Sports

Who are the 10 greatest cornerbacks in NFL history?


There’s one person standing in the way of a wide receiver making his way onto the field: a tight end cornerback.

While having a quality defensive back has always been vital, it is even more important in the modern NFL, where defenses deploy more nickel-and-dime coverages to combat multi-faceted passing games.

But there is still a good cornerback out there, and he does exist great Cornerback.

Here are the 10 greatest cornerbacks in NFL history.

10. Darrell Green

Few players have had a more iconic career in Washington than Green, who spent his entire 20-year career in D.C. (1983-2002). Green – who was drafted after Super Bowl Most consistent in franchise history.

9. Darrelle Revis

The wide receivers went to Revis Island with no guarantee of returning home. Revis was a Pro Bowler in four of his first five seasons, averaging 4.7 interceptions per season over his first three years and was the face of the New York Jets’ elite defense in the latter half of his stint with Gang Green (he played for the Jets from 2007-12). After an injury-riddled 2012 season, Revis was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then signed with the Patriots the following season, with whom he won Super Bowl XLIX. Revis, a four-time All-Pro, returned to the Jets in 2015, recording five interceptions, but finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.

8. Mel Blount

Let’s be honest about it (insert cringe here): Blount is one of the best players to ever suit up for a franchise tied for an NFL record with six Super Bowls, the Steelers. After a reasonable start to his career, Blount began beating the drum for sure in 1975, when he led the NFL with 11 interceptions, followed by a pair of pick-six seasons. Blount, who spent his 14-year career in Pittsburgh (1970-1983), was part of four Steelers Super Bowl teams and is first in franchise history with 57 career interceptions.

7. Mel Renfrew

Renfrow, who spent his entire career in Dallas (1964-1977), is considered one of the best players to ever wear a Cowboys uniform. In Renfrow’s rookie season, he recorded seven interceptions and had 10 more in 1969. A Pro Bowler in each of his first 10 seasons, Renfrow was part of two Dallas Super Bowl teams, including his final season. He is first in Cowboys history with 52 interceptions and was a 10-time All-Pro. Before being drafted by the Cowboys, Renfrow played both cornerback and running back at Oregon.

6. Mike Haynes

Haynes split his 14-year career evenly with the New England Patriots (1976-82) and Raiders (1983-89) and had a profound impact on both franchises. Haynes was a Pro Bowler in each of his first five seasons, recording eight interceptions in his rookie season and averaging 6.3 interceptions per season from 1976 to 1978. He then won Super Bowl Although he did not play until Week 12 of the regular season. Haynes got back on track the following season, making six picks, one running back for a touchdown and throwing six interceptions back for 220 yards.

5. Charles Woodson

After lining up at both cornerback and wide receiver at Michigan, Woodson was a starting cornerback in the NFL, then returned punts later in his career. A Pro Bowler in each of his first four seasons, Woodson was part of a Raiders team that appeared in Super Bowl XXXVII and then won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers. Woodson led the NFL in interceptions twice, both times coming with the Packers, including catching nine passes and running back three touchdowns in 2009. He finished his career as a safety with the Raiders, recording five interceptions in his final season (2015). . Woodson is tied with Ken Reilly for the fifth-most interceptions in league history with 65.

4. Champ Billy

Bailey quickly established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the sport with Washington, earning Pro Bowl honors in four of his first five seasons. Then, his production exploded when he was acquired by the Denver Broncos in 2004, recording eight interceptions — two of which he ran back for touchdowns — in 2005 and then notching a top-10 NFL draft pick in 2006. Bailey finished his career with a record NFL 203 passes defensed. He was a three-time All-Pro and a 12-time All-Pro over 15 seasons.

3. Your “Night Train” lane

One could take the “night train” if one wished, but one had to pay for it. In Lin’s rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams (1952), he recorded an absurd 14 interceptions — an NFL record for a single season — and then had 10 picks in his third NFL season (1954). After two years with the Rams and six years with the Arizona Cardinals, Lynn spent the final six seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions, with whom he was an All-Pro for his first three seasons (1960–62). ). Lane, who served four years in the U.S. Army, is fourth in league history with 68 interceptions and was a seven-time All-Pro.

2. Rod Woodson

While he also had stints with the 49ers and Oakland Raiders, Woodson has pulled from both sides of the historic AFC North rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Woodson averaged 3.8 interceptions per season during his 10 years with the Steelers (1987-96) and five interceptions per season during his four years with the Ravens (1998-2001). Furthermore, Woodson led the league with eight interceptions in 2002 with the Raiders in his penultimate season. Woodson recovered an NFL-record 12 interceptions for scores and ranks third in league history with 71 career interceptions.

1. Deion Sanders

Sanders has a case for being the best athlete in the history of American sports, having shined as a cornerback and also maintained his place in the MLB. However, sticking to the football, Sanders was something else in the defensive backfield. In his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons (1989), Sanders recorded five interceptions. The following year, he recorded two pick-sixes and had three pick-sixes and six interceptions overall in his first season with the San Francisco 49ers (1994). Sanders won the Super Bowl in back-to-back years, doing so with the 49ers in the 1994 season and the Dallas Cowboys in the 1995 season. He finished his 14-year NFL career with 53 interceptions and six All-Pro honors.

Honorable mentions:

  • Rond Barber
  • Richard Sherman
  • Ennis Williams
  • Herb Adderley
  • Lester Hayes

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