2025 Greatest NFL Cornerbacks: Pat Surtain, Derek Stingley Jr. Lead Rankings

The NFL preseason is nearing its finish and the common season is correct across the nook, which implies it is virtually time to blare the FOX NFL theme tune.

Coming into the 2025 season, the FOX Sports activities NFL Workers is rating their prime 10 gamers at choose positions. Listed below are their prime 10 cornerbacks. 

2025 Greatest NFL Cornerbacks

Deommodore Lenoir has totaled 5 interceptions over the previous two seasons. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Photographs)

Eric D. Williams: One of many extra underrated gamers nationally, Lenoir is particular as a slot defender for the 49ers however may lock up receivers on the perimeter. In line with Subsequent Gen Stats, Lenoir didn’t quit a landing move and totaled two interceptions in 317 protection snaps at slot defender in 2024, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 63.6 passer ranking. Over the past three seasons, San Francisco has recorded 53 interceptions, tied for the league lead over that point with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lenoir provides the 49ers an elite participant in any respect three ranges of their protection, becoming a member of linebacker Fred Warner and defensive finish Nick Bosa.

2024 rank: unranked

Jaylon Johnson is a two-time Professional Bowler. (Photograph by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Photographs)

Carmen Vitali: Johnson acquired paid by the Bears this offseason with a comparatively team-friendly deal whereas he may very well be on the cusp of his finest season but. Beneath Dennis Allen’s new scheme, Johnson will be capable of show his place as a real lockdown man nook, one thing he’s been begging for for years. Johnson’s popularity as among the best corners within the league has come whereas primarily enjoying in additional zone-heavy defenses and take a look at what he’s been in a position to accomplish. This yr ought to up his inventory much more.

2024 rank: 4th (-5)

Devon Witherspoon has been a Professional Bowler in every of his first two seasons within the NFL. (Photograph by Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs)

Eric D. Williams: Seattle’s versatile defensive again is likely one of the hardest-hitting defenders within the league at simply 185 kilos. Witherspoon is as efficient enjoying sticky protection on receivers on the perimeter and wreaking havoc as a slot defender close to the road of scrimmage. A two-time Professional Bowler in his first two seasons within the league, Witherspoon has totaled 26 move breakups and 4 sacks throughout his time as a professional. Nevertheless, only one interception in two seasons is somewhat regarding for somebody with Witherspoon’s playmaking skill. The ascension of Witherspoon as a top-tier participant within the league ought to coincide with Mike Macdonald creating among the best defenses within the NFL within the Pacific Northwest.

2024 rank: tenth (+2)

Denzel Ward is a four-time Professional Bowler. (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Photographs by way of Getty Photographs)

Greg Auman: Ward’s one of many few issues to be enthusiastic about in Cleveland – three Professional Bowls within the final 4 years, led the NFL in passes defended final season. The Browns had the No. 1 protection within the NFL in 2023 and took a serious step again final season – if there is a gripe with Ward, it is that he is by no means had greater than three interceptions in a season, and Cleveland’s protection ranked final within the NFL in interception proportion final season, at 0.78 p.c. If issues are to show round in 2025, it is extra possible on the defensive aspect than with middling quarterbacks on offense.

2024 rank: fifth (-2)

Marlon Humphrey is a two-time All-Professional. (Kara Durrette/Getty Photographs)

Greg Auman: Nickel corners do not get love the best way their exterior counterparts do, however Humphrey acquired first-team All-Professional honors final season as the most effective slot nook within the league. He had six interceptions as a key cog in Baltimore’s elite protection, and that secondary is much more loaded with the additions of Jaire Alexander and Malaki Starks. With one other season like final yr, he’ll be within the prime 10 for profession lively interceptions, constructing on a resume that at age 29 consists of 4 Professional Bowl nods within the final six seasons. Can that protection be what propels Lamar Jackson and Baltimore over the hump to a Tremendous Bowl look?

2024 rank: Unranked

Christian Gonzalez totaled two interceptions in 2024. (Photograph by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Photographs)

Henry McKenna: The key is out. He has performed simply 20 NFL video games. He has hidden away on an unimpressive Patriots protection for the final two years. And he has simply three profession interceptions. But when you recognize, you recognize. With uncommon dimension, velocity and consciousness, Gonzalez is likely one of the league’s most dominant shut-down cornerbacks. He may need an much more dominant yr in 2025, partially as a result of his schedule options simply three of our prime 10 receivers.

2024 rank: Unranked

Trent McDuffie was a second-team All-Professional in 2024. (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Photographs by way of Getty Photographs)

Henry McKenna: He was as soon as the league’s finest slot cornerback earlier than shifting exterior. And as soon as there, he earned the title as one of many league’s finest cornerbacks. Interval. That doesn’t occur typically. It’s a testomony to McDuffie’s intelligence and athleticism. And let’s not neglect how difficult Steve Spagnuolo could make his protection for the highest gamers with distinctive disguises that require immense self-discipline. Yup, McDuffie is a particular and distinctive expertise.

2024 rank: seventh (+3)

Sauce Gardner is a two-time All-Professional. (Photograph by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photographs)

Henry McKenna: For the final two years, Sauce was our No. 1 cornerback. And he fell partially due to the robust play from the opposite stars within the league — but additionally due to the systemic failure of the Jets. New York fired GM Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh. And interim coach Jeff Ulbrich couldn’t maintain up the protection in the identical method. Gardner suffered ever-so barely, which was simply sufficient of a margin for 3 corners to unseat him in these rankings.

2024 rank: 1st (-2)

Derek Stingley Jr. has totaled 5 interceptions in every of the previous 5 seasons. (Photograph by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Photographs)

Ben Arthur: It’s not a coincidence that in 2024, his first 17-game season, Stingley was a first-team All-Professional choice. The superior expertise has at all times been evident, courting again to his spectacular true freshman season at LSU in 2019. It’s been his well being that has come into query — he missed 14 video games his first two NFL seasons (2022-23).

2024 rank: Unranked

Pat Surtain II is a two-time All-Professional. (Photograph by Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Put up)

Henry McKenna: To open the season, Surtain had DK Metcalf, George Pickens and Mike Evans from Weeks 1 to three. They mixed for seven catches for 75 yards. That’s simply plain nasty. There have been some robust outings, together with in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. However Surtain completed the season permitting simply 40 catches on 55 targets for 396 yards for 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. That’s about as dominant as a man might be in at present’s pass-happy NFL.

2024 rank: 2nd (+1)

Honorable point out:

2024 NFL Positional Rankings

2025-26 NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months 

Aidan Hutchinson, Lions: +650 (wager $10 to win $75 complete)Micah Parsons, Cowboys: +750 (wager $10 to win $85 complete)Myles Garrett, Browns: +850 (wager $10 to win $95 complete)T.J. Watt, Steelers: +950 (wager $10 to win $105 complete)Will Anderson Jr., Texans: +1300 (wager $10 to win $140 complete)Jared Verse, Rams: +1500 (wager $10 to win $160 complete)Maxx Crosby, Raiders: +1600 (wager $10 to win $170 complete)Nick Bosa, 49ers: +2000 (wager $10 to win $210 complete)Jalen Carter, Eagles: +2200 (wager $10 to win $230 complete)Trey Hendrickson, Bengals: +2200 (wager $10 to win $230 complete)

These rankings had been compiled by:

Ben Arthur (@benyarthur)Greg Auman (@gregauman)David Helman (@davidhelman_)Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis)Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams)Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano)Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV)

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