We previously touched on the fact that the NFL essentially has five premier positions that dictate how well a team can perform.
There is quarterback, wide receiver, left tackle, EDGE, and the last one is cornerback.
Having talented defensive backs on the outside of the formation is an absolute must in today’s NFL.
Today I continue my NFC East position rankings series with cornerback.
To catch yourself up on the previously covered defensive positions, utilize the following links.
Defensive tackle
Defensive end/EDGE
Linebacker
Analysis will be done by team alphabetical order, with final rankings revealed at the end of the article.
Dallas Cowboys
Projected starters: Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland
Key contributor(s): Jourdan Lewis, Eric Scott Jr.
Trevon Diggs
The Dallas Cowboys have not had a cornerback with the skill and playmaking ability of Trevon Diggs in many years.
They had been trying through draft and free agency to find the next Terence Newman, and some would say the next Deion Sanders for two decades.
Well they finally found that player in Diggs, and in the 2nd round, no less.
All he’s done is lead the league in interceptions since he was drafted in 2020.
No, I don’t want to hear anything about yards given up.
That stat was made up to discredit his All-Pro season, and never brought up again for any other player.
Diggs is up for a contract extension, and is just a little more motivation to perform well in 2023.
Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore is the biggest addition to the Cowboys roster via trade in recent memory.
Usually when a player of his ilk is added by Dallas through trade, it costs them one or more premium draft picks.
Joey Galloway and Roy Williams come to mind.
In this case, it only cost Dallas a 5th round pick to bring the 2x All-Pro and former defensive player of the year to the Cowboys.
Aside from talent, Gilmore brings Super Bowl experience and leadership to a locker room littered with young players.
“Gilly Lock” is the best acquisition for the Cowboys in several years.
DaRon Bland
Speaking of 5th round picks, DaRon Bland turned out to be another great draft pick by Will McClay & Co.
Expected by many to be a developmental player in Dan Quinn’s defense, Bland shone bright when given the opportunity in 2022.
Thrust into the nickel cornerback role after Jourdan Lewis was lost for the season with a Lisfranc injury, Bland stepped up to the plate and delivered.
He led all rookies with five interceptions, with four of them coming in clutch time 4th quarter drives.
The future is bright for the young cornerback from Fresno State University.
Jourdan Lewis/Eric Scott Jr.
Jourdan Lewis is likely to fall victim to the curse of losing your lead role because of injury.
Not only that, but it is rumored that he could be a cap casualty.
By releasing Lewis, the Cowboys would save a shade over $4 million towards the 2023 salary cap.
Should the Cowboys choose to release Lewis, the next likely player to take his snaps is rookie Eric Scott Jr.
The Cowboys traded up to the first pick of the 6th round for the rights to draft Scott.
Teams were turned off by his 4.78 second 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine, but insiders say he tweaked a hamstring just before participating.
The Cowboys like his traits, and he already flashed his ability in offseason minicamps.
Two other notable players who could garner snaps are Nahshon Wright and Kelvin Joseph, but this is probably their last chance to make an impact.
New York Giants
Projected starters: Adoree’ Jackson, Deonte Banks
Key contributor(s): Cor’Dale Flott, Darnay Holmes
Adoree’ Jackson
Adoree’ Jackson is a former 1st round pick of the Tennessee Titans who was acquired by the Giants prior to the 2021 season.
In two years with New York, Jackson has played in only 22 of a possible 33 games.
He has yet to be available for a full year with the Giants, but looks to change that for the upcoming season.
One interception in 22 games is not what New York had in mind when they signed him to 3yr/$39 million contract.
Deonte Banks
Deonte Banks is the Giants’ 1st round pick from this year’s draft.
He has 4.35 speed and was excellent in man coverage while in college at the University of Maryland.
The Giants drafted him to be their cornerback of the future, and it would benefit them if he started that trajectory sooner than later.
Cor’Dale Flott/Darnay Holmes
Cor’Dale Flott was drafted in the 3rd round by New York in last year’s draft.
They were ecstatic he fell to them at 81 overall after he was projected as high as the 1st round.
Flott played a limited role in 2022, but is essentially locked as the nickel cornerback for the Giants this season.
Darnay Holmes is another young player who has played sparingly in his first three seasons.
Never eclipsing more than 59% of the defensive snaps, Holmes should play a larger role in the defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
Projected starters: Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox
Key contributor(s): Greedy Williams, Kelee Ringo
Darius Slay
Darius Slay was actually released by the Eagles this offseason, and reportedly had a deal ready to sign with the Ravens.
General Manager Howie Roseman, perhaps motivated by fan backlash and rival ridicule, worked some salary cap black magic to sign Slay back.
Slay is the Eagles top cornerback since his arrival to the team via trade three years ago.
He only has seven interceptions in three seasons, but don’t let that fool you.
The 10 year veteran locks down opposing wide receivers, forcing quarterbacks to look in another direction.
James Bradberry
After a mediocre 2021 season with the Giants, James Bradberry signed with the Eagles.
He has since looked rejuvenated with three interceptions and 2nd team All-Pro honors in his first season in Philadelphia.
Maintaining that level of play in his 8th season will be key to the Eagles defensive success.
Avonte Maddox
Avonte Maddox is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league.
He can do it all from that position, including getting home on blitzes, as evidenced by his three career sacks.
Maddox was hampered by injury in 2022, only appearing in nine games.
The Eagles defense suffered for it, but a healthy return gives Philadelphia one of the top trios in the league.
Greedy Williams/Kelee Ringo
Greedy Williams is a 2nd round pick who fell out of favor with the Cleveland Browns.
He is hoping to jump start his career in Philadelphia.
Kelee Ringo is the latest player in the Eagles’ obsession with the University of Georgia.
Ringo was projected to be drafted in the 1st-2nd round, but character concerns caused him to drop to the 4th round.
The Eagles happily scooped him up, and his development in camp will dictate how much impact he will have for the defense.
Washington Commanders
Projected starters: Kendall Fuller, Emmanuel Forbes
Key contributor(s): Benjamin St-Juste, Danny Johnson
Kendall Fuller
Kendall Fuller has been the Commanders’ most reliable cornerback since his return to Washington.
Originally drafted by the Commanders (Redskins), Fuller spent two seasons with Kansas City.
He returned to Washington in 2020, and has eight interceptions in three seasons.
Emmanuel Forbes
Emmanuel Forbes was a surprise pick by the Commanders at 16th overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
Needing a reliable counterpart across the field from Fuller, the Commanders are taking a chance on the undersized Forbes.
Forbes set a record for the slightest player (6’0″ 180lbs) to be drafted in the 1st round.
That 180 pound designation is generous. Forbes weighed in as light as 160lbs during the draft process.
Washington overlooked his size, and instead are banking on his playmaking ability to translate to the NFL.
Benjamin St-Juste/Danny Johnson
Benjamin St-Juste is listed third on the depth chart for Washington despite starting opposite of Fuller last season.
After a shaky rookie season, St-Juste showed much improvement in 2022.
He may end up as the starter if Forbes doesn’t show enough in camp.
Danny Johnson is primarily a special teams player who has seen increased defensive snaps over the past two seasons.
For 2023, he will likely only be called upon in case of injury.
Final Rankings
Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Commanders
New York Giants