<
        >

          NFL's best defensive backs at 25 different skills: What Trevon Diggs, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James Jr., Tyrann Mathieu do at an elite level

          • Matt BowenDec 22, 2021, 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

          The NFL's most complete cornerback. The best blitzing safety. The players with the most range to find the ball in the air. Even the best ball hawks. It's time for the sixth edition of the Shutdown Index, in which I pick the NFL's best defensive backs in 25 different categories. Of course Trevon Diggs -- who leads the NFL with 10 interceptions -- makes an appearance, but you'll also find Tyrann Mathieu, Jalen Ramsey and Justin Simmons. Darius Slay, who has had a resurgent 2021 season, is on the list, along with a few under-the-radar defensive backs who have stellar traits.

          With seven seasons of experience in an NFL secondary, I look for specific traits when breaking down cornerbacks and safeties, including physicality, eye discipline, range over the top and proper technique. Consistency, versatility and the ability to make plays on the ball are key traits, too. I want to see production. Let's make plays. 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, man-coverage traits, closing speed, blitz ability, run defense and much more. And we'll start with the league's top overall secondary unit this season.

          Shutdown Index archives:
          2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

          Best secondary

          New England Patriots

          During the Patriots' recent seven-game winning streak that ended against the Colts on Thursday night, Bill Belichick's secondary surrendered a QBR of only 23.0 while allowing just 4.7 yards per passing attempt. Carson Wentz threw for only 57 yards against them in Week 15. This is a lockdown unit, led by the coverage ability and the ball skills of J.C. Jackson, with versatile players who allow the Patriots to play single-high man, move late to zone coverage or identify opposing receivers to erase from the screen.

          With veteran Devin McCourty protecting over the top, plus the versatile traits of safeties Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips, this is a deep -- and complete -- unit, which also features disruptive slot man Myles Bryant and corner Jalen Mills. For the season, New England ranks second in the NFL in QBR (29.1) allowed, completion percentage (58.1) allowed, interceptions (20) and yards per attempt (6.4) allowed.

          A group that wins with scheme and the foundational building blocks to high-end secondary play -- communication, technique, physicality -- the Patriots are the best secondary I've studied on tape this season.

          Runner up: Denver Broncos

          Most complete cornerback

          Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

          This is still Ramsey, who was the top corner here in 2020, too. He's the prototype for the position when we look at his coverage ability, length, short-area speed and ability to set an edge in the run game. Plus, we've also seen Ramsey's versatility this season in coordinator Raheem Morris' defense. He has logged 526 of his 743 total reps inside at the "star" and nickel positions for a unit that has played zone on 68.9% of coverage snaps.

          Now, Ramsey can still match up and play man coverage versus any wide receiver in the NFL. We have fresh tape on that, too. And he's still creating on the ball production with three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. But we are also seeing his complete skill set this year -- from multiple alignments.

          Runner up: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

          Best ball hawk (CB)

          Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

          With natural ball skills and the playmaking instincts to locate and finish, Diggs had produced ridiculous numbers this season. He has an NFL-best 10 interceptions -- and 19 pass breakups -- for a Dallas defense that has completely changed its coverage profile under new coordinator Dan Quinn.

          With more split-safety schemes and a league-leading 268 snaps of single-high man coverage, Diggs is being put in a position to match wide receivers or lie in the weeds as a zone defender. Want to see an example? Check out this clip of Diggs stealing one and making a house call in a matchup against Eagles rookie wideout DeVonta Smith.

          Runner up: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

          Best man-coverage traits

          Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles

          Long, fluid and physical with patient feet and the ability to create disruption on the ball, Slay is playing at a high level for an Eagles defense that made a dramatic scheme transition earlier this season. In Weeks 1-6, the Eagles were a zone-heavy, split-safety quarters defense that ranked dead last in single-high, man-coverage snaps.

          Since that point of the season, though, they have jumped on the man-coverage train, ranking fifth in Cover 1 snaps. That has allowed Slay to play in more one-on-one matchups as a man defender. While the numbers -- three interceptions, seven pass breakups -- might not jump out, the tape does. Slay can lock up the best receivers in the league. And he's now playing in a system that caters much more to his ability in coverage.

          Runner up: Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

          Most multidimensional traits

          Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

          With the way the NFL is played today, I'm looking for defensive backs with the multidimensional traits to play in both base and sub-package personnel while being deployed in impact roles. And we can all see it with James, right? At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he can match up in coverage against anybody -- wide receivers, slots, tight ends and running backs.

          He has loose hips and is a natural mover. He can play deep or underneath. And the power shows on tape -- James can drop the hammer on ball carriers. When he's around the box, he will set a hard edge or pressure. He's a unique talent, a game-changer when he's healthy. After playing just five games in 2019 and 2020 combined, he has 103 tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks and two interceptions in 13 games this season.

          Runner up: Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills

          Best slot corner

          Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts

          An easy mover with active feet, Moore is also excellent in run support and physical at the point of contact. Plus, with the natural awareness for playing in space, he can cover, tackle, match a two-way go or blitz in pressure schemes, which has allowed him to register 16 disrupted dropbacks this season. Moore, the NFL's top nickel man for years, checks all the boxes here.

