Sometimes, there is no better play in the NFL than when a wide receiver runs up to catch a perfectly thrown ball, only to have it broken up by the cornerback.
As the league sees growth in teams that feature star wide receiver duos, having two cornerbacks who can protect them is extremely imperative.
So, which cornerback duos are among the best in the NFL? these five are the ones to watch out for during the 2022 campaign:
jc jackson, asante samuel jr. – angel chargers
The Chargers did everything they could this offseason to improve defense, and former New England Patriot J.C. jackson was one of those marquee additions. jackson has improved each season throughout his four years in the nfl, and his best moment was in 2021. he played all 17 games, totaling eight interceptions – second in the league – and 23 passes defensed, which was the greater amount. Combine that with rising star Asante Samuel Jr., who is coming off a fledgling rookie campaign, and he’s got something special brewing. With all the offensive firepower joining the AFC West this year, Jackson and Samuel Jr. you will have to bring it every week.
stephon gilmore, kenny moore ii – indianapolis colts
Stephon Gilmore appeared in just eight games during his first and only season in Carolina, though he finished the year with a pro bowl nod. The 10-year veteran has made four straight pro bowls as one of the most consistent cornerbacks in the game who can play both man-to-man and zone coverage. As he begins his first season with the Colts, he will line up alongside Kenny Moore II, one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the game. Moore, a fifth-year defensive back, earned his first Pro Bowl nod after posting 102 combined tackles (82 solo), 13 passes defensed and four interceptions. The wide receiver group in the AFC South isn’t exactly the toughest, but good luck opening against these two.
a.j. Terrell, Casey Hayward Jr. – atlanta falcons
The Falcons may not be expected to contend for a playoff spot this year, but at least they’ll have two great cornerbacks to monitor. AJ Terrell is emerging as one of the best, if not the best corner in the game, just two years into his NFL career. Terrell is fully capable of taking on the toughest receivers in the game with his straight-line speed and improved physique, and his running defense is also top-notch as a defensive back. He will be joined this year by new addition Casey Hayward Jr., a 10-year veteran who brings great instincts to the field to make up for his slower speed when he hits 30. Hayward may not be the ball hawk he once was. when he led the league in interceptions in 2016, but he’s still a perfect match alongside a young Terrell.
marlon humphrey, marcus peters – the baltimore ravens
As the Ravens look to bounce back and reclaim the AFC North title, they’ll need both of their corners to deliver. Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters have been a solid couple over the past two seasons as they look to impress again in their third season together. Humphrey has two Pro Bowl nominations in the past three seasons and has made a name for himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, while Peters’ anticipation and route runs have led to 31 interceptions in just six seasons. he has found the end zone six times with those picks. Let’s see what 2022 holds for them.
xavien howard, byron jones – miami dolphins
With tyreek hill and jaylen waddle lining up on the offensive side of the ball for the dolphins, xavien howard and byron jones keep things going when they take the field defensively. Howard, who has spent all six seasons in Miami, continues to dominate receivers no matter which side of the field he lines up on. after posting 10 interceptions and 20 passes defensed in 2020, he followed that up with five interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 2021. combine his strength and speed with jones’ athleticism and anticipation and you have a solid duo.
honorable mentions
jaire alexander, eric stokes/rasul douglas – green bay packers
alexander, one of the best individual cornerbacks in the game, played only four games last year due to injury. However, rookie corner Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas stepped up and lessened the impact of Alexander’s absence as they helped Green Bay to No. 1 seed on the nfc. There’s a strong trio brewing here, so it will be interesting to see which duo emerge from the group in 2022.
jalen ramsey, troy hill – los angeles rams
ramsey is arguably the best lockdown corner in the game, and even though he’s paired with multiple no. 2 corners throughout his career, he and Troy Hill developed strong chemistry in 2019 and 2020. Hill, however, left for the Cleveland Browns last season, but the Rams traded a 2023 fifth-round pick to bring him back during the off-season. Let’s see if these two can get their magic back as the Rams hope to defend their recent Super Bowl victory.