NFL free agent rankings: Cornerbacks

As many as seven cornerbacks could come off the board in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and this important position also has some very worthy starters available in free agency this offseason.

We polled a group of writers from around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings about the available players.

We will remove players from the list as they re-sign with their current teams all the way up to the opening of free agency in March.

Davis spent one season in Detroit following six in Tampa. He defended 11 passes and recorded two interceptions along with two fumble recoveries in 2024. He started 13 games and that might be the biggest ding on him; he’s never played a full season in his NFL career. UPDATE: Davis got a three-year deal in New England.

He was listed all the way up at three on one of our ballots, and he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2024. He is coming off a two-year, $17.5 million contract with Minnesota after four seasons with the Cardinals. He had six interceptions alongside 14 passes defended and 81 tackles this past season. At 27, the dude is going to get paid. UPDATE: Murphy re-signed with the Vikings for three years.

Douglas turns 30 right before the 2025 season and has spent 1.5 years on the Bills after being traded by Green Bay. He’s also spent time on the Panthers and Eagles, who drafted him in the third round in 2017. An aggressive player, he gets called for a lot of flags, but he also averages three interceptions per year. He’s a solid veteran option coming off a three-year, $21 million deal.

A former second-round pick, Samuel hurt his shoulder in practice leading up to Week 1 and played through it for a month. Then he missed the rest of the season with the injury. When healthy, he’s had two interceptions, at least 11 passes defended, and 43+ tackles in each of his NFL seasons.

There was a huge jump between the top three and the rest of the pack. No one had Adebo outside their top three. He turns 26 this offseason, but only played seven games in 2024 after breaking his femur. The former third-round pick was having a nice season with three picks, 10 passes defended, and 52 tackles in those seven starts. With the injury, it could complicate his free agency interest, but he should be fully healthy. UPDATE: Adebo agreed to terms with the Giants.

Reed only received votes at the one or two spot from our folks as he looks for the potential fourth team of his career. He turned 28 during the 2024 season, so this is his chance to really cash in one more time following his three-year, $33 million contract he signed with the Jets. He started 14 games with 11 passes defended, one sack, and 52 tackles in 2024. UPDATE: Reed agreed to a multi-year deal with the Lions.

Ward squeaked into the top spot after receiving the most first-place votes just barely ahead of Reed. He turns 29 in May and made the Pro Bowl in 2023 after defending 23 passes. He only played 12 game in 2024, defending seven passes with 54 tackles. He’s coming off a massive three-year, $40 million contract. UPDATE: Ward agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts.

These cornerbacks were released after our rankings were put together in the lead up to the 2025 league year.

Fuller started 11 games for Miami in 2024 after signing a two-year deal with the Dolphins in 2024. In 2020, he signed a big deal with Washington. The Dolphins didn’t want to pay him $7 million in 2025, but he’s going to be a solid cornerback for someone if he can stay healthy.

Jackson was a spot starter for the Buffalo Bills for four seasons before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2024. He was hampered by a hamstring injury and didn’t live up to the two years, $8.5 million he received a year ago. UPDATE: Jackson signed with the Bills, returning to the team that drafted him.

The six-time Pro Bowler has said he wants to play one more year at 34. He’s not as good as he was earlier in his career, but especially if you have a solid backup plan to account for injuries, he still has some gas left in the tank. The Eagles needed the cap space to extend their younger free agents. UPDATE: Darius Slay is signing with the Steelers.

Tomlinson is a former Jim Thorpe Award winner for the top defensive back in college football, but since being drafted by the Rams he’s dealt with some rough injury luck. He played 45 snaps in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season. He’s auditioning for a roster spot in a camp. UPDATE: Tomlinson was claimed on waivers by the 49ers/

Due $3.5 million in 2025, the Jaguars’ new regime didn’t want to keep him. He’s been the primary starter for six different teams over 10 seasons, but has only started 16 games once in his NFL career after dealing with a litany of injuries. He started 12 for the Jags in 2024. He is 31 and with his injury history, he fits the mold for a team looking for stability while a younger player gets acclimated to the pros. UPDATE: Darby signed for less money with the Texans.

Despite already guaranteeing Awuzie $7.5 million in 2025, the Titans still released the veteran to prevent another $4 million in salary from becoming fully guaranteed. He only played in eight games i 2024 after 15 in 2023 with the Bengals. He’s likely a security blanket signing at this point as a guy that can start some games from time to time but should’t be counted on for long stretches now that he turns 39. UPDATE: Awuize signed with the Ravens.