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The Best Cornerbacks in NFL History

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Deion Sanders

Deion Luwynn Sanders Sr. (born August 9, 1967), nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a retired American football player, baseball player and sports analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. During his football career, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers,  Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens. He also had a part-time career as a baseball outfielder for nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), where he played professionally for the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, and the San Francisco Giants. Sanders won two Super Bowl titles and made one World Series appearance in 1992, making him the only individual to appear in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
Sanders attended Florida State University, where he was recognized as a two-time All-American in football, and also played baseball and ran track. He was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft and played football primarily at cornerback, but also as a kick returner, punt returner, and occasionally wide receiver. During his career, he was named to nine Pro Bowls and made consecutive Super Bowl appearances in XXIX with the 49ers and XXX with the Cowboys, winning both. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Following the conclusion of his athletic career, Sanders currently works as an analyst for CBS Sports and the NFL Network. He is also the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill high school, which his sons attend. Sanders founded the Prime Prep Academy charter school in 2012 where he coached until the school closed in 2015 due to financial insolvency.  Additionally, he starred in the show Deion Family Playbook which debuted in 2014.

Ronnie Lott

Ronald Mandel Lott (born May 8, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s.
Lott played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), and was honored as a consensus All-American.  A first-round pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, he played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. Lott was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, and is widely considered to be one of the best of all time at the safety position in NFL history and one of the best players in NFL history.

Dick Lane

Richard Lane (April 16, 1928 – January 29, 2002), commonly known as Dick "Night Train" Lane, was an American football player.  A native of Austin, Texas, he played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 years as a defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams (1952–1953), Chicago Cardinals (1954–1959), and Detroit Lions (1960–1965).
As a rookie in 1952, Lane had 14 interceptions, a mark that remains an NFL record more than 65 years later.  He played in the Pro Bowl seven times and was selected as a first-team All-NFL player seven times between 1956 and 1963.  His 68 career interceptions ranked second in NFL history at the time of his retirement and still ranks fourth in NFL history. He was also known as one of the most ferocious tacklers in NFL history and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. He was also named to the NFL's all-time All-Pro team in 1969 and its 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. In 1999, he was ranked number 20 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
After retiring from professional football, Lane worked for the Detroit Lions in various administrative positions from 1966 to 1972 and then held assistant coaching positions at Southern University (1972) and Central State University (1973). For 17 years from 1975 to 1992, he was in charge of Detroit's Police Athletic League.

Charles Woodson

Charles Cameron Woodson (born October 7, 1976) is a former American football player. He played college football for Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a share of the national championship in 1997. Woodson, a "two-way player" who played both offense and defense, won the Heisman Trophy in the same year. To date, he is the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman, and he is the most recent player to win the Heisman who was not either a running back or quarterback. Woodson went on to accomplish a storied career professionally with one of the most decorated professional football resumes of all time, considered by many of his peers to be one of the greatest defensive players to have ever played. 
Woodson was drafted by the Oakland Raiders fourth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. In his first season with Oakland, Woodson was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro recognition three consecutive times (1999–2001).  In a 2002 AFC playoff match against the New England Patriots, Woodson seemed to have clinched the game by forcing a fumble by sacking quarterback (and former Michigan teammate) Tom Brady, but the ruling was overturned. Woodson later battled several nagging injuries in consecutive seasons in Oakland, leading to his departure after the 2005 NFL season via free agency.On April 26, 2006, Woodson signed a seven-year, $52 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. He would later win Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first season in Green Bay, Woodson was the team's punt returner and led the National Football Conference with eight interceptions, surpassing his previous career high of five, in his rookie year. In his second season in Green Bay, the injury problems returned and Woodson was forced to sit out two games. He was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 2009 NFL season. He returned to the Raiders in 2013, playing three more seasons and once more being voted to the Pro Bowl. Woodson is one of the few players in NFL history to play in a Pro Bowl in three different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s). He is currently tied for fifth on the all time interceptions list with 65, and is tied with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper for most career defensive touchdowns with 13. He also is second all time in interceptions returned for touchdowns, with 11.
After he retired in 2015, he signed with ESPN in 2016.

