NFC South’s Best Cornerbacks of the 2010s

The 2010s will be remembered for record‑setting passing seasons across the NFC South, but the division also produced several standout defensive backs who earned their own Hall of Fame moments. Using a formula that blends Approximate Value from Pro Football Reference with All‑Pro and Pro Bowl bonuses, we can rank the best corners to play in the division during that decade. The following list highlights the players who accumulated the most value while competing against legends like Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan.

Methodology: How the Rankings Were Built

Approximate Value was chosen because it attempts to put a single number on a player’s seasonal worth at any position, factoring in games started, snaps played, and the ability to generate turnovers or disrupt passing attacks. We added ten points for a first‑team All‑Pro selection, five points for a second‑team honor, and three points for a Pro Bowl appearance. Only statistics from the four NFC South clubs (Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans and Tampa Bay) count toward the total, which excludes earlier work done with other teams. The final tally reflects a decade of competition that spanned from the 2002 season through 2019.

Desmond Trufant: Atlanta’s Elite Corner From 2013‑2019

Trufant was a first‑round pick who started every game he suited up for in Atlanta, logging 99 appearances over six seasons. He amassed 13 interceptions, 81 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries, establishing himself as one of the NFC South’s most reliable playmakers. His honors include a first‑team All‑Pro selection and a single Pro Bowl berth, both earned while facing some of the league’s premier quarterbacks.

• Teams: Atlanta Falcons (2013‑2019)
• Stats: 13 INT, 81 PD, 3 FF, 7 FR
• Awards: All‑Pro first team (1), Pro Bowler (1)

Josh Norman: Carolina’s Shutdown Corner in the Mid‑Decade

Norman arrived in Carolina as a premier pass defender and promptly delivered a career year, collecting seven interceptions and 40 passes defensed while also forcing four fumbles and recovering three others. He earned first‑team All‑Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection, cementing his status as one of the top corners in the division. The Panthers coveted him so much that they nearly extended a franchise tag before Washington swooped in, leaving Norman to finish his tenure without a move to New Orleans.

• Teams: Carolina Panthers
• Stats: 7 INT, 40 PD, 4 FF, 3 FR
• Awards: All‑Pro first team (1), Pro Bowler (1)

Brent Grimes: The Interception Machine Who Fought Brees

Grimes spent three seasons with Atlanta (2010‑2012) before moving to Tampa Bay (2016‑2018), but his best work came while facing Drew Brees in the division. He recorded 20 interceptions and 100 passes defensed, adding three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 102 regular‑season games. Grimes is tied with Patrick Surtain (the elder) for the most career picks off Brees, having intercepted the quarterback four times (one nullified by penalty). Though he never earned an All‑Pro nod with the Falcons, his consistent play made him a nuisance to opposing offenses.

• Teams: Atlanta Falcons (2010‑2012), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016‑2018)
• Stats: 20 INT, 100 PD, 3 FF, 3 FR

Marshon Lattimore: The Rookie Who Turned the Corner on Atlanta

Lattimore arrived in New Orleans and immediately made an impact, posting 10 interceptions, 50 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in his first three seasons. He captured the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, though that honor does not add points to our formula. The most notable statistic is that Julio Jones never caught a touchdown pass against the Saints after Lattimore entered the league, reshaping a prized receiving corps. His early dominance set a standard for defensive backs in the division.

• Stats: 10 INT, 50 PD, 5 FF, 4 FR

Robert Alford: The Reliable Atlanta Corner Over Eight Seasons

Alford remained a steady presence for the Falcons from 2013‑2018, collecting 85 passes defensed across 88 regular‑season games and adding nine more PBU’s in playoff action. He also tallied ten interceptions and a fumble recovery on the season, highlighted by an 82‑yard pick‑six in the regular season and another fumble return in the playoffs. The Louisiana native may not have been a headline‑making defender, but his consistency kept Atlanta’s defense competitive throughout the decade.

• Teams: Atlanta Falcons (2013‑2018)
• Stats: 10 INT, 85 PD, 1 FR, 9 playoff PBU

What This List Means for the Future of NFC South Defense

The five corners highlighted above represent the highest values accumulated by defensive backs in the division during the 2010s, a period when passing offenses dominated the NFL. Their impact not only elevated their respective franchises but also set a standard for how elite secondary play can counteract high‑octane quarterbacks. Moving forward, the next generation of corners will be measured against these benchmarks, and the legacy of players like Trufant, Norman, Grimes, Lattimore and Alford will continue to shape the competitive landscape of the NFC South.