Yardbarker
x
Best cornerbacks of the 2016 NFL season
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Best cornerbacks of the 2016 NFL season

Best cornerbacks of the 2016 NFL season.

 
1 of 25

Marcus Peters, Chiefs

Marcus Peters, Chiefs
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
2 of 25

Aqib Talib, Broncos

Aqib Talib, Broncos
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
3 of 25

Richard Sherman, Seahawks

Richard Sherman, Seahawks
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
4 of 25

Patrick Peterson, Cardinals

Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
5 of 25

Xavier Rhodes, Vikings

Xavier Rhodes, Vikings
Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
6 of 25

Janoris Jenkins, Giants

Janoris Jenkins, Giants
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
7 of 25

Casey Hayward, Chargers

Casey Hayward, Chargers
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
8 of 25

Brent Grimes, Buccaneers

Brent Grimes, Buccaneers
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
9 of 25

Jason McCourty, Titans

Jason McCourty, Titans
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
10 of 25

Chris Harris Jr., Broncos

Chris Harris Jr., Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Starting opposite Aqib Talib, Harris has continued to be a shutdown corner this season. He has one pick, one forced fumble and 46 tackles.

 
11 of 25

Malcolm Butler, Patriots

Malcolm Butler, Patriots
Jason Bridge / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
12 of 25

Josh Norman, Redskins

Josh Norman, Redskins
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
13 of 25

Stephon Gilmore, Bills

Stephon Gilmore, Bills
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Gilmore is doing a nice job in man coverage for Rex Ryan and has two picks and 29 tackles this season for Buffalo.

 
14 of 25

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants
Steve Flynn / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
15 of 25

Vontae Davis, Colts

Vontae Davis, Colts
Erik Williams / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
16 of 25

Joe Haden, Browns

Joe Haden, Browns
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
17 of 25

Brandon Carr, Cowboys

Brandon Carr, Cowboys
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
18 of 25

Sean Smith, Raiders

Sean Smith, Raiders
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
19 of 25

Perrish Cox, Titans

Perrish Cox, Titans
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

A healthy Cox is having a terrific year for Tennessee, with three picks and 38 tackles in nine games.

 
20 of 25

Desmond Trufant, Falcons

Desmond Trufant, Falcons
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
21 of 25

Ronald Darby, Bills

Ronald Darby, Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
22 of 25

Johnathan Joseph, Texans

Johnathan Joseph, Texans
Erik Williams / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
23 of 25

Trumaine Johnson, Rams

Trumaine Johnson, Rams
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Johnson has stepped up as L.A.'s top cornerback this season. He has one pick and 31 tackles in seven games.

 
24 of 25

David Amerson, Raiders

David Amerson, Raiders
Cary Edmundson / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 
25 of 25

Marcus Cooper, Cardinals

Marcus Cooper, Cardinals
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

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.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.