the identity of the Steelers, who are 8-5 because of a great defense.

          Fitzpatrick's eight total takeaways -- he has recovered three fumbles -- don't happen by accident. The 2018 first-round pick has natural playmaking skills and range, and he trusts his eyes to get a jump on the throw. Just check out the example below, one of his two defensive touchdowns this season:

          Honorable mention: Devin McCourty, New England Patriots

          Best rookie cornerback

          Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, New Orleans Saints

          This rookie cornerback class doesn't have a ton of standouts yet, but I'm going with Gardner-Johnson as the key piece of the Saints' sub-packages in the slot. Playing as a nickel/dime corner, the fourth-round pick has the size and competitiveness to match bigger tight ends, plus the feet, hips and twitch to match wide receivers in the slot.

          While his numbers don't stand out on paper -- 28 total tackles, one interception, five pass break ups -- I have to trust my eyes on the film.

          Honorable mention: Trayvon Mullen, Oakland Raiders

          Most versatile

          Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

          Humphrey has the coverage skills to be mentioned as one of the league's best cover corners. But I'm tagging him as the most versatile player this season because of his ability to play inside and outside the numbers.

          Humphrey has 291 snaps in coverage in the standard outside cornerback alignment this season. When Jimmy Smith returned from injury, however, Humphrey bumped inside to play the slot cornerback role, where he has now logged 362 snaps. And I'm all in on Humphrey's physical style, plus his ability to play the hands of opposing wide receivers at the catch point.

          Heading into Week 15, Humphrey has two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups, and he has added two defensive touchdowns. The 2017 first-round pick has developed in an elite player.

          Honorable mention: Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots

          Best range

          Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints

          A prime fit for Dennis Allen's scheme in New Orleans, Williams has the range to impact the top of the vertical route tree. He gets great jumps on deep throws, and that allows him to cover some ground in a hurry.

          Want an example? Check out Williams' interception of Deshaun Watson on Monday Night Football in Week 1 (see the video below). Williams is moving here, and he finishes by high-pointing the football. With three interceptions on the season, he has the range to track the ball and as post safety or as a deep half defender in Cover 2. The 2017 second-round pick is also a great example of why 40-yard dash speed doesn't show the full athletic ability of prospects coming into the league. Williams ran a 4.56 40 at the combine, which is a good time for his size, but he had elite numbers in the vertical jump, broad jump and 60-yard shuttle.

          Honorable mention: Malik Hooker, Indianapolis Colts

          Best split-field safety

          Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

          I went with a best split-field safety category this year because we see so much quarters and Cover 2 in today's NFL. And that's why I'm looking at Simmons here in Vic Fangio's scheme.

          The 2016 third-round picks has three interceptions and nine pass breakups, but this is more about his ability to drive downhill to match/cut crossers in quarters technique, play over the top in two-deep or rob-deep in-breaking routes. Simmons can roll down into the box or spin to the post, but as a quarters/Cover 2 safety, he's the best I've studied this season.

          Honorable mention: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

          Best cornerback in press-man technique

          Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

          If we're talking about straight press-man technique, I'm staying with Ramsey. It's the tremendous length, with the high-cut frame and explosive change of direction ability to close to receivers.

          Add in the smooth hips, plus the ball skills, and Ramsey has the competitive juice to match up in solo coverage at the line of scrimmage.

          Honorable mention: Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills

          Best cornerback in zone technique

          Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers

          The 49ers have played zone coverage a league-high 65% of their snaps this season. That's a perfect fit for Sherman, who has three interceptions and six pass breakups.

          Just look at his patience in coverage, feel for when wide receivers are going to break at the top of the route and high-level football IQ. Whether Sherman is playing as an outside 1/3 defender, matching on verticals or funneling routes inside, his zone coverage traits and length allow him to find the ball. Sherman has a hamstring injury that will keep him out a few games, but the 31-year-old has looked like his old self this season.

          Honorable mention: Shaquille Griffin, Seattle Seahawks

          Best slot cornerback

          Kenny Moore, Indianapolis Colts

          Moore is the pick here, because he has a deep toolbox of traits that fit the Colts' scheme and the way the slot position has evolved. I want slot corners who can tackle first. That's a must. Moore checks that box, along with ability to match in man or patrol the underneath zones as a hook/curl defender.

