<
        >

          Best NFL defensive backs, from Minkah Fitzpatrick to Tyrann Mathieu: Matt Bowen's 2020 Shutdown Index

          • Matt BowenDec 9, 2020, 07:15 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

          The Shutdown Index returns for a fifth straight year. From the best coverage technique to the top ball hawk to the most rangy and versatile, I've picked out the NFL's best defensive backs in 23 different categories. You'll find Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard and more, plus a few names that might surprise you.

          With seven seasons of experience in an NFL secondary, I look for specific traits when breaking down cornerbacks and safeties. They include physicality, eye discipline, range over the top and proper technique at the line of scrimmage. Consistency, versatility and the ability to make plays on the ball are key traits too.

          I poured through the game tape and found the players who best represent excellence in important aspects of the game. Here are the best of the best in every area that matters for defensive backs, including ball skills, range, versatility, run defense and much more.

          Shutdown Index archives:
          2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

          Best secondary

          Pittsburgh Steelers

          Through Week 12, the Steelers ranked first in pass defense, allowing only 193.2 passing yards per game, and third in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.6). Opponent QBR? They've allowed quarterbacks a league-worst 33.0. Look at the numbers here, then turn on the tape. This unit, which plays in the league's most pressure-heavy defensive scheme -- with a blitz rate of 41.9% -- meshes both single-high man coverage and split-safety schemes to dictate the flow of the game from a secondary perspective. And I love the mix of personnel in Pittsburgh.

          Start with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and his ability to track the ball from the post. Then move over to safety Terrell Edmunds, a downhill hammer who can play in the box or run the alley. And on the outside, there's your veteran coverage traits and the ball skills of cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. Plus, with a nickel man such as Mike Hilton, one of the league's best slot blitzers, the Steelers can bring pressure from the back end, behind a physical and fast defensive front.

          It's the personnel, the scheme and the overall play speed of this unit that pushed the Steelers in front of an ascending Rams secondary for me this season. Mike Tomlin's team has taken a big step forward.

          Honorable mention: Los Angeles Rams

          Most complete cornerback

          Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

          With upper-tier coverage traits, length and short-area burst, Ramsey can bump inside over the slot in Brandon Staley's defensive scheme or match to the size and speed of a star wide receiver such as DK Metcalf outside of the numbers. Ramsey is a complete player at the position, with the physicality to set an edge versus the run and the competitive juice to win high-profile matchups. And with Ramsey in L.A., Staley can isolate him as a "locked" defender -- within the Rams' core split-safety zone coverages -- to erase a one-on-one matchup.

          Ramsey hasn't filled up the stat sheet this season, but opponents are avoiding him for a reason. In 2020, he is the nearest defender to the targeted receiver just 13% of the time, the second-lowest rate among outside corners. And per NFL Next Gen Stats, the expected completion percentage on those throws has been 60%, but those passes have only been completed 52% of the time. That minus-8% completion percentage over expectation allowed is the third best among all outside corners.

          Honorable mention: Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

          Best monsterback

          Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks

          I had some questions on the scheme fit for Adams in Seattle after the team traded two first-round picks to the Jets to get him. But with the Seahawks using his impact play ability as a hybrid linebacker/safety, this defense has been more pressure-heavy with Adams in the lineup. And that caters to his aggressive style.

          The Seahawks rank ninth in blitz rate at 33.1%, with Adams -- who has logged 70 pass rushes -- racking up 6.5 sacks and 23 total pressures in only seven games. (He added another sack in Week 13.) Plus, when he aligns as a box defender, Adams checks in with a run stop win rate of 41.5%. And given his versatility as both as a safety and overhang box defender, he can align in multiple spots to play top-down on the ball in base or sub-package personnel.

          Here's a look at the splits for where Adams lines up before the snap (through Week 12):

          • Safety: 169

          • Outside linebacker: 161

          • Slot corner: 88

          • Inside linebacker: 25

          • Outside corner: 14

          While Adams does have some coverage limitations due to his change-of-direction ability, there is no question about his impact when playing a defined role in this Seattle defensive system. And that's why he is the pick as the best monsterback for the second straight year.

