The new league year is nearly upon us, and with it comes free agency. Fans of every team except the Seahawks and Patriots are now focused on the offseason and what their favorite team’s roster will look like when the 2026 season starts and which new faces might be on the field in September.
NFL free agency 2026 player rankings: Best cornerbacks available
Here are the top cornerbacks who will become free agents when the new league year begins.
Jarrett Bailey Has been covering the NFL at SB Nation since 2023.
If your team is in the market for a cornerback and has some cap space to work with, it’s a great year to improve the secondary. From underrated Jamel Dean to NFL legacy Asante Samuel, Jr., here are your team’s best options at cornerback in free agency.
Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Dean has consistently been one of the best and most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL over the last five years, and 2025 was one of his best seasons. Per Next Gen Stats, he allowed a passer rating of just 41.3 as the nearest defender, allowing just one touchdown to three interceptions.
Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Taylor has established himself as one of the NFL’s most versatile cornerbacks. Per PFF, he led all cornerbacks in stops, PFF’s metric for tackles that result in a successful play for the defense. He had two interceptions in 2025 and finished with a target EPA of -3.
Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
There was speculation that Woolen could be traded at the trade deadline this season, as his playing time went down. However, he remained with the Seahawks and was one of the top defenders for the NFC champions. He allowed only 33 receptions on 65 targets, and his target EPA was a staggering -5.2.
Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Watson didn’t allow a touchdown on 478 coverage snaps and 58 targets in 2025. He picked off two passes and allowed a passer rating of just 71.6 in what was his best season with the Chiefs.
Nahshon Wright, Chicago Bears
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Wright was one of the breakout players of the 2025 season. He picked off five passes in 2025, leading all cornerbacks. He also finished second amongst cornerbacks in forced fumbles and was ninth in solo tackles. Considering that Wright is on his third team in three seasons, and only played in one game in 2024, his production was nothing short of incredible
Eric Stokes, Las Vegas Raiders
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Stokes was one of the few bright spots on a Raiders team that finished with the worst record in the league. His PFF grade of 73.6 was 18th amongst 114 qualified cornerbacks, and he finished with a catch rate over expected of -6.4.
James Pierre, Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Pierre had a career season in 2025. After spending his career as a depth cornerback and special teams player, Pierre allowed just 13 receptions on 34 targets and a passer rating of just 50.9. Additionally, Pierre posted a catch rate over expected of -24.6.
Rasul Douglas, Miami Dolphins
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
The former Buffalo Bills cornerback joined their AFC East rival this past offseason, and he proved to be a vital piece of a defense that was plagued with injuries. He finished 19th out of 114 cornerbacks in PFF grade, as well as totaling two interceptions and holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 78.7.
Kader Kohou, Miami Dolphins
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Kohou missed the entirety of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL. However, in his previous three seasons, he proved to be a reliable player with the Dolphins. In 2024, he allowed a target EPA of -13.2, and a catch rate over expected of -6 percent.
Asante Samuel Jr: Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 Stats: 16 games played, 243 attempts for 1065 yards (4.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 36 receptions for 350 yards (9.7 YPR), 1 receiving TD, 2 fumbles
Samuel missed the first half of the season due to undergoing neck surgery, which kept him on the free agent market. The Steelers scooped him up, and he proved he was still a good starting cornerback. In six games, he posted a PFF grade of 67.2.
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