ESPN collaborative survey ranks Marlon Humphrey as the second-best cornerback in the NFL

Marlon Humphrey ranked as No. 2 cornerback in the NFL in ESPN collaborative survey

ESPN recently compiled a Top-10 list for 11 different positions through a collaborative survey featuring over 50 league executives, coaches, scouts, and players.

On how the process was handled, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the following —

“Here’s how our process worked: Voters gave us their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top 10 votes, composite average, interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls.”

In their rankings of the NFL’s Top-10 cornerbacks, Marlon Humphrey landed No. 2 overall, behind only Jalen Ramsey of the Rams. Fellow Raven Marcus Peters tied for No. 10 overall with J.C. Jackson of the Patriots but ultimately lost the tiebreaker.

Humphrey, a First-Team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, has quickly asserted himself in the conversation as one of the league’s best players at the position. The former Alabama star and No. 16 overall pick has displayed great durability, versatility, and playmaking ability during his first four seasons in the NFL.

“He’s the one guy, if you back to Peanut Tillman, he’s asserting himself like that,” an AFC coordinator said regarding Humphrey. “Maybe not a twitchy guy but man coverage skills, toughness, knack to getting to the ball, adequate speed and good size.”

“He’s just tough — ball hawk, long, rangy, plays different now than in college,” an NFC coach said. “Before you play him, you’re showing his turnover reel to your team — ‘Let’s not tempt him.’”

Humphrey has become a well-oiled machine at forcing fumbles — forcing eight in 2020 and 11 total in the past three seasons. Humphrey only had one interception last season and spoke earlier this offseason about how he wants to improve in that area.

“Something I’m trying to focus on this year, going into the season, is really just trying to get the ball more, as far as interceptions,” Humphrey said to the media.

With the return of slot cornerback Tavon Young, Humphrey will hopefully remain at his more natural position as a boundary corner this season after helping to fill Young’s absence in the slot for the past two years.