Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 Rankings

Sauce Gardner is the best Cornerback in the NFL right now going into the 2023-2024 NFL season. Also where Trevon Diggs, Jalen Ramsey, and more rank

By admin | May 1, 2023

The evolution of the passing game in the NFL has made it extremely important for NFL teams to have top tier defenses. This includes at the cornerback position where responsibilities are at an all time high as more and more teams turn to the passing game.

While many different aspects contribute to how well a cornerback performs including how much pressure his teammates put on the opposing quarterback

Nonetheless all the top cornerbacks around the NFL all are physical and have the ability to make a big play when needed including the top players landing on the Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 rankings list.

One of those players landing at the top of best cornerbacks list is the New York Jets second year cornerback Sauce Gardner. Gardner, who was drafted by the Jets during the 2022 NFL draft did not disappoint after putting together an impressive rookie season.

While Gardner lands at number one on the list of the top NFL cornerbacks, other top cornerbacks joining include Jalen Ramsey of the Miami Dolphins, Patrick Surtain II of the Denver Broncos, and Stephon Gilmore of the Indianapolis Colts. Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 rankings list.

Honorable Mention

Patrick Peterson

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

2022 Stats: 56 Solo, 0 FF, 5 INT, 15 PD

Landing just outside of the top 10 on the Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 rankings list is the veteran Patrick Peterson. Peterson, who is entering his 13th NFL season, has been as consistent as any cornerback in the NFL while only failing to play an entire NFL season twice over that stretch.

In 2022 Peterson finished the season playing in all 17 games while recording five interceptions to go along with 66 tackles and 15 passes defended.

D.J. Reed Jr.

Team: New York Jets

2022 Stats: 63 Solo, 1 FF, 1 INT, 12 PD

While all eyes were on fellow teammate Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed Jr. of the New York Jets put together a strong season despite opposing quarterbacks targeting him while avoiding Gardner.

Reed Jr. wrapped up the 2022 NFL season with a career high 80 tackles to go along with one forced fumble, one interception, and 12 passes defended.

In addition, the Jets veteran cornerback was aggressive as any in the NFL while showing up in plays at or behind the line of scrimmage while posting 4.5 stuffs over the course of the season.

Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks

10. Trevon Diggs

Team: Dallas Cowboys

2022 Stats: 50 Solo, 0 FF, 3 INT, 14 PD

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 rankings list is the Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.

Coming off an 11-interception season during the 2021 NFL season expectations were set high for Diggs entering the 2022 NFL season.

While the statistics didn’t show up near the season before, the Cowboys cornerback still put together a strong season including posting 14 passes defended for the third straight time in his career. The Cowboys cornerback also added one fumble recovery and three interceptions.

9. Marlon Humphrey

Team: Baltimore Ravens

2022 Stats: 53 Solo, 1 FF, 3 INT, 7 PD

When it comes to playmaking cornerbacks who have a knack for the football look no further than the Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Humphrey continues to rank among the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

The Ravens cornerback is coming off his five straight season posting a PFF score of 74.8 in coverage while also allowing zero touchdowns during the 2022 NFL season in coverage.

While not allowing a touchdown Humphrey is a physical corner that disrupts plays at the line of scrimmage. During the 2022 NFL Season the Ravens veteran posted seven passes defended to go along with 53 tackles and three interceptions.

8. Darius Slay

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

2022 Stats: 40 Solo, 0 FF, 3 INT, 14 PD

A second member of the Philadelphia Eagles secondary that is well worth a spot among the best cornerbacks in the NFL is Darius Slay. Slay, who is returning for the Eagles during the 2023 NFL schedule will provide the team one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL alongside teammate James Bradberry.

The Eagles cornerback is coming off another strong season while marking the seventh time over his career while recording double digit passes defended (14).

While Slay went under the radar playing alongside another top tier talent, the veteran cornerback still played among the best corners in the NFL while recording three interceptions to go along with 55 tackles.

