Thursday, February 5, 2026

NFL free agent rankings: Cornerbacks


As many as seven cornerbacks may come off the board within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, and this essential place additionally has some very worthy starters accessible in free company this offseason.

We polled a gaggle of writers from round SB Nation to collect consensus rankings concerning the accessible gamers.

We are going to take away gamers from the record as they re-sign with their present groups all the way in which as much as the opening of free company in March.

Others receiving votes: Isaac Yiadom, Brandon Stephens, Mike Hilton, Jonathan Jones, Donte Jackson, Stephon Gilmore

7. Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions

Davis spent one season in Detroit following six in Tampa. He defended 11 passes and recorded two interceptions together with two fumble recoveries in 2024. He began 13 video games and that is perhaps the most important ding on him; he’s by no means performed a full season in his NFL profession.

6. Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings

He was listed all the way in which up at three on considered one of our ballots, and he earned a Professional Bowl nod in 2024. He’s coming off a two-year, $17.5 million contract with Minnesota after 4 seasons with the Cardinals. He had six interceptions alongside 14 passes defended and 81 tackles this previous season. At 27, the dude goes to receives a commission.

5. Rasul Douglas, Buffalo Payments

Douglas turns 30 proper earlier than the 2025 season and has spent 1.5 years on the Payments after being traded by Inexperienced Bay. He’s additionally hung out on the Panthers and Eagles, who drafted him within the third spherical in 2017. An aggressive participant, he will get known as for lots of flags, however he additionally averages three interceptions per yr. He’s a stable veteran choice coming off a three-year, $21 million deal.

4. Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

A former second-round choose, Samuel harm his shoulder in follow main as much as Week 1 and performed by means of it for a month. Then he missed the remainder of the season with the harm. When wholesome, he’s had two interceptions, at the least 11 passes defended, and 43+ tackles in every of his NFL seasons.

3. Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints

There was an enormous leap between the highest three and the remainder of the pack. Nobody had Adebo exterior their high three. He turns 26 this offseason, however solely performed seven video games in 2024 after breaking his femur. The previous third-round choose was having a pleasant season with three picks, 10 passes defended, and 52 tackles in these seven begins. With the harm, it may complicate his free company curiosity, however he must be absolutely wholesome.

2. D.J. Reed, New York Jets

Reed solely acquired votes on the one or two spot from our people as he seems for the potential fourth group of his profession. He turned 28 through the 2024 season, so that is his probability to essentially money in yet another time following his three-year, $33 million contract he signed with the Jets. He began 14 video games with 11 passes defended, one sack, and 52 tackles in 2024.

1. Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

Ward squeaked into the highest spot after receiving probably the most first-place votes simply barely forward of Reed. He turns 29 in Might and made the Professional Bowl in 2023 after defending 23 passes. He solely performed 12 recreation in 2024, defending seven passes with 54 tackles. He’s coming off a large three-year, $40 million contract.


Different free agent cornerbacks

  • Jeff Okudah
  • Shaquill Griffin
  • Tre’Davious White
  • Mike Hughes
  • Michael Davis
  • Kristian Fulton
  • Eric Stokes
  • Emmanuel Moseley
  • Jourdan Lewis
  • Marco Wilson
  • Tremon Smith
  • Isaiah Oliver
  • Corey Ballentine
  • Avonte Maddox
  • Adoree’ Jackson
  • Kris Boyd
  • Tavierre Thomas
  • Khalil Dorsey
  • C.J. Goodwin
  • Antonio Hamilton
  • Noah Igbinoghene
  • Kindle Vildor
  • Levi Wallace
  • Rock Ya-Sin
  • Benjamin St-Juste
  • Michael Jackson
  • Cameron Sutton
  • Fabian Moreau
  • Anthony Brown
  • Elijah Molden
  • Ifeatu Melifonwu
  • Ambry Thomas
  • Trayvon Mullen
  • Bryce Corridor
  • Elijah Riley
  • Darnay Holmes
  • Michael Ford
  • Isaiah Rodgers
  • Harrison Hand
  • Tre Brown
  • Nate Hobbs
  • Brandin Echols
  • Israel Mukuamu
  • Theo Jackson (RFA)
  • Christian Matthew (RFA)
  • Darren Corridor (RFA)
  • Josh Blackwell (RFA)
  • Kader Kohou (RFA)
  • Darrell Baker Jr. (RFA)

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