NFL 2023: Five Best Cornerbacks Still Available In Free Agency

With the likes of quarterbacks such as Super Bowl LVII MVP Patrick Mahomes, as well as Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, etc., lighting up opposing defenses with their arms, the search is on for not good pass-rusher, but a standout coverage artist continues.

A year ago, the New York Jets made Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner the fourth overall pick in the draft. He would earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors on the way to being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In terms of experience, there are some savvy veterans still available in free agency. Will anyone of them be signed before this week’s draft?

5. Bryce Callahan (Los Angeles Chargers)

The former undrafted free agent from Rice University and has played seven NFL seasons (missing 2019) since entering the league in 2015. Bryce Callahan signed with the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2022 offseason and finished with a career-high three interceptions, while tying his personal best with six passes defensed.

While Callahan has never played a complete season, he also appeared in a career-high 15 games and made 11 starts with the Bolts. One of those three thefts resulted in the first touchdown return for the 31-year-old performer.

4. Bradley Roby (New Orleans Saints)

He has certainly bounced around the league in recent years. This after being a part of the “No Fly Zone” secondary of the Super Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos in 2015. Cornerback Bradley Roby was a second-year performer rookie on that club. He was the next-to-last pick in the first round in the NFL draft the previous year.

The former Ohio State Buckeyes standout spent his first five seasons in the Mile High City, followed by two years in Houston and the last two seasons with the Saints. He has returned four of his 18 regular-season takeaways for touchdowns.

3. Rock Ya-Sin (Las Vegas Raiders)

He was part of a trade last offseason that sent pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue to Indianapolis and this promising defender to Sin City. Rock Ya-Sin from Temple University was the 34th overall selection by Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard in 2019. In three seasons with the club, he picked off two passes. There were a pair of fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and 20 passes defensed.

In 2022 with the Raiders, Ya-Sin played in 11 games (9 starts). He totaled 45 stops and zero interceptions or fumble recoveries but was second on the club with seven passes defensed.

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2. Casey Hayward (Released by Atlanta Falcons)

The 11-year pro was cut loose by Arthur Smith’s club less than a week ago. His first and only season with Atlanta was cut short after he suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s sixth game in 2022. Casey Hayward still managed to total 17 tackles and one interception with three passes defensed.

The two-time Pro Bowler’s career began with the Packers, and he’s also played for the Chargers, Raiders, and Falcons. There have been 25 interceptions, two taken back for scores, and 112 passes defensed. He also returned one of his four fumble recoveries for a touchdown.

1. Marcus Peters (Baltimore Ravens)

Speaking of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Marcus Peters earned that honor back in 2015 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The standout ball hawk missed all of 2021 due to injury but rebounded to play and start in 13 games for John Harbaugh’s club this past season.

Peters finished with 47 tackles and one interception, but he also came up with six passes defensed, a pair of forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His seven-year resume reads 32 interceptions and 10 fumbles recoveries, with seven of those 42 takeaways returned for scores.