7. Charvarius Ward

Team: San Francisco 49ers

2022 Stats: 59 Solo, 1 FF, 1 INT, 11 PD

Over the past four seasons Charvarius Ward has slowly emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL while showing up all over the football field.

Coming off a career high 87 tackles, Ward also added one forced fumble, one interception, and 11 passes defended. In addition, Ward also showcased his play making abilities while posting 4.5 stuffs over the course of the 17-game schedule.

Entering the 2023 NFL season, Ward has posted double digit passes defended in three of the previous four seasons despite playing just two full seasons over that stretch of time.

6. James Bradberry

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

2022 Stats: 39 Solo, 0 FF, 3 INT, 17 PD

The Philadelphia Eagles defense was as good as any team in the NFL all season long while ranking 2nd in the NFL in yards allowed, 1st in sacks and tied for 4th in interceptions.

Some of the team’s success on defense comes from James Bradberry who was solid in the secondary while showing up all over the field.

Bradberry finished with the third most passes defended in the NFL with 17 last year while also posting 44 tackles, and three interceptions. Bradberry ranked 2nd in the NFL in expected points allowed by PFF as well as 7th overall among the cornerback position.

5. Jaire Alexander

Team: Green Bay Packers

2022 Stats: 43 Solo, 0 FF, 5 INT, 14 PD

Rounding out the top five on the Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 rankings list is the Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander. Alexander bounced back in 2022 after injuries limited him to just four games in 2021.

His return to the field was key for the Packers defense while Alexander was all over the field within the secondary. The former Louisville Cardinals cornerback registered his four seasons with at least double-digit passes defended while posting a career high five interceptions during the 2022 NFL season.

4. Stephon Gilmore

Team: Dallas Cowboys

2022 Stats: 53 Solo, 0 FF, 2 INT, 11 PD

Another NFL Season in the books and another one slowly approaching while Stephon Gilmore finished among the top graded cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus while ranking among the best man coverage corners in the NFL.

Last season that same success showed up as Gilmore allowed just 63% of the passes against him to be caught while posting two interceptions to go along with 11 passes defended.

Despite being one of the older cornerbacks on the list, the Dallas Cowboys cornerback continues to find ways to shut down opposing receivers including top tier receivers such as Justin Jefferson.

3. Patrick Surtain II

Team: Denver Broncos

2022 Stats: 46 Solo, 1 FF, 2 INT, 10 PD

When it comes to all around great cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II of the Denver Broncos fills that void while ranking among the best coverage cornerbacks in the NFL.

While the statistics don’t show how great Surtain II was last season he still managed to post 10 passes defended, 60 total tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions.

As many opposing quarterbacks shied away from Surtain II, the Broncos cornerback failed to have the opportunities to produce at a higher rate. Nonetheless, it is hard to not like what the third-year cornerback will bring to the table during the upcoming 2023 NFL schedule.

2. Jalen Ramsey

Team: Miami Dolphins

2022 Stats: 64 Solo, 3 FF, 4 INT, 18 PD

In an off-season move the Miami Dolphins landed another top tier talent this time at the cornerback position in the likes of Jalen Ramsey.

While 2022 was somewhat of a down season for Ramsey, the ball hawk cornerback still showcased his ability to make a big play when needed while also ranking among the best in the NFL in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among the positions.

Ramsey finished last season with 88 tackles to go along with four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 18 passes defended.

1. Sauce Gardner

Team: New York Jets

2022 Stats: 51 Solo, 0 FF, 2 INT, 20 PD

At number one on the Top 10 NFL Cornerbacks 2023 rankings list is the New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. Gardner is coming off a remarkable rookie season including being named as a First-Team All-Pro while also taking home the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

In addition to those accolades Gardner ranked among the highest graded cornerbacks in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. Entering his second season expectations are even higher for Gardner as he looks to help the Jets defense play at a high level all season long.

The Jets cornerback finished last season with a league high 20 passes defended while recording 75 tackles to go along with two interceptions.

How would you rank these NFL Outside Linebackers going into the 2023-2024 NFL Season? Rank below to be added in the NFL Power Rankings.