          Runner up: Avonte Maddox, Philadelphia Eagles

          Most complete safety

          Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans

          In a Titans scheme that spins safeties late before the snap, Byard can play top down as an impact defender with both run-game and pass-game production. He can get dirty in the box, cut off the ball on the edge or run the alley from split-field alignments.

          He leads the Titans in tackles (73), and he also has five interceptions and 13 pass breakups. He has scored twice, too -- check out his first career pick-six below. Byard is a disruptor who plays with a physical element.

          Runner up: Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

          Best blitzing safety

          Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

          There's nuance and detail when you blitz from the second (or third) level in the secondary. And I still see Smith as the best based on coach Mike Zimmer's defensive structure, which creates confusion in pass protection schemes, and his instincts for finding open daylight or setting up blockers.

          Smith has three sacks and seven pressures this season, in addition to his split-field ability in the Minnesota system.

          Runner up: Chuck Clark, Baltimore Ravens

          Best press cornerback

          A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons

          One of my favorite young corners to study, Terrell has the length and aggressive play style to challenge wide receivers from a press position -- in both man and zone technique. Terrell has the footwork and lower-body balance to disrupt releases, and he can shut down the quick passing game or match and run. He's a competitive player.

          Plus, when he's aligned as a Cover 2 or "cloud" corner, Terrell can open, sink and take away the deep hole shot throw -- which has contributed to his 12 pass breakups this season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Terrell has allowed just 191 yards on 52 targets as the closest defender in coverage, which is one of the best rates in the league.

          Runner up: Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

          Best monsterback

          Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs

          Mathieu has been my top monsterback for years due to his ability to create plays as the league's premier hybrid defender. With 396 snaps at safety, 170 in the slot, 58 at outside linebacker and another 14 reps at corner, Mathieu's skill shows up consistently in the Chiefs' multiple defense.

          With the amount of late movement and disguise we see from coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Mathieu can be deployed all over the field. Blitz, roll to the deep half, match up in coverage, lurk in the middle of the field as a robber safety -- he can do it all. Mathieu has the high-level instincts to find the ball. There's a reason he has three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one defensive score and seven pass breakups this season. This stuff doesn't happen by accident.

          Runner up: DeShon Elliott, Baltimore Ravens

          Most range

          Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints

          When I study safeties, I look for range from the post and split-field alignments. Give me the guys who can get a jump on the throw and eat up grass to overlap the fade routes or seam balls. And based on the tape I'm watching, Williams has the best range in the league.

          An ideal fit for coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme in New Orleans, Williams can work in the deep half, post and put a tent on top of the secondary. He has two picks and eight pass breakups this season.

          Runner up: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

          Best rookie cornerback

          Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos

          A corner with multidimensional traits and upper-tier physical tools, the first-round pick out of Alabama has already intercepted four passes -- which includes a pick-six -- to go along with 12 pass breakups. Surtain can play as a rolled-up corner in coach Vic Fangio's scheme and pedal in quarters coverage, and he will challenge receivers in man technique.

          I see transition speed on the tape here, plus an understanding of where his help is in coverage. Surtain has the competitive juice I would want in my secondary as a defensive backs coach. He has been targeted 73 times as the nearest defender in coverage this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, but he has allowed just 34 catches and 5.4 yards per attempt. He's on his way to being an elite cover guy.

          Runner up: Greg Newsome, Cleveland Browns

          Best safety ball hawk

          Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

          Simmons could have been the guy as the most complete safety or best in run support. And he's up the list for best range, too. I love his fit under Vic Fangio in Denver, and he has developed into one of the league's best defensive players.

          We need to talk about Simmons' ball skills more, though. He has picked off five passes -- check out a great diving INT in the clip below -- and has broken up 12 more. Those are big numbers for a safety. He has smooth range from over the top and an awareness level that is off the charts. Simmons has smart, disciplined eyes in the Broncos secondary.

          Runner up: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

          Best matchup cornerback

          Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

          Humphrey tore a pectoral muscle in early December and is out for the rest of the season, but I love his physical and disruptive style of play in coverage, regardless of the matchup. Humphrey can lock in outside of the numbers, bump down to the slot, and we've seen him battle with tight ends, too. In 12 games, Humphrey had 13 pass breakups.

          Runner up: Mike Davis, Los Angeles Chargers

          Best closing speed

          Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

          What are we looking for here? It's the ability to close in a short area, a vital tool for any defensive back who wants to finish on the ball. And Ward can close with some serious juice. Whether he is driving top down from an off-coverage technique or using that lateral burst to snug up to the hip of a wide receiver at the break, he is lightning quick.

          Check out the clip below for an example in the low red zone against quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals, with Ward matched up against Ja'Marr Chase on a pivot route. Close and finish. And then go get six.

          Runner up: Janoris Jenkins, Tennessee Titans

          Best rookie safety

          Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins

          Holland, who has the traits of a future top monsterback candidate, is all over the field for a Miami defense that will heat up offenses. This season, Miami has a blitz rate of 36.2%, tops in the league. And it will use Holland as a rusher in pressure fronts, where he has registered two sacks and 12 pressures, with a pass rush win rate of 31.3%.

