NFL Top Free Agent Defensive Backs

Article ByKyle Garlett

February 27, 2024

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Posted in: US Sports Betting News, US Gambling News

Much like with the free agent defensive linemen, the collection of NFL free agent defensive backs this year is loaded with talent. If you need a great cover cornerback or a young and athletic safety, free agency is for you.

Jaylon Johnson – Cornerback

Last year for the Chicago Bears, cornerback Jaylon Johnson showed off his cover skills on a consistent basis. In his four NFL seasons, the former second-round pick has never allowed a better than 60% completion rate, and this past season, he was voted second-team All-Pro.

The Bears are in rebuild mode – they have the No. 1 overall pick and Illinois online sportsbooks have quarterback Caleb Williams at -1000 to be the selection – and hanging on to your young stud cornerback seems like a free agency priority for Chicago.

L’Jarius Sneed – Cornerback

Even with the best quarterback in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions because they built a great defense. One of the most important pieces of that defense has been cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

In Super Bowl LVII, he had seven tackles and two passes defended, and in the run-up to Super Bowl LVIII, it was his forced fumble in the AFC Championship Game that kept Kansas City in the lead.

The Chiefs also have a Chris Jones contract to worry about, which is why it’s possible someone as impactful as Sneed could hit the open market.

Antoine Winfield Jr. – Safety

The most versatile defensive back in the free agent pool is safety Antoine Winfield Jr. He’s a great deep free safety, but can also line up in the box and cover wide receivers in the slot.

Winfield was First-Team All-Pro this season, and had 122 tackles and a career-high three interceptions. His six forced fumbles tied for the NFL lead.

Winfield is a strong candidate to be tagged by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even as Florida retail sportsbooks say the Bucs are also the favorite to re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans. But with Baker Mayfield also due a new contract, one of the three big free agents is likely to go elsewhere this off-season.

Kendall Fuller – Cornerback

It was hard to look good in 2023 as a member of the Washington Commanders, so that alone is a reason to have interest in Kendall Fuller. He’s also an outside cornerback that has experience in the slot and at safety, making him even more attractive to potential suitors.

He has 16 career interceptions and won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs four years ago, and he is being talked about as a good fit for the Denver Broncos. Colorado online sportsbooks have the Broncos at +6000 to win the AFC, so bringing in a defensive back that has experience practicing against Patrick Mahomes might be a good idea.

Xavier McKinney – Safety

If Antoine Winfield is tagged by the Buccaneers, then the best available safety becomes Xavier McKinney. The New York Giants have said they will not use the tag on free agent running back Saquon Barkley, so McKinney could get it. If he doesn’t, let the bidding war commence.

New York online sportsbooks have the Giants tied for the second-worst odds to win the NFC, and with a defense that ranked 26th in points allowed last season, they can ill-afford to lose a great defender like McKinney.

Kyle Dugger – Safety

If you’re looking for help in stopping the run from the safety position, Kyle Dugger is your guy. Line him up in the box on three-safety looks and let him go to work.

He’s an excellent tackler, and if he is covering tight ends and large slot receivers, he is fine in coverage. Spotrac.com estimates his market value at four years and $66.2 million.

Kenny Moore II – Cornerback

In Kenny Moore’s seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, he has 17 career interceptions, and last year he became just the 28th player in NFL history with two pick-sixes in the same game. 

Working against Moore, however, is his size – 5-foot-9 – and the fact that he belongs in the slot and not on the outside. Still, he is an experienced corner, and he wants to stay in Indianapolis and may be willing to sign for less to make that happen.

Indiana retail sportsbooks have the Colts at +2500 to win the AFC, and having Moore back would be a big boost for their defense.