Summary

  • Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns is an incredibly fast cornerback with the highest speed, acceleration, and agility ratings among his position.
  • Tre'Davious White has shown strength and skill in zone coverage, making him a standout cornerback.
  • Jalen Ramsey is the best cornerback in Madden 24 with exceptional skills in man coverage, pressing receivers, and tackling.

Besides putting pressure on the quarterback, locking down the offensive playmakers is the most important task as a defense. Cornerbacks are key to disrupting wide receivers at the line of scrimmage and breaking up any potential passes thrown in their area.

RELATED: Madden 24: The Best Linebackers, Ranked

Recent rule changes have made it even more difficult for defenders to challenge offensive players, so it’s even more crucial to have dominant cornerbacks. We analyze the top defensive backs in Madden 24 and how their skills help them shut down opposing offenses.

10 Denzel Ward - 88

Most cornerbacks need to be fast to keep up with wide receivers, and if there’s one thing that Denzel Ward excels at, it’s being fast. The Cleveland Browns' defensive star has the highest speed (94), acceleration (95), and agility (95) rating among cornerbacks, allowing him to stay close to nearly any receiver in the league.

Besides his speed, Ward is a decent overall cornerback who provides sufficient impact in man (88) and zone coverage (87). Not only does the 26-year-old look to prevent his matchup from catching the ball, but he’s also looking to make a play himself. In five seasons, Ward has a total of 13 interceptions, and he led the league last season with two fumble recovery touchdowns.

9 Tre’Davious White - 90

After spending two seasons in the NFL, Tre’Davious White emphatically made his mark in 2019 by leading the league with six interceptions and finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. While he followed up that season with another Pro Bowl year, injuries have plagued him in 2021 and 2022.

Strength is an underrated attribute for cornerbacks, but White is beginning to change that narrative. His strength (75) allows him to better contest on pass attempts and not let his matchup overpower him. White stands out a bit more in zone coverage (93) but demonstrates fair skills pressing the receiver at the line of scrimmage (93) and defending in man coverage (91).

8 Marshon Lattimore - 90

New Orleans might have the nickname “The Big Easy” but matching up against Marshon Lattimore is anything but that. The Saints' defensive back has four Pro Bowl selections in his six-year career. Lattimore has been relatively healthy in his career (88), though he suffered a lacerated kidney that knocked him out of the 2022 season.

RELATED: Madden 24: The Best Pass Rushers, Ranked

The main area where Lattimore excels and separates himself from other top cornerbacks is his ability to disrupt wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. By being able to properly press (96) against a receiver, he’s able to knock them off their intended route which can confuse the quarterback and give the defensive line more time to pressure them.

7 Stephon Gilmore - 91

Father Time eventually comes for all players, but Stephon Gilmore is doing his best to postpone the inevitable. The 32-year-old is once again featured among the top cornerbacks, as he hopes to become a valued member of the Dallas Cowboys defense. Gilmore has bounced around a couple of teams after long stays in Buffalo and New England.

Gilmore rebounded in 2022 and played in every game of the season after missing half of the season in 2021. The Dallas cornerback is one of the most aware (95) defenders at his position, which helps him recognize plays better (91) and anticipate incoming passes. While Gilmore is a reliable cornerback, it won’t be long before the veteran suffers a sharp decline.

6 Darius Slay Jr. - 92

The second-oldest cornerback featured resides in the City of Brotherly Love. Drafted in 2013 by the Detroit Lions, Slay Jr. experienced his breakout season in 2017 when he led the league in interceptions (eight) and proceeded to be selected for the Pro Bowl in five of the last six seasons.

Detroit traded Slay Jr. to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, and while he endured his worst season since 2017, he responded with two straight Pro Bowl seasons and helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl. In Madden 24, Slay Jr. is the cream of the crop in recognizing plays (95) and being a zone defender (97).

5 Sauce Gardner - 93

On the opposite end of the age spectrum, we have Sauce Gardner. The New York Jets cornerback established himself as one of the best lockdown defenders in his rookie season as he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Gardner intercepted two passes and led the league in total pass deflections (20).

RELATED: Madden 24: The Best Safeties, Ranked

If Gardner continues the early trajectory of his career, it’s a guarantee he will one day be the best cornerback in the NFL. The 22-year-old already has the highest rating in man coverage (97) and injury (94), meaning it’s rare for him to miss games. If he manages to improve his zone coverage (92) a bit, the Gang Green defensive back could be one of the greatest to ever play.

4 Marlon Humphrey - 93

Marlon Humphrey is coming off his third Pro Bowl season in the last four years. The Baltimore Ravens’ cornerback recorded three interceptions and forced one fumble as he’s established himself as one of the most important pieces of Baltimore’s defense.

Whether it’s man coverage (94) or zone (91), Humphrey has the stamina (97) to give full effort on every play no matter the situation. He presses (94) receivers well at the line of scrimmage, and when opposing offensive players are gaining yards, Humphrey has the second-highest pursuit rating (77) and doesn’t quit trying to make a tackle.

3 Patrick Surtain II - 94

Coming off his rookie season, Patrick Surtain II was selected to the Pro Bowl and received First-Team AP All-Pro honors. He played all 17 games for the Denver Broncos and solidified his standing among the top cornerbacks in the NFL.

Surtain II is one of the best defenders in man coverage (96), but that doesn’t mean he can’t hold his own in zone coverage (93). He’s tied with the highest pursuit rating (79) and has the second-highest stamina rating (96), so he doesn’t take plays off. On his current path, Surtain II should remain one of the best cornerbacks in the game.

2 Jaire Alexander - 95

Jaire Alexander was a magnet for the ball in 2022, intercepting a career-high five passes. On top of that, he deflected 14 passes while only missing one game all season, resulting in Alexander’s second Pro Bowl selection.

Rated as the second-best overall cornerback, Alexander is the most aware (97) and recognizes plays (95) better than any other cornerback. He’s equally superb defending in man (96) and zone coverage (96), while making life a living hell at the line of scrimmage for receivers (94). As a bonus, Alexander is a phenomenal return man (81) on special teams.

1 Jalen Ramsey - 97

Claiming the title of best cornerback in Madden 24 is All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. Although Ramsey helped the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl in 2021, the team recognized it needed assets for the future and traded the superstar defender to the Miami Dolphins. Although the price was hefty, the Dolphins acquired one of the best defensive players in the NFL, let alone at the cornerback position.

He’s the best defender in man coverage (97) and is an expert at pressing receivers (99) at the line of scrimmage. Ramsey possesses high power (82) for a cornerback which helps label him as the best tackling (74) cornerback. When you also consider his high catch rating (81) to intercept passes, Ramsey is without a doubt worthy of being the best cornerback in the game.

NEXT: Madden 24: The Best Wide Receivers, Ranked