{"id":25,"date":"2023-03-01T15:53:16","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T19:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=25"},"modified":"2025-12-22T16:53:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:53:54","slug":"top-12-cornerbacks-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2023\/03\/top-12-cornerbacks-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Cornerbacks of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on December 11, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are the best cornerbacks of all time? That is a loaded question and depends on the criteria you measure them by. There have been countless cornerbacks throughout the history of the National Football League that have played the game at such a high level that the results of a big game, the outcome of a season, or even a rule have been changed as a result of their actions. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has enshrined 23 cornerbacks among the legends housed there. This article will look at the top CBs in several areas to recognize the best at the position<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The \u201cStoppers\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our first group of cornerbacks were the ones that loved to tackle. These fellas would stick their shoulder pads into a ball carrier or a receiver, often with bone-jarring hits as they flew from their secondary positions to save field position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Photo\n<\/div>
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\n\t\tCharles Woodson<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Charles C. Woodson\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: DB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-1<\/span>, 210lb<\/span> (185cm, 95kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tOctober 7<\/a>, 1976\n \n \n in Fremont, OH<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 46-144d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tMichigan<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 115 (56th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tRoss<\/a> (OH<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Oakland Raiders<\/a> in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 2021<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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