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Which 5 NFL cornerbacks will have the league on lock in 2023?

By Loyal Ricks Jr

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 08: Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 08, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 08: Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 08, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 08: Pat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on January 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

NFL Cornerback #2: Patrick Surtain II

A rough regular season forced the Broncos’ fanbase to focus on glaring issues within the organization. The offense was inconsistent and became the topic of conversation. Leadership from Russell Wilson was nonexistent. It was pinpointed as the catalyst for a subpar season and bypassed the small victories the franchise achieved. Ejiro Evero’s defense’s contributions went unnoticed despite an impressive campaign.

Completing passes against Denver seemed impossible for gunslingers last season. They ranked second in pass coverage (89.3), improving 29.3 points from the previous season. Patrick Surtain II’s development played an important role. He’s improved significantly since his rookie season, adding 20 points to his overall coverage grade (86.7). He ranks second in the category and expects to have a phenomenal season.

NFL Cornerback #1: Sauce Gardner

Robert Saleh’s head coaching debut was enough to win over the Jets fanbase. New York improved their record by three wins. The Jets still finished the season at the bottom of the AFC East, but bright spots on defense are encouraging heading into the new campaign. Sauce Gardner is a staple in the franchise’s future and is imperative to their success.

A standout rookie year surpassed expectations most analysts set for the Jets’ No.1 pick. He earned the highest coverage rating (90) among cornerbacks. A 45.9 reception percentage deterred receivers from gaining yards. It helped the rookie gain confidence that will become useful during his sophomore season. Gardner has a bright future ahead of him, making him the most lethal cornerback in the league.

Years of mastering mechanics and studying schemes are required to perform well on the professional stage. Receiving recognition as an elite defensive back isn’t easy, but comes with perks. Darrell Revis and Asante Samuel earned the right to talk trash. They’ve locked down Hall of Famers throughout their career. It’s a goal these cornerbacks have in common and will become achievable in the future.

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