Who Is The Best Defensive Back In The NFL?
Contents
If you’re a fan of American football, then you’re probably always on the lookout for the best players in the league. And when it comes to defensive backs, there’s one name that always seems to come up: Darrelle Revis.
Revis is a cornerback for the New York Jets, and he’s widely considered to be the best in the business. He’s got great speed, great technique, and a great understanding of the game. He’s also a shutdown corner
Introduction
In the National Football League, the defensive back is a key position. These are the players who are responsible for defending against the pass. They need to have good speed, quickness, and agility to be successful.
There are many good defensive backs in the NFL, but there is always debate about who is the best. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best defensive backs in the league and try to determine who is the best of them all.
The Case For Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman may not be the biggest or the fastest cornerback in the league, but he is certainly one of the best.
Standing at 6’3″, Sherman has the size to match up with some of the taller receivers in the league, and his long arms help him to keep them in check. His speed is good enough to keep up with most receivers, and his quickness allows him to make up for any mistakes he might make in coverage.
What sets Sherman apart from other cornerbacks is his intelligence. He studies film religiously, and it shows on the field. He knows route concepts and what receivers are likely to do on any given play, which allows him to be in position to make a play on the ball even when he isn’t perfect in his technique.
In addition to being a great coverage cornerback, Sherman is also a very good tackler. He is willing to come up and support the run, and he does a good job of wrapping up ball-carriers when he gets there.
All of these things add up to make Richard Sherman one of the best defensive backs in the NFL today.
The Case For Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib is one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. He has the ability to shut down any receiver he lines up against. Talib is a big, physical corner who can disrupt the timing of any passing play. He also has the speed to keep up with the fastest receivers in the league. Talib is a complete cornerback who can do it all.
The Case For Marcus Peters
Marcus Peters is one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. The 24-year-old was a first-team All-Pro in 2016 and has 13 interceptions in his three NFL seasons. Peters is a physical cornerback who can cover any receiver in the league. He is also a big playmaker, as he had eight interceptions and two touchdowns in 2016.
The Case For Xavier Rhodes
Xavier Rhodes has often been overshadowed by other star defensive backs, but make no mistake – he is one of the best in the NFL.
Rhodes was a first-team All-Pro in 2017, and his shutdown ability was on full display as he helped the Vikings defense reach new heights. He allowed a 52.7 passer rating when targeted that season, per Pro Football Focus, which was the third-lowest mark among all cornerbacks.
What separates Rhodes from other top corners is his size and strength. At 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, he has the size to match up with almost any receiver in the league. He also uses his strength to his advantage, as he is not afraid to get physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage.
Rhodes is not just a big body – he is also a very smart player. He does a great job of reading quarterbacks and anticipating their throws. This allows him to make a lot of plays on the ball, as evidenced by his 12 career interceptions.
In addition to being a great coverage corner, Rhodes is also a very good tackler. He has recorded at least 50 tackles in four straight seasons, and he rarely misses a tackle when he has an opportunity to make one.
Overall, Xavier Rhodes is one of the most complete defensive backs in the NFL. He has elite size, strength, and intelligence, and he uses all of those attributes to be a shutdown corner on one of the best defenses in football.
The Case For Jalen Ramsey
There is no doubt that Jalen Ramsey is one of the best, if not the best, defensive backs in the NFL. He has the perfect combination of size, speed, and strength. He also has great ball skills and is a very good tackler.
Ramsey was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2018, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in both years. He has also been named first-team All-SEC twice (2016 and 2017) and second-team All-SEC once (2015). Ramsey was drafted fifth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft.
In his three seasons in the NFL, Ramsey has already made a huge impact. He has nine interceptions and 46 passes defensed. He also has two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Ramsey is a true shutdown corner who can take away half of the field for opposing offenses.
There are a few other defensive backs who are in the conversation for best in the NFL, but none of them have been as consistent or as impactful as Ramsey. He is still only 24 years old and should only continue to get better. For these reasons, Jalen Ramsey is the best defensive back in the NFL.
The Case For Patrick Peterson
Patrick Peterson is widely considered to be the best defensive back in the NFL.
A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, Peterson has been one of the top cornerbacks in the league since he was drafted fifth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2011.
Peterson has 26 career interceptions, including a league-leading seven in 2011, and he has returned four of them for touchdowns. He’s also a phenomenal punt returner, averaging 11.8 yards per return for his career with four touchdowns.
At 6’1″ and 203 pounds, Peterson has the size, speed and athleticism to match up with just about any receiver in the league. He’s also a physical tackler who isn’t afraid to come up and support against the run.
In short, there is very little that Peterson can’t do on a football field. He’s the total package as a defensive back, and he’s still only 28 years old. There’s a reason why he’s widely considered to be the best at his position.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is difficult to say who the best defensive back is in the NFL. There are many great players to choose from, and the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some people may prefer a player who is aggressive and always seems to be in the right place at the right time, while others may prefer a player who is more patient and calm under pressure. Ultimately, the best defensive back is the one who can help his team win games.