          But there's more here, as Holland can play in the post, or match underneath, where he has accounted for 10 pass breakups and two picks. Those ball skills, along with his alignment versatility, meshes with what I saw on his college tape at Oregon. The arrow is pointing up on the rookie given his production and scheme fit with the Dolphins.

          Runner up: Tre'von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders

          Most urgent playing style

          Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

          I love watching Baker because of the urgency and effort with which he plays. That stuff is contagious. And there's a reason I show his tape to the defensive backs I coach at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois. Game speed. Juice. The physical element you need to dictate the flow of the game from a secondary perspective. Baker is a tone-setter. And you can win with that.

          Runner up: Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks

          Best nickel/dime safety

          Adrian Phillips, New England Patriots

          Kyle Dugger, Phillips' teammate in New England, is a fit here too, but I'm picking Phillips because he has the physical makeup of the core sub-package defender in Belichick's defense. With snaps at safety and stack linebacker, he has four interceptions and 60 tackles. He can play downhill versus the run game, match and carry in coverage or roam underneath as a curl/hook defender. Those are staple traits for a productive New England nickel/dime defender.

          Runner up: C.J, Gardner-Johnson, New Orleans Saints

          Most opportunistic defensive back

          Rasul Douglas, Green Bay Packers

          Douglas, who was signed off the Cardinals' practice squad earlier this season, has three interceptions (two returned for TDs) in just eight games with the Packers. The 2017 third-round draft pick has a long frame, and he challenges routes and puts himself in a position to finish on the ball. With 10 pass breakups, he's seeing it fast. Go make the play.

          Runner up: Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles

          Best tight end matchup safety

          Jayron Kearse, Dallas Cowboys

          At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Kearse draws the tight end matchups in the Cowboys' man-heavy defensive scheme. He's a long safety with the coverage chops to compete and body up to tight ends. And Kearse has been productive with two interceptions and nine pass breakups. He has been a nice surprise for Dallas, which signed him to a cheap, one-year deal over the offseason.

          Runner up: DeAndre Houston-Carson, Chicago Bears

          Best coverage technician

          Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills

          White tore an ACL in late November and played only 11 games this season, but there is no one better when it comes to producing clinic-level tape on technique at the cornerback position.

          Always under control, with his hips and eyes tied together, and a smooth, balanced pedal, this is the guy all you young defensive backs should be studying. Get in the film room.

          Runner up: Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

          Best corner in run support

          Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

          I already mentioned Ramsey's ability to set an edge versus the run game, because we see it pretty consistently on the tape. And he'll strike running backs. Ramsey shows savviness against pulling linemen to dip under and tackle.

          Runner up: Kendall Fuller, Washington Football Team

          Best zone cornerback

          Casey Hayward Jr., Las Vegas Raiders

          The Raiders have played 280 snaps of Cover 3 this season, far and away the most in the league. But that's also a prime fit for Hayward as a corner in the outside third of the field. He is an experienced zone coverage defender who has an excellent feel for the discipline and structure of three-deep, four-under coverage. And that allows him to blanket routes down the field and stay on top of wide receivers, while also squeezing in-breakers from an outside leverage position. He'll tackle, too. Gotta have that in zone defense.

          Runner up: Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

          Best safety in run support

          Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers

          I almost went with Landon Collins, who can stick the run in Washington's three-safety nickel package, but I like Amos here. He's a downhill thumper who can fill up the alley from a quarters alignment or play in the front. He has a really good understanding for run fits, too. And, if you're going to get in the mix versus an NFL run game, you need some pop in your pads. Amos, who has 79 tackles this season, checks that box, too.

          Runner up: Landon Collins, Washington Football Team

          Best safety duo

          Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills

          Hyde and Poyer are still the standard. They're tough, competitive and physical, with the multidimensional ability to fit seamlessly in Leslie Frazier's scheme. And I love their playing style. These are two safeties who can set the tempo while establishing a defensive identity for the Bills.

          Play top down from split-field alignments. Hit the run game hard. Finish on the ball. Be urgent and disruptive. There's some old-school football here in Buffalo with Hyde and Poyer.

          Runner up: Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, Green Bay Packers

          Three under-the-radar defensive backs I really like

          Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

          The Bengals will play a little bit of everything in the secondary, including man-free, split-safety and three-deep zone. But Awuzie has the coverage skills to be productive in both zone and man schemes, and he has broken up 12 passes this season.

          Want to have a look? Check out the Week 4 game versus the Packers. He put some good reps on tape versus Davante Adams. Picked off Aaron Rodgers, too.

          Xavier McKinney, S, New York Giants

          The 2020 second-rounder played in just six games as a rookie because of injury, but his five picks this season have him tied for third most in the league. He's an ascending player with post range.

          Amani Oruwariye, CB, Detroit Lions

          There are some good reps here with Oruwariye on the tape. He's sticky in coverage with on-the-ball production, including six picks and 10 pass breakups, including this diving pick in the Lions' upset over the Cardinals on Sunday.