This is a strong group of cornerbacks. Any one of these top-10 could find their way into a starting role and end up being key contributors to a good defense. With the passing game being more and more important in today’s NFL, this means that the cornerback position is increasingly more important as well. Most of the players on this list won’t last very long at all on the open market.

10. Antonio Cromartie

Cromartie has all the size and speed to match up against everyone. His hands are also top notch for the cornerback position. However, he’s of the “feast or famine” variety. Cromartie is either making the big play or having the big play made on him due to the chances he takes. He has so much confidence in his physical abilities that sometimes it backfires on him.

9. Cary Williams

Cary Williams is a big, physical wide receiver. When Williams was the primary defender in coverage he ranked 38th out of all qualifying cornerbacks in allowed quarterback rating at 89.5. Williams doesn’t have blazing speed or incredible technique, but he’s proficient in all aspects.

8. Terence Newman

Newman is certainly getting up there and age but showed everyone this season that he still has something left to prove. He obviously doesn’t still have the speed he once had, he certainly has enough speed to keep up with most receivers. Newman is the kind of receiver that will allow wide receivers to make a lot of catches but he won’t allow many big plays.

7. Perrish Cox

Before the 2014 season Cox was thought of as a a nickel cornerback at best. Due to the injuries in the 49ers’ secondary incurred during the season he was asked to be much more than that and came through with flying colors. He ranked 19th in the NFL in quarterback rating allowed when opposing quarterbacks would throw his way. Not only can he play well on the outside but he’s very effective playing in the slot as well. Cox played only 59 snaps in slot coverage and only allowed five receptions. He’s a versatile cornerback that will likely get a substantial raise this offseason.

6. Walter Thurmond

Thurmond spent most of the 2014 season sidelined with an injury. When he comes back he’ll likely pick up right where he left off. He’s not the biggest cornerback out there but his footwork and technique more than make up for it. He’s also very physical for someone his size. While he’s good in coverage, he lacks good tackling and run defense.

5. Kareem Jackson

Jackson is a very good cornerback who is just starting to realize his potential. In 2014 he improved a great deal and was one of the better cover corners in the league. Opposing quarterbacks were only able to manage a quarterback rating of 74.1 (ranking him 12th in the league) when throwing in his direction.

Update: Jackson re-signed with the Texans

4. Brandon Flowers

Before switching to a different scheme in his last season with Kansas City, Flowers was a shutdown corner. This past season with the Chargers he had a bit of a resurgence. He will be looking to show everyone that 2013 was a fluke rather than 2014. He’s shown the ability to be a shutdown corner and could very well be that again.

Update: Flowers re-signed with the Chargers

3. Tramon Williams

Williams is a absolutely in the back half of his career but still has some solid years left where he can make significant contributions to a secondary. He’s a solid tackler who is strong, quick, and has good ball skills. He’s good at using his hands to redirect wide receivers in their routes.

2. Chris Culliver

Culliver is a cornerback that doesn’t get talked about that much. However, he ranked sixth in the NFL in coverage snaps per reception (the amount of times a cornerback is the primary man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows) with 13.3. He was also the sixth ranked cornerback in quarterback rating allowed when in coverage with 66.5. All of this is coming off a 2013 season in which he missed the entire year with a torn ACL.

1. Byron Maxwell

Maxwell benefitted a great deal from having players like Richard Sherman on the other side of the field and safeties like Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor playing behind him. With that being said, Maxwell will still be able to thrive in just about any secondary. His man coverage is very good due to his size and athleticism. The biggest knock on Maxwell is in his run defense. Whoever signs Maxwell will have their long term number one cornerback in place.

Update: Maxwell signed with the Eagles