Playing cornerback is no easy feat, especially in today’s pass-happy NFL.
Through five weeks of the season, we've seen 2021 pro-bowlers such as Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard get beaten for 100-plus yards in a single game, while under-the-radar players like Jaycee Horn, D.J. Reed Jr. and Fabian Moreau have all allowed less than 100 yards on the season.
Below are the league's top 10 cornerbacks in passer rating allowed through five weeks of the 2022 campaign.
1. Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers: 23.8 passer rating allowed
A year removed from season-ending foot surgery, Horn has been the beacon of productivity at outside cornerback in Carolina. The second-year standout is allowing just a 38.9 completion percentage and has one interception and two pass breakups across 18 targets. His 0.28 yards allowed per coverage snap ranks first among the 102 cornerbacks who have played 50 or more coverage snaps this year.
2. James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles: 29.9 Passer Rating Allowed
An underrated signing of the 2022 offseason, Bradberry is continuing to justify the investment made in him. The seventh-year veteran has allowed only 0.59 yards per coverage snap, sixth among 102 qualifying corners.
3. D.J. Reed Jr., New York Jets: 39.8 Passer Rating Allowed
Reed has been a formidable secondary partner alongside rookie sensation Sauce Gardner. The fifth-year Kansas State standout has allowed just 88 total passing yards on 23 targets while surrendering only four first-down receptions.
4. Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks: 40.2 Passer Rating Allowed
Woolen is one of two rookies who crack the top 10, and he’s manifesting into the latest mid-round secondary gem under Pete Carroll’s NFL guidance. The first-year corner from UTSA has been targeted 20 times on the year and currently leads the position in interceptions (3). He's contested eight targets and has allowed just three of those to be caught.
5. Jack Jones, New England Patriots: 42.6 Passer Rating Allowed
Jones is the second rookie to crack the list, as he has burst onto the scene with stellar defensive showings the past two weeks. The rookie from ASU has broken up one pass and snagged two interceptions across 18 targets in coverage. He leads all cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade heading into Week 6.
6. Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 44.6 Passer rating Allowed
A breakout third season for Dean has been in the works during the early part of 2022. The Auburn standout has surrendered only 0.31 yards per coverage snap — second among players at the position — while recording two interceptions and two pass breakups across 25 targets.
7. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles: 47.6 Passer Rating Allowed
Three dropped interceptions have somewhat canned what could be an even more phenomenal start to 2022 for Slay. Nonetheless, he has snagged two picks and forced a pass breakup while accumulating a 71.5 coverage grade over 30 targets.
8. Marlon Humphery, Baltimore Ravens: 52.2 Passer Rating Allowed
Humphrey is tied for the second-most coverage snaps played this season at 229 and has tallied six stops and two interceptions. His 16.1 passer rating allowed on third downs ranks first among players on this list.
9. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears: 58.6 Passer Rating Allowed
Johnson has played only three of the Bears’ first six games due to injury and was targeted just 11 times across the trio of matchups. He's been targeted 10-plus yards downfield twice, and he didn't allow either of those passes to be caught.
10. Fabian Moreau, New York Giants: 58.8 Passer Rating Allowed
The sample size is small for Moreau as he’s been targeted only 10 times in coverage. However, he’s almost recorded more forced incompletions (three) than catches allowed (four) and has allowed a solid 0.61 yards per coverage snap.
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