NFC North rankings: Five best cornerbacks

Who are the five best cornerbacks in the NFC North?

In part six of our on-going series breaking down the top players in the NFC North at each position, we take a look at the cornerbacks.

5. Quinten Rollins

Rollins had a solid rookie year for the Packers, grading out as the 22nd-best corner in the NFL per PFF. Rollins finished with 31 tackles, 2 interceptions including a pick-six and one sack. Both Rollins’ picks came in a week-4 game against the Rams. The rookie failed to post any stats in two appearances against the Vikings. Rollins’ presence will make it easier for the Packers to absorb the loss of Casey Hayward, who signed with San Diego as a free agent.

4. Captain Munnerlyn

Will 2016 be Captain Munnerlyn’s final year in Minnesota? The Vikes took Mackensie Alexander in the second round and will likely slide him into the slot corner role in 2017. The Vikes’ apparent eagerness to move on from Captain Munnerlyn seems slightly unfair after the solid season he had in 2015. After struggling his first year in Minnesota, Munnerlyn got with the program last year and ended up as the Vikings’ most consistent defensive back not named Harrison Smith. Munnerlyn should be super-motivated in 2016, so look for him to have another good year covering the slot.

3. Kyle Fuller

Fuller finished the 2015 season as one of the top-graded coverage corners in the NFL according to PFF. His interception total went from four his rookie season to only two last year but he also broke up nine passes. One of Fuller’s two picks came against Teddy Bridgewater in the Vikings’ memorable 23-20 win over Chicago. In Fuller, the Bears have a young corner who already is a strong contributor and could still grow into a true #1.

2. Darius Slay

If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, and last year Slay beat the best. Per PFF, in two 2015 games against the Packers and Aaron Rodgers, Slay allowed zero catches. All right, so the Packers passing game wasn’t exactly at normal Packer levels last year, but still that’s a pretty impressive thing to have on your resume. Check back after the season and there’s a very good chance Slay will be regarded as not only the best corner in the division but one of the best in the entire league. Hey Lions fans, at least you have one player to be excited about.

1. Sam Shields

The speedy Packers veteran is the cream-of-the-crop at the cornerback position in the NFC North. Last year he missed several games after suffering a concussion, but when he was in there, he proved that he is one of the NFL’s top corners. With Shields, Quentin Rollins, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett, Green Bay has the makings of a top-of-the-line secondary. The Vikings and Teddy Bridgewater will face that unit – and also that Aaron Rodgers guy – when the two teams open up U.S. Bank Stadium week 2. Should be fun.

Just missed: Xavier Rhodes

Get back to me at the end of the season and we’ll see where Rhodes ranks. He showed flashes late last season but consistency remains a concern. Rhodes must take another step in his development if he wants the Vikings to give him a long-term contract.

Next: Wallace still taking shots at Vikes

Please check out the previous installments in our series where we looked at the NFC North’s top five edge defenders, offensive tackles, wide receivers, safeties and tight ends.