2018 NFL Free Agents: Cornerbacks

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2018 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2018.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

  1. Malcolm Butler, CB, Patriots. Age: 28.
    Signed with Titans

    Malcolm Butler went from being an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama, to an unknown guy who made a huge play in a Super Bowl, to one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. His transformation has been amazing, and he’s only 28 in March. He deserves a huge contract.



  2. E.J. Gaines, CB, Bills. Age: 26.
    Signed with Browns

    E.J. Gaines was terrific for the Bills as a Pro Bowl-caliber cover corner this past season. He’d be rated much higher than this if it weren’t for his poor durability; he’s missed 26 games in the past three seasons, including five in 2017.

  3. Rashaan Melvin, CB, Colts. Age: 28.
    Signed with Raiders

    Rashaan Melvin came out of nowhere to become Indianapolis’ top cornerback in 2017. Melvin doesn’t have much of a track record of success, but he’s only 28 and could continue to play well.



  4. Bryce Callahan (RFA), CB, Bears. Age: 26.
    Tendered by Bears (original)

    Bryce Callahan is a skilled slot cornerback who has improved each year in the NFL. He’s only 26, so he should continue to get better. He’ll likely command a big contract in the near future.

  5. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Rams. Age: 28.
    Signed with Jets

    Trumaine Johnson suffered some sort of leg injury in Week 2 this season, and he was never really the same afterward. This past season was Johnson’s worst in a while, but he’s very talented and can rebound in 2018.



  6. Patrick Robinson, CB, Eagles. Age: 30.
    Signed with Saints (4 years)

    Patrick Robinson has undergone an up-and-down career ever since being the 32nd-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. This past season was the ultimate up, as Robinson was absolutely prolific. He was one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, clamping down against everyone in coverage. Robinson perhaps is a late bloomer, though he’ll turn 31 in September.

  7. Prince Amukamara, CB, Bears. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Bears

    Prince Amukamara is very talented, but also extremely difficult to trust. He has played in just one full season throughout his 7-year career. He missed two games in 2017, but played very well otherwise.




  8. Kyle Fuller, CB, Bears. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Bears

    Kyle Fuller has frustrated Bears fans, playing well at times, but struggling mightily in many games. Chicago understandably declined his fifth-year option, but Fuller finally put it together in 2017 with a strong season. The former first-round pick is just 26 (in February) and can still continue to improve.



  9. Richard Sherman, CB, Seahawks. Age: 30.
    Signed with 49ers

    Richard Sherman is a 30-year-old coming off a torn Achilles. He was once considered the best cornerback in the NFL, but because of age and injuries, that’s not the case anymore. There’s not even a guarantee that Sherman will be anywhere close to 100 percent in 2018, so the next time he’s fully healthy could be his age-31 season.

  10. T.J. Carrie, CB, Raiders. Age: 28.
    Signed with Browns

    T.J. Carrie has made great strides from when he was a seventh-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was Oakland’s best cornerback this past season when Gareon Conley wasn’t in the lineup. That’s not saying much, but Carrie played well. He’s improved his game each year, and he should continue to get better.

  11. Johnathan Joseph, CB, Texans. Age: 34.
    Re-signed with Texans (2 years)

    Johnathan Joseph has enjoyed seven terrific years with the Texans, but he turns 34 right before the 2018 NFL Draft, so the end of his career is coming in the near future.



  12. Morris Claiborne, CB, Jets. Age: 28.
    Re-signed with Jets (1 year)

    Morris Claiborne signed a 1-year “prove it” deal with the Jets last spring. He played well until he hurt his foot, and he struggled as a result toward the end of the season. Claiborne has a lengthy injury history, so he’s a major risk.

  13. Kayvon Webster, CB, Rams. Age: 27.
    Signed with Texans (1 year, $2 million)

    Kayvon Webster is a talented cornerback, but is coming off a torn Achilles that could put him on the PUP list to begin the 2018 campaign. Still, Webster is just 27, so he still has some good years ahead of him.

  14. Ross Cockrell, CB, Giants. Age: 27.
    Signed with Panthers

    Ross Cockrell had been a solid starting cornerback for the Steelers, so it’s odd that they only got a conditional seventh-round pick for him after acquiring Joe Haden. Cockrell is a decent player who won’t turn 27 until August.

