Latest news with #cornerback
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a day ago
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ESPN selects favorite offseason move made by Indianapolis Colts
ESPN's Seth Walder handed out offseason grades for each team. When it came to the Indianapolis Colts, Walder was a fan of the moves GM Chris Ballard made. His favorite move of the bunch, however, was the signing of free agent cornerback Charvarius Ward. "The Ward deal (three years at $18 million per year) was strong," wrote Walder. "Ward has allowed 1.0 yards per coverage snap (better than average) or better in five of the past six seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats." Advertisement Ward was an All-Pro during the 2023 season. That year he allowed a completion rate of 54% while coming away with five interceptions and 17 pass breakups, per PFF. Ward is also an excellent fit for Lou Anarumo's defensive scheme. He is comfortable covering a variety of wide receiver skill sets, has had strong ball production, and Ward has no problem being left on an island. In fact, Anarumo has already mentioned that we could see Ward shadowing the opponent's top wideout if that's what the game plan calls for. "He's been a really good player," said Anarumo of Ward. "A really consistent corner in our league for a long time. He can matchup on the best receivers, he's got length, he guards bigger guys but he's quick enough to handle short, faster guys, and he's a good tackler. He's a full package, for sure." Beyond the production and schematic fit, Ward brings winning experience to the Colts' defense--an element that is missing--having appeared in two Super Bowls, winning one of them. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' signing CB Charvarius Ward named most 'liked' offseason move
Yahoo
a day ago
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Top 100 NFL player rankings show $88 million CB is a steal for the 49ers
It was clear when the San Francisco 49ers signed cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year, $88,884,000 extension that they were getting the 2021 fifth-round pick at a nice price. A ranking of the top 100 players in the NFL by Pro Football and Sports Network indicates the 49ers may be getting one of the best bargains in the NFL. According to PFSN, Lenoir comes in as the No. 61 player in the NFL. That alone would make Lenoir worth his deal that averages out to $17.8 million per year. However, one spot behind him in the ranking at No. 61 is New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner. Gardner recently agreed to a massive four-year, $120.4 million extension that made him the NFL's highest-paid CB. He'll make, on average, $12.3 million more per year than Lenoir. While Lenoir is a talented player and in line to be the 49ers' No. 1 CB this season, it's a stretch to put him above Gardner. According to PFSN, he allowed a completion rate of 53.2 percent on just 47 targets last season. He's also been a First-Team All-Pro in two of his three seasons. Lenoir gave up a 65.2 percent completion rate on 89 targets. However, he allowed a passer rating of 71.4 compared to a 79.3 passer rating allowed by Gardner. Whether Gardner is "better" than Lenoir isn't necessarily the argument. If we concede that he is, the fact remains he's not $12 million better than Lenoir on an annual basis. Lenoir is the 18th-highest paid CB in the NFL by average annual value. That's a bargain whether he fits ahead of or behind Gardner in a article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Top 100 rankings show Deommodore Lenoir contract a bargain for 49ers
Yahoo
a day ago
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Colorado football Top 25 players: cornerback Teon Parks
Colorado lost its superstar, Travis Hunter, to the NFL, leaving a gaping hole at cornerback. DJ McKinney is primed to hold down one of the outsider corner positions, but what about the opposite side of the field? The answer could be several players, but Illinois State transfer Teon Parks could be considered the top option. Parks is coming off a breakout season with the Red Birds and seems ready to make that jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision level. Advertisement Since Deion Sanders took over as head coach, Colorado has never had a shortage of talented cornerbacks, but they need at least one to step into a significant role in 2025. Parks, as one of the top FCS cornerbacks in the transfer portal, can be a key contributor for the Buffs this season. Top 25 player profiles: No. 25, No. 24 2024 in review Parks was one of the top cornerbacks in the FCS last season and Illinois State's top graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus. Parks finished the year with 38 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and an impressive 11 pass breakups. He proved himself as a solid all-around cornerback and at 6-foot-1, the perfect size Colorado is looking for at corner. Advertisement Biggest question in 2025 Parks showed last season that he has the talent to be a top-end coverage corner, but as is the case with most transfers making the jump to the FBS level, can he produce similar numbers against better competition? Based on his grades from Pro Football Focus, the underlying numbers suggest his production is sustainable. 2025 will be a success if... He will be given a shot to win the starting cornerback job opposite DJ McKinney, and I think that should be considered a win for the former FCS standout. It is hard to predict the exact statistical output from a corner, but he has a nose for the football, and Parks should come up with a handful of pass breakups and around 30 tackles if he wins the starting job. This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football top 25 players: CB Teon Parks
