Who's the NFL's best cornerback? Wide receiver? Offensive tackle? What about the second-best defensive tackle -- after Aaron Donald? To preview the 2021 NFL season, we set out to answer those questions and much more.
We surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from edge rusher to interior offensive linemen and all the way through tight ends. This is the second edition of these rankings, and there are several players who moved up and dropped from last year's lists.
Here's how our process worked: Voters gave us their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy -- even the honorable mentions.
The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2021. This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who's the best today? Pretty simple.
We'll roll out a position per day over the next 11 days. Here's the schedule:
Week 1: edge rushers (July 5), interior defensive line (July 6), off-ball linebackers (July 7), cornerbacks (July 8), safeties (July 9), offensive tackles (July 10), interior offensive line (July 11)
Week 2: quarterbacks (July 12), running backs (July 13), wide receivers (July 14), tight ends (July 15)
The NFL is stocked with very good cornerbacks -- but not enough truly great ones. Evaluators in the league lamented the scarcity of game-changing corners, which is a problem in an increasingly pass-first league.
Execs and coaches want corners who can cover a No. 1 receiver in man with minimal help and switch to zone with ease, who can tackle in space and win with instincts and footwork. That's a big ask, but it's also why elite corners get paid. They are rare.
This year's top-10 cornerbacks list features its share of greatness, though. It includes a clear-cut No. 1, ascending young stars, aging but still proficient corners, and a mean tiebreaker from Baltimore to New England.
1. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: 2
The way cornerbacks stack up is pretty clear-cut for most teams.
"There's Jalen Ramsey, and there's a line," an NFL head coach said.
No one doubts Ramsey's immense talent as a rangy, lanky corner possessing every measurable skill necessary to dominate. Stephon Gilmore edged him out for the top spot last year due to consistency, however. Fair or not, maturity issues plagued Ramsey, too.
Ramsey's play did all his talking in 2020, with his versatility essentially allowing the Rams to play whatever coverage they wanted. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Ramsey gave up 358 yards as the nearest defender this season, equivalent to 23.9 per game over his 15 games.
"Big, long, fast, knack for making plays on the ball," an NFC personnel evaluator said. "When you play him, he plays at a physical level and you feel it."
2. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 6
Humphrey's throwback-style physicality earned him the most top-three votes after Ramsey.
"He's the one guy, if you think back to Peanut Tillman, he's asserting himself like that," an AFC coordinator said. "Maybe not a twitchy guy but man coverage skills, toughness, knack to getting the ball, adequate speed and good size."
The "Peanut punch" sounds about right after Humphrey led the league with eight forced fumbles. Receivers in the AFC North famously know they have to tuck tight when Humphrey is coming.
A few voters said his man coverage skills might not be elite, but several trusted defensive coaches say he has improved in that area in a big way, and his physicality almost always wins out.
Humphrey ranked fourth in the NFL with 6.4 yards allowed per target as the nearest defender, per Next Gen Stats.
"He's just tough -- ball hawk, long, rangy, plays different now than in college," an NFC coach said. "Before you play him, you're showing his turnover reel to your team -- 'Let's not tempt him.'"
3. Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: 10
No wonder Howard wants a new contract. Snagging 10 picks in one season elevates you from 10th on last year's list to the top three.
"He likes to put hands on people. My kind of corner," an AFC coordinator said.
Howard has the press-man ability and ball production that every team covets. The All-Pro produced a league-high 20 pass deflections, using his size (6-1, 198 pounds) to fluster top receivers. He is versatile enough to jam a wideout or play Cover-2 when the defense switches things up.
"Instincts. Plays a lot closer on you than most, and if people test him and force him, he knows how to get his head around and finish the catch," an NFC personnel evaluator said. "He breaks so well that he cuts the route."
4. Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 8
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: 1
Teams are trying to figure out Gilmore's 2020 performance. The production declined, though matching his 2019 campaign -- with six interceptions, 20 pass deflections and Defensive Player of the Year honors -- was an unreasonable ask.
But Gilmore, 30, suffered a bout with COVID-19, and the Patriots' defense wasn't as good overall. Those are factors. No one is doubting he's a complete corner.
"[Gilmore] didn't have a great year, but I don't think he's down and out," a high-ranking NFL official said. "Still very talented. Long, great ball skills. You forget how fast he is until you see him in person. When he gets on your guys, he can frustrate the hell out of you. Very sneaky player in man and also get his eyes on the quarterback. He sees the quarterback and pivots eyes in and out. I don't think he's improving but he's not falling off, either."
Over the past two seasons, Gilmore led the NFL in fewest yards per target allowed as nearest defender (6.1). He got several first-place votes and was a fixture in most top-three ballots.
"He's still a big-game corner," an NFC scout said. "Would take him over almost anyone."
5. Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills
Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 9
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: 3
White is a coach's dream. He's so smooth in his fundamentals that ESPN NFL analyst and friend of the Top 10 Matt Bowen calls White the Tim Duncan of the NFL.
