Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season brought several pass-happy contests — fun for viewers, but stressful for defensive coaches and their teams. But the individuals stressed the most in those situations are cornerbacks, who are repeatedly targeted and expected to produce an incompletion on every play.
If they don’t, they’re expected to make a quick tackle and bring down the pass catcher. And if they don’t do that, they give up touchdowns.
Giving up touchdowns is not good — and won’t land corners on our top 25 list for Week 2, pieced together thanks to our metrics, complete with full analysis. Below that, we listed each of the remaining players who qualified for a grade, listing them 26-91. Let’s get into it.
25) Garrett Williams, Arizona Cardinals
CBi Rating and Grade: 77.6 (C+)
The Cardinals’ secondary had a dominant showing against the Panthers, holding them to just nine points before a late-game comeback. Operating as the nickel, Garrett Williams had a stellar performance in recording five solo tackles and a pass breakup. He was key in Arizona sealing a victory as Carolina passed on nearly every play in the final quarter.
24) Carlton Davis III, New England Patriots
CBi Rating and Grade: 77.8 (C+)
As the Patriots’ de facto CB1 in the absence of star Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis has held up well during the season’s first two weeks.
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The eight-year veteran finished with four total tackles, two of which were solo, in New England’s tight win over the Dolphins. Miami repeatedly tested the Patriots through the air late in the game to no avail.
23) ‘Sauce’ Gardner, New York Jets
CBi Rating and Grade: 78.5 (C+)
The counting stats may not back it up, but Sauce Gardner has been playing at a high level for the Jets early in his fourth year.
Overall, he’s totaled just five tackles so far, but he had a hand in slowing down WR DK Metcalf in Week 1 and holding a Josh Allen-led Bills offense to just 179 passing yards in Week 2. Unfortunately for New York, it hasn’t resulted in any wins.
22) Denzel Burke, Arizona Cardinals
CBi Rating and Grade: 78.7 (C+)
Denzel Burke was locking down receivers against the Panthers alongside Williams. Overall, he finished with three pass breakups as he was targeted plenty of times by Carolina quarterback Bryce Young — who compiled a 55.7 QB rating against Burke, a solid win for the cornerback.
21) Reddy Stewart, Dallas Cowboys
CBi Rating and Grade: 78.9 (C+)
Reddy Stewart came to play on Sunday as the nickel for the Cowboys in a pass-happy affair against the Giants. The second-year man was targeted five times, surrendering just 23 yards.
For the most part, Dallas’ pass defense was porous — but not Stewart, who excelled in 33 snaps.
20) Carrington Valentine, Green Bay Packers
CBi Rating and Grade: 79.1 (C+)
Carrington Valentine, like every other defender in the Packers’ secondary, has significantly benefited from the addition of superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons.
In holding the Commanders to just 179 passing yards on Thursday night, Valentine totaled two tackles but allowed just a 39.6 QB passer rating when targeted by Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.
19) Chidobe Awuzie, Baltimore Ravens
CBi Rating and Grade: 79.4 (C+)
In 46 coverage snaps against the Browns, who were forced to pass nearly all game after quickly falling behind, Chidobe Awuzie allowed just 43 yards — a nice mark for a starting cornerback.
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He was active in the tackle department, recording five total and three solo tackles as a key piece of Baltimore’s secondary.
18) Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
CBi Rating and Grade: 79.5 (C+)
Also forced into more action in the absence of Gonzalez, Marcus Jones impressed with five total tackles and a run stuff in New England’s 33-27 win over Miami.
He was targeted just twice despite the Dolphins’ aggressive aerial attack, allowing 14 yards. If Jones continues to play at this level, he can establish himself as one of the best nickels in the league.
17) Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
CBi Rating and Grade: 79.9 (C+)
Although he exited Week 2’s game against the Panthers with a groin injury, Will Johnson was excellent when he was on the field.
The rookie followed up a three-pass breakup performance in Week 1 with another in Week 2, plus three total tackles (two solo). Johnson is a prime candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year if he can stay healthy.
16) Nate Hobbs, Green Bay Packers
CBi Rating and Grade: 80.3 (B-)
In 27 coverage snaps against the Commanders in his Packers debut, Nate Hobbs wasn’t targeted, thus giving up zero yards.
