2022 NFL free agents: Cornerback

With the NFL's franchise-tag deadline in the past, attention moves to the opening of the league's free-agent negotiating window March 14.

These are the best cornerbacks slated to hit the market.

By position
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
DL | ED | LB | CB | S
Top 100

1. J.C. Jackson

The NFL's leader in interceptions over the past two seasons, Jackson's incredible ball skills make him a game-changer in the secondary. He nabbed eight picks last season while allowing a 46.8 passer rating when targeted.

2. Carlton Davis

An emerging corner, Davis' best years could be ahead of him. He'll get paid handsomely after enjoying another solid season in which he allowed just six yards per target, according to PFF.

3. Stephon Gilmore

Gilmore silenced any whispers about a possible decline with a brief but stellar stint in Carolina. Cornerbacks don't tend to age well, and Gilmore will turn 32 in September. But for now, he's still elite.

4. Joe Haden

Haden is still getting the job done, even if he's slowing down just a tad. The veteran is a solid short-term option for defenses that prefer to play zone.

5. Casey Hayward

Hayward faded a little bit in the second half of the campaign but still produced a nice season for the Raiders overall. Like Haden, he does his best work in zone schemes.

6. Charvarius Ward

The 25-year-old exceeded expectations with the Chiefs by tallying 29 pass breakups in four seasons. Ward's blend of size and speed should allow him to thrive in man coverage for many more years.

7. Darious Williams

Williams' production in 2021 fell short of his impressive totals in 2020. Still, his 27 pass breakups since 2019 are emblematic of a starting corner.

8. Rasul Douglas

Douglas began last season on a practice squad before signing with the Packers and revitalizing his career. He put his ball skills on full display in Green Bay, grabbing five interceptions and returning two for touchdowns.

9. Bryce Callahan

Teams are starting to value slot corners more and more as offenses look to exploit the middle of the field, and Callahan has thrived in that role throughout his career.

10. Patrick Peterson

The eight-time Pro Bowler is not the same player he was years ago, but Peterson still possesses enough veteran savvy to contribute in a smaller role.

11. Donte Jackson

If you can live with some missed tackles, Jackson can be an asset. He'd fit a scheme that allows him to play off the line of scrimmage and keep his eyes on the quarterback

12. Levi Wallace

13. Steven Nelson

Nelson has been overlooked his whole career, and that's unlikely to change now despite holding receivers to 553 yards in his lone campaign with the Eagles.

14. D.J. Reed

The feisty 5-foot-9 Reed recorded 17 passes defensed across 22 starts over his last two seasons in Seattle, where other corners have mostly struggled.

15. Malcolm Butler

The 32-year-old Butler won't command a ton of money after taking a year off, but that doesn't mean the former Super Bowl hero won't be able to contribute in a depth role.