Madden 19 Ratings: All the best cornerbacks (CB)


With the NFL moving further and further away from running the ball, pass coverage has become one of the most important aspects of any defense, and the key to good coverage is having a cornerback capable of matching up one-on-one with the opponents best receiver and winning.

How to pick the best cornerbacks in Madden 19's Franchise Mode

Athleticism and technical prowess are both vital to success as a cornerback in the NFL. It isn't enough to be lightning fast, or to just be technically gifted, you need a blend of both to be considered one of the best at this position. It helps if you are a good tackler too since your cornerback will sometimes be the last line of defense between the ball carrier and your endzone. Here are all the best cornerbacks in Madden 19 with an OVR rating of 85 or more.

Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars (OVR 97)

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+ 10

Age: 23

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 2 years/$12.03m

2018 Cap Hit: $5.66m

Best Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (94), Jumping (93), Man Coverage (96), Zone Coverage (93), Press (98)

The best cornerback on Madden 19 was only ever going to be Jalen Ramsey. Since coming into the NFL as the fifth-overall pick in 2016 he has been nothing short of brilliant. While he has just six interceptions in his time, that is because quarterbacks simply do not throw at him anymore. Ramsey has taken over the mantle of Champ Bailey and Darrelle Revis as the eraser of defenses. He allowed just a 51.1% pass completion rate in 2017, while also talking trash at a near-record rate.

In Madden 19 Ramsey leads the way for corners in man coverage (96) and press (98), making him downright deadly in red zone situations. He's also one of the better tacklers (72) at his position, making him handy against the run as well.

AJ Bouye, Jacksonville Jaguars (OVR 94)

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+ 10

Age: 26

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$35.4m

2018 Cap Hit: $7.9m

Best Stats: Speed (89), Acceleration (94), Jumping (90), Man Coverage (95), Zone Coverage (95), Press (93)

Ramsey’s teammate AJ Bouye is also an excellent corner. Joining the Jaguars from division rivals Houston last offseason, Bouye took his game to another level opposite Ramsey in 2017. Bouye picked off six passes last season, and when targeting him quarterbacks had just a 31.6 passer rating, eight points lower than if every pass they threw towards Bouye fell incomplete.

In Madden 19, Bouye’s speed stat (89) is slightly problematic as he could get exposed down the field by the fastest wide receivers, but everywhere else he excels. His zone coverage (95) is the best at cornerback, and his man coverage is the second-best. He can play press (93) really well and thanks to his very balanced play he can slot into any defense you’d want to run.

Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons (OVR 93)

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+ 10

Age: 27

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 5 years/$46.56m

2018 Cap Hit: $8.19m

Best Stats: Speed (92), Acceleration (93), Jumping (92), Man Coverage (92), Zone Coverage (93), Press (95)

Trufant missed Atlanta’s 2016 run to the Super Bowl through injury, but he returned in 2017 none the worse. He picked off two passes in his 15 games and was once again feared by quarterbacks. He picked off Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson in two big wins for the Falcons and kept a lot of impressive wide receivers very quiet all year.

Trufant’s stats on Madden 19 are just a hair below Jalen Ramsey, and an argument could be made that his advantage in speed (92) over AJ Bouye makes him a better player this year. Either way you cut it, he is an elite option at corner, capable of playing up in the receivers face or off the line, and can fit into a man or zone scheme incredibly well.

Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals (OVR 92)

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+ 10

Age: 28

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 3 years/$37.9m

2018 Cap Hit: $10.9m

Best Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (92), Jumping (97), Man Coverage (94), Zone Coverage (94), Press (93)

Peterson has long been one of the best cover corners in the NFL. After dominating quarterbacks with seven interceptions in 2012, the league knew it was best not to challenge Peterson, especially in man coverage. In 2017 he allowed the fewest catches of any corner with serious playing time, and gave up just 394 yards.

Long considered a pure man corner, Madden 19 has perhaps given Peterson a generous zone coverage rating (94), but make no mistake he is great whatever you do with him. Perhaps Peterson’s best asset is his height (6’1”) and incredible jumping (97). He has the best catch rating (81) and comfortably the best spectacular catch (89) rating among cornerbacks as well, making him a potential turnover machine in the right hands.

Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings (OVR 92)

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+ 10

Age: 28

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 5 years/$53.72m

2018 Cap Hit: $9.38m

Best Stats: Speed (91), Acceleration (90), Jumping (96), Man Coverage (95), Zone Coverage (92), Press (94)

With Ramsey and Bouye stealing a lot of the headlines in recent years, people may have missed Xavier Rhodes transition from potential star to All-Pro talent, but in 2017 he made that leap. Rhodes was constantly asked to cover the oppositions best receiver with little to no help, and while he didn’t perform at Jalen Ramsey levels, he was good enough to earn his first All-Pro honors. In the playoffs Rhodes was electric, allowing just 40% of passes thrown his way to be completed.

The Madden 19 version of Xavier Rhodes lacks elite speed (91) and acceleration (90), but he makes up for it with an elite jumping stat (96) that will allow him to reach the ball even if the receiver gets a step on him. Like Ramsey, Bouye and the others, Rhodes can play well in both man and zone, but you should keep him in man coverage (95) more often as that is where he really excels.

Casey Hayward Jr, Los Angeles Chargers (OVR 91)

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+ 10

Age: 28

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$29.5m

2018 Cap Hit: $6.91m

Best Stats: Speed (90), Acceleration (90), Jumping (86), Man Coverage (91), Zone Coverage (93), Press (90)

Based solely on his 2017 performance there is an argument to be made for Casey Hayward to have a much higher OVR. The Chargers corner was electric last season, as he has been for most of his career. Hayward was Pro Football Focus’ highest rated corner last season with a 96.4 grade, he had an NFL best 42.7% completion rate against him and picked off four passes, breaking up a further 15.

