- Devon Witherspoon leads the way: The reigning champion was the league's highest-graded corner, in part due to his versatile talent.
- The Patriots have a terrific trio: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones all sit in the top 20 of the rankings.
- The PFF Early Bird Sale Is Here: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year.
PFF's offseason NFL positional rankings continue with cornerbacks. Between lockdown players on the outside and disruptive options on the interior, the position is ripe with tons of young talent.
1. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Witherspoon finished 2025 as the NFL’s highest-graded cornerback. He played a career-high 461 snaps on the outside, but remains a versatile piece who can man the slot when needed. He recorded one interception, eight pass breakups and 13 pressures, including a sack in the Super Bowl last season. All of that production, combined with the fact that he’s an elite run defender, makes Witherspoon one of the most valuable players in the NFL.
2. Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
Gardner traversed through a wild 2025 season in which he dealt with injuries and was traded from New York to Indianapolis. His play when on the field was still quite admirable. Gardner’s 75.6 PFF coverage grade tied for 15th among qualified cornerbacks. He also earned a career-high 84.5 PFF run-defense grade that ranked fourth among that same group. A fully healthy Gardner could change the complexion of the entire Colts defense.
3. Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Surtain didn’t quite reach the heights of his Defensive Player of the Year-winning 2024 campaign last season, but he still played very well while accruing at least 1,000 snaps for the fourth straight year. His 73.3 PFF grade ranked 22nd among all qualified cornerbacks. He also tallied 10 pass breakups and hauled in one interception. Surtain will continue to be the headliner for one of the league’s elite secondaries.
4. Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams paid a hefty price to acquire McDuffie, and a dive into the metrics makes it easy to see why. Since he was drafted in 2022, McDuffie’s 90.2 PFF coverage grade ranks second in the NFL behind fellow 2022 draftee Sauce Gardner. Last season, he earned a 74.7 coverage grade that ranked 18th among qualified cornerbacks while tallying one interception and four pass breakups.
5. Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles
DeJean became an extremely valuable piece of Philadelphia’s defense the moment he stepped on the field for them in 2024. Since he was drafted, DeJean’s 87.1 PFF grade trails only Devon Witherspoon for the best in the NFL. In 2025, he reeled in two interceptions while tying for second in the NFL with 14 pass breakups, postseason included. DeJean should continue to lock down the slot this season for the Eagles.
6. Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
Mitchell has quickly become one of the NFL’s best corners during his first two seasons. His 84.5 PFF grade since the start of 2024 ranks third in the NFL behind Witherspoon and teammate DeJean. While racking up two interceptions and eight pass breakups last season, Mitchell allowed a 54.4 passer rating as the primary coverage defender, which was the second-lowest mark among qualified cornerbacks.
7. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
Stingley experienced a bit of a volatile 2025 campaign in coverage last season, but his elite ball skills still allowed him to tally four interceptions and nine pass breakups. His 73.5 PFF coverage grade ranked 23rd among all qualified cornerbacks. Over the past three years, Stingley slots second among qualified cornerbacks with a 90.3 coverage grade. He and Kamari Lassiter make a good case to be labeled the NFL’s best cornerback duo.
8. Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots
Gonzalez has become one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Among qualified corners last year, including the postseason, Gonzalez ranked 12th in coverage grade, fourth in pass breakups and fourth in passer rating allowed as the primary coverage defender. He also missed just one tackle in 18 games last season. Still just 24 years old, Gonzalez should be the headliner in New England’s secondary for years to come.
9. Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans
Lassiter was immediately made a starter after being selected in the second round of the 2024 draft, and he’s done nothing but play at a high level since. Over the past two seasons, he’s earned an 82.1 PFF grade that ranks seventh among all qualified cornerbacks. He recorded four interceptions and 14 pass breakups last season while making major positive strides in run defense. Lassiter is quietly becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
10. Mike Jackson, Carolina Panthers
In a matter of just two seasons, Jackson has gone from an afterthought in Seattle to being arguably the Panthers’ best defensive player. Last season, he earned an 85.8 PFF coverage grade that led all cornerback who played at least 300 coverage snaps. Postseason included, he paced Carolina with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups last season.
