NFL free agency 2021: Top 10 NFL cornerbacks available
Here's a look at the top 10 NFL cornerbacks available in free agency this offseason. By Dave Zangaro
Griffin doesn’t turn 26 until July and is just finishing up his fourth NFL season with the Seahawks, who would probably like to keep him. After a Pro Bowl season in 2019, Griffin was good again in 2020 but played in just 12 games. He still had 63 tackles, 3 INTs and 12 pass breakups.
It was tough to figure out where to put Sherman on this list because he’s 32 and coming off an injury-shortened season. But in 2019, he has a resurgence in San Francisco making it back to the Pro Bowl with a really impressive season. Even if he can’t get back to that level, he could be a solid signing for some NFL team.
No, Jackson isn’t a great player and he has just three career interceptions but he’s a really solid player and is just about to enter Year 5 in the NFL. The former 1st-round pick is talented and will get a nice contract.
In the last few seasons, Dunbar has struggled to stay on the field. He played just seven games in 2018, 11 in 2019 and 6 with the Seahawks in 2020. Because of that, a team shouldn’t overpay for him. There’s risk involved here. But there’s an upside too.
The Steelers’ nickel corner had three interceptions in 12 games in 2020. Nickel corners have been undervalued in the NFL for far too long. I’m not sure if Hilton will be the guy to change that but he’s a pretty good player.
In addition to his duties as a defensive back, King has also been an explosive punt returner. The 2018 All-Pro was traded during last season and ended up really helping the Titans down the stretch. He’s still just 26.
It’s hard to believe that Verrett will be 30 before the start of next season. The 2014 1st-round pick was a Pro Bowler in 2015 before injuries really derailed his career. From 2016-19, he played just six total games. In 2020 with the 49ers, he played in 13 games and played at a very high level. There’s a ton of risk here but if Verrett stays on the field, he’s worth a contract.
The 29-year-old has been very consistent over the last five years with the Rams and is coming off his best professional season. In 2020, he started all 16 games, had 3 interceptions and returned 2 of them to the house. He even smashed his career high with 77 tackles.
He’s 30 now but Rhodes is coming off an impressive season with the Colts in 2020. His 2020 season was better than his 2019 with the Vikings even though he went to the Pro Bowl that season. He’s no longer one of the elite corners in the league but if you get a season or two out of him at the level he showed in 2020, he’s worth it.
After beginning his career with eight straight trips to the Pro Bowl (which is incredible) Peterson has slowed down some. He’s 30 now and not the same guy; he’s clearly lost a step. But after playing 10 games in 2019, he started all 16 again in 2020. So at least he’s durable. Peters has been in the league 10 years and has played every game in all but one season. That’s incredibly rare for cornerbacks.
