As many as seven cornerbacks might come off the board within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, and this vital place additionally has some very worthy starters accessible in free company this offseason.
We polled a gaggle of writers from round SB Nation to assemble consensus rankings in regards to the accessible gamers.
We’ll take away gamers from the record as they re-sign with their present groups all the way in which as much as the opening of free company in March.
Pending free agent cornerbacks heading into 2025
Receiving votes
- Isaac Yiadom
Brandon Stephens- Mike Hilton
Jonathan JonesDonte Jackson- Stephon Gilmore
7. Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions
Davis spent one season in Detroit following six in Tampa. He defended 11 passes and recorded two interceptions together with two fumble recoveries in 2024. He began 13 video games and that is likely to be the most important ding on him; he’s by no means performed a full season in his NFL profession. UPDATE: Davis bought a three-year deal in New England.
6. Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings
He was listed all the way in which up at three on one among our ballots, and he earned a Professional Bowl nod in 2024. He’s coming off a two-year, $17.5 million contract with Minnesota after 4 seasons with the Cardinals. He had six interceptions alongside 14 passes defended and 81 tackles this previous season. At 27, the dude goes to receives a commission. UPDATE: Murphy re-signed with the Vikings for 3 years.
5. Rasul Douglas, Buffalo Payments
Douglas turns 30 proper earlier than the 2025 season and has spent 1.5 years on the Payments after being traded by Inexperienced Bay. He’s additionally hung out on the Panthers and Eagles, who drafted him within the third spherical in 2017. An aggressive participant, he will get referred to as for lots of flags, however he additionally averages three interceptions per yr. He’s a strong veteran possibility coming off a three-year, $21 million deal.
4. Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
A former second-round choose, Samuel harm his shoulder in apply main as much as Week 1 and performed by it for a month. Then he missed the remainder of the season with the damage. When wholesome, he’s had two interceptions, a minimum of 11 passes defended, and 43+ tackles in every of his NFL seasons.
3. Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints
There was an enormous soar between the highest three and the remainder of the pack. Nobody had Adebo outdoors their high three. He turns 26 this offseason, however solely performed seven video games in 2024 after breaking his femur. The previous third-round choose was having a pleasant season with three picks, 10 passes defended, and 52 tackles in these seven begins. With the damage, it might complicate his free company curiosity, however he must be absolutely wholesome. UPDATE: Adebo agreed to phrases with the Giants.
2. D.J. Reed, New York Jets
Reed solely obtained votes on the one or two spot from our of us as he appears to be like for the potential fourth crew of his profession. He turned 28 through the 2024 season, so that is his likelihood to actually money in yet one more time following his three-year, $33 million contract he signed with the Jets. He began 14 video games with 11 passes defended, one sack, and 52 tackles in 2024. UPDATE: Reed agreed to a multi-year take care of the Lions.
1. Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
Ward squeaked into the highest spot after receiving probably the most first-place votes simply barely forward of Reed. He turns 29 in Might and made the Professional Bowl in 2023 after defending 23 passes. He solely performed 12 recreation in 2024, defending seven passes with 54 tackles. He’s coming off a large three-year, $40 million contract. UPDATE: Ward agreed to phrases with the Indianapolis Colts.
Lately launched cornerbacks
These cornerbacks had been launched after our rankings had been put collectively within the lead as much as the 2025 league yr.
Kendall Fuller
Fuller began 11 video games for Miami in 2024 after signing a two-year take care of the Dolphins in 2024. In 2020, he signed a giant take care of Washington. The Dolphins didn’t wish to pay him $7 million in 2025, however he’s going to be a strong cornerback for somebody if he can keep wholesome.
Dane Jackson
Jackson was a spot starter for the Buffalo Payments for 4 seasons earlier than signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2024. He was hampered by a hamstring damage and didn’t dwell as much as the 2 years, $8.5 million he obtained a yr in the past.
