2025 NFL Free Agent Market Report: Cornerbacks

Plain and simple, the Steelers need to strengthen their secondary at the corners. Joey Porter Jr. has lockdown qualities but needs help on the other side and in the slot. Donte Jackson was serviceable, but he’s a free agent, and the organization may not have seen enough in him to retain his services. Corey Trice has upside and merit but hasn’t been healthy enough to prove his abilities and Beanie Bishop is undersized. The Steelers are expected to draft at the position but bringing in a guy like Jaire Alexander via trade or going the free agency route is necessary. There are players available that would fit the bill. Especially a slot corner like Nate Hobbs.

Below is a list of the Top Ten NFL Free Agent Cornerbacks as ranked by Pro Football Focus. No matter if Pittsburgh could afford these guys, be willing to pay market value or whether it would be unwise, in your opinion, to bring any of these players in, they are on the list to be considered. Read and decide for yourself.

Most Notable Free Agent Cornerbacks 

D.J. Reed – New York Jets   

Age: 28.2, Height: 5’9”, Weight: 188 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$14m per year

Overall Grade: 70.7 (Above Average), Coverage Grade: 70.1 (Above Average)

PFF Position Rank: 31

FA Position Rank: 1, Overall PFF FA Rank: 6

Reed is your classic CB2 who has relied on putting in quality work in the shadows while others get their flowers. However, the seventh-year man out of Kansas State has emerged as the top corner in this free agent class due to his talents as a press corner and ability to break on the football. Although more of a pass defender and less of an interception machine, Reed can fit in multiple schemes and should see a nice bag coming his way.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 14, Defensive Snaps Played: 880

Times Targeted: 63, Receptions Allowed: 36, % Allowed: 57.1%, Pass Defenses: 11, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 9, TDs Against: 2, Tackles: 64, Tackles For Loss: 4, Sacks: 1, QB Hits: 1

Charvarius Ward – San Francisco 49ers 

Age: 28.7, Height: 6’1”, Weight: 196 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$14.5m per year

Overall Grade: 56.2 (Average), Coverage Grade: 58.2 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 93

FA Position Rank: 2, Overall PFF FA Rank: 13

Ward has been one of the best players at his position, but the tragic loss of his young daughter in 2024 was devastating. Looking to rebound from an understandable downturn in on-field performance, Ward is looking for a change of scenery. His accomplishments as a physical coverage corner on the outside will be heavily sought after despite the grades.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 12, Defensive Snaps Played: 695

Times Targeted: 52, Receptions Allowed: 32, % Allowed: 61.5%, Pass Defenses: xx, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 3, TDs Against: 5, Tackles: 54, Tackles For Loss: 1, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Rasul Douglas – Buffalo Bills 

Age: 29.4, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 209 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 years/$15.25m per year

Overall Grade: 53.9 (Below Average), Coverage Grade: 51.6 (Below Average)

PFF Position Rank: 102

FA Position Rank: 3, Overall PFF FA Rank: 14

Douglas has nice length, good age and a great penchant for reading a quarterback to make a break on the ball. Douglas had a terrific 2023 but took a step back last season. GM’s will gamble that Rasul will respond and rebound. It seems like the veteran corner from WVU has the resolve and the skills to do just that.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 15, Defensive Snaps Played: 997

Times Targeted: 59, Receptions Allowed: 43, % Allowed: 72.9%, Pass Defenses: 5, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 6, TDs Against: 4, Tackles: 58, Tackles For Loss: 5, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0, Forced Fumbles 1

Byron Murphy Jr. – Minnesota Vikings 

Age: 27.1, Height: 5’11”, Weight: 190 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$17.33m per year

Overall Grade: 73.4 (Above Average), Coverage Grade: 73.5 (Above Average)

PFF Position Rank: 22

FA Position Rank: 4, Overall PFF FA Rank: 18

A picture of versatility, Murphy can play inside, outside and absolutely thrived in Minnesota’s zone scheme the past two seasons as a Viking with nine interceptions and 27 pass defenses there. The second rounder out of Washington played well as an Arizona Cardinal but has excelled since leaving for the land of 1,000 lakes. He’s persistent, physical, quick and can change directions on a dime. Speaking of dimes, the 27-year-old is set to command a ton of them and be well worth every-last one of them.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 1109