11. Jamel Dean, Pittsburgh Steelers
After seven successful seasons in Tampa Bay, Dean will take his talents to Pittsburgh on the heels of an excellent 2025 campaign. He produced a career-high 80.6 PFF grade while tallying three interceptions, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles. Dean also allowed a passer rating of 47.7 into his coverage, which was the lowest mark among qualified cornerbacks in the NFL.
12. Christian Benford, Buffalo Bills
Benford endured a turbulent 2025 in which he played to a career-low 53.9 PFF coverage grade. Across the two prior seasons, he recorded an 87.1 coverage grade that was the fourth-best mark among qualified cornerbacks, so there is reason to think he can bounce back. On the bright side, Benford tied for the NFL lead among cornerbacks with a 90.1 PFF run-defense grade last season.
13. Ja’Quan McMillian, Denver Broncos
McMillian was the highest-graded primary slot cornerback in the NFL last season. His 80.8 PFF grade ranked fourth among all qualified cornerbacks. Including the postseason, he accrued three interceptions, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and four sacks. His versatility allows Denver to execute a variety of schemes at a very high level.
14. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Johnson was limited to just nine games, including the postseason, in 2025 due to injury. He wasn’t quite right all season as he earned a mediocre 60.3 PFF coverage grade, his lowest since 2021. However, Johnson was the highest-graded cornerback in the NFL in 2023 and turned in a fine season in 2024. He’s a prime bounce-back candidate in Chicago’s secondary this season.
15. Jaylen Watson, Los Angeles Rams
Watson joins ex-Chiefs teammate Trent McDuffie in Los Angeles this season on the heels of his highest-graded campaign to date. His 74.1 PFF grade ranked 18th among qualified cornerbacks in 2025. While he did pick off two passes and break up three others, it was Watson’s work in the run game that really stood out. Watson’s 83.5 PFF run-defense grade ranked sixth among all qualified cornerbacks.
16. Carlton Davis III, New England Patriots
Davis ranked 19th among qualifiers with a 74.0 PFF grade last season, and he was a major reason for New England’s success down the stretch in the playoffs. From Week 11 through the Super Bowl, his 87.3 PFF grade placed third in the NFL as he collected two interceptions and a league-leading 10 pass breakups. Davis, Gonzalez and Marcus Jones enter 2026 as one of the NFL’s premier cornerback trios.
17. DJ Turner II, Cincinnati Bengals
Turner produced a breakout season in 2025 that saw him rank seventh among qualified cornerbacks with a 78.1 PFF coverage grade. His ball skills were on display, as he racked up 13 pass breakups, tied for second-most in the NFL during the regular season. While his run defense lags a bit behind, Turner’s coverage prowess is now a core component of Cincinnati’s defensive success.
18. Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Porter earned a career-high 76.6 PFF coverage grade last season that ranked 13th among all qualified cornerbacks. Including the playoffs, he tallied 13 pass breakups, which tied for the fourth-highest total in the NFL. Porter also allowed just a 55.9 passer rating as the primary coverage defender, third-lowest among qualified cornerbacks behind new teammate Dean and Mitchell.
19. Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
Jones continues to get better with each passing season. In 2025, he compiled a career-high 74.2 PFF coverage grade that ranked 20th among qualified cornerbacks. Jones also stuffed the stat sheet with four interceptions, seven pass breakups, three sacks and a forced fumble. He’ll continue to be a mainstay as New England’s slot cornerback and primary punt returner this season.
20. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Ward’s production saw a bit of a dropoff in 2025 after he led the NFL with 17 pass breakups in 2024. He collected just one interception and four pass breakups last season, but Ward has an excellent track record that could foreshadow a bounceback. He has long been up to the task of covering the NFL’s top wide receivers.
21. Jourdan Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lewis has been one of the NFL’s more productive slot cornerbacks over the past two seasons in particular. Since the start of 2024, his 78.7 PFF coverage grade ranks 12th among cornerbacks who have played at least 400 coverage snaps. During that time, he’s amassed three interceptions, nine pass breakups and 44 total stops. A return to full health and an even more defined role in the slot should allow Lewis to have another productive season.