          Honorable mention: Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers

          Defensive back I'd love to coach

          Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

          When I look at defensive backs, I want guys who play with a sense of urgency. No hesitation -- just see the ball and go. That's real game speed, in my opinion, not the 40-yard dash testing before the draft. And you always get that with Baker. Run the alley, drive on the ball, tackle at top speed. It's consistent.

          This season, he has generated more on-the-ball production (two picks, one forced fumble), and we know he will blitz in the Cardinals' pressure-happy defense. He has the coverage traits to roll down over a slot, and when he aligns inside the box, Baker's run stop win rate of 47% is tops among defensive backs. He has versatile traits and a play style that absolutely jumps off the film. Baker is a tone setter, and you can win with that in any scheme.

          Honorable mention: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, New Orleans Saints

          Defensive back I'd like to see in different schemes

          Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

          Last year, I listed Alexander as the defensive back I'd most like to coach, given his ultra-competitive playing style and high-level man-coverage traits. But with Alexander playing in Mike Pettine's zone-heavy system in Green Bay, we don't get to see him in consistent isolation matchups as a man defender.

          This season, the Packers have played single-high man free on only 27.3% of opponent dropbacks, which ranks 30th in the NFL. And the Packers' blitz rate of 22.7% ranks 23rd. I'd love to see Alexander play in a more aggressive, man-heavy scheme that uses his upper-tier ability to match in coverage.

          Honorable mention: Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

          Biggest hitter

          Johnathan Abram, Las Vegas Raiders

          Abram's playing style is on the same level with both Adams and Baker. He is a missile to the ball. Whether we are looking at Abram as a split-field defender or as a box safety, he is going to create some train wrecks at the point of attack.

          Just check out this hit from the Raiders' game against the Chargers earlier this season. Abram tracks the ball through the alley and lets his shoulder pads talk. That's good, physical football for a young safety who is still developing as a pro.

          Honorable mention: Rayshawn Jenkins, Los Angeles Chargers

          Best coverage technique

          Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills

          White is the Tim Duncan of the NFL in regard to the technique he puts on tape every week. Just watch his patient feet in his backpedal. There's no panic there. Look at the square shoulders. He is aggressive and disciplined in press-man too. And the short-area burst pops when White transitions from his break to drive on the ball. Click and close.

          This season, White has two picks and five pass breakups. And while you might not see that as upper-tier production, the tape tells us that he has the best technique in the league. This is clinic-level stuff. And really, it's the best technique I've seen in years from anyone.

          Honorable mention: Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots

          Best cornerback ball hawk

          Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

          Howard has some of the best coverage skills I've seen on the tape in 2020. He is a long, man-coverage corner who will snug up to wide receivers and impact the catch point. And I love his fit in a Miami defense that will bring heat with a blitz rate of 39.1% (third most in the league) while using late movement and disguise to create conflict for opposing quarterbacks.

          But Howard is in this spot because of the ball production. Through Week 12, Howard leads the league with seven interceptions, in addition to logging another seven pass breakups. (His eighth pick came in Week 13 against the Bengals.) And as we've seen when the Dolphins spin the secondary to play zone coverage, Howard will bait quarterbacks before closing the window. He is a high-level player who has helped elevate this Miami defense in 2020.

          Honorable mention: Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams; J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

          Best safety ball hawk

          Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

          Since he was traded to Pittsburgh before Week 3 of the 2019 season, Fitzpatrick has picked off nine passes, including four this season. And there's a reason he is consistently around the football. That's natural awareness as a post or deep-half defender, the ability to drop down as a robber safety and the eye discipline in the defensive secondary, which allows Fitzpatrick to read the quarterback and get a jump on the rock. Guys don't make plays on accident in this league.

          Honorable mention: Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

          Best rookie cornerback

          Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears

          Playing the cornerback position in the NFL is tough on any rookie. It's a big jump from the college game. And Johnson is no different here, as the first-year man out of Utah has been taught some life lessons on the field by NFL veteran wideouts. It happens.

