2012 NFL Free Agents: Cornerbacks

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2012 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2012.
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Lardarius Webb (RFA), CB, Ravens. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Ravens (6 years, $50 million; $10 million guaranteed)

One of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, Lardarius Webb allowed a 54.6 completion percentage this past season. But that’s not even his most impressive stat. He picked off seven passes while surrendering zero touchdowns.
Brandon Carr, CB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
Signed with Cowboys (5 years, $50.1 million)

Brandon Carr allowed a completion percentage of 49.4 in 2011. He is a No. 1-caliber cornerback who will be rewarded with a big contract this offseason.
Cortland Finnegan, CB, Titans. Age: 28.
Signed with Rams (5 years, $50 million)

Cortland Finnegan is a really good cornerback unless he has to cover Andre Johnson. He’s expected to reunite with Jeff Fisher in St. Louis.
Carlos Rogers, CB, 49ers. Age: 31.
Signed with 49ers (4 years, $29.3 million)

Carlos Rogers had a fantastic season, picking off six passes and limiting receivers to a 52.6 completion percentage. Only his age (31 in July) is a concern.
Brent Grimes, CB, Falcons. Age: 29.
Franchised by Falcons

Despite size and speed limitations, Brent Grimes is a very talented cornerback. The only question is his dedication. There is speculation via a Pro Football Weekly report that he sat out the playoff game so he wouldn’t risk a big pay day by getting hurt. If so, Grimes might be one of those take-the-money-and-run bust free agents. Caveat emptor.
Richard Marshall, CB, Cardinals. Age: 27.
Signed with Dolphins (3 years, $16 million; $6 million guaranteed)

Richard Marshall played pretty well at corner in the second half of the year. He was also effective in stepping in for an injured Kerry Rhodes at free safety.
Tracy Porter, CB, Saints. Age: 26.
Signed with Broncos (1 year, $4 million)

Tracy Porter is coming off a down year, but he’s still an effective starting cornerback. He’d look much better with a consistent pass rush in front of him.
William Middleton (RFA), CB, Jaguars. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Jaguars (1 year, $1.26 million)

William Middleton doesn’t have much NFL experience, but he handled himself really well in relief of Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis in 2011. He’s a young corner with loads of potential.
Stanford Routt, CB, Raiders. Age: 29.
Signed with Chiefs (3 years, $19.6 million; $4 million signing bonus)

One of the most overrated players in the NFL, Stanford Routt is often discussed as a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, but he definitely shouldn’t be. Routt has good coverage skills, but is often penalized. He was whistled for 17 infractions in 2011 alone (it easily could have been a lot more), which led all players at his position.
Terrell Thomas, CB, Giants. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Giants (4 years, $28 million; $11 million guaranteed)

Can you imagine if the Giants had the skilled Terrell Thomas in their secondary as a complement to their fearsome pass rush? Thomas is coming off a torn ACL, but he should be ready for training camp because the injury occurred in August.
Jason Allen, CB, Texans. Age: 29.
Signed with Bengals

Jason Allen played surprisingly well in Wade Phillips’ defense in 2011. He surrendered a completion percentage of only 50.6 and ate into Kareem Jackson’s snaps late in the year.
Tim Jennings, CB, Bears. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bears (2 years)

Tim Jennings played well last year (57.3%, 0 TDs), but at 5-8, 185, he’s pretty scheme-specific. He means much more to Chicago than most other teams.
Rashean Mathis, CB, Jaguars. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Jaguars (1 year, $5 million)

Rashean Mathis played well last year, but there are two issues. First, he turns 32 in August. Second, and more importantly, he tore his ACL in November, so it’s not clear if he’ll be 100 percent next season.
Greg Toler (RFA), CB, Cardinals. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Cardinals (1 year, $1.26 million)

Greg Toler played well in 2010, but missed all of last year with a torn ACL.
Ronald Bartell, CB, Rams. Age: 31.
Signed with Raiders (1 year, $3 million)

Ronald Bartell can be a decent cornerback when healthy, but he missed all but one game last year with a neck injury. He’s a health risk, but he’s been cleared by the doctors. He’s worth a shot.
Aaron Ross, CB, Giants. Age: 29.
Signed with Jaguars (3 years, $15.3 million)

When Terrell Thomas suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason, Giant fans groaned because that would mean Aaron Ross would have to play more. Ross lived down to those expectations, allowing a 65.9 completion percentage and six touchdowns.
William Gay, CB, Steelers. Age: 27.
Signed with Cardinals

William Gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that) was inserting (or inserted) into the starting lineup in late September and did a decent job. He has really struggled in the past, however, and the 30-yard touchdown he surrendered to Eddie Royal in the playoff loss was not a good sign.
Cary Williams (RFA), CB, Ravens. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Ravens (1 year, $1.927 million)

I don’t know what was more disappointing: Cary Williams’ performance in 2011, or the fact that first-round rookie Jimmy Smith couldn’t pass him on the depth chart.
Chris Carr, CB, Ravens. Age: 29.
Signed with Vikings (1 year)

Chris Carr played very well in 2010, but tumbled down the depth chart this past season. He was a healthy scratch toward the end.
Perrish Cox, CB, Broncos. Age: 25.
Signed with 49ers (2 years)

Perrish Cox is very talented, but has a long history of off-the-field issues. He was recently acquitted of sexual assault.
Marcus Trufant, CB, Seahawks. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Seahawks (1 year)

Marcus Trufant, who just turned 31 on Christmas, has some back issues that really affected his play last year. He really struggled and may never be the same again.
Shawntae Spencer, CB, 49ers. Age: 30. — Signed with Raiders
Cedric Griffin, CB, Vikings. Age: 29. — Signed with Redskins (1 year, $2.5 million)
Dimitri Patterson, CB, Browns. Age: 29. — Signed with Browns (3 years, $16 million; $6 million guaranteed)
Drew Coleman, CB, Jaguars. Age: 29. — Signed with Lions
Terence Newman, CB, Cowboys. Age: 33. — Signed with Bengals
Corey Graham, CB, Bears. Age: 27. — Signed with Ravens (2 years)
Keenan Lewis (RFA), CB, Steelers. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
Will Allen, CB, Dolphins. Age: 34. — Signed with Patriots (1 year)
Jacob Lacey (RFA), CB, Colts. Age: 25. — Signed with Lions (1 year)
Drayton Florence, CB, Bills. Age: 31. — Signed with Broncos (2 years, $4.5 million)
Chris Johnson, CB, Raiders. Age: 32.
Benny Sapp, CB, Vikings. Age: 31.
Jarrett Bush, CB, Packers. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Packers (3 years)
Alan Ball, CB, Cowboys. Age: 27. — Signed with Texans
Marquice Cole (RFA), CB, Jets. Age: 28. — Signed with Patriots
Kelly Jennings, CB, Bengals. Age: 29.
Justin Tryon, CB, Giants. Age: 28.
Eric Wright, CB, Lions. Age: 27. — Signed with Buccaneers (5 years, $37.5 million) WTF!?
Lito Sheppard, CB, Raiders. Age: 31.
Elbert Mack, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 26. — Signed with Saints
Rod Hood, CB, Rams. Age: 30.
Antwaun Molden, CB, Patriots. Age: 27. — Signed with Giants
Justin King, CB, Rams. Age: 25. — Signed with Colts
Travis Daniels, CB, Chiefs. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Chiefs
Bryant McFadden, CB, Steelers. Age: 30.
Justin King, CB, Rams. Age: 25.
Dante Hughes, CB, Chargers. Age: 27. — Signed with Chargers
Roy Lewis, CB, Seahawks. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Seahawks (1 year)
Andre Goodman, CB, Broncos. Age: 34.
Byron Westbrook (RFA), CB, Redskins. Age: 27.
Zackary Bowman, CB, Bears. Age: 27. — Signed with Vikings (1 year)
Ronde Barber, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 37. — Re-signed with Buccaneers (1 year)
Pacman Jones, CB, Bengals. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Bengals
Will Blackmon, CB, Giants. Age: 27.
Nate Jones, CB, Patriots. Age: 30.
Patrick Lee, CB, Packers. Age: 28. — Signed with Raiders (1 year)
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Falcons. Age: 29. — Signed with Bears
Donald Strickland, CB, Jets. Age: 31.
Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Broncos. Age: 28. — Signed with Bears
Michael Coe, CB, Giants. Age: 28.
Frank Walker, CB, Cowboys. Age: 31.
Brandon McDonald, CB, Lions. Age: 27.
Reggie Corner, CB, Bills. Age: 28.
Leigh Torrence, CB, Saints. Age: 30. — Signed with Redskins
Bruce Johnson (RFA), CB, Giants. Age: 24.
Cletis Gordon, CB, Panthers. Age: 29.