22. Isaiah Rodgers, Minnesota Vikings
Rodgers finally got a starting opportunity in 2025 and took full advantage of it. His 74.1 PFF coverage grade ranked 21st among qualified cornerbacks. He’s now earned at least a 70.0 coverage grade in all five seasons that he’s played in his career. The highlight of Rodgers’ 2025 season came in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he scored two defensive touchdowns and earned the first 99.9 game grade in PFF history.
23. D.J. Reed, Detroit Lions
Reed recorded a career-low 61.3 PFF coverage grade in his first season in Detroit, but that’s tilted downward a bit due to two tough games against the Packers and Rams. Prior to 2025, Reed had secured at least a 70.0 coverage grade in six straight campaigns. Considering the Lions’ lack of cornerback depth, a bounceback from Reed could be vital to their postseason aspirations.
24. Charvarius Ward, Indianapolis Colts
Ward was limited to just seven appearances in 2025 due to concussion issues, but he was quite productive when he was on the field. His 77.4 PFF coverage grade ranked ninth among qualified cornerbacks last season, and he broke up seven passes in those seven games. Assuming he is fully healthy this season, Ward and Gardner could form one of the NFL’s best cornerback duos.
25. A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons
Terrell struggled a bit more than usual in coverage in 2025, but still showed flashes of playmaking ability. During the regular season, he led Atlanta and tied for eighth in the NFL with 10 pass breakups. He was also one of just 12 cornerbacks who forced multiple fumbles. Yet Terrell tied for the regular-season lead with 12 penalties, so he could be in line for a rebound if he can cut that total down.
26. Eric Stokes, Las Vegas Raiders
Stokes turned in a career-high 75.0 PFF grade last season that ranked second among qualified Raiders defenders behind Maxx Crosby. His 75.2 PFF coverage grade slotted 17th among qualified cornerbacks. While he didn’t reel in any interceptions, Stokes did not allow more than 50 yards in any individual game last season, which says a lot considering the lack of production from the rest of Las Vegas’ defense.
27. Garrett Williams, Arizona Cardinals
Williams endured a tough 2025 that was marred by injuries and ultimately curtailed due to a torn Achilles. Assuming he can return to full strength, Williams showed in 2024 that he can be one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. That year, he ranked fourth among qualified cornerbacks with an 83.7 PFF coverage grade while picking off two passes and breaking up six others. That level of production would be a huge boon for a Cardinals secondary that carries major cornerback uncertainty.
28. Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
Horn comprises one half of perhaps the NFL’s most underrated cornerback duo in Carolina. While the past two seasons haven’t been consistently great from a grading perspective, Horn still shows off his playmaking ability in spurts, as evidenced by his five interceptions last season. He’s also played over 1,000 snaps in two consecutive years, which is encouraging given the durability issues earlier in his career.
29. Rasul Douglas, Washington Commanders
After enduring some struggles in Buffalo in 2024, the veteran Douglas returned to proper form in Miami in 2025, ranking 26th among qualified cornerbacks with a 72.6 PFF coverage grade. He hauled in two interceptions while tying a career-high with nine pass breakups. The soon-to-be 31-year-old is a nice reinforcement to a very young Washington cornerback unit.
30. Tarheeb Still, Los Angeles Chargers
Still’s consistency and versatility have been valuable additions to the Chargers’ defense during his first two seasons in the NFL. Since the start of 2024, his 75.3 PFF coverage grade ranks 17th among cornerbacks who have played at least 400 coverage snaps. During that time, Still has lined up outside on 985 snaps and in the slot on 532 snaps. If he can improve his tackling a bit in 2026, Still could find himself even higher on this list at season’s end.
31. Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints
McKinstry has begun to establish himself as a reliable player in New Orleans’ secondary. His 71.4 PFF coverage grade ranked 29th among qualified cornerbacks last season. Likewise, McKinstry’s 12 pass breakups were the sixth-most in the NFL during the regular season, and he led the Saints with three interceptions. Another positive step in McKinstry’s development could turn the Saints’ secondary into one of the league’s better units.
32. Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
Nixon finished 2025 ranked 15th in PFF WAR among cornerbacks. A key component in that is that he tied for second among all cornerbacks with 13 pass breakups during the regular season. The biggest drawback in Nixon’s game right now is that he commits too many penalties. Including the postseason, he tied for the NFL lead with 13 of them. On a down-to-down basis, though, Nixon has become the Packers’ best cornerback.
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