Darius Slay
The six-time Professional Bowler has stated he needs to play yet one more yr at 34. He’s inferior to he was earlier in his profession, however particularly when you’ve got a strong backup plan to account for accidents, he nonetheless has some fuel left within the tank. The Eagles wanted the cap area to increase their youthful free brokers. UPDATE: Darius Slay is signing with the Steelers.
Tre Tomlinson
Tomlinson is a former Jim Thorpe Award winner for the highest defensive again in faculty soccer, however since being drafted by the Rams he’s handled some tough damage luck. He performed 45 snaps in 2023 and missed the whole 2024 season. He’s auditioning for a roster spot in a camp. UPDATE: Tomlinson was claimed on waivers by the 49ers/
Ronald Darby
Due $3.5 million in 2025, the Jaguars’ new regime didn’t wish to maintain him. He’s been the first starter for six completely different groups over 10 seasons, however has solely began 16 video games as soon as in his NFL profession after coping with a litany of accidents. He began 12 for the Jags in 2024. He’s 31 and along with his damage historical past, he suits the mildew for a crew searching for stability whereas a youthful participant will get acclimated to the professionals.
Different free agent cornerbacks
- Jeff Okudah
- Shaquill Griffin
- Tre’Davious White
Mike Hughes- Michael Davis
Kristian FultonEric Stokes- Emmanuel Moseley
Jourdan LewisMarco WilsonTremon SmithIsaiah Oliver- Corey Ballentine
- Avonte Maddox
- Adoree’ Jackson
- Kris Boyd
Tavierre Thomas- Khalil Dorsey
C.J. Goodwin- Antonio Hamilton
- Noah Igbinoghene
- Kindle Vildor
- Levi Wallace
- Rock Ya-Sin
Benjamin St-JusteMichael Jackson- Cameron Sutton
- Fabian Moreau
- Anthony Brown
Elijah MoldenIfeatu Melifonwu- Ambry Thomas
- Trayvon Mullen
- Bryce Corridor
- Elijah Riley
- Darnay Holmes
Michael FordIsaiah Rodgers- Harrison Hand
Tre BrownNate HobbsBrandin Echols- Israel Mukuamu
- Arthur Maulet
Jason Pinnock- Theo Jackson (RFA)
- Christian Matthew (RFA)
- Darren Corridor (RFA)
- Josh Blackwell (RFA)
Kader Kohou (RFA)- Darrell Baker Jr. (RFA)
Free agent cornerbacks who had been signed to new offers
- Elijah Molden re-signed with the Los Angeles Chargers
- C.J. Goodwin re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year deal
- Kader Kohou signed his one-year RFA tender
- Jourdan Lewis is heading to Jacksonville because the highest-paid slot nook within the NFL
- Carlton Davis signed a multi-year deal in New England
- Paulson Adebo agreed to phrases with the Giants
- Tremon Smith agreed to a contract with the Texans
- D.J. Reed is heading to Detroit
- Isaiah Rodgers goes to the Vikings
- Darius Slay agreed to a brand new take care of the Steelers
- Donte Jackson agreed to a two-year take care of the Chargers
- Brandon Stephens agreed to a three-year take care of the Jets
- Nate Hobbs agreed to a four-year take care of the Packers
- Michael Jackson agreed a two-year take care of the Panthers
- Charvarius Ward agreed to phrases with the Colts
- Byron Murphy re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings
- Ifeatu Melifonwu signed a one-year take care of Miami
- Marco Wilson signed with the Bengals
- Kristian Fulton agreed to a two-year take care of the Chiefs
- Mike Hughes signed a three-year take care of the Falcons
- Eric Stokes agreed to a one-year take care of the Raiders
- Jason Pinnock and the 49ers agreed to a one-year deal
- Tre Brown signed with the 49ers
- Michael Ford and the Falcons agreed on a two-year deal
- Brandin Echols signed a contract with Pittsburgh
- Tavierre Thomas agreed to signal with the Minnesota Vikings
- Isaiah Oliver signed with the Jets
- Jonathan Jones and the Commanders agreed to a one-year deal
- Benjamin St-Juste signed with the Chargers
- Nazee Johnson (RFA) was tendered on the proper of first refusal
