Your cornerbacks need to be the very best around if you want to win games in Madden NFL 26. If you can get the best players, you’ll win more weeks than you lose.
A top-tier cornerback can lock down one side of the field, making life easier for their teammates at Safety and putting more pressure on the opposing Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers. A handful of top 10 players weren’t highly publicized before this. For them, information is limited, but we can still outline who they are, and thankfully, we’ve got their stats.
Madden NFL 26 – Best Cornerbacks
10 – Jaylon Johnson
- OVR: 89
- SPD: 90
- STR: 67
- AGI: 86
- COD: 92
- INJ: 87
- AWR: 93
Jaylon Johnson played college football for the Utah Utes. He is currently a player for the Chicago Bears.
The bears don’t get nearly enough credit. Johnson is likely going to change that as he takes on this season.
9 – Denzel Ward
- OVR: 90
- SPD: 93
- STR: 61
- AGI: 94
- COD: 95
- INJ: 88
- AWR: 89
Denzel Ward played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He is currently a player for the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns may not be seen as a very top team but this season could be different. Ward ending up on the top 10 means something, and he may prove that.
8 – Jaire Alexander
- OVR: 91
- SPD: 91
- STR: 60
- AGI: 92
- COD: 94
- INJ: 86
- AWR: 88
Jaire Alexander, born in 1997, is a cornerback. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, but is originally from Philadelphia.
Alexander previously played for the Green Bay Packers and is currently a player for the Baltimore Ravens. He has been selected as a National Conference Pro Bowl player.
7 – Marlon Humphrey
- OVR: 92
- SPD: 91
- STR: 74
- AGI: 85
- COD: 88
- INJ: 88
- AWR: 94
Marlon Humphrey, born in 1996, is a football defensive back. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and is currently a player for the Baltimore Ravens. Humphrey is an American Conference Pro Bowl player.
He was an Under Armour All-American football player. From Hoover, Alabama, he attended Hoover High School and is also known as a track and field athlete. In 2024, he recorded his first career pick-six and two interceptions in a game. He was named to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games roster and the 2024 NFL All-Pro Team.
6 – Derek Stingley Jr.
- OVR: 93
- SPD: 93
- STR: 63
- AGI: 94
- COD: 92
- INJ: 87
- AWR: 95
Derek Stingley Jr., born in 2001, is a cornerback. He was an All-American college football player for the LSU Tigers.
Stingley Jr. was chosen by the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL draft and remains with the team. He has been named an American Conference Pro Bowl player.
5 – Trent McDuffie
- OVR: 94
- SPD: 92
- STR: 61
- AGI: 94
- COD: 91
- INJ: 91
- AWR: 95
Trent McDuffie, born in 2000, is a cornerback. He played college football for the Washington Huskies. McDuffie was a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and is currently a player for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He is from Westminster, California, and is associated with players from Orange County, California. McDuffie also attended St. John Bosco High School. He is a Chief’s player.
4 – Sauce Gardner
- OVR: 94
- SPD: 93
- STR: 65
- AGI: 91
- COD: 91
- INJ: 96
- AWR: 93
Sauce Gardner, born in 2000, is a cornerback. He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats and is currently a player for the New York Jets.
Gardner has earned major awards, including being named an All-American college football player, an American Conference Pro Bowl player, and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is from Detroit, Michigan, and attended Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School.
3 – Jalen Ramsey
- OVR: 94
- SPD: 94
- STR: 71
- AGI: 90
- COD: 89
- INJ: 90
- AWR: 96
Jalen Ramsey, born on October 24, 1994, in Smyrna, Tennessee, is a cornerback and safety. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. Ramsey was a first-round pick (5th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft. During his career, he has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and Miami Dolphins.
He is currently a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ramsey has been honored as an All-American college football player and has been selected for both the American Conference Pro Bowl and the National Conference Pro Bowl.
2 – Christian Gonzalez
- OVR: 95
- SPD: 96
- STR: 59
- AGI: 92
- COD: 91
- INJ: 90
- AWR: 96
Christian Gonzalez, born in 2002, is a cornerback. He played college football for both the Colorado Buffaloes and the Oregon Ducks. Gonzalez was chosen by the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft and is currently a player for the team.
He is of Colombian heritage, making him an American athlete of Colombian descent and a Hispanic and Latino football player. Gonzalez is from Carrollton, Texas, and is also linked to The Colony, Texas.
1 – Patrick Surtain II
- OVR: 97
- SPD: 94
- STR: 63
- AGI: 90
- COD: 91
- INJ: 92
- AWR: 98
Patrick Surtain II, born in 2000, is a cornerback. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and is currently a player for the Denver Broncos. Surtain has been recognized as an All-American college football player.
His achievements include being named an NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner and an American Conference Pro Bowl player. He is from Plantation, Florida, and attended American Heritage School in Florida. He’s the top CB to look out for in Madden NFL 26.