With 15 picks and 54 pass deflections since entering the league in 2017, White is a top-five fixture.
"Not a blazer, but very quick," an NFC coordinator said. "Instinctive, great footwork, has the ball skills you want, breaks on the ball well."
White can play man or zone equally as effective. One NFC coach pointed out that Buffalo is a team of overachievers in some ways, and White embodies that -- not a Ramsey-type athlete but can be as good as anyone with smarts and staying under control.
6. Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 9
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Alexander was the 11th man on last year's list, but his game was undeniable in Year 3. One head coach called him "smooth," and added that he has a good feel for the trajectory and timing of the throw, which makes it easier to undercut or jump a route.
"He can play zone or man, lots of speed, quickness and he'll battle," an AFC coordinator said.
Alexander's importance to Green Bay's defense can't be understated. Last season, including the playoffs, Alexander gave up a 45.9 NFL passer rating and completion percentage of 46% as the nearest defender. All other Packers corners allowed a 95.9 passer rating and 63% as the nearest defender.
One NFC coach said Alexander doesn't play as physical at the line of scrimmage as he'd like, but his vision and instincts help offset that.
7. Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: 5
Many evaluators believe Lattimore would be a top-three corner with a little more consistency.
"Can show you one game where he looks like an All-Pro, and another where he looks like a complete train wreck," a high-ranking NFL official said. "But he can play man and take you out of a game. He's that talented."
Helping hold Mike Evans to a combined two catches for 5 yards in his last two games against the Saints is among Lattimore's best work. And he is productive, with 55 pass deflections since 2017. His physicality shows up in big moments, too, such as a game-saving tackle of Mike Williams on Monday Night Football against the Chargers.
But Lattimore also gave up five touchdowns when he was the nearest defender and earned a 59.1 Pro Football Focus, too low for a player of his caliber.
8. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 13
Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
One of the smoothest cover corners on the list, Ward has the speed and agility to go stride-for-stride with the opponent's top receiver.
"His ability to run with and cover people is what separates him," an AFC coordinator said. "Technically he's getting there. But he's a true press guy, and there aren't many of them."
Ward's 18 pass deflections tied for second in the NFL, and his 6.2 yards allowed per target as the nearest defender also ranked in the top five.
"Lack of physicality is an issue, but he's athletic with good instincts, and that [Browns] pass rush will give him opportunities," an NFC personnel evaluator said.
9. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
Highest ranking: 6 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 30 | Last year's ranking: 4
Most teams agree Slay isn't a top-five guy anymore, but they do expect a bounce-back year after an uneven first season in Philadelphia.
"When he's high-motor, he's dangerous," an NFC coach said. "When something goes wrong or if he's in a funk, he can be a liability."
Pro Football Focus moved Slay outside of the top-20 corners for 2021 after producing a 62.9 rating last season. He also failed to crack the top 20 in completion percentage allowed as the nearest defender. But he has plenty of pedigree with 20 interceptions and 110 pass deflections, and he should have at least one more high-level year left.
"Philly didn't exactly help him last year," an AFC scout said. "They put him on an island and he probably didn't have enough support."
10. J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25 | Last year's ranking: Honorable mention
Jackson and Marcus Peters were locked into a 10th-place tie, and after asking 10 personnel evaluators to break the tie, each player got five votes.
Jackson eventually won out through an extended round. Peters is the more feared player for his ability to snag interceptions with a risk-reward formula. He goes rogue to slip a route and cause the quarterback to look toward the sky in disgust. But Jackson is considered by many as a more complete corner.
"Baller," an NFC exec said. "Premier athlete, takes chances, productive on the ball, confident, very willing tackler."
Jackson's production is undeniable, with 17 interceptions through three seasons trailing only Howard in this group. He is one of nine players since the merger in 1970 to have at least 17 more in his first three seasons.
"He had some concerns coming out [of Maryland], but he's put it all together," an NFC personnel evaluator said. "He's a true man corner who can get on you, run with you and has great ball skills."
Cornerbacks also receiving votes
Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens: "He's the most undisciplined guy in the league, but you'll turn around and he has two picks in the game. Incredibly instinctual." -- NFL personnel evaluator
Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "He could be a little better in man coverage, but his instincts are top notch." -- NFC scout
William Jackson III, Washington Football Team: "Can press, can run with No. 1s, physical corner." -- NFC exec
Kyle Fuller, Denver Broncos: "Really productive in that off coverage, will come down and make plays. He's waiting to take advantage of mistakes." --AFC executive
Byron Jones, Miami Dolphins: "Good player, incredible athlete, but something is missing there. Instincts missing. You can't look at his measurables and say you can't do this." -- NFC personnel evaluator
James Bradberry, New York Giants: "He had a really solid year. Can do a little bit of everything, can be a matchup corner and has better speed than you'd think. I just wonder if he's a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none." -- AFC scout