With how pass-happy the NFL has become, elite cornerbacks are more valuable than ever. And while some legends have long since hung up the cleats, a few of them played with such skill, speed, and swagger that you can still picture them locking down receivers today.
Here are 10 former NFL corners who could absolutely still hang in the modern game — and maybe even shut down your favorite WR.
10. Asante Samuel
Ballhawk instincts and trash talk for days, Samuel would be a perfect fit in today’s turnover-hungry secondaries. Plus, the dude basically invented baiting quarterbacks into bad decisions.
9. Cortland Finnegan
Feisty, physical, and always ready to start something — even with Andre Johnson. Finnegan might draw flags in today’s game, but you’d never question his ability to rattle receivers.
8. Darrelle Revis
Revis Island wasn’t just a nickname, it was a weekly no-fly zone. Put him in any era and he’s still erasing top targets with surgical precision.
7. Al Harris
Long hair, long arms, and lockdown coverage — Harris was built for man-to-man matchups. In a league obsessed with press corners, he’d still be a nightmare at the line of scrimmage.
6. Ronde Barber
He played with his brain and his feet, and today’s hybrid schemes would let him cook. Slot corner? Safety? Blitz package? Ronde would be everywhere.
5. Antonio Cromartie
Cromartie had size, speed, and hands like a wide receiver — not to mention the confidence of five players in one. He could absolutely thrive in today’s big-bodied receiver matchups.
4. Nnamdi Asomugha
Before his Raiders exit and brief Eagles confusion, Nnamdi was that guy. Zone-heavy defenses today would love to throw him on a side and forget about it.
3. Patrick Surtain
Smooth, strong, and quietly dominant — and yes, the NFL has a newer model in his son. But if you brought back the original Surtain, he’d still be gluing himself to WR1s today.
Read More: The Origins of NFL Swagger: From Spikes to High-Steps
2. Charles Woodson
He already reinvented himself once as a hybrid DB — imagine him in today’s positionless, creative defenses. Add in leadership and swagger, and he’d still be a coach’s dream.
Read More: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams Based on Who Has the Most Swagger
1. Champ Bailey
Clean technique, elite instincts, and freak athleticism — Champ had it all. Drop him into today’s league and he’s still a Pro Bowl corner, guaranteed.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Best NFL Cornerbacks of All Time