          And when Indianapolis does dial up pressure out of sub-package personnel, Moore is a talented blitzer. This season, he has 61 total tackles, two interceptions and 2.5 sacks, great numbers for a young, developing defense.

          Honorable mention: Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots

          Best rookie safety

          Juan Thornhill, Kansas City Chiefs

          Yes, Thornhill needs to be better against the run. That's clear after studying the tape. But I'm taking the second-round pick here because of the upside and playmaking talent he has shown, as he has two interceptions and 50 total tackles so far.

          In the Chiefs' scheme, Thornhill has the range to play in the post, can work as a Quarters defender and, as we saw in the Week 13 win over the Raiders, can drive on the ball (check out the video below).

          That's a bracket/double on the outside receiver with the Chiefs setting a trap for quarterback Derek Carr. And Thornhill breaks with some serious speed to take this ball back to make a house call on the pick-six. He makes eye-popping plays every week, and I'm excited to see how he continues to grow next to Tyrann Mathieu.

          Honorable mention: Darnell Savage, Green Bay Packers

          Best run defender at safety

          Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans

          I could have put multiple safeties in this spot, including Jamal Adams, Justin Simmons and Landon Collins. But I'm going with Byard because of his ability to fit up the run consistently.

          Byard, who has 71 total tackles this season, understands cut-off angles and how to put himself in a position to clean up as a second-level run defender. Smart player. And it shows on the tape.

          Honorable mention: Landon Collins, Washington Redskins

          Best closing speed

          Donte Jackson, Carolina Panthers

          Jackson, who has three interceptions this season, is a twitchy corner with the footwork and transition speed to close in a hurry. Just look at the 4.32 40-yard dash the second-round pick put up at the 2018 combine. He can eat up some grass in an instant.

          Whether Jackson is playing in an off-coverage position or working to back to the hip of a receiver the top of the route, he is lightning quick, with the short-area speed to close.

          Honorable mention: Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

          Best footwork

          Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

          Lattimore was the pick here last season, and I don't see any reason to take him out of the top spot when it comes to clean, quick and silky footwork at the position. Looking for coverage technique to drill as a young defensive back? Then throw on the tape of Lattimore when he has to transition, or flip the hips, to dive on an out cut. It's slick.

          Honorable mention: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

          Best run defender at cornerback

          Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos

          Harris was my pick for the top slot corner in 2018. But with Vic Fangio now running his system in Denver, Harris has only played 29 snaps in the slot in 2019. What hasn't changed, however, is Harris' ability to play the run. He's a true pro at the position, and I love corners who tackle.

          Honorable mention: Chidobe Awuzie, Dallas Cowboys

          The Next Generation

          Let's get to know five prospects who could go in Round 1 in the 2020 NFL draft. These are prospects who could make an immediate impact as rookies next year:

          CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State

          Okudah has limited ball production at Ohio State -- only three career interceptions -- but we have to look at his size/speed traits. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, with sticky coverage skills and oily hips, he should be locked in as a top-10 prospect if he runs well at the combine. And based on the tape, he can move.

          S Grant Delpit, LSU

          Delpit should head to the combine as the No. 1 safety prospect on the draft boards of the majority of NFL teams. You want versatile traits with a pro-ready frame at the safety spot? Delpit is going to check those boxes. Put him in the post, send him as a blitzer or roll him down to match in the slot at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds. He's a future monsterback in the league, like Jamal Adams.

          CB Kristian Fulton, LSU

          Another cornerback with a 6-foot frame, Fulton plays with pro-level technique in press-man, and he has the physical tools to challenge wide receivers underneath or down the field in solo matchups. And we get to see more of Fulton on the national stage later this month vs. Jalen Hurts, CeeDee Lamb and the Oklahoma offense in the Peach Bowl.

          S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

          I see McKinney as a disruptive defender who can find the ball as a split-coverage safety or rolled down as an underneath sub-package defender. The size is there at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and McKinney posted impressive numbers in the SEC this season with 85 total tackles, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and two sacks.

          CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford

          Adebo is a little tight-hipped on film, and he can get stuck at times coming out of his breaks. But he displays the short-area quicks and foot speed to close on the rock. Plus, he has the length to finish on the ball. He'll be a good fit for a zone-heavy team where he can use his 6-foot-1, 190 pound frame to play physical coverage.