What grades from PFF did the current group of Indianapolis Colts’ cornerbacks receive for their performances last season?

What grades from Pro Football Focus did the current group of Indianapolis Colts’ cornerbacks receive for their performances last season?

The secondary as a whole has been reshaped this offseason by GM Chris Ballard, and at the cornerback position specifically, this includes spending big free agent money on Charvarius Ward, along with also signing Corey Ballentine, who can provide experienced depth, and then drafting Justin Walley in the top 100.

As a group last season, between the cornerbacks and safeties, the Colts’ secondary ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in pass deflections, passer rating, completion rate, and yards per pass attempt allowed.

Along with the new additions, also helping elevate the play in the defensive backfield will hopefully be new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. For one, his coaching background is rooted in the secondary, but he also brings with him a more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme that can put the cornerbacks in a better position to make plays.

When it comes to playing time, the starting spot opposite of Ward does seem to be up for grabs, and we could also see the Colts in a bit of a roster crunch at this position when it’s time to make cuts.

“Just consistency of work, and that’s going to have to show throughout training camp, throughout the preseason games, to determine who’s going to get that job,” Anarumo said.

Ward, Walley, Ballentine, Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, JuJu Brents, and Sam Womack make up seven players. Not to say that the Colts can’t carry all seven, especially in Anarumo’s defense, where there will be a greater reliance on the defensive back position, but that is abnormal and would mean having to go light elsewhere.

If the Colts only keep six, the names I’m watching are Ballentine, Womack, and Brents. If Ballentine is released, he leaves behind a dead cap hit of only $482,500. Brents has to prove he can stay healthy, and Womack will need to continue showcasing that consistency.

“That competition there is great,” added Anarumo. “But you’ve got to be consistent. I don’t want a lot of ups and downs, especially at that position. I want to know what we’re going to get week in and week out.”

For some context around PFF’s metrics, here is a look at the grading system. And as always, when it comes to player evaluation, these grades are one metric out of many that are out there and should be treated as such.

90.0+: Elite80-89.9: High quality70-79.9: Good60-69.9: Above average50-59.9: Average40-49.9: Below average39.9 or less: PoorCharvarius Ward – 56.2Justin Walley – 71.1*Corey Ballentine – 53.5 (only played 75 snaps)Kenny Moore – 70.1Sam Womack – 71.4Jaylon Jones – 67.4JuJu Brents – 55.6 (only played 68 snaps)Alex Johnson – N/A (no NFL snaps)David Long Jr. – 29.9 (only played 9 snaps)Johnathan Edwards – 64.5*

*Notes PFF college grade