Every Snub from Top 10 in NFL CB Rankings by Coaches, Execs in New ESPN Poll

NFL scouts, executives and coaches provided their opinions on the league's top 10 cornerbacks to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who relayed the findings on Tuesday as part of an annual rankings series of each position group based off expert opinions.

The full top-10 list is as follows.

1. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
2. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
3. Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots
4. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
5. Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams
6. Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
7. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
8. Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
9. Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
10. Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles

However, there were some notable snubs and omissions from that top-10 group, with four players getting "honorable mention" status.

• Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans
• Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
• A.J. Terrell Jr., Atlanta Falcons
• Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Ten other players also received votes.

• DJ Turner II, Cincinnati Bengals
• Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
• Alontae Taylor, Tennessee Titans
• DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys
• Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints
• Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tyson Campbell, Cleveland Browns
• Byron Murphy Jr., Minnesota Vikings
• Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers
• Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles

There's some fantastic cornerback talent in the honorable mention section.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. received great praise from one NFC defensive coach.

 "He takes all the stress off the pass defense," the coach said. "He matches the best receiver in man coverage, and teams roll away from him in zone."

Porter just amassed 14 pass breakups and 52 tackles last season. Opposing quarterbacks only completed 48.5 percent of their passes in his coverage, per Pro Football Reference.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson made Pro Bowls in 2023 and 2024. Unfortunately, injuries held him to just seven games in 2025. Still, a healthy season in 2026 could very well lead to a return to the top 10.

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. has been one of the better players at his position since arriving in the league in 2020. The knock on him here appeared to be a lack of interceptions (six over his six years).

"He's been really good for a long time. He just can't get the ball," a veteran NFL defensive coach told Fowler.

Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter played a key role on a standout defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game last season. He earned Pro Bowl honors after accumulating 91 tackles, 17 pass breakups and four interceptions. An NFC defensive coach called him the best "No. 2 corner" in football.

Fowler's position-by-position series continues Wednesday with edge rushers.