Yahoo Sports identifies top NFC South cornerbacks of the 2010s
New evaluation highlights the statistical and award-based contributions of players who faced Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, and Jameis Winston during the decade.
Yahoo Sports has published an analysis identifying the standout cornerbacks in the NFL’s NFC South division during the 2010s. The evaluation utilised a points-based formula incorporating Approximate Value (AV) from Pro Football Reference, alongside point allocations for All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. The article highlights players who specifically challenged NFC South quarterbacks, including Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, and Jameis Winston. Key figures identified include Robert Alford, Josh Norman, Grimes, Marshon Lattimore, and Deion Trufant, with assessments based on statistics such as interceptions, passes defensed, and defensive awards.
The source material notes that the decade was defined by significant passing outputs within the division, with Brees holding the record for the most 5,000-yard seasons and Newton and Ryan securing back-to-back league MVP awards. The analysis applied a strict scoring system to determine the all-decade team, assigning ten points for first-team All-Pro selections, five for second-team, and three for Pro Bowl nods. Contributions were calculated based on games started, snaps played, and defensive impact metrics such as yards gained, touchdowns scored, and turnovers created.
Deion Trufant of the Atlanta Falcons was highlighted for his reliability, starting all 99 games he played in during the decade. His statistical record included 13 interceptions, 81 passes defensed, and three forced fumbles. The analysis noted his status as a former first-round pick and his role as a consistent defender against division rivals, earning him a first-team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl berth.
Josh Norman’s tenure with the Carolina Panthers was also scrutinised, with the report noting he was "almost a Saint" before Washington selected him in the 2016 draft following the Panthers' rescinding of his franchise tag. Across 58 combined regular season and playoff games in Carolina, Norman recorded seven interceptions and 40 passes defensed. The article described him as a perfect fit for the Panthers' defensive scheme during his time in the division.
Grimes, who played for both the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was identified as a significant challenge for Drew Brees. He is tied with Patrick Surtain Sr. for the most career interceptions off Brees, with four picks, although one was nullified by penalty. Over 102 games in the NFC South, Grimes recorded 20 interceptions and 100 passes defensed, contributing to a reputation for consistently disrupting the Saints' offence despite playing outside the division for parts of his career.
Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints was recognised for his immediate impact, recording 10 interceptions and 50 passes defensed in his first three years. While the analysis did not award extra points for his Defensive Rookie of the Year honour, it highlighted a qualitative metric: Julio Jones did not catch a touchdown pass against the Saints after Lattimore’s draft. Robert Alford was described as a steady starter for Atlanta, accumulating 85 passes defensed and 10 interceptions over 88 games, including a notable 82-yard pick-six in the playoffs.
The evaluation was confined strictly to contributions made by players on the four teams constituting the NFC South, excluding accolades earned with other franchises. The report concluded that these defensive backs provided the necessary counterbalance to the high-powered offensive statistics generated by the division's quarterbacks throughout the decade.