          However, I look at the ball production here with Johnson, who is tied for the league lead with 14 passes broken up this year. Remember, you have to be in a position to finish on the ball, and that's where we see the physical coverage traits and active hands of the rookie. Plus, he fits in a Chicago defensive scheme that leans on split-safety looks. While Johnson can still be a little grabby in coverage and get stuck with his eyes in the backfield at times, I see the arrow pointing up here on a player who will continue to show growth with more pro game reps.

          Honorable mention: L'Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs

          Best rookie safety

          Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts

          Playing in an Indy defensive system that leads the league in Cover 2 snaps (30.5% of opponent dropbacks), Blackmon is an easy fit as a split-field safety with range and the ability to play top-down on the ball. That allows Blackmon -- who has two picks and four pass breakups -- to close the deep window to the boundary and overlap throws to the middle of the field, like we saw on this interception of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to close out the Week 6 win over Cincinnati.

          Let's also not sleep on Blackmon as a downhill run defender who can close the door in the alley or shoot a gap to bring down a ball carrier. There are some explosive traits in his game. And the more tape I watch here, it's pretty clear than Colts general manager Chris Ballard hit on this pick with Blackmon in the fourth round. He is a scheme-specific talent who has allowed Ballard to continue building this Colts defense up the middle.

          Honorable mention: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

          Best range for defensive backs

          Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati Bengals

          When looking at range, especially from the post, don't focus on the stopwatch speed. Instead, let the tape talk on the player's eyes, football awareness and instincts to create a clean jump on the ball. And that's what I've seen from Bates pretty consistently this season in Cincinnati.

          In 2020, Bates has logged three interceptions and eight pass breakups. In addition to his range to overlap the seam or fade ball, Bates is extremely physical at the catch point. That matters when studying the secondary. You want a post/split-field safety with both the range and the physical presence to separate the receiver from the ball. Want an example? Check out this animation of a play from the Bengals' Week 4 game against the Jaguars from NFL Next Gen Stats.

          Bates identifies the route, reads Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew and shows some serious range to make a play on the fade.

          Honorable mention: Darnell Savage, Green Bay Packers

          Most versatile defensive back

          Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs

          My definition of "versatility" in the secondary points to Mathieu's role within Steve Spagnuolo's defensive scheme in Kansas City. There, Mathieu can play as a monsterback, cover in the slot, spin to the post or pressure in a defense that leads the NFL with 37 snaps of zero-man coverage (all-out blitz).

          While Mathieu will play a similar role to that of Jamal Adams as a hybrid box defender, where Mathieu has 123 snaps as an outside linebacker, it's the coverage traits and post ability that make him more versatile. This season, Mathieu has logged 270 snaps in the slot, in addition to his 229 reps as a free safety. And with five more interceptions in 2020 -- giving him a total of nine in his two seasons with the Chiefs -- his playmaking traits allow Spagnuolo to use him as a defensive matchup piece.

          Honorable mention: Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills

          Best split-field safety

          John Johnson III, Los Angeles Rams

          The Rams have played split-safety coverage on 35.2% of opponent dropbacks and rank third overall in quarters coverage snaps -- which is an easy fit for Johnson given his downhill traits versus both the run and the pass. Johnson will cut the crossers, drive the in-breakers and showcase the transition speed to close in a hurry. Plus, he can fill the alley as a run defender on edge schemes.

          With Johnson paired with rookie Jordan Fuller, the Rams now feature one of the top safety combos in the league. And in Brandon Staley's system, they are set up to limit middle-of-the-field throws.

          Honorable mention: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

          Best slot cornerback

          Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

          Humphrey also could be listed as one of the most versatile defensive backs; he has played 235 snaps outside the numbers at the cornerback position. With 195 snaps inside, however, Humphrey is my choice for the top slot man in 2020.

          I love his physical style and the ability to pressure from the slot as a part of the Ravens' multiple blitz packages. Humphrey can challenge in press and mirror in space versus a two-way go (inside or outside release). And we know he will show up versus the run game. The way I see it, Humphrey checks all the boxes here, with top-five traits as both an inside or outside corner.

