Best cornerbacks of the 2016 NFL season
Best cornerbacks of the 2016 NFL season.
Marcus Peters, Chiefs
Peters has been a takeaway machine for the second straight season, with five picks, three fumble recoveries and a game-winning forced fumble in Week 10 snagging the ball from Kelvin Benjamin. While he is beatable deep, Peters is able to recover and a scary player to throw against.
Aqib Talib, Broncos
Talib's value was exemplified when the Broncos played without him against Oakland in Week 9. The shutdown corner is having another great season with three interceptions and one touchdown.
Richard Sherman, Seahawks
A man of many talents, Sherman made his biggest headlines this season when he went offsides and took out Bills kicker Dan Carpenter's leg on a field goal attempt. Sherman is having another great year with three picks and one fumble recovery, and is also the communicator in Seattle's secondary.
Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
It hasn't been a banner year for the Cardinals, but Peterson is still having a good season. He has two picks and 26 tackles through nine games.
Xavier Rhodes, Vikings
Rhodes is becoming more of a household name in his fourth season as a shutdown corner for the Minny defense. He has two picks and 25 tackles.
Janoris Jenkins, Giants
Jenkins earned a huge contract from New York in the offseason and has helped turned around a leaky Giants defense. He does commit too many penalties with his physical play but has two picks and 36 tackles.
Casey Hayward, Chargers
Hayward's loss has been just as clear in Green Bay as his addition has been for San Diego. He's having a very good season with five picks, one touchdown and 42 tackles.
Brent Grimes, Buccaneers
Grimes was a free agent bargain for the Bucs after Miami turned the page. He's among the league leaders with two picks and 27 tackles in an otherwise mediocre Tampa defense.
Jason McCourty, Titans
Tennessee has created a recipe for success this season with smashmouth football and improved defense, as McCourty leads the way in the secondary. He has two picks and isn't afraid to get dirty with 53 tackles.
Chris Harris Jr., Broncos
Starting opposite Aqib Talib, Harris has continued to be a shutdown corner this season. He has one pick, one forced fumble and 46 tackles.
Malcolm Butler, Patriots
The former Super Bowl hero has taken his lumps this season, like the rest of the New England defense, but has shown plenty of value with one pick and 42 tackles as a shutdown man-to-man cornerback.
Josh Norman, Redskins
Norman made a name for himself with the Panthers last season and cashed in huge with Washington this offseason. He's gotten burned regularly with his new team but has also easily improved the secondary. He has one interception and 36 tackles.
Stephon Gilmore, Bills
Gilmore is doing a nice job in man coverage for Rex Ryan and has two picks and 29 tackles this season for Buffalo.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants
Rodgers-Cromartie continues to be one of the top cover corners in football, and he also has a nose for the ball. He has two picks and 26 tackles in eight games.
Vontae Davis, Colts
Davis continues to be solid when on the field, but he hasn't been the most durable with only seven games played this season. The Colts' top corner has one pick and 20 tackles.
Joe Haden, Browns
Once considered an elite cornerback, Haden's play has fallen off recently due to injuries. He's shown that he does have something left this season with three picks and 24 tackles in seven games.
Brandon Carr, Cowboys
The Dallas defense has played better than expected this season, due in part to contributions from veterans like Carr. He has one pick and 35 tackles as the Cowboys' top cornerback.
Sean Smith, Raiders
Oakland signed Smith for big money in the offseason, stealing him from AFC West rival Kansas City. He's having a fine year with two picks and 24 tackles in eight games.
Perrish Cox, Titans
A healthy Cox is having a terrific year for Tennessee, with three picks and 38 tackles in nine games.
Desmond Trufant, Falcons
A former first-round pick, Trufant has been a jack of all trades in his fourth season. Atlanta's cornerback has one pick, two forced fumbles and 30 tackles in nine games.
Ronald Darby, Bills
A top rookie for the Bills last season, Darby doesn't have great takeaway ability but is a strong cover corner. He has 38 tackles in eight games this season.
Johnathan Joseph, Texans
Joseph has yet to earn a takeaway this season, but Houston's No. 1 cornerback is still having a nice year as a cover corner, adding 33 tackles in nine games.
Trumaine Johnson, Rams
Johnson has stepped up as L.A.'s top cornerback this season. He has one pick and 31 tackles in seven games.
David Amerson, Raiders
Amerson is having a fine season in his first full year with Oakland, with two picks and 42 tackles in nine games. The Oakland secondary is just coming into its own after a great game vs. Denver.
Marcus Cooper, Cardinals
Desperate for cornerback help, the Cardinals acquired Cooper from Kansas City just before the season. The former Rutgers wideout has very good man-to-man ability and an eye for the ball, with three picks and 41 tackles.
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