Pro Football Focus’ CB rankings spotlight Tyrann Mathieu and possible playoff opponents

If the significance of losing Tyrann Mathieu wasn’t apparent enough, Pro Football Focus released their season rankings for cornerbacks and the Honey Badger topped on the list.

Every Cornerback ranked from best to worst this season.

Best: Tyrann Mathieu
Worst: Brandon Browner pic.twitter.com/x3Hy6ac2ZW

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 4, 2016

A full breakdown of how PFF grade their players can be found here.

Mathieu is the only corner to reach the “elite” rating of 90-100. Patrick Peterson comes in at ninth on the list out of the possible 119 cornerbacks, qualifying for the “Pro Bowler” tier of a rating between 85 and 89.

The defensive backs who will see more time in Mathieu’s absence are around the average to below average placement on the rankings. Justin Bethel ranks 63rd and Jerraud Powers ranks 75th.

Richard Sherman is still able to back up his taunts after checking in at No. 7 on the list, slightly ahead of Peterson.

Looking ahead to the NFC playoffs and names worth highlighting that the Cardinals could see in January, Chris Culliver of the Washington Redskins stands out, as he is ranked as the fourth-worst cornerback in football at No. 116. Culliver’s teammate Bashaud Breeland ranks No. 17.

The Redskins, along with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, are the three possible opponents for the Cardinals in the Divisional Playoff round. The Packers have the best trio of the teams, with Sam Shields at No. 31, Quentin Rollins at No. 36 and former Arizona State standout Damarious Randall at No. 55.

Like the Redskins, the Vikings feature a top-20 cornerback in Captain Munnerlyn. Terrance Newman comes in at No. 49 and Xavier Rhodes is 59th.

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