Rod Woodson

Roderick Kevin Woodson (born March 10, 1965) is a former American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He had a 10-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a key member of the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV championship team that beat the New York Giants. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, wearing the jersey number 26 throughout his career. He holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player, and interceptions returned for touchdown (12), and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His 71 career interceptions is the third-most in NFL history. He was an inductee of the Class of 2009 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2009. Woodson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Rod played most of his career as a cornerback then switched to safety during the later part of his career.
From his retirement in 2003 to February 2011, Woodson worked as an analyst for the NFL Network (on NFL Total Access and Thursday Night Football) and for the Big Ten Network. He spent the 2011 season as the Raiders' cornerbacks coach. He then returned to broadcasting, working for Westwood One as an analyst on college football (2012) and the NFL (2013) before resuming his coaching career in 2014.

Mel Blount

Melvin Cornell Blount (born April 10, 1948) is a former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, five-time Pro Bowler and a 1989 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.Blount is considered one of the best cornerbacks to have ever played in the NFL.  His physical style of play made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the game at a time when pass interference rules were less stringent.  He founded the Mel Blount Youth Home.

Champ Bailey

Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. (born June 22, 1978) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL).  He played college football for Georgia, where he earned consensus All-American honors, and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He is the brother of former NFL linebacker Boss Bailey.
In 2004, Bailey was traded to the Denver Broncos, who released him in early 2014, following their Super Bowl XLVIII loss. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints shortly afterward, but was released before the start of the regular season. In October 2014, Bailey announced his retirement from the NFL after 15 seasons. He was selected to 12 Pro Bowls in his career, the most ever for a cornerback. He holds the current NFL record for most passes defended, with 203. In 2019, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Darrell Green

Darrell Ray Green (born February 15, 1960) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to have ever played in the NFL. Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
The self-proclaimed "itty bitty guy," Green was nicknamed the "Ageless Wonder" by his peers and the general media for his remarkable ability to maintain a high level of play well into the twilight of his career. Green was also known for his speed and was one of the fastest players in the history of the NFL.

Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Shavar Revis (born July 14, 1985) is a former American football cornerback who spent the majority of his career with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh and was drafted in the first round (14th overall) by the New York Jets in the 2007 NFL Draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. With the Patriots, he won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks.
His spot on the field was nicknamed "Revis Island," a phrase Revis trademarked, for his ability to shut down the opposing number one receiver. By 2010, he was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

Mike Haynes

Michael James Haynes (born July 1, 1953) is a former American football player in the National Football League who played as a cornerback for the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders. He used his speed, quickness and range to become both a premier defensive back and an outstanding punt return specialist. Haynes was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

Patrick Peterson

Patrick De'mon Peterson Jr. (born July 11, 1990) is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in the country, the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back, and was unanimously recognized as an All-American. He was selected fifth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Peterson was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL. In 2021, he signed with the Vikings as a free agent after 9 seasons with Arizona.

Lester Hayes

Lester Craig Hayes (born January 22, 1955) is a former professional American football player for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL).
Hayes was commonly referred to as "the Judge" and also as "Lester the Molester" because of his bump and run coverage. He had a distinct stance, crouching very low when facing the opposing wide receiver. He was also known for using Stickum before it was banned in 1981 by a rule bearing his name.

Ty Law

Tajuan E. "Ty" Law (born February 10, 1974) is a former American football cornerback who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. Law is a two-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a Pro Bowl MVP, and has won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. His 53 career interceptions rank 24th all-time in NFL history; he is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs of all time. Law was added to the New England Patriots Hall of Fame as its 20th member and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.

Ed Reed

Edward Earl Reed Jr. (born September 11, 1978) is a former American football safety who spent the majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Miami, where he was a two-time consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft and played eleven seasons for Baltimore before playing with the Houston Texans and New York Jets in 2013.
During his playing career, Reed was selected to nine total Pro Bowls, was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, and has an NFL record for the two longest interception returns (106 yards in 2004 and 107 yards in 2008). He also holds the all-time NFL record for interception return yards, with 1,590, and postseason interceptions (9, tied with three other players).  His 64 regular season interceptions ranked him 6th on the NFL's all-time leader list at the time of his retirement.  Reed is considered to be one of the greatest safeties in NFL history, and was often referred to as a "ball hawk" during his prime. Reed was known for studying film to memorize opposing teams' tendencies, as well as his ability to lure quarterbacks into throwing interceptions. Reed was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Donnie Shell

Donnie Shell (born August 26, 1952) is a former American Football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League between 1974 and 1987. Shell was a member of the Steelers famed Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s.
Shell retired as the NFL strong safety career leader in interceptions with 51. He started eleven straight years for the Steelers and was selected to the Steelers All-Time Team, the College Football Hall of Fame, and to the NFL Silver Anniversary Super Bowl Team.