Times Targeted: 119, Receptions Allowed: 78, % Allowed: 65.5%, Pass Defenses: 14, Interceptions: 6, Penalties: 3, TDs Against: 4, Tackles: 81, Tackles For Loss: 6, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0, Forced Fumbles 1

Carlton Davis III – Detroit Lions 

Age: 28.1, Height: 6’1”, Weight: 180 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$14.5m per year

Overall Grade: 74.5 (Above Average), Coverage Grade: 72.1 (Above Average)

PFF Position Rank: 21

FA Position Rank: 5, Overall PFF FA Rank: 25

Davis excels playing man coverage and any team that features a heavy dose of man-to-man would benefit from adding Davis. The veteran corner arrived in Detroit before last season via trade and immediately served as a stable force in Motown with a healthy mix of physical and cerebral play, but the Lions defense was decimated with injury last year. Davis went down as well with a broken jaw suffered in Week 15 vs. Buffalo and the Honolulu Blue exited the playoffs early. The former Super Bowl Champ will cash in for 2025 whether it be with a new team or back in Detroit to finish what he and the Pride started.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 13, Defensive Snaps Played: 697

Times Targeted: 76, Receptions Allowed: 42, % Allowed: 55.3%, Pass Defenses: 11, Interceptions: 2, Penalties: 7, TDs Against: 2, Tackles: 56, Tackles For Loss: 2, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 2

Asante Samuel Jr. – Los Angeles Chargers 

Age: 25.3, Height: 5’10”, Weight: 180 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$14.5m per year

Overall Grade: 59.3 (Average), Coverage Grade: 58.6 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 131

FA Position Rank: 6, Overall PFF FA Rank: 30

The NFL legacy came into the league as a physical and disruptive corner but hasn’t had the career that the Chargers imagined when they drafted Asante Samuel Jr. out of Florida State. There has been marked improvement each year for the still-young defender, leading up to a productive 2023 season, however Samuel Jr.’s career has been marred by poor tackling and problems in press. There’s still time for the 25-year-old, but ASJ needs to join a team that his skill set fits with.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 4, Defensive Snaps Played: 234

Times Targeted: 18, Receptions Allowed: 12, % Allowed: 66.7%, Pass Defenses: 2, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 1, TDs Against: 0, Tackles: 13, Tackles For Loss: 0, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Mike Hilton – Cincinnati Bengals 

Age: 30.9, Height: 5’9”, Weight: 184 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$11m per year

Overall Grade: 75.9 (High Quality), Coverage Grade: 68.5 (Above Average)

PFF Position Rank: 15

FA Position Rank: 7, Overall PFF FA Rank: 3

Over the past decade, Mike Hilton has served as the epitome of a perfect slot corner. 2024 was not the finest season for Hilton, but the entire Bengals defense struggled. But the Bengals went on a run during the last quarter of the season and the veteran excelled once again. At 31, Mike Hilton can still effectively defend the run, cover the slot and continues to boast being one of the best blitzing corners in the business.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 16, Defensive Snaps Played: 737

Times Targeted: 61, Receptions Allowed: 41, % Allowed: 67.2%, Pass Defenses: 5, Interceptions: 1, Penalties: 2, TDs Against: 3, Tackles: 73, Tackles For Loss: 12, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 1

Stephon Gilmore – Minnesota Vikings 

Age: 34.4, Height: 6’0”, Weight: 190 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 years/$6m per year

Overall Grade: 62.2 (Average), Coverage Grade: 61.9 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 69

FA Position Rank: 8, Overall PFF FA Rank: 66

Stephon Gilmore remains employed as a starting cornerback in the NFL after all-of these years, not because he was the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, but due to the veteran CB continually possessing the skills that earned him that award. Because of his great physicality, football intelligence and immense leadership qualities, Gilmore will once again sign a contract and benefit yet another young CB room.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 15, Defensive Snaps Played: 904

Times Targeted: 84, Receptions Allowed: 52, % Allowed: 61.9%, Pass Defenses: 9, Interceptions: 1, Penalties: 5, TDs Against: 4, Tackles: 56, Tackles For Loss: 1, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Jonathan Jones – New England Patriots 

