The 5 Best Cornerbacks in the NFL

A lot of debate is made about who is the best corner back in football is.  Many teams have pro-bowl caliber corners, and their respected faithfuls all fight for their beloved defender.  One of the most important positions on the field, corner is a scheme by scheme type of position.  Many teams use their corners differently so that's what makes it so hard to distinguish the best of the best. I'll get a lot of heat for not putting the great Champ Bailey on this list, but I think this is the year that he finally starts to show his age.  He's been one of the best for so long, eventually he's gonna decline and I think we've reached that point.  Here's my top 5.

#5- Cortland Finnegan

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 13: Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans defends a pass intended for Donnie Avery #17 of the St. Louis Rams at LP Field on December 13, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Rams 47-7 as Finnegan had two i

Coming into the season, Titans fans were skeptical about how their defense would play.  Now the Titans quietly have been one of the best defenses in the league this season.  A lot of that has to do with the play of their secondary and particularly Cortland Finnegan.  He’s a tough kid out of Samford so he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and when you watch him it shows.  He plays as hard as anyone in the game today.  He gets in the faces of opposing players and really frustrates wide receivers.

#4- Asante Samuel

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 20: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes after catching a second quarter interception against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 20, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick La

While his man coverage skills are a bit lacking, Asante makes up for it with zone coverage.  He’s hands down the best zone coverage corner in football and that’s why he makes this list.  He’s a perfect fit in Philadelphia.  Don’t count on him getting one receiver stranded on his island for a whole game though, because that’s just not his thing. 

#3-Charles Woodson

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

The elder of the group, Charles Woodson still has it.  From the days of his Heisman poses to his mid-30s, Woodson has always been one of the best cornerbacks around.  Thanks to his move to Green Bay, we get to see him play on a competitive team, and a part of a really good defense.  Some would argue that last year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year award winner should be number 1 on this list, but that probably isn’t true.  There are 3 all-time great cornerbacks in the league right now, and Woodson’s the caboose of that train.

#2- Nnamdi Asomugha

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders warms up against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

One number tells it all.  27.  Nnamdi Asomugha was thrown at 27 times last season.  That means opposing quarterbacks decided to test his side of the field about 1.7 times a game.  He only allowed 13 completions in those 27 attempts awesome.  Dude has skills and when you’re making $46 million in 3 years, you better have skills.  It’s just too bad that we don’t get to see him dominate on a good team like the number 1 corner on the list.  Wow, what a great segue.  

#1- Darrelle Revis

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al

Who else?  Let’s be real here.  He was denied the defensive player of the year award based on a lack of stats.  He flat out shut people down.  When he’s not playing (like this weekend) the Jets have to play a drastically different defense.  It’s a great tool for Rex Ryan to know on any given game, he can just take the other team’s best wide receiver out of the entire game. The man has his own island.  He’s the best cornerback in football until someone else says otherwise as this point.