Paul Krause

Paul James Krause (born February 19, 1942) is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). Gifted with a great frame, speed and range, Krause established himself as a defensive force against opposing wide receivers. He led the league with 12 interceptions as a rookie before going on to set the NFL career interceptions record with 81 (which he picked off from 45 different quarterbacks) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.  Krause was selected eight times to the Pro Bowl during his 16 seasons in the NFL.

Mel Renfro

Melvin Lacy Renfro (born December 30, 1941) is a former American football player, a cornerback who spent his entire 14-year career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Dallas Cowboys. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Dick LeBeau

Charles Richard "Dick" LeBeau ( lə-BOH; born September 9, 1937) is a former American football coach and cornerback who was last an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was active at field level in the NFL for 59 consecutive seasons – 14 as a player with the Detroit Lions and 45 as a coach. He is considered to be one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time.  Considered an “innovator” and “defensive football genius”, LeBeau popularized the "zone blitz" when he was defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1980s.
On February 6, 2010, LeBeau was selected into the 2010 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The entire 2010 Steelers team attended the induction ceremony.

Eric Allen

Eric Andre Allen (born November 22, 1965) is an American football coach and former cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001.  A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen retired from football after the 2001 season and is currently an NFL analyst for Pac-12 Networks.  In his NFL career, he recorded 54 interceptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns, while also recovering seven fumbles.  His 54 interceptions ties him for 21st in NFL history. He now lives in San Diego, California with his wife Lynn and his children Austin, Hunter, Jordan, and Noah.
In 2019, he served as the defensive backs coach for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

Richard Sherman

Richard Kevin Sherman (born March 30, 1988) is an American football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times and voted All-Pro four times, including three times to the first team. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2013, when he also helped the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl.
Sherman played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, beginning his career as a wide receiver before moving to cornerback as a junior. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, he has the most interceptions and defended passes of any active player.
During his time as a member of the Seahawks, Sherman was part of the "Legion of Boom", the Seahawks' starting secondary which contributed to Seattle having the best pass defense in the NFL in 2013. This unit helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII; their 43–8 win over the Denver Broncos matched the third-largest margin of victory in the history of the Super Bowl. The Seahawks made it to Super Bowl XLIX the following season losing in a close game against the New England Patriots. During his time with the Seahawks they led the league in scoring defense four years straight between 2012-2015, making them the first team to do so since the 1950s Cleveland Browns.

Willie Brown

William Ferdie Brown (born December 2, 1940) is an American football executive and former player and coach.  He played as a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, Brown remained with the Raiders as an assistant coach.  He served as the head football coach at California State University, Long Beach in 1991, the final season before the school's football program was terminated.  Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1984.  He is currently on the administrative staff of the Raiders.

Lem Barney

Lemuel Joseph Barney (born September 8, 1945) is a former American football player.  A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, he played college football at Jackson State from 1964 to 1966.  He was drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) and played for the Lions as a cornerback, return specialist, and punter from 1967 to 1977.  He was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967, played in seven Pro Bowls, and was selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1968 and 1969. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He has also been inducted into the Detroit Lions Hall of Fame, the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Ronde Barber

Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber (born April 7, 1975) is a former American football defensive back and current sports broadcaster. Barber spent his entire 16-year professional career playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL).  He is the identical twin brother of Tiki Barber, a former running back for the New York Giants. Barber grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and played college football for the University of Virginia.
In the 1997 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Ronde Barber in the third round as the 66th overall pick. Over the course of his career, Barber was selected to five Pro Bowls, accumulated three first team All-Pro selections, two second team All-Pro selections, and was selected to the National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team. Additionally, he led all NFL players in interceptions in 2001, is the Buccaneers all-time interceptions leader, and is one of the two members of the 40/20 club (40+ interceptions, 20+ quarterback sacks) alongside Charles Woodson. After the 2002 season, Barber won Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders. He also holds the record for most consecutive starts by a defensive back. Barber was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

Aeneas Williams

Aeneas Demetrius Williams (; (born January 29, 1968) is a former American football player, who played with the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL).  He played college football for Southern University and was drafted in the third round (59th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. Williams was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Aeneas started out as a cornerback then switched to free safety later in his career.

Albert Lewis

Albert Ray Lewis (born October 6, 1960) is a former American football player who played in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders. Lewis is a father of three children all of which played or currently play sports in college; his son Julian Lewis is a former defensive back for the University of New Mexico.


 
 
 List of The Best Cornerbacks in NFL History, ranked by the combined opinions of 2600 people as of June 2022. Add your votes to this ultimate ranking.
 
