Over the next several weeks, I will be ranking the top ten NFL players at each position. These rankings will be solely based on performance in the regular season and will not include any injured players. The positions of players were determined from ESPN.com.
Check out my previous rankings: quarterbacks | running backs | receivers | linebackers
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top ten defensive backs from the 2020 NFL season.
No. 10 | Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks
In his first season in Seattle, Adams was exceptional. Through 12 games, Adams led all defensive backs with 9.5 sacks while also adding 83 tackles. He should be even more dominant next season as he gets more accustomed to the Seahawks defense.
No. 9 | Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
In his first full season with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick officially established himself as one of the top safeties in the league. He finished the season with 79 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass defenses.
No. 8 | J.C. Jackson, CB, New England Patriots
Playing alongside Stephon Gilmore (the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year) has benefitted Jackson significantly as teams are forced to throw his way. As a result, Jackson finished second in the league with nine interceptions, while also adding three fumble recoveries.
No. 7 | Tre’Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills
White had an extremely productive season, helping the Bills reach the AFC Championship for the first time in over two decades. White finished the season with 57 tackles, three interceptions, and only 454 yards allowed to receivers.
No. 6 | Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens
After leading the league with eight forced fumbles, Humphrey is on track to becoming the next Charles Tillman, who created the art of the ‘Peanut Punch’. Humphrey also added 83 tackles and 2.5 sacks through 14 games.
No. 5 | Jalen Ramsey, CB, Los Angeles Rams
Ramsey is always tough to rank because he is rarely thrown at and as a result, his stats aren’t flashy. Through 15 games, Ramsey allowed 345 yards to receivers and a 68.1 passer rating to quarterbacks, good enough to earn his fourth Pro-Bowl appearance.
No. 4 | Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
After a breakout season last year, Baker followed it up with another solid campaign. Through 15 games this season, Baker finished second at the position with 118 tackles, while also adding two interceptions and two sacks.
No. 3 | Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Alexander was on another level this season, shutting down the opposing team’s best receiver every week. Through 15 games, Alexander had 13 pass defenses, 51 tackles, and only allowed 375 yards to receivers.
No. 2 | Tyrann Mathieu, S, Kansas City Chiefs
In his second season with Kansas City, Mathieu did a little bit of everything. He lined up somewhere different on every snap but was mostly in the slot corner, safety, and linebacker spots. Mathieu ended the season with 62 tackles, six interceptions, and allowed a 60.2 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
No. 1 | Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins
Miami’s defense dominated all season long, recording a takeaway in all 16 games. Howard was a big reason why. He led the league in interceptions (10) and pass defenses (20), and allowed a second-lowest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks (48.3).
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
