2021 NFL Free Agents: Cornerbacks

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2021 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2021.
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Kyle Fuller, CB, Bears. Age: 29.
Signed with Broncos (1 year, $9.5 million)

Bears general manager Ryan Pace cut Kyle Fuller so he could afford to sign Andy Dalton. Great! Fuller was a Pro Bowl cornerback in 2018 and 2019, but is coming off a down year. He should rebound this upcoming season.
Darious Williams (RFA), CB, Rams. Age: 28.
Tendered by Rams (1st)

Darious Williams has taken big leaps in his three years in the NFL. He performed on an All-Pro level in 2020. He should get a huge contract when he’s unrestricted next spring.
William Jackson, CB, Bengals. Age: 27.
Signed with Redskins

William Jackson has been an excellent cornerback for the Bengals over the past four years. He’s played just one full season, but that’s the only knock on him.
Adoree Jackson, CB, Titans. Age: 25.
Signed with Giants (3 years, $39 million)

Tennessee’s strategy of cutting Adoree Jackson makes very little sense. Sure, he’s been limited to 14 games the past two years, but Jackson is a supremely talented cornerback who won’t turn 26 until mid-September. He could bounce back with some dominant seasons, and I’m sure teams will be very interested in his versatility.
Levi Wallace, CB, Bills. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Bills (1 year)

Levi Wallace is a very talented, young cornerback who has tons of upside. He wasn’t healthy for a portion of the 2020 season.
Shaq Griffin, CB, Seahawks. Age: 26.
Signed with Jaguars (3 years, $44.5 million)

Shaq Griffin missed a handful of games in 2020, and he never really looked the same upon his return from injury. He’s still just 26, so he could improve in the near future.
Brian Poole, CB, Jets. Age: 28.
Signed with Saints (1 year)

Brian Poole was the Jets’ top cornerback last year. He’s emerged as an excellent slot man. He should get a good contract, as he still has a couple of years remaining in his 20s.
J.C. Jackson (RFA), CB, Patriots. Age: 25.
Tendered by Patriots (2nd)

J.C. Jackson has been an improving player over the past few years. He had a solid 2020 campaign, and he should continue to get better, given that he’s just 25.
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Colts. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Colts (1 year, $6.5 million)

Xavier Rhodes was absolutely dreadful for the Vikings in 2019. Perhaps he was dealing with some injury because he revived his career in 2020, serving as a shutdown cornerback for Indianapolis. He’s now 31, but still should have another strong year or two remaining.
Casey Hayward, CB, Chargers. Age: 31.
Signed with Raiders

Casey Hayward has been a shutdown cornerback throughout his career, but is coming off his worst year as a pro. He turns 32 in September, but should have some strong seasons remaining.
Troy Hill, CB, Rams. Age: 30.
Signed with Browns (4 years, $24 million)

Troy Hill was one of the better slot cornerbacks in the NFL last year. He’s now 30, so regression could come soon, but he should still play well the next two years.
Steven Nelson, CB, Steelers. Age: 28.
Signed with Eagles (1 year)

Steven Nelson is a quality starting cornerback, but the Steelers had to cut him due to financial reasons.
K’Waun Williams, CB, 49ers. Age: 30.
Re-signed with 49ers (1 year)

K’Waun Williams is an excellent slot cornerback. He is entering his 30s, but he should still be able to perform on a high level for at least two more years.
Patrick Peterson, CB, Cardinals. Age: 31.
Signed with Vikings (1 year, $10 million)

Patrick Peterson slowed down last year, as he clearly wasn’t the same dominant corner as usual. Age is becoming an issue, though at 31, Peterson could still have some good years remaining.
Charvarius Ward (RFA), CB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
Tendered by Chiefs (2nd)

Charvarius Ward is a young cornerback with plenty of talent and upside. His tackling ability must improve, but he has nice coverage skills.
Jason Verrett, CB, 49ers. Age: 30.
Re-signed with 49ers (1 year, $5.5 million)

