2. Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers
Sherman was the best cornerback in the NFL in Seattle’s Super Bowl seasons of 2013 and 2014, but as time went along, a series of injuries and relatively unspectacular play had Sherman on the outs and the Seahawks looking elsewhere. This was compounded when the 49ers signed him to a three year, $27.15 million contract before the 2018 season, and Sherman responded with an injury-plagued season that was his worst to date.
“I’m able to just move and explode and just get to the spots I want to. I can stop when I want to stop; I can go when I want to go,” the now-healthy Sherman said before the 2019 campaign. “It changes the whole dynamic for me.”
Indeed, it did. Sherman did the near-impossible in 2019 — having one of his best seasons as a cornerback in his thirties, especially when the 49ers turned to zone coverage. Then, Sherman allowed 22 receptions on 38 targets for 202 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and a Positive Play Rate of 50%. When he’s able to match his on-field acumen to his athleticism, there are still few better in the league.
But when it comes to zone coverage, there can be only one best cornerback.