Post by Steelers GM on Jul 30, 2024 19:21:44 GMT
Something to look at/discuss while we wait for the season to get closer. I will rank the top team's CB rooms in this post.
These rankings take the following things into consideration:
~ Star Power at the position
~ Depth at the position
~ expected potential growth of players this season
Cornerbacks is one of the more unique positions. A lot of the top tiered, shutdown corners aren't usually getting the most fantasy points for this position. The best for fantasy are the ball-hawks who rack up INTs and corners who get thrown at a lot/tackle a lot. In our league you can start between 2-5 (if one has S eligibility).
1. Washington Commanders: Rasul Douglas, BUF / Devon Witherspoon, SEA / Darius Slay Jr, PHI / Nate Wiggins, BAL
Washington comes in at no. 1 with a great proven trio and a top rookie CB. As a rookie, Witherspoon was the CB1 in terms of PPG (13.6). Slay (10.4 ppg) and Douglas (10.2) were both top 15 CBs on a per game basis. Adding in a 1st Rd rookie in Wiggins, should make this group elite once again this season.
2. Dallas Cowboys: Marlon Humphrey, BAL / Denzel Ward, CLE / Charvarius Ward, SF / Jalen Ramsey, MIA
Dallas would have the most elite lockdown CB room in the NFL. Humphrey (5.1), D. Ward (6.3), Ramsey (5.5) all had down years in terms of health and production fantasy wise, but could all bounce back in the 2024-25 season. C. Ward had 10.3 ppg which was good for a top 15 finish. Young options like Ambry Thomas, Andrew Booth Jr, Kaiir Elam, Cordale Flott and T.J. Tampa could very well have some fantasy value this season. Dallas has the most complete CB in the league.
3. Denver Broncos: Deonte Banks, NYG / Mike Hilton, CIN / Trent McDuffie, KC
Denver has one of the best trios at CB in our league. Banks looked promising in his rookie year, with 8 ppg. Hilton and McDuffie are 2 of the best Slot-CBs in the NFL. Hilton, going into year 8, has averaged between 8-12 ppg and should continue again this season. McDuffie looks great in his sophomore year (10.3 ppg). Cam Sutton somehow can play football still, only being suspended half the year, so he can give some solid points the second half the year.
4. Detroit Lions: Keisean Nixon, GB / Alontae Taylor, NO / Chidobe Awuzie, TEN / Jamel Dean, TB
Nixon was the CB1 overall with an impressive 13.4 ppg. His kick return ability as well as playing about 75% of their defensive snaps. If these continue, expect another great season from him. Taylor (9.3) and Dean (7.9) are both solid CBs that'll give you consistent points. Chidobe has come off 2 injury-riddled seasons but has the potential to be good (8+ ppg in 4 straight seasons). If he can stay healthy, this group has a lot of upside.
5. Tennessee Titans: Sauce Gardner, NYJ / Cam Taylor-Britt, CIN / Asante Samuel Jr, LAC / Greg Newsome II, CLE
Sauce is probably the best lockdown corner in the NFL, but his fantasy production (6.4 ppg) doesn't reflect that. Taylor-Britt (10.1), Samuel (7.2), Newsome (8.3) are all good options that will give consistent points each week. Depth pieces like Jack Jones and Marco Wilson could also contribute.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Jaire Alexander, GB / Marshon Lattimore, NO / Desmond King, HOU
Vegas comes in at the 6 spot. Jaire (7.7 ppg) and Lattimore (9 ppg) are 2 of the best CBs in the NFL and get solid, consistent points. King has been one of the more productive Slot-CBs in the NFL over the past few years. His 9.8 ppg was one of his career lows, but he should bounce back this year and continue being productive for Houston. Clark Phillips III should have a nice role in the Atlanta defense this season as well.
7. Carolina Panthers: L'Jarius Snead, TEN / Trevon Diggs, DAL
Snead and Diggs are two of the better ball-hawking CBs. When healthy Diggs puts up monstrous numbers (for a CB). Snead has been a consistent 10+ ppg scorer for KC and should continue with his new team in Tennessee. Rookie Max Melton could also have a starting job for Arizona.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Moore, IND / Dane Jackson, CAR / JuJu Brents, IND
Kenny Moore has been an elite CB since 2018, getting over 11 ppg 5 out of 6 seasons. Expect another top finish from him. Dane Jackson has shown flashes in a limited role with Buffalo. Expect a solid season from him in Carolina. JuJu Brents was great in his rookie campaign, 8.6 ppg. Cincy also has Shaq Griffin, who could also have a good year.
9. Baltimore Ravens: Byron Murphy Jr, MIN / A.J. Terrell, ATL / Donte Jackson, PIT
Murphy was great in 2023-24, with 9.4 ppg. Terrell is an elite shutdown corner, but that doesn't bode well for fantasy production (5.2). Donte Jackson is fast and should have a consistent role for Pittsburgh this year. Markquese Bell has CB eligibility as well, who as a converted-safety playing LB, got 8.6 ppg. Rookie CB Kamari Lassiter, should have a shot at starting for Houston this season as well.
10. Seattle Seahawks: Nate Hobbs, LVR / Derek Stingley Jr, HOU
Hobbs has been elite the past 2 seasons when healthy (11.5/11.8 ppg). Stingley has consistently scored 8.6 ppg when healthy as well, in his first 2 NFL seasons. Darrell Baker and Ahkello Witherspoon (if he signs with a team) could provide some depth too.