Jason Verrett was excellent last year, which was surprising because he actually stayed healthy for the first time in many seasons. The question is if he can remain healthy going forward. He’s now 30 as well, so that’s another factor that must be considered.
Ronald Darby, CB, Redskins. Age: 27.
Signed with Broncos (3 years, $30 million)

Ronald Darby was one of many players to leave Philadelphia and improve elsewhere. To be fair, Darby dealt with countless injuries while with the Eagles, but finally stayed healthy while with the Redskins.
Quinton Dunbar, CB, Lions. Age: 29.
Signed with Cardinals

Quinton Dunbar was the Redskins’ top cornerback in 2019. He didn’t do as well last year, to put it nicely. He dealt with a lingering knee injury and missed the second half of the year.
Richard Sherman, CB, 49ers. Age: 33.
Richard Sherman played in just five games last year. He struggled, as he wasn’t healthy when he was on the field. He’s 33, however, so he could continue to regress.
Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Cowboys. Age: 26.
Signed with Bengals (3 years)

Chidobe Awuzie was the best cornerback on Dallas’ roster last year, though that’s not saying very much. Awuzie missed some time with an injury as well. He’s only 26, so he should continue to improve.
Sidney Jones, CB, Jaguars. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Jaguars

Sidney Jones is a former first-round prospect who struggled in Philadelphia, but then performed better in Jacksonville. He’s still young (25), so he could turn his career around.
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, 49ers. Age: 26.
Signed with Seahawks (1 year)

Ahkello Witherspoon has been incredibly inconsistent throughout his career thus far. He played well in limited action last year, but struggled in 2019. He’s only 26, and the upside is there, so perhaps Witherspoon is undervalued right now.
A.J. Bouye, CB, Broncos. Age: 30.
Signed with Panthers

A.J. Bouye is coming off a down year in which he played seven games. Bouye is still a good cornerback when healthy, but he hasn’t played a full season since 2017.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Falcons. Age: 29.
Signed with Cardinals

Darqueze Dennard is a talented cornerback who can play both outside and in the slot. However, he has a dubious injury history. He missed half of 2020 with a hamstring, and he’s played a full season just once in his career.
Desmond Trufant, CB, Saints. Age: 30.
Signed with Raiders

Desmond Trufant was once a talented cornerback, but he was atrocious for the Lions in 2020. He had nagging injuries and played just six games, however, so he was never 100 percent, even when he was on the field. Then again, he turns 31 in September, so things could get worse moving forward.
Mike Hilton, CB, Steelers. Age: 27.
Signed with Bengals (4 years)

Mike Hilton is a solid slot cornerback who is coming off a down year. He’s young enough to rebound with a better 2021.
Justin Coleman, CB, Lions. Age: 28.
Signed with Dolphins (1 year, $2.75 million)

Justin Coleman is ordinarily a solid slot cornerback, but he was hurt last year. He missed five games with a hamstring injury, and he wasn’t 100 percent upon his return. He turns 28 in late March, so he’ll be able to rebound in 2021.
Terrance Marshall, CB, Browns. Age: 29.
Signed with Texans (2 years)

Terrance Marshall was thrust into the starting lineup because of an injury to Greedy Williams. Marshall performed well, tackling particularly well.
Kevin Johnson, CB, Browns. Age: 29.
Signed with Titans (1 year)

Normally a quality slot cornerback, Kevin Johnson struggled a bit in 2020 because of nagging injuries. He’s likely to bounce back next year.
Malcolm Butler, CB, Titans. Age: 31.
Signed with Cardinals

Malcolm Butler is a solid cornerback, but he didn’t quite live up to his 5-year contract, so he was cut for financial purposes. He just turned 31, so a decline is coming soon.
Janoris Jenkins, CB, Saints. Age: 32.
Signed with Titans

Janoris Jenkins did a great job of reviving his career in New Orleans after an ugly finish with the Giants. However, he turns 33 in October, so regression is coming very soon.
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Bengals. Age: 27.
Signed with Vikings

Mackensie Alexander did a solid job as Cincinnati’s slot receiver in his first year with the Bengals.
Kevin King, CB, Packers. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Packers (1 year, $6 million)

