Top 10 Best Cornerbacks of All Time

Top Statistics and Curiosities

• Deion Sanders has the most career interceptions returned for touchdowns with 9.
• Darrelle Revis allowed a passer rating of only 54.8 when targeted in 2009, the lowest mark for any cornerback in the past 20 years.
• Rod Woodson is the only player in NFL history to have an interception, fumble recovery, kickoff return, punt return, and touchdown pass in the same season.
• Champ Bailey was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times in his career, tied for the most ever by a cornerback.
• Mel Blount was so dominant in the 1970s that the NFL changed the rules to limit the amount of contact defenders could have with receivers, a change that has become known as the Mel Blount Rule.

Ranking the Top 10 Best Cornerbacks of All Time

Without further ado, here is my personal ranking of the top 10 best cornerbacks of all time:

1. Deion Sanders

   Prime Time is widely regarded as the greatest cornerback of all time, and for good reason. His speed, agility, and instincts made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and his ability to return interceptions for touchdowns was unparalleled. Sanders won two Super Bowl championships and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.

   When you throw to Deion Sanders’ side, you are just throwing money away. – Jerry Rice

2. Darrelle Revis

   Revis Island was the most feared destination for opposing receivers in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His combination of size, speed, and technique made him nearly impossible to beat in man coverage. Revis was a seven-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots in 2014.

   I think he’s the best corner in the game right now. He’s got great ball skills, great patience at the line of scrimmage. He’s just a technician of the position. – Randy Moss on Darrelle Revis

3. Champ Bailey

   Bailey was a true shutdown corner who could cover any receiver in the league. His combination of size, speed, and awareness made him a perennial Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro three times. Bailey played 15 seasons in the NFL and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

   I think Champ is the best corner in the game, hands down. He’s bigger, he’s faster, he’s smarter, and he’s more physical. – Chad Johnson on Champ Bailey

4. Charles Woodson

   Woodson was a playmaker on both defense and special teams, and his versatility made him one of the most valuable players in the league. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers in 2010 and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. Woodson finished his career with 65 interceptions, tied for fifth-most in NFL history.

   Charles Woodson is like a fine wine, he just gets better with age. – Aaron Rodgers

5. Mel Blount

   Blount was a physical specimen who used his size and strength to dominate opposing receivers. He won four Super Bowl championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975. Blount’s physical style of play led to the NFL implementing new rules to prevent defenders from making contact with receivers more than five yards down the field.

   Mel Blount is the best cornerback I’ve ever seen. – Terry Bradshaw

6. Mike Haynes

   Haynes was an elite cover corner who played for both the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders. He was named to nine Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl championship with the Raiders in 1984. Haynes finished his career with 46 interceptions and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

   Mike Haynes was just the best at what he did. He was the complete package. – John Madden

7. Rod Woodson

   Woodson was a ballhawk who could also deliver punishing hits. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders during his 17-year career, earning 11 Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship with the Ravens in 2000. Woodson finished his career with 71 interceptions, third-most in NFL history.

   In my opinion, Rod Woodson is the best all-around cornerback that’s ever played the game. – Bill Belichick

8. Night Train Lane

   Lane was a pioneer of the cornerback position, using his size and physicality to intimidate opposing receivers. He finished his career with 68 interceptions, still tied for fourth-most in NFL history, and was named to seven Pro Bowls. Lane was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

   Night Train was the best cornerback I ever played against. – Johnny Unitas

9. Sam Madison

   Madison was a lockdown corner who played for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was named to four Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl championships with the Giants in 2007 and 2011. Madison finished his career with 38 interceptions and 6 defensive touchdowns.

   Sam Madison was an elite corner who could cover anybody. – Michael Strahan

10. Nnamdi Asomugha

    Asomugha was a dominant cornerback who played for the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers. He was named to three Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro twice. Asomugha was known for his physicality and his ability to shut down opposing receivers. He finished his career with 15 interceptions and was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.

    Nnamdi Asomugha was the most difficult corner for me to play against. – Larry Fitzgerald

FAQs about Top 10 Best Cornerbacks of All Time

Who is the greatest cornerback of all time?

Deion Sanders is widely considered the greatest cornerback of all time, thanks to his unparalleled ability to shut down opposing receivers and return interceptions for touchdowns. Sanders won two Super Bowl championships and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.

Who is the most dominant cornerback of all time?

Mel Blount is widely regarded as the most dominant cornerback of all time, thanks to his physical style of play and his ability to intimidate opposing receivers. Blount won four Super Bowl championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975.

Who is the most underrated cornerback of all time?

Sam Madison is often overlooked when discussing the greatest cornerbacks of all time, but he was a lockdown corner who played a key role in the New York Giants’ Super Bowl championships in 2007 and 2011. Madison was named to four Pro Bowls in his career and finished with 38 interceptions and 6 defensive touchdowns.