  15. Orlando Scandrick, CB, Redskins. Age: 31.
    Signed with Chiefs

    Orlando Scandrick was once one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but injuries have derailed his career. He hasn’t played a full season since 2013. He’s now 31, so there’s a good chance he may never be the same again, which is a shame. That said, Scandrick could bounce back with one or two more strong years if he manages to stay healthy for a change, so he should be given a 1-year “prove it” deal.

  16. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Giants. Age: 32.
    Signed with Raiders

    Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was once known as one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but that’s not the case anymore, given his age (32 in April). Rodgers-Cromartie struggled last year. He wasn’t horrible, but definitely had a down season. He also clashed with coaches, prompting his release. Rodgers-Cromartie can still contribute, and perhaps he’ll have a rebound season, but his best days are certainly behind him.





  17. Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB, Rams. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Rams (3 years, $15.75 million)

    Nickell Robey-Coleman was stellar as the Rams’ slot corner in 2017. However, he’s not rated as high as his level of play this past season because he’s been terribly inconsistent throughout his career. Still, Robey-Coleman is just 26, so perhaps his struggling days are over.

  18. Aaron Colvin, CB, Jaguars. Age: 26.
    Signed with Texans (4 years)

    Aaron Colvin fell in the 2014 NFL Draft because of a torn ACL. It paid off for the Jaguars, as Colvin has served as a very effective slot corner. Just 26, Colvin should continue to improve.



  19. Delvin Breaux (RFA), CB, Saints. Age: 28.
    Delvin Breaux came out of nowhere to put together a terrific 2015 campaign. However, a myriad of injuries have limited him to just six games in the past two seasons. Breaux is going to have to sign a 1-year “prove it” deal.

  20. Justin Coleman (RFA), CB, Seahawks. Age: 25.
    Re-signed with Seahawks

    It’s hard to believe that the Seahawks acquired Justin Coleman for a mere seventh-round pick from New England in September. Coleman played very well in the second half of the season, and he could be a starter going forward.

  21. Vontae Davis, CB, Colts. Age: 30.
    Signed with Bills (1 year)

    Vontae Davis has performed like a 1.5-star player the past couple of years, but only because he hasn’t been able to stay healthy; Davis played in just five games in 2017. However, Davis used to be a terrific cornerback, and he could bounce back if he’s over his injuries.

  22. Sam Shields, CB, Packers. Age: 30.
    Signed with Rams

    Sam Shields is difficult to rate. He was considered the Packers’ top cornerback heading into 2016, and while that wasn’t saying much, he’s worth a four-star rating at least under normal circumstances. Shields, however, missed all but one game in 2016 with a concussion, and then was out for all of 2017. Shields has finally been cleared, but another concussion could knock him out for good. He should retire, but he can still probably play well.

  23. Brent Grimes, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 35.
    Re-signed with Buccaneers (1 year, $10 million)

    Brent Grimes has been a terrific cornerback over the years, but he’s now in his mid-30s, and he has shown signs of regression. He played on an average level in 2017, but he turns 35 in July, so he’ll likely continue to get worse.

  24. Tramon Williams, CB, Cardinals. Age: 35.
    Signed with Packers

    Tramon Williams surprisingly played extremely well for the Cardinals this past season. Unfortunately for Williams, he may not be able to repeat that in 2018, as he’ll be 35.



  25. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Redskins. Age: 26.
    Bashaud Breeland has been incredibly inconsistent throughout his career thus far. He was atrocious in 2016, but while his tackling still was poor this past season, his coverage skills were better.

  26. David Amerson, CB, Cardinals. Age: 26.
    David Amerson stopped trying after getting a $34 million contract a couple of years ago. He barely played this past season and was torched whenever he was on the field. He’s only 26, however, so he could bounce back.

  27. Nevin Lawson, CB, Lions. Age: 27.
    Re-signed with Lions (2 years)

    Nevin Lawson has been very inconsistent throughout his career. He was solid in 2016, but regressed this past year, struggling mightily in coverage. He’s still young enough to bounce back.

