NFC North Cornerback Rankings for 2025
Having previously done rankings for several position groups in the NFC North, including QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, iDL, Edge, and LB. We are now down to the penultimate group with the NFC North cornerback ranking for the 2025 season.
VikingsTerritory gives you NFC North Cornerback Rankings for 2025
Unlike some other position groups in the division, cornerback is not an area of great strength in the North. There are some good players, but the depth is either unproven, average, or just not good. This is a concern for all teams in a division that is stacked at the wide receiver position.
1. Chicago Bears – Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith
For the first time, the Chicago Bears top one of these rankings. Headed by Jaylon Johnson, the Bears have a strong group of cornerbacks, which includes Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith. Johnson is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, having been voted to the last two Pro Bowls, and is still only 26 years old, with five seasons of experience behind him. Chicago also has a very good nickel back in Kyler Gordon.
It has been an up-and-down first two seasons in the league for Stevenson. There has been good play, there has been indifferent play, and then there have been highly publicized gaffs — like taunting the Washington crowd seconds before the Commanders won the game thanks to a hail Mary.
Stevenson needs to step up his game in Year 3. If he does, that leaves the Bears with a strong group, which also includes Terrell Smith and Josh Blackwell.
NFC North CB Rankings for 2025
The Chicago Bears lead the way, with the Green Bay Packers in the basement.
2. Detroit Lions – DJ Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw
The Lions made a big splash in free agency with the signing of DJ Reed. It was something that was needed after last year’s first-round pick, Terrion Arnold, didn’t enjoy the greatest of rookie seasons. Reed emerged as one of the best corners in the league following his move to the New York Jets back in 2022. He gives the Lions a huge boost that will be even bigger if Arnold can develop into what is expected of him as a first-round pick.
They have a solid veteran depth player in Amik Robertson and a young player in Ennis Rakestraw, who missed the second half of his rookie season due to a hamstring injury. There were signs of promise from the rookie that the Lions will hope to develop in Year 2. Detroit has also added veteran Rock Ya-Sin to its ranks.
3. Minnesota Vikings – Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah
Considering this is often regarded as the Vikings’ greatest weakness, the fact that they weren’t far off from securing the second-place ranking is indicative of where each team in the division stands in this position. Byron Murphy had a breakout season last year, and Minnesota paid a significant amount to ensure they retained his services.
Murphy should once again offer good play from one cornerback spot, but the question marks lie over the rest of the group. The Vikings brought in a Super Bowl winner and a former third overall pick to help Murphy, along with Mekhi Blackmon, who missed last season with a knee injury.
It’s not entirely clear how the Vikings’ secondary, which frequently played with three safeties last season, will line up this year. Isaiah Rodgers impressed during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run as the third CB. Will he continue that role in Minnesota or take on a bigger one?
Jeff Okudah has never lived up to his draft stock, and a hip injury scuppered his chance of reigniting his career in Houston in 2024 – he will get another chance with the Vikings this season. The Vikings fill out the depth chart with Dwight McGlothern.
4. Green Bay Packers – Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Micah Robinson
Green Bay somewhat surprisingly released Jaire Alexander back in June, and Alexander subsequently signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The move has left Green Bay thin at cornerback. Especially with Nate Hobbs, the only significant addition to a group that already needed strengthening. Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine give the Packers a solid if unspectacular trio at the top of the depth chart. It is difficult to see how they will be able to stop the high-powered offenses they will face in the division.
After the top three, Green Bay has a seventh-round rookie from this year and another from last year. Neither of whom has played a single snap in the NFL before. Having to turn to either Micah Robinson or Kalen King could be problematic for the Packers. I would suggest they need to bring someone else in before the season gets underway.
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