NFC North Cornerback Rankings for 2026

My positional rankings for the NFC North moves to the back end of the defense and the all-important cornerback position – click here for last year’s rankings.

NFC North Cornerback Rankings for 2026

For a division that is full of wide receiver heavyweights the roll call for cornerbacks feels somewhat lackluster in comparison. However, there are a couple of big names and some solid rankings. Here are my rankings for this year.

1. Detroit Lions

DJ Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw, Keith Abney

Last year, Detroit made the big acquisition of DJ Reed, with the Lions signing him to a three–year, $48 million contract. Reed wasn’t at his best in his first season in Detroit, which included a spell on injured reserve due to a strained hamstring but he is still a good cornerback.

Former second round pick Ennis Raketraw should be back after missing all of last season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Rock Ya-Sin returns to give the team a solid veteran presence while there are two new faces in town in the shape of Roger McCreary and Keith Abney. McCreary was a second round pick for the Titans back in 2022, while Abney was selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft.

The depth looks solid. If Reed can return to his best this could be a very strong unit.

2. Chicago Bears

Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Terrell Smith

The Chicago Bears are home to the best CB in the division in Jaylon Johnson. Johnson needs a return to full health and form in 2026 as the Bears look to win back-to-back NFC north titles for the first time since 2005/2006.

Chicago spent second-round picks in consecutive years (2022/2023) on Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson. Both have played plenty of football and done OK without ever without ever reaching the levels the Bears would have hoped.

Terrell Smith will hope to return from a torn patellar tendon that ended his 2025 season during the preseason while Chicago have looked towards the draft again with fourth round rookie Malik Muhammad. There is potential for a good unit here which largely hinges on Johnson getting back to his best we here he can go toe-to-toe with the best receivers in the game.

3. Green Bay Packers

Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Brandon Cisse

The Packers CB room may lack star power but it looks solid if somewhat unspectacular all the way down the depth chart. Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine return after solid seasons in 2025 but aren’t exactly a starting duo to strike fear into the hearts of the high powered wide receivers that call the NFC North home.

Green Bay signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, adding a good veteran with inside/outside versatility. The key to the team’s success defensively on the perimeter likely falls to the development of second-round draft pick Brandon Cisse. If he can have success early then things will look much brighter at the position for the Packers. If he struggles early on then it could be another difficult season at corner in Green Bay.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Byron Murphy, James Pierre, Isaiah Rodgers, Dwight McGlothern, Charles Demmings

The Vikings’ search for answers at cornerback moved to the signing of James Pierre, who had an excellent 2025 as a depth player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Minnesota looks set to hand him an increased role and will hope he can maintain his standards from last year.

Doing so could push Isaiah Rodgers’ playing time down. His peak performance last season was exceptional but not seen often enough. Byron Murphy will hope to return to the production levels that saw him named to the Pro Bowl in 2024.

The depth chart is rounded out by Dwight McGlothern, a former undrafted player still waiting for a real chance and rookie Charles Demmings who has been getting buzz as a draft steal with the potential to develop into a starter.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

Advertisement