          Honorable mention: Kenny Moore, Indianapolis Colts

          Best slot safety

          C.J. Gardner-Johnson, New Orleans Saints

          Gardner-Johnson is a movable piece for the Saints in Dennis Allen's defense. We see Gardner-Johnson match in the slot, bump inside as a sub-package defender and drop underneath as a hook/curl player in zone schemes. This season, Gardner-Johnson has played 368 snaps in the slot, with 146 snaps at outside linebacker. And I really like his play style when aligned as a slot defender.

          Like Baker, Abram and Adams, the Saints' second-year pro brings a sense of urgency to the tape as a cover man, run defender and blitzer. Gardner-Johnson is yet another tempo setter who fits as a scheme-specific player in New Orleans.

          Honorable mention: Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

          Best safety run defender

          Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

          Simmons is one of the top safeties in the game, and I could have put him in multiple spots on this list. The ball skills are legit, as he has now logged eight interceptions over the past two years in Vic Fangio's defensive scheme. Simmons is excellent in split-safety quarters, and he has post ability, as well.

          But he also is a top-level safety versus the run, transitioning downhill with clean angles to fill on secondary support. He finishes on his tackles too. Simmons has a complete game at the position, and because he is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason, there's some money coming here.

          Honorable mention: Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills

          Best cornerback run defender

          Tre Flowers, Seattle Seahawks

          Simply put, you have to tackle in Seattle's defensive scheme, and Flowers will get into the mix here on the edges. Remember, the Seahawks have played zone coverage on 63.8% of opponent dropbacks this season, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. That puts Flowers in a position as a rolled-up flat defender in Cover 2, aligned to the backside of a trips set in Cover 3 or as a quarters player who has to replace on the edge.

          He is a physical corner who isn't shy on contact. He shoots, wraps and gets the ball carrier on the ground.

          Honorable mention: Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

          Best zone technique cornerback

          Xavier Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts

          Last month, I joined ESPN's Seth Walder for a feature focusing on offseason additions who have helped to create statistical surges in specific areas of the game. Looking at pass defense, that's Rhodes in Indianapolis. Yes, he can still play man coverage, and in fact, Rhodes' minus-15% completion percentage over expectation is No. 1 in the NFL at the cornerback position.

          In the Colts' heavy Cover 2 defense, however, Rhodes is a really good fit given his length and physical traits. This season, the veteran cornerback has registered two interceptions (one returned for a score) and nine pass breakups.

          Honorable mention: James Bradberry, New York Giants

          Most playmaking traits

          Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens

          With three interceptions this season, Peters has now logged 22 picks over his past five campaigns, the most in the NFL. With top-tier playmaking traits to bait opposing quarterbacks, Peters will lie in the weeds to find the ball. And while he does go outside of the coverage structure -- which can create big-play opportunities for the offense -- Peters' instincts and ball skills put him in a position to create takeaways as both a zone and man defender.

          Need an example? Here's a look at Peters' ability to jump a crossing route from earlier this season on NFL Matchup.

          Honorable mention: Janoris Jenkins, New Orleans Saints

          Best transition speed

          Jason Verrett, San Francisco 49ers

          Healthy and back on the field for the 49ers, Verrett still has that instant closing speed to drive on the throw. And that skill set hasn't changed since I watched him on the practice field at the 2014 Senior Bowl before he was drafted in the first round by the Chargers. With the 49ers using a very multiple approach on defense this year -- which includes more split-safety quarters and single-high man coverage -- Verrett has opportunities to match outside the numbers.

          Honorable mention: Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

          Ascending talent

          Trayvon Mullen, Las Vegas Raiders

          With 11 pass breakups this year, Mullen is showing positive signs of development in his second pro season with the Raiders. He is a physical corner who will disrupt receivers in a press positions, and the zone traits flash when Mullen sinks to find the ball. He is a really good fit for the Raiders' Cover 2 and Cover 6 schemes.

          Honorable mention: Nik Needham, Miami Dolphins

          Under the radar defensive back to know

          Amani Hooker, Tennessee Titans

          Hooker has played 258 snaps this season for the Titans as a sub-package defender. But with three interceptions and four passes broken up, the former Iowa Hawkeye is creating ball disruption for a Tennessee secondary that uses a lot of late movement and disguise at the safety spot.

          Honorable mention: Kamren Curl, Washington Football Team; DeAndre Houston-Carson, Chicago Bears