NFL Free Agency: CB Edition
With the 2021 NFL free agency in full-swing this week, there has already been a plethora of signings during the negotiating period that began on March 15. Even so, teams still have a variety of options at each position to enhance their opportunity to improve upon weaknesses from the previous season.
Today, we will examine the top available free agents at the cornerback position.
Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers
When looking at the top available cornerbacks, one would tend to look at young, speedy options, but it’s hard to ignore Sherman as the cream of the crop at the position.
There will be some teams that shy away from him due to being 33 years old and missing 11 games in 2020, but he will be a hot commodity for a variety of teams.
Despite his age, Sherman is still an aggressive, in-your-face type corner that still has the capabilities of going against the opposition's No. 1 receiver. He is one season removed from making it the Pro Bowl, allowing only 34 catches on 61 targets, and hauling in five interceptions.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints
J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots
It can be argued that J.C. Jackson should take the top spot in this positional breakdown heading into his prime and possessing the elite trait of creating turnovers.
Jackson is only 25 years old and was only second to Xavien Howard for the league lead in interceptions with an astonishing nine last season, and has a total of 17 interceptions over the course of three seasons in the NFL. He has also allowed the lowest passer rating since 2019 at the position with 48.
However, Jackson is the only cornerback on this list who is a restricted free agent and it’s ultimately up to the Patriots to place a price tag for his services. New England has the option of placing a first or second-round tender on Jackson, and could force teams to surrender a high draft pick in order to pluck him away.
Prediction: New England Patriots
Troy Hill, Los Angeles Rams
Veteran Troy Hill is considered to be one of the better zone coverage cornerbacks in the league over the last two seasons.
In 2019, under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Hill only allowed seven receptions on 20 targets for 118 yards, and no touchdowns. A similar story was written for him in 2020, under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley where he received double the amount of work from 2019 at 47 targets, and still never surrendered a touchdown.
He is not as effective in man coverage, but will be considered an asset for any team that runs a zone-heavy scheme as he can win matchups all over the field.
Prediction: New York Jets
Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
Another veteran corner who was recently released under the newly reduced salary cap is Patrick Peterson.
Peterson is over 30-years-old, but continues to show he has a few years left in the tank. In 2020, he recorded three interceptions and 1,098 snaps, which equates to 99.3% of all the defensive plays for the Arizona Cardinals. In 10 years, he has never missed a game due to injury.
Some teams may look to transition Peterson to safety, but it’s not out of the realm for him to continue playing at a high level as a starting cornerback in the near future.
Either way, he provides leadership, position flexibility and tight coverage.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
Notable CB Signings
Shaquill Griffin- Three-Year, $44.5 million, Jacksonville Jaguars
William Jackson III- Three-Year, $40.5 million, Washington Football Team
Mike Hilton- Four-Year, $24 million, Cincinnati Bengals
Chidobe Awuzie, Three-Year, $21.75 million, Cincinnati Bengals
Austin Boley is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at aob5378@psu.edu.