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Jets' Sauce Gardner disrespected in ESPNs CB rankings
The New York Jets made Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history this week. General manager Darren Mougey inked Gardner to a four-year extension worth $120.4 million. The All-Pro CB will earn a league-leading $30.1 million on average per season. Coincidentally, ESPN released their cornerback position rankings after Gardner signed his extension. The list is the result of composite rankings, concluded by polling more than 70 anonymous coaches, executives, and scouts around the league. Gardner was arguably disrespected, coming in at No. 5, behind Pat Surtain II, Derek Stingley Jr., Denzel Ward, and Trent McDuffie. Gardner should have earned a top-three spot alongside Surtain II and Stingley Jr. "Gardner remains one of the more polarizing players in the league," ESPNs Jeremy Fowler summarized. "He reached superstardom as a rookie, wasting no time entering the conversation for the NFL's best cornerback. He made back-to-back All-Pro teams from 2022-23, but some evaluators have had problems with his play for the past two seasons." "Needs a bounce-back year in 2025," a veteran AFC personnel staffer said. "Lots of missed tackles and penalties and didn't make many plays last year. Too much, too soon and thought the NFL was easy." Gardner's Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 70.2 in 2024 was significantly lower than his 2022 (87.9) and 2023 (88.6) grades. PFF credited him with allowing 25 receptions on 47 targets for 391 yards and one touchdown. Those are stellar numbers for a cornerback tasked with covering No. 1 receivers every single week. Gardner was whistled with 10 penalties and 10 missed tackles. "The Jets are hoping their new defense, with coach Aaron Glenn and coordinator Steve Wilks asking him to play more man coverage, will bring out his best," Fowler concluded. "He'll be asked to do a lot after signing a four-year, $120.4-million extension this week." It'll be worth monitoring Gardner's usage and production in Glenn's defense this season. The league clearly believes he needs a bounce-back year to fully reform his reputation. The full top-10 cornerback rankings can be found below: 10. Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon 9. Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell 8. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson 7. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn 6. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez 5. Jets CB Sauce Gardner 4. Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie 3. Browns CB Denzel Ward 2. Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. 1. Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: ESPN: Jets' Sauce Gardner disrespected in positional rankings list
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Jets extension with Sauce Gardner achieves something team hadn't done in six years
The New York Jets signed All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to a massive extension on Tuesday. Gardner inked a four-year, $120.4 million contract. The deal arrived one day after Garrett Wilson also signed a sizable extension. Gardner will earn an average of $30.1 million per season once the extension officially kicks in. The Jets made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Gardner's deal slightly surpasses that of Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who received a three-year, $90M extension in March ($30M average). By making Gardner the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL, Jets GM Darren Mougey did something the organization hadn't done since 2019. Gardner becomes the first Jets player since LB C.J. Mosley to be the highest paid in the league at his respective position, per Rich Cimini. Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million contract as a free agent in 2019, topping all off-ball linebackers in salary for a moment. Gardner still had two years remaining on his rookie deal as a 2022 first-round pick. His newly-minted extension contains $85.653 million in fully guaranteed money. The 24-year-old Gardner is a two-time All-Pro player throughout just three completed campaigns. Making Gardner the highest-paid player in the NFL at his position speaks volumes of the Jets' belief in him. Gardner is a face-of-the-franchise talent at cornerback. He'll be a Jet for the foreseeable future. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets extension with Sauce Gardner ends 6-year drought
