10) Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
In coverage, Denzel Ward is very talented, but he could still use a good deal of development considering he allows way more big plays than you would expect from the type of elite cornerback he projects to be one day. He makes up for those coverage deficiencies by being unbelievably aggressive and physical for a cornerback his size. It seems like every other week, Ward makes an incredible play at the line of scrimmage that few others would be willing or able to make.
9) Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
Patrick Peterson might now be 30, but he is still playing like he’s 20. On Sunday Night Football, Peterson was asked to defend D.K. Metcalf, who is 229 pounds of pure muscle sculpted into a 6-foot-4 frame that was invited to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials this week. That’s a tough assignment, but the only reception Peterson allowed to Metcalf all night came on a screen behind the line of scrimmage.
8) Stephon Gillmore, New England Patriots
Stephon Gillmore was a force in 2019, but frankly, he just hasn’t been that same player in 2020. He’s still one of the top cornerbacks through Week 8 and did a good job against the San Francisco offense, but he isn’t putting a receiver on an island at the same rate as the players ahead of him on this list. With that said, if the rumors of him being on the trade block are true, a contender with holes on the back end of their defense — like the Seahawks, Chiefs, or Steelers — should absolutely try to acquire him.
7) Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins didn’t play in Week 7, so Xavien Howard’s spot in the Week 8 CB rankings remains untouched. Howard has been underrated by the rest of the league for far too long, but with how well he’s playing this season and the Dolphins finally relevant, he has an opportunity to finally become one of the defensive faces of the league this season.
6) Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens
Just like Howard, Marcus Peters didn’t play in Week 7, so his placement among the NFL’s top cornerbacks for Week 8 will stay the same. Much like his teammate Marlon Humphrey, Peters has an opportunity to either make a sizable climb in these rankings or tumble down the list, as he has to face an explosive Pittsburgh offense this week.
NFL Top Cornerback Rankings | 5-1
5) Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills
The New York Jets don’t present any member of any secondary with the toughest challenge, but Tre’Davious White doesn’t control who he gets to play, and on Sunday, he did his job admirably. In matchups against Breshad Perriman, rookie Denzel Mims, and the rest of the New York receiving core, White nearly erased them from the game entirely. That lockdown effort played a large role in the Bills defense in the second half playing at an elite level, which they hadn’t shown so far this season.
4) Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week, Carlton Davis was far too low in these CB rankings. That changes in Week 8. Davis isn’t a household name like the rest of the top cornerbacks for Week 8, but one could easily argue he’s playing better than anyone not named Jalen Ramsey with the number of big plays he’s created for the Bucs defense. On Sunday, every Raiders receiver Davis saw was eliminated from the equation. Davis was even forced to cover the uncoverable Darren Waller occasionally and made him a non-factor when in coverage.
3) Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Marlon Humphrey has yet to allow a touchdown this season, which is impressive considering he’s played over 230 coverage snaps and is often either on an island or has little help over-the-top because of the Ravens’ aggressive, blitz-happy scheme. He didn’t play this past week as the Ravens were on their bye week, but with how well Alexander is playing, he had to slip a spot in the Week 8 CB rankings. Humphrey will have a chance to reclaim that spot as he faces one of his toughest tasks of the season this week. On Sunday, he will be matching up with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and the rest of the explosive Steelers receiving core.
2) Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
Choosing where to rank these top four cornerbacks is like splitting hairs, as Alexander has been an elite lockdown corner in his own right. He put the clamps on every receiver that came his way, and as a result, Watson seldom even looked in his direction. The only time Watson did decide to target Alexander, Alexander broke up the pass. That means, in matchups against Will Fuller, Calvin Ridley, and Mike Evans this season, Jaire Alexander has yet to allow a catch.
1) Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Ramsey is the rare superstar cornerback that is not only a lockdown coverage man but also shows no hesitation whatsoever to come up and lay a big hit on a running back or tight end. One of the biggest plays of the Rams’ Monday Night Football game against the Bears was when Ramsey laid a big hit on Bears’ receiver Javon Wims to barely keep him short of the sticks on third down. Everything you want in a cornerback, Ramsey has, which undoubtedly earns him the top spot among cornerbacks for Week 8.