These rankings take the following things into consideration:
~ Star Power at the position
~ Depth at the position
~ expected potential growth of players this season
Cornerbacks is one of the more unique positions. A lot of the top tiered, shutdown corners aren't usually getting the most fantasy points for this position. The best for fantasy are the ball-hawks who rack up INTs and corners who get thrown at a lot/tackle a lot. In our league you can start between 2-5 (if one has S eligibility).
1. Washington Commanders: Rasul Douglas, BUF / Devon Witherspoon, SEA / Darius Slay Jr, PHI / Nate Wiggins, BAL
Washington comes in at no. 1 with a great proven trio and a top rookie CB. As a rookie, Witherspoon was the CB1 in terms of PPG (13.6). Slay (10.4 ppg) and Douglas (10.2) were both top 15 CBs on a per game basis. Adding in a 1st Rd rookie in Wiggins, should make this group elite once again this season.
2. Dallas Cowboys: Marlon Humphrey, BAL / Denzel Ward, CLE / Charvarius Ward, SF / Jalen Ramsey, MIA
Dallas would have the most elite lockdown CB room in the NFL. Humphrey (5.1), D. Ward (6.3), Ramsey (5.5) all had down years in terms of health and production fantasy wise, but could all bounce back in the 2024-25 season. C. Ward had 10.3 ppg which was good for a top 15 finish. Young options like Ambry Thomas, Andrew Booth Jr, Kaiir Elam, Cordale Flott and T.J. Tampa could very well have some fantasy value this season. Dallas has the most complete CB in the league.
3. Denver Broncos: Deonte Banks, NYG / Mike Hilton, CIN / Trent McDuffie, KC
Denver has one of the best trios at CB in our league. Banks looked promising in his rookie year, with 8 ppg. Hilton and McDuffie are 2 of the best Slot-CBs in the NFL. Hilton, going into year 8, has averaged between 8-12 ppg and should continue again this season. McDuffie looks great in his sophomore year (10.3 ppg). Cam Sutton somehow can play football still, only being suspended half the year, so he can give some solid points the second half the year.
4. Detroit Lions: Keisean Nixon, GB / Alontae Taylor, NO / Chidobe Awuzie, TEN / Jamel Dean, TB
Nixon was the CB1 overall with an impressive 13.4 ppg. His kick return ability as well as playing about 75% of their defensive snaps. If these continue, expect another great season from him. Taylor (9.3) and Dean (7.9) are both solid CBs that'll give you consistent points. Chidobe has come off 2 injury-riddled seasons but has the potential to be good (8+ ppg in 4 straight seasons). If he can stay healthy, this group has a lot of upside.
5. Tennessee Titans: Sauce Gardner, NYJ / Cam Taylor-Britt, CIN / Asante Samuel Jr, LAC / Greg Newsome II, CLE
Sauce is probably the best lockdown corner in the NFL, but his fantasy production (6.4 ppg) doesn't reflect that. Taylor-Britt (10.1), Samuel (7.2), Newsome (8.3) are all good options that will give consistent points each week. Depth pieces like Jack Jones and Marco Wilson could also contribute.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Jaire Alexander, GB / Marshon Lattimore, NO / Desmond King, HOU
Vegas comes in at the 6 spot. Jaire (7.7 ppg) and Lattimore (9 ppg) are 2 of the best CBs in the NFL and get solid, consistent points. King has been one of the more productive Slot-CBs in the NFL over the past few years. His 9.8 ppg was one of his career lows, but he should bounce back this year and continue being productive for Houston. Clark Phillips III should have a nice role in the Atlanta defense this season as well.
7. Carolina Panthers: L'Jarius Snead, TEN / Trevon Diggs, DAL
Snead and Diggs are two of the better ball-hawking CBs. When healthy Diggs puts up monstrous numbers (for a CB). Snead has been a consistent 10+ ppg scorer for KC and should continue with his new team in Tennessee. Rookie Max Melton could also have a starting job for Arizona.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Moore, IND / Dane Jackson, CAR / JuJu Brents, IND
Kenny Moore has been an elite CB since 2018, getting over 11 ppg 5 out of 6 seasons. Expect another top finish from him. Dane Jackson has shown flashes in a limited role with Buffalo. Expect a solid season from him in Carolina. JuJu Brents was great in his rookie campaign, 8.6 ppg. Cincy also has Shaq Griffin, who could also have a good year.
9. Baltimore Ravens: Byron Murphy Jr, MIN / A.J. Terrell, ATL / Donte Jackson, PIT
Murphy was great in 2023-24, with 9.4 ppg. Terrell is an elite shutdown corner, but that doesn't bode well for fantasy production (5.2). Donte Jackson is fast and should have a consistent role for Pittsburgh this year. Markquese Bell has CB eligibility as well, who as a converted-safety playing LB, got 8.6 ppg. Rookie CB Kamari Lassiter, should have a shot at starting for Houston this season as well.
10. Seattle Seahawks: Nate Hobbs, LVR / Derek Stingley Jr, HOU
Hobbs has been elite the past 2 seasons when healthy (11.5/11.8 ppg). Stingley has consistently scored 8.6 ppg when healthy as well, in his first 2 NFL seasons. Darrell Baker and Ahkello Witherspoon (if he signs with a team) could provide some depth too.