  28. Terrance Mitchell, CB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
    Signed with Browns (3 years)

    Terrance Mitchell performed well down the stretch for Kansas City in 2016, but his high level of play didn’t carry over last season. Mitchell struggled, but is just 26 (in May), so he’s still young enough to make strides.

  29. Jeremy Lane, CB, Seahawk. Age: 28.
    Jeremy Lane showed promise earlier in his career, but he hasn’t been the same since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl XLIX. He has struggled the past two seasons, but still has some time to rebound, however, as he turns 28 in July.

  30. Pacman Jones, CB, Bengals. Age: 34.
    Signed with Broncos

    Pacman Jones had some great moments in his career as both a cornerback and a return specialist, but he’s definitely on the decline as someone who is turning 35 in September.

  31. Terence Newman, CB, Vikings. Age: 39.
    Announced retirement

    Terence Newman is a freak of nature. Despite his age – he’s turning 40 in September – he continues to play well somehow. He’s bound to completely regress at some point very soon, but perhaps he’ll have another strong year or two under Mike Zimmer.



  32. Tramaine Brock, CB, Vikings. Age: 30.
    Signed with Broncos (1 year, $4 million)

    Tramaine Brock was once a solid cornerback for the 49ers, but they released him because of domestic violence charges. He was cleared of those, but played sparingly in 2017. He should start somewhere next year, but he’ll turn 30 this summer.

  33. Byron Maxwell, CB, Seahawks. Age: 30.
    Re-signed with Seahawks (1 year, $3 million)

    Byron Maxwell was a huge bust with the Eagles and Dolphins. Miami cut him, and so Maxwell returned to his home. He actually played well with the Seahawks in the second go around. He can probably stay motivated with a short-term “prove it” deal.

  34. Marcus Sherels, CB/PR, Vikings. Age: 30.
  35. Davon House, CB, Packers. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Packers
  36. Dontae Johnson, CB, Seahawks. Age: 26. — Signed with Bills
  37. Corey Graham, CB, Eagles. Age: 33. — Re-signed with Eagles
  38. Shareece Wright, CB, Bills. Age: 31. — Signed with Raiders
  39. Leonard Johnson, CB, Bills. Age: 28. — Signed with Giants
  40. Robert McClain, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 30.
  41. Deshawn Shead, CB, Seahawks. Age: 29. — Signed with Lions (1 year, $3.5 million)
  42. Marcus Williams, CB, Texans. Age: 27. — Signed with Saints
  43. Daryl Worley, CB, Eagles. Age: 23. — Signed with Raiders
  44. Darrelle Revis, CB, Chiefs. Age: 33.
  45. Jaylen Watkins (RFA), CB, Eagles. Age: 26. — Signed with Chargers
  46. Brice McCain, CB, Titans. Age: 31.
  47. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Falcons. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Falcons (1 year)
  48. Justin Bethel, CB, Cardinals. Age: 28. — Signed with Falcons
  49. D.J. Hayden, CB, Lions. Age: 28. — Signed with Jaguars (3 years, $19 million)
  50. Phillip Gaines, CB, Chiefs. Age: 27. — Signed with Bills
  51. Sterling Moore, CB, Lions. Age: 28.
  52. Bene Benwikere, CB, Cowboys. Age: 26. — Signed with Cardinals
  53. Pierre Desir, CB, Colts. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Colts (1 year)
  54. Marcus Cooper, CB, Bears. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Bears
  55. Kenneth Acker, CB, Chiefs. Age: 26. — Signed with Colts
  56. Ladarius Gunter (RFA), CB, Panthers. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Panthers
  57. Sherrick McManis, CB, Bears. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Bears
  58. Walt Aikens, CB, Dolphins. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Dolphins (2 years)
  59. Geremy Davis (RFA), CB, Chargers. Age: 26.
  60. Demetrius McCray, CB, Raiders. Age: 27.
  61. Robert Nelson (RFA), CB, Jets. Age: 28.
  62. Keith Reaser, CB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
  63. Leon McFadden, CB, Falcons. Age: 27.
  64. Sean Smith, CB, Raiders. Age: 31.




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