Nate Hobbs in his career:
🟢 81.6 run defense grade (6th among CBs)
🟡 81 defensive stops (7th)Your newest Packer 🧀 pic.twitter.com/UdsYWY2dgP
— PFF GB Packers (@PFF_Packers) March 10, 2025
The former Las Vegas Raider will be looking for a career renaissance in Green Bay, where he’s expected to play a significant role in 2025.
15) Darius Slay, Pittsburgh Steelers
CBi Rating and Grade: 80.7 (B-)
Despite the loss to the Seahawks, Darius Slay did his job on Sunday afternoon. Competing for 35 coverage snaps, he was targeted four times, giving up just 20 yards in the process.
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When targeted, he allowed a passer rating of 64.6 to Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, a promising mark for a player attempting to continue his high level of play into his 13th season.
14) Mike Jackson, Carolina Panthers
CBi Rating and Grade: 81.0 (B-)
For the second consecutive week, Mike Jackson recorded a pass breakup. But he was even better in Week 2, considering he allowed just a 39.6 QB passer rating during his four targets, as he allowed zero yards when the pass was thrown his way. In Carolina’s disappointing loss, Jackson was one of the lone bright spots.
13) Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills
CBi Rating and Grade: 81.8 (B-)
Tre’Davious White owns one of the more inspirational stories in the entire NFL, as he’s making a return to the Bills after he began the first eight years of his career in Buffalo.
After missing last week due to injury, Week 2 was his first start for the Bills since 2023 — and he made the most of it. He quickly recorded a run stuff and finished with three total tackles, including allowing zero yards in coverage.
12) Derion Kendrick, Seattle Seahawks
CBi Rating and Grade: 81.9 (B-)
A third-year man out of Georgia, Derion Kendrick was one of many standouts for the Seahawks in their 31-17 road win over the Steelers.
Forced into action as the team’s nickel in the injury absence of Devon Witherspoon, Kendrick finished with a tackle and two pass breakups, as he was tested five times yet allowed a meager 13 yards.
11) Kei’Trel Clark, Arizona Cardinals
CBi Rating and Grade: 82.1 (B-)
Despite being in the game for just 13 coverage snaps against the Panthers, Kei’Trel Clark revealed himself as a promising player to keep an eye on for the Cardinals.
He was targeted once and allowed zero yards, essentially shutting down his one-on-one matchups and helping Arizona seal the game on the final drive.
10) Cobie Durant, Los Angeles Rams
CBi Rating and Grade: 82.5 (B-)
Cobie Durant had himself a day against the Titans, breaking up a pass and allowing no yards in coverage despite being targeted three times by talented Tennessee rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The fourth-year cornerback could be in for a breakout campaign in 2025 with increased responsibilities.
9) Nate Wiggins, Baltimore Ravens
CBi Rating and Grade: 82.8 (B-)
In as impressive a stat line as you’ll see in Week 2, Nate Wiggins was targeted an absurd nine times in Week 2 against the Browns.
In his typical Pro Bowl-caliber fashion, Wiggins allowed just 15 yards and broke up three passes.
Nate Wiggins vs the Browns:
🔒 8 targets
🔒 4 catches
🔒 15 total yards allowed
🔒 1 INT
🔒 91.2 PFF coverage gradeDAWG. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tmtHLpFiNc
— Ravens Nation 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) September 16, 2025
Oh, and he also picked off a pass. Wiggins is quickly becoming known around the league as a shutout corner for a Ravens secondary that badly needs one.
8) Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams
CBi Rating and Grade: 83.6 (B)
Darious Williams was as efficient as efficient comes in Week 2 against the Titans. After being inactive in the Rams’ season-opener, he was on the field for 17 coverage snaps against Tennessee, allowed no yards, and had a QB passer rating of just 39.6. He recorded a pass breakup along the way as well.
7) Trey Amos, Washington Commanders
CBi Rating and Grade: 83.7 (B)
Despite being targeted four times in the Commanders’ Thursday Night Football loss to the Packers, Trey Amos surrendered just 14 yards.
He also added two total tackles and a pass breakup. Like Williams, his efficiency is why he’s high on the list, as he was on the field for just 24 coverage snaps.
6) Josh Jobe, Seattle Seahawks
CBi Rating and Grade: 83.9 (B)
Quickly emerging as a real player in the Seattle secondary, Josh Jobe impressed once again in Week 2 after a strong season-opener.
