Cornerback Tandems

NFL Media Analyst Ike Taylor recently ranked his top cornerback tandems in the NFL heading into the 2017 season.

1. A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars
-"A lot of people are going to disagree with me here, but it won't be the first time or the last."-Taylor

2. Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. (Bradley Roby), Denver Broncos
-"a lot of the success is credited to Aqib Talib's leadership and football knowledge."
-"The Broncos' best all-around cornerback, Harris is often on the island and often shutting down any receiver he faces."
-"Bradley Roby is the chess piece to this secondary. He can play inside or outside the numbers, but I think we'll see him in the slot this fall."

3. Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple (and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie), Denver Broncos
-"Jenkins has the best eyes of any cornerback in the league."

4. Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward, San Diego Chargers
-"He(Hayward) understands combination routes and situational football, which helped him lead the league with seven INTs."

5. Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots
-"Malcolm Butler doesn't get the credit he deserves."

It's tough to disagree with any of Taylor's views on corners. He played the position at a high level for a long time so he knows it better than most of those that try to judge it. I still disagree with him. I see the five tandems that he separated from the rest a little differently. If Gilmore pairs nicely with Butler in New England this year I'd probably rank the above five in nearly reverse order of Taylor's rankings. Butler is a feisty corner that just sticks to receivers. He's also one of the most fun players to watch in the league. I've liked Gilmore since he first stepped on the field for the Buffalo Bills but moving to a new team is always an unknown. If Verrett and/or Hayward were a couple inches taller they'd probably be appreciated more but they're great as is. The only question with the two is how Verrett returns from a torn ACL. The Green Bay Packers are likely regretting greatly letting Hayward slip away from them. The corner tandem of the Giants could shoot to the top if Apple becomes the player that they drafted him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to be. Jenkins emerged last season as one of the best in the league. The only thing that can slow the Broncos corners is the age that might soon be catching them. The shocker of Taylor's rankings is the Jaguars duo of Ramsey and Bouye at #1. I just don't see how a pair that are so unproven can be the best. Ramsey has a single season in the league. Granted, he was great in that single season but it's still a single season. He also shown that there's a wildness to his game that can snap at anytime. A Vontaze Burfict-like stupidity that can hurt his team as much as his tremendous talent can help it. He has to control that if he's ever going to take full advantage of his abilities. Bouye rode a great half of a season to a huge free agent payday. The talent is there in Jacksonville but Ramsey and Bouye are too much of an unknown, apart and together, for me to put them at #1.

Flea Flicker Top 5 Corner Tandems.

1. Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward, San Diego Chargers
2. Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes (and Terence Newman and Mackensie Alexander), Minnesota Vikings
3. Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. (Bradley Roby), Denver Broncos
4. Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots
5. Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple (and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie), Denver Broncos

I realize that rankings such as these these often rely a great deal on projections. After all, I'm projecting a great deal on the big step that Trae Waynes is about to make this year. I'm just holding off a bit on anointing the Jaguars duo as the best of the best with so little game time for either and zero game time together.

I really think that no other team can field four corners like the Vikings. Rhodes is one of the best in the league. If he can build on his terrific 2016 season he could be the best. Waynes is ready for a starting shot. Newman is still steady at a soon-to-be 39. He can fill in anywhere. Outisde, in the slot, possibly even safety. He's also a coach on the field. Alexander is the wildcard. He's likely taking over the nickel role that Captain Munnerlyn played so well for a couple seasons. Rhodes, Waynes, and Alexander could be the best corner trio in the league for years to come. If the Vikings can keep them all together.