Kevin King is a fine No. 2 cornerback. He hasn’t quite lived up to his first-round billing, but he’s still just 26, so he has upside.
Jason McCourty, CB, Patriots. Age: 34.
Signed with Dolphins

Jason McCourty was once a great cornerback, but that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore, given his age.
Rasul Douglas, CB, Raiders. Age: 26.
Rasul Douglas was one of many players this year to play better after departing from the Eagles. He was Carolina’s best corner when Donte Jackson was sidelined.
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Cardinals. Age: 32.
Signed with 49ers

Dre Kirkpatrick took a step backward this past season, as he was frequently burned. However, he dealt with multiple injuries, so he could play better in 2021.
Gareon Conley, CB, Texans. Age: 26.
Gareon Conley has lots of talent as a former first-round pick, but he’s never played a full season in the NFL. He missed all of 2020 with an ankle injury.
Bashaud Breeland, CB, Chiefs. Age: 29.
Signed with Vikings

Bashaud Breeland is an inconsistent cornerback who rebounded well from a down 2019. He missed the first four games with a suspension and then went on to cover well in 2020.
Artie Burns, CB, Bears. Age: 26.
Artie Burns is getting two stars because he’s a former first-round pick, and he’s only 26. However, he has gotten worse throughout his career and didn’t even play in 2020 because of injury.
Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Raiders. Age: 30. — Signed with Jets
P.J. Williams, CB, Saints. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Saints (1 year, $2.3 million)
Corn Elder (RFA), CB, Panthers. Age: 26. — Signed with Lions
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Cowboys. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Cowboys (3 years, $16 million)
Arthur Maulet, CB, Jets. Age: 28. — Signed with Steelers
Tye Smith, CB, Titans. Age: 28.
Robert Alford, CB, Cardinals. Age: 32. — Re-signed with Cardinals (1 year)
Nevin Lawson, CB, Raiders. Age: 30.
Buster Skrine, CB, Bears. Age: 32.
Johnathan Joseph, CB, Cardinals. Age: 37.
Josh Norman, CB, Bills. Age: 33. — Signed with 49ers (1 year)
T.J. Carrie, CB, Colts. Age: 31.
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Texans. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Texans (1 year)
Ross Cockrell, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Buccaneers
D.J. Hayden, CB, Jaguars. Age: 31.
Ken Crawley, CB, Saints. Age: 28.
Jamar Taylor, CB, 49ers. Age: 30.
Darryl Roberts, CB, Lions. Age: 30. — Signed with Redskins
Leshaun Sims, CB, Bengals. Age: 27.
Michael Davis, CB, Chargers. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Chargers (3 years)
Phillip Gaines, CB, Texans. Age: 30.
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Falcons. Age: 31. — Signed with Raiders
Cre’von LeBlanc, CB, Eagles. Age: 27.
Fabian Moreau, CB, Redskins. Age: 27. — Signed with Falcons
DeVante Bausby, CB, Broncos. Age: 28. — Signed with Raiders
Daryl Worley, CB, Cardinals. Age: 26.
Jaylen Watkins, CB, Chargers. Age: 29.
Tramon Williams, CB, Ravens. Age: 38. — Announced retirement
Mike Ford (RFA), CB, Lions. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Lions
Rashaan Melvin, CB, Panthers. Age: 31.
Jaydon Mickens, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 27.
Ryan Smith, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 27.
Neiko Thorpe, CB, Seahawks. Age: 31.
Justin Bethel, CB, Patriots. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Patriots (3 years, $6 million)
Antonio Hamilton, CB, Chiefs. Age: 28.
C.J. Goodwin, CB, Cowboys. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Cowboys (2 years, $3.5 million)
Greg Mabin, CB, Jaguars. Age: 27.
Tony McRae, CB, Lions. Age: 28.
Sherrick McManis, CB, Bears. Age: 33.
Justin Hardee, CB, Saints. Age: 27. — Signed with Jets
Chris Milton, CB, Titans. Age: 28.
Jayson Stanley, CB, Seahawks. Age: 24.