Age: 31.4, Height: 5’9”, Weight: 185 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 years/$3m per year

Overall Grade: 60.7 (Average), Coverage Grade: 61.1 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 78

FA Position Rank: 9, Overall PFF FA Rank: 73

Jones has always had a nose for the football with 11 career interceptions but hasn’t held on to one in the past two seasons. With the versatility to play both on the outside or in the slot, Jones is a physical defender with a proven ability to recover. However ,going into his tenth season, the veteran still has value but may be best served in a role as a depth piece.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 712

Times Targeted: 60, Receptions Allowed: 43, % Allowed: 71.7%, Pass Defenses: 6, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 3, TDs Against: 7, Tackles: 58, Tackles For Loss: 0, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Nate Hobbs – Las Vegas Raiders 

Age: 25.6, Height: 6’0”, Weight: 195 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 years/$4m per year

Overall Grade: 61.4 (Average), Coverage Grade: 61.5 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 73

FA Position Rank: 10, Overall PFF FA Rank: 85

At 6’1”, Hobbs has the size to play on the outside but has remained as a slot defender where he has put together a resume’ as one of the finest in the league against slot receivers by playing with awesome physicality. However, Nate hasn’t been great at staying injury free and has missed 17 games in his four NFL seasons in Vegas. Be that as it may, the Steelers would benefit from a guy like Hobbs to solidify the slot.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 11, Defensive Snaps Played: 554

Times Targeted: 51, Receptions Allowed: 33, % Allowed: 64.7%, Pass Defenses: 5, Interceptions: 1, Penalties: 0, TDs Against: 2, Tackles: 49, Tackles For Loss: 2, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 1

Honorable Mention 

Jourdan Lewis – Dallas Cowboys

Paulson Adebo – New Orleans Saints

Kristian Fulton – Los Angeles Chargers

Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Cornerbacks 

C.J. Henderson

Cameron Sutton

Donte Jackson

James Pierre

Other Notable Free Agent Cornerbacks  

Trystan Colon – Arizona Cardinals

Antonio Hamilton – Atlanta Falcons

Kevin King – Atlanta Falcons

Mike Hughes – Atlanta Falcons

Brandon Stephens – Baltimore Ravens

Trayvon Mullen – Baltimore Ravens

Tre’Davious White – Baltimore Ravens

Caleb Farley – Carolina Panthers

Dane Jackson – Carolina Panthers.

Michael Jackson Sr. – Carolina Panthers

Marco Wilson – Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Ford – Cleveland Browns

Amani Oruwariye – Dallas Cowboys

C.J. Goodwin – Dallas Cowboys

Israel Mukuamu – Dallas Cowboys

Tremon Smith – Denver Broncos

Emmanuel Moseley – Detroit Lions

Khalil Dorsey – Detroit Lions

Kindle Vildor – Detroit Lions

Corey Ballentine – Green Bay Packers

Eric Stokes – Green Bay Packers

Robert Rochell – Green Bay Packers

Jeff Okudah – Houston Texans

Ka’dar Hollman – Houston Texans

Kris Boyd – Houston Texans.

Myles Bryant – Houston Texans

David Long – Indianapolis Colts

Darnay Holmes – Las Vegas Raiders

Eli Apple – Los Angeles Chargers

Ahkello Witherspoon – Los Angeles Rams

Kendall Fuller – Miami Dolphins

Fabian Moreau – Minnesota Vikings

Shaquill Griffin – Minnesota Vikings

Shemar Jean-Charles – New Orleans Saints

Ugochukwu Amadi – New Orelans Saints

Adoree’ Jackson – New York Giants

Greg Stroman – New York Giants

Brandin Echols – New York Jets

Isaiah Oliver – New York Jets

Kendall Sheffield – New York Jets

Avonte Maddox – Philadelphia Eagles

Isaiah Rodgers – Philadelphia Eagles

Isaac Yiadom – San Francisco 49ers

Nick McCloud – San Francisco 49ers

Bryce Hall – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tavierre Thomas – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Troy Hill – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Artie Burns – Seattle Seahawks

Tre Brown – Seattle Seahawks

Benjamin St-Juste – Washington Commanders

Kevon Seymour – Washington Commanders

Michael Davis – Washington Commanders

Noah Igbinoghene– Washington Commanders