Not only are cornerbacks becoming more important in the NFL due to the yearly increase in passing, but now teams need more corners than ever. Having two good corners used to be a luxury, and now it’s a necessity to have at least three — two on the outside and one shifty nickel-slot corner. Because of this, we should see an increase in the contracts of cornerback deals. Even serviceable corners will be targets in the free agent market. So, let’s see who could be cashing in this offseason.
Ronald Darby
One of the top auto-fill Google searches that comes up when Ronald Darby is searched is “Is Ronald Darby injured?” The answer to that question the past two years has been yes. Having said that, a healthy Darby may be the best free agent option out there. He’s coming off his rookie deal, so he will be looking to get paid and maybe a team that’s willing to take a risk with a longer-term deal can land Darby for a more reasonable AAV price.
Pierre Desir
Desir is 6-foot-two-inches tall, is only 28 years old and played well above his pay grade for the Indianapolis Colts this year. Prior to his last two years, he bounced around the league playing for Cleveland and San Diego. It looks like he’s found a fit in Indy, but if someone really wanted to take a risk on one year of performance, Desir could cash in.
Bradley Roby
Roby was essentially the third corner in Denver prior to this year. He was stuck behind Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. It’s not bad being stuck behind those players. Roby started 15 games this year, which was the most in his career. Roby is a former first-round pick, and he’s done well enough on the field to get a longer-term deal.
Darqueze Dennard
Dennard is another first round pick, but his resume isn’t as strong as Roby’s since he was stuck behind other corners on the Bengals and Marvin Lewis rarely plays younger players. The Bengals don’t even know who their defensive coordinator is going to be — that should be decided shortly — and that could affect whether Dennard stays or goes.
Kareem Jackson
Jackson has been a starter in Houston since 2010. He’s not going to get a huge deal at 31, but a playoff team looking to make its next steps may be interested in his services. Of course, Houston probably will be as well.
Morris Claiborne
Claiborne may have been a disappointment in Dallas, but he’s been pretty good for the Jets the past two years. He’ll land somewhere.
Steven Nelson
Back to the younger corner. Nelson started all 16 games for the Chiefs this year. He’s 25, and some project him as a pretty reliable starter.
Jason Verrett
Verrett is very good when he plays. He’s just always injured because the Chargers are cursed. A prove it, one-year deal is probably in his future.
