In any list, there are those who just missed the cut. Here are four cornerbacks with shutdown skills and why they're not in the top 10.
Jimmy Smith, Baltimore Ravens
When healthy, Smith is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, as his 68.5 opponents' passer rating in 2016 attests. He did, however, struggle to stay healthy, playing just 11 games, and while that's not his fault, availability is a skill you need in a shutdown corner.
Josh Norman, Washington Redskins
Norman played well for the most part after signing a megadeal with the Redskins last offseason, but he was too vulnerable to high-end receivers in 2016—Odell Beckham Jr. made life particularly difficult for him. As a result, I'm less inclined to call Norman a play-to-play shutdown guy. If I'm doing this list again in 2018, I won't be at all surprised if he's on it.
Brent Grimes, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grimes allowed a 62.6 opponents' passer rating in 2016, which is certainly impressive. He picked off at least four passes for the fourth straight year and allowed a catch rate of just 47.9 percent. He allowed four touchdowns, however, and that's outside the shutdown corner parameters.
James Bradberry, Carolina Panthers
If you're not a Panthers fan, you may be asking, "Who?" But if Bradberry plays in 2017 the way he did in his rookie season in 2016, you'll probably hear about it. The second-round pick out of Samford did a nice job replacing Norman, allowing a 69.9 opponents' passer rating and looking strong at all levels of coverage. You want to see more than one season to crown a player a shutdown cornerback, but Bradberry impressed in his transition from small-school football to the complexities of the NFL.