In Madden 19 Hayward is a touch slow for an elite corner, but his coverage skills (91 man, 93 zone) make up for that. Hayward’s lack of top end speed perhaps make him best suited for the new nickel back role, but there is no doubt he can play on the outside as well.

Darius Slay Jr, Detroit Lions (OVR 91)

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+ 10

Age: 27

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 3 years/$18.7m

2018 Cap Hit: $5.64m

Best Stats: Speed (94), Acceleration (93), Jumping (88), Man Coverage (89), Zone Coverage (94), Press (84)

There has been little to get excited about in Detroit in recent years, especially on defense, but the development of Darius Slay into one of the better cornerbacks around has been the pride of the Lions. He finished the 2017 season leading the NFL in interceptions with eight, while making his First Team All-Pro debut and making his four-year, $50 million extension that he signed in 2016 look like the bargain of the century.

Slay has elite speed (94), that is the best among fantastic cover corners, as well as great acceleration (93) which means he will be able to shadow any wide receiver in the NFL all over the field. He doesn’t have the best ball skills around, which is surprising given those eight interceptions last year, but with 73 catching he should snag you a few picks. He is much better in zone coverage (94), but he can hold his own in man (89), just be careful about how often you put him in press (84) situations.

Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints (OVR 91)

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+ 10

Age: 22

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 3 years/$11.7m

2018 Cap Hit: $3.72m

Best Stats: Speed (94), Acceleration (94), Jumping (91), Man Coverage (92), Zone Coverage (89), Press (90)

Lattimore was the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft and was immediately at home in the NFL. It has been a long time since the Saints had a defender as good as Lattimore was in his rookie season. He didn’t allow a touchdown all year despite shadowing the best wide receivers in the league.

The Madden 19 version of Lattimore is a physical beast. His speed (94) and acceleration (94) means he can track everyone all over the field. The only worry is that his zone coverage skills (89) are slightly low, but given just how young he is there will be plenty of time to turn him into the second coming of Deion Sanders.

Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers (OVR 90)

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+ 10

Age: 30

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 3 years/$16m

2018 Cap Hit: $5.22m

Best Stats: Speed (88), Acceleration (89), Jumping (98), Man Coverage (88), Zone Coverage (92), Press (94)

Sherman’s stunning move to San Francisco officially ended the Legion Of Boom in Seattle, but the veteran corner still has plenty in the tank coming into his eighth season in the NFL. An Achilles rupture ended Sherman’s 2017 season after nine games, he had two interceptions and made 35 tackles on the year.

Speed (88) has never been Sherman’s forte, and that is reflected in his Madden 19 stats. However, his elite press stat (94) and strong play in zone coverage (92) will make him a valuable piece of the defense to anyone that plays a predominantly zone defense. He isn’t useless in man coverage (88) but that lack of speed does leave him exposed.

Jimmy Smith, Baltimore Ravens (OVR 90)

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+ 10

Age: 30

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 2 years/$13.07m

2018 Cap Hit: $6.2m

Best Stats: Speed (89), Acceleration (90), Jumping (88), Man Coverage (93), Zone Coverage (91), Press (93)

Jimmy Smith has been plagued with injuries since he came into the league in 2011. He’s played a full season just twice, but every time he finds the field he has been impressive. In 2017 he played 12 games, picking off three passes and scoring two touchdowns for the Ravens defense, before succumbing to a ruptured Achilles just like Richard Sherman.

Like Sherman, Smith is a little light on speed (89), but his acceleration (90) should help him keep up with initial cuts. Unlike Sherman, Smith plays well in both man (93) and zone coverage (91), while he isn’t quite as good in the press he does have good height (6’2”) and solid jumping (88) to help him compete for the ball.

Other star cornerbacks over 85 OVR

Name
Team
OVR
Development Trait
Contract
2018 Cap Hit
Aqib Talib
Los Angeles Rams
89
Quick
2yrs/$20.25m
$9.35m
Chris Harris Jr
Denver Broncos
88
Quick
2yrs/$21.07m
$8.47m
Janoris Jenkins
New York Giants
88
Quick
3yrs/$33.65m
$9.68m
Tre'Davious White
Buffalo Bills
88
Star
3yrs/$7.68m
$2.42m
Malcolm Butler
Tennessee Titans
87
Quick
5yrs/$51.3m
$9.33m
Stephon Gilmore
New England Patriots
87
Quick
4yrs/$44.7m
$10.5m
Jason McCourty
New England Patriots
87
Quick
1yr/$2.37m
$2.37m
Josh Norman
Washington Redskins
87
Quick
3yrs/$33.2m
$9.65m
Marcus Peters
Los Angeles Rams
87
Quick
2yrs/$10.81m
$5.4m
Ronald Darby
Philadelphia Eagles
86
Quick
1yr/$1.28m
$1.28m
Brent Grimes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
86
Quick
1yr/$3.6m
$3.6m
Rashaan Melvin
Oakland Raiders
86
Quick
1yr/$3.46m
$3.46m
Jason Verrett
Los Angeles Chargers
86
Quick
1yr/$4.75m
$4.75m
Robert Alford
Atlanta Falcons
85
Quick
3yrs/$18.13m
$5.33m
Joe Haden
Pittsburgh Steelers
85
Normal
2yrs/$13.77m
$6.46m
Jonathan Joseph
Houston Texans
85
Normal
2yrs/$5.3m
$2.64m

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