The assertion “We got too many corners that can cover” is a sentiment that truly stands out in the lexicon of NFL general managers, head coaches, and defensive coordinators. It’s a remark that has almost certainly never been uttered with sincerity, and for very good reason: in the modern NFL, an abundance of quality cornerbacks isn’t just a good problem to have, it’s arguably the best problem to have. This profound truth underscores why any team fortunate enough to find itself with a glut of elite defensive backs should be, as stated, “quite happy about that inclusion.” There are countless alternatives to this fortunate predicament, ranging from the perpetually dire to the merely adequate, and the prospect of an “enjoyable secondary” is a dream scenario for any defensive-minded coach.
To understand why an excess of capable cornerbacks is such a coveted asset, one must first grasp the fundamental shift in NFL offensive philosophy. The league has become an aerial circus, a pass-first, spread-out landscape where quarterbacks regularly throw for thousands of yards and receivers routinely eclipse 1,000-yard seasons. Rule changes favoring offensive players, combined with an ever-increasing pool of athletic talent at wide receiver, have made the art of pass defense more challenging than ever before.
In this pass-heavy environment, the cornerback position has become arguably the most critical on the defensive side of the ball, outside of perhaps an elite edge rusher. A cornerback’s primary responsibility is to cover wide receivers, preventing them from catching passes or making tackles if they do. This demands a unique blend of physical and mental attributes:
- Elite Speed and Agility: To keep pace with the league’s fastest receivers and change direction instantaneously.
- Superior Ball Skills: The ability to track the ball in the air, time jumps, and make plays on the ball for deflections or interceptions.
- Physicality and Tackling: To disrupt routes, jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, and contribute in run support.
- High Football IQ: To read offensive schemes, anticipate routes, and understand leverage.
- Mental Toughness and Short Memory: To rebound quickly from inevitable mistakes and maintain composure under pressure.
Given these demands, finding even one true shutdown cornerback is a challenge. Finding two is a luxury. Finding more than two is akin to hitting the lottery.
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The Rise of Three and Four-Receiver Sets: Offenses routinely trot out three, four, or even five wide receivers. This means defenses often need three, four, or five cornerbacks on the field simultaneously (nickel, dime packages). If a team only has two reliable corners, the remaining defensive backs (often safeties or linebackers pulled out of position) become immediate liabilities, creating easy mismatches for the offense. Having multiple capable corners ensures that there isn’t a weak link for the offense to exploit.
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Injury Factor: The NFL is a brutal, 17-game grind. Cornerbacks are constantly running, changing direction, and engaging in collisions. Injuries are an unfortunate reality of the position. A deep cornerback room acts as an essential insurance policy. Losing a top corner for a few games, or even the season, is devastating if there isn’t a competent player ready to step in without a significant drop-off. Teams with aspirations for deep playoff runs must have depth to withstand the inevitable attrition.
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Matching Up with Diverse Receiver Types: Not all wide receivers are created equal. Some are speedy deep threats, others are physical possession receivers, some are shifty slot specialists, and others are big-bodied red-zone targets. Having a variety of cornerbacks with different skill sets allows defensive coordinators to tailor matchups. A team might have a tall, physical corner for jump-ball specialists, a quick, agile corner for slot receivers, and a lockdown man-coverage artist for the opponent’s No. 1 option. This versatility makes a defense far more unpredictable and effective.
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The Impact of Slot Cornerbacks (Nickelbacks): The slot receiver position has exploded in importance, with many teams’ best playmakers operating from the inside. The slot corner is a unique position that requires a blend of cornerback skills (man coverage, quickness) and safety skills (run support, blitzing). Having a dedicated, high-quality slot corner is paramount, and these players are often specialized. Thus, needing a strong third corner is now a fundamental requirement, not a luxury.
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Strategic Flexibility for Defensive Coordinators: An abundance of talented corners opens up a world of possibilities for defensive play-calling.
- More Man Coverage: If you trust your corners in man-to-man, you can commit more defenders to blitzing the quarterback or stopping the run. This creates pressure and chaos for opposing offenses.
- Complex Zone Schemes: Even in zone coverage, strong corners allow the safeties to play more aggressive roles, come down into the box, or patrol deeper zones without fear of being exposed.
- Less Reliance on Safeties for Coverage: When corners can hold their own, safeties can be deployed more effectively as run defenders, blitzer, or deep centerfielders.
- Bluffing and Disguising Coverages: With versatile corners, a defensive coordinator can disguise coverages more effectively, confusing quarterbacks pre-snap and forcing them into mistakes.
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Special Teams Contribution: Many backup or developmental cornerbacks also play key roles on special teams, particularly on punt and kick coverage units. Their speed, tackling ability, and willingness to run downfield are invaluable in these phases of the game.
The thought of an “enjoyable secondary” stems directly from this surplus of talent. When a defensive backfield is loaded with cover corners, it means:
- Fewer Mismatches: Opposing quarterbacks struggle to find easy targets, as every receiver is covered tightly.
- More Turnovers: Good coverage leads to more tipped passes, quarterback holding the ball longer (leading to sacks), and ultimately more interceptions.
- Aggressive Play Calling: Coordinators can be more daring with their schemes, knowing their corners can execute complex assignments.
- Reduced Stress on Pass Rush: Even an average pass rush looks better when quarterbacks have nowhere to throw the ball.
- Confidence: The entire defense plays with more swagger and confidence when they know the back end is locked down.
In contrast, a secondary lacking depth is a perpetual headache. It means scrambling to fill holes due to injuries, forcing players into roles they’re ill-suited for, and constantly giving up big plays. It means defensive coordinators are limited in their schemes, often forced into vanilla coverages to mask deficiencies. It means a defense is always on its heels, reacting to the offense rather than dictating play.
Therefore, the sentiment of having “too many corners that can cover” is indeed a fantastical notion in the NFL. It’s the ultimate sign of a healthy, well-built roster, a testament to astute drafting and player development, and the clearest path to building a championship-caliber defense in a league increasingly dominated by the aerial attack. Any team that finds itself in such a fortunate position should embrace it, for it is a problem that every single NFL franchise yearns to have.