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Pat Surtain II Tops ESPN 2026 NFL Cornerbacks Rankings
ESPN's annual survey of league executives, coaches and scouts placed the Denver Broncos cornerback first for the second straight year. Nine players from the prior list returned, with one newcomer earning a spot via first-team All-Pro honors.
Jul 7, 8:40 AM·1m read2 sources
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ESPN released its 2026 ranking of the NFL's top 10 cornerbacks on July 7, with Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos in the top spot for the second consecutive year. The 26-year-old received more than 75 percent of first-place votes from the more than 70 executives, coaches and scouts who submitted ballots. The survey marks the seventh edition of ESPN's position rankings.
Voters submitted their own top-10 lists, which ESPN compiled using the number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, research and film study. The top two players remained unchanged from the 2025 list. Nine players from last year's top 10 returned this year.
One new player entered the ranking after earning a first-team All-Pro selection. Seven cornerbacks appeared on at least 85 percent of ballots. "It's not close," a seasoned NFL coordinator said of Surtain's standing.
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