The fourth-year corner was targeted four times and gave up a paltry seven yards while amassing four total tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed. Jobe is making a case to be the most improved player in the league through two weeks.
5) Rasul Douglas, Miami Dolphins
CBi Rating and Grade: 85.3 (B)
Finishing in the top five of our rankings is Rasul Douglas, who was signed by the Dolphins to fill a need at cornerback and has done a terrific job so far.
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Against the Patriots, he finished with three total tackles and a pass defensed while allowing just six yards on 33 coverage snaps.
4) Cor’Dale Flott, New York Giants
CBi Rating and Grade: 86.7 (B)
Though New York didn’t have a good day against the Cowboys’ pass, Cor’Dale Flott stood out as one of the only positives.
In 43 coverage snaps, Dak Prescott “targeted” him three times but for just 16 yards, not having much success. He broke up two of those passes, showing his propensity to make plays once the ball’s in the air.
3) Cam Taylor-Britt, Cincinnati Bengals
CBi Rating and Grade: 91.6 (A-)
In a roller-coaster of a game against the Jaguars in which quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 271 yards, none were when the ball was thrown in Cam Taylor-Britt’s direction. He was targeted three times but with no success for Lawrence, who eventually looked away from the DB’s side, despite being on the field for 42 coverage snaps.
2) Makhi Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts
CBi Rating and Grade: 91.7 (A-)
Not only did Makhi Blackmon allow zero yards on one target in 34 coverage snaps, but he added five total tackles, four of which were of the solo variety.
The 26-year-old USC alum is in his second season in the league and hoping for a breakout. If his first two weeks are any indication, he’s well on his way to a career year.
1) Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
CBi Rating and Grade: 98.7 (A+)
Keisean Nixon, the top-rated player according to our metrics, was on the field for 56 coverage snaps against the Commanders on Thursday night and was targeted five times — yet allowed zero yards.
Carrington Valentine has been in coverage for 77 snaps over the first two games and has allowed just two catches for 20 yards. That’s only 0.26 yards per snap.
People have been talking a lot about Keisean Nixon, and rightly so, but Valentine has really stepped up as CB2 too. pic.twitter.com/JVjwydwv4S
— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) September 15, 2025
As mentioned, the pass rush certainly aids the secondary, but Nixon was on his game against Washington and takes the cake as PFSN’s best cornerback in all of Week 2.
No. 26-No. 91
26) Kool-Aid McKinstry
27) Jaylon Johnson
28) Paulson Adebo
29) Jaycee Horn
30) Myles Harden
31) Riq Woolen
32) Trent McDuffie
33) Mike Hughes
34) Jourdan Lewis
35) Quinyon Mitchell
36) Amik Robertson
37) Cooper DeJean
38) Deommodore Lenoir
39) Avonte Maddox
40) Byron Murphy Jr.
41) Billy Bowmen Jr.
42) DJ Turner II
43) Upton Stout
44) Jaylen Watson
45) Javon Bullard
46) Emmanuel Forbes
47) Adoree Jackson
48) Dee Alford
49) Renardo Green
50) Dorian Strong
51) D.J. Reed
53) Christian Benford
53) Brandon Stephens
54) Keyon Martin
55) T.J. Tampa
56) Isaiah Rodgers
57) Tyson Campbell
58) Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
59) Kaiir Elam
60) Ja’Quan McMillian
61) Deonte Banks
62) Jack Jones
63) Dru Phillips
64) Akhello Witherspoon
65) Alontae Taylor
66) Marlon Humphrey
67) A.J. Terrell
68) Pat Surtain II
69) Terrion Arnold
70) Chau Smith-Wade
71) Jarrian Jones
72) Roger McCreary
73) Riley Moss
74) L’Jarius Sneed
75) Brandin Echols
76) Greg Newsome II
77) Trevon Diggs
78) Isaac Yiadom
79) Michael Carter II
80) Kenny Moore II
81) Marshon Lattimore
82) Jason Marshall Jr.
83) Mike Sainristil
84) Denzel Ward
85) Alex Austin
86) Jalen Ramsey
87) Nahshon Wright
88) Tyrique Stevenson
89) Cameron Mitchell
90) Xavien Howard
91) Nick McCloud
