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Nick Wass/Associated Press

AFC: Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots; Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills; Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens; Logan Ryan, Tennessee Titans



The Patriots have perhaps the NFL's best pass defense, and cornerback Stephon Gilmore has been a huge part of that. He already has three interceptions on the season, which is impressive considering how infrequently opposing quarterbacks test him. He can essentially erase an opponent's No. 1 target.

Tre'Davious White has filled the same shutdown role for the Buffalo Bills, though he doesn't generate as much attention as his New England counterpart. He can play the ball as well as anyone, but he's also willing to mix it up with ball-carriers. His goal-line interception and forced fumble in Week 7 earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Marlon Humphrey, who has 22 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns, has emerged as a legitimate No. 1 corner and the highlight of Baltimore's secondary. He isn't an elite cover corner yet, but his physicality and stickiness in coverage have him trending in that direction.

Former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan has also been spectacular this season. The Tennessee Titans cover man seems to have an uncanny ability to diagnose pass patterns and play the ball in the air. He has 61 tackles and three interceptions. More impressively, he has an NFL-high 15 passes defended through nine games.

NFC: Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers; Kyle Fuller, Chicago Bears; Kevin King, Green Bay Packers; Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers



Jalen Ramsey doesn't make the list because he's only played two games with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC. Fellow NFC West defensive back Richard Sherman, however, has returned to form as one of the NFL's few shutdown cornerbacks.

In eight games with the 49ers this season, Sherman has 29 tackles, eight passes defended and three interceptions. While he isn't quite as physically dominant as he once was, his veteran savvy allows him to be in the right position more often than not.

Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller continues to be one of the league's top pass-defenders. His man-coverage ability is strong enough that the Bears rarely have to double-cover opposing No. 1 receivers. The 2018 All-Pro is having another strong season and has 43 tackles and three interceptions thus far.

The Packers have two Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks on their roster in Kevin King and Jaire Alexander. They have combined for 19 passes defended and 68 tackles. The former has three interceptions and a forced fumble, while the latter has one of each.

King is a long (6'3") and physical corner, while Alexander is quick and aggressive. As a tandem, they've been capable of slowing most passing attacks they've gone up against.