Top 50 NFL Franchise Cornerstones: 30-21

By: Roshan Bhagat

30. Kerry Rhodes [S, New York Jets, 25]
Stats: 68 tackles (52 solo), 2 sacks, 7 STF, 2 FF, 5 INT, 10 PD
Kerry Rhodes has got to be the most complete safety you've never "heard" of. By that, he's put up incredible numbers and backed it up with play that doesn't show up on the stat sheet and yet still hasn't earned a Pro Bowl berth. Rhodes is the ultimate safety with few weaknesses. He successfully flirts with the fine line between maintaining his responsibilities in the secondary and taking chances to create big plays. A young playmaker and leader like Rhodes is hard to come by and that is why the Jets fans were ecstatic after inking him to a hefty, long term contract.

29. DeAngelo Hall [CB, Oakland Raiders, 24]
Stats: 70 tackles (63 solo), 3 STF, FF, 5 INT, 16 PD
You either realize the talents of DeAngelo or you don't. You either get him or you don't. I get him. DeAngelo is one heck of a corner with a couple years of experience and still only 24 years old. He has elite speed, good technique, and ball skills. Hall still hasn't come close to peaking, yet has turned in several fine seasons. While he's no shutdown corner as he may claim, Hall has incredible potential. Moving to another team that runs a strict man scheme, playing across from Scrabble, Hall should have his best season yet. He'll be tested early and often this season and will be one that can be an early indicator as to how his career will turn. If he can step up, limit the big plays while high-stepping to end zone off interceptions, consider the signing a success. Unlike many players in the league, I believe Hall will continue to improve his game despite cashing in with a large pay day. He's focused on becoming an elite corner and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

28. Calvin Johnson [WR, Detroit Lions, 22]
Stats: 48 rec, 756 yards, 15.8 avg, 5 TD (1 rush), fumble
Here’s a pick based primarily on potential. When that man has unearthly measureables and hands of glue, you feel safer taking the chance. In a season plagued with a lower back injury and a number of great wideouts on the team, Johnson posted solid numbers with a limited number of opportunities. More importantly, he made many big plays moving the chains. In only his second season, you should see Calvin's numbers significantly increase and already work his way to surpassing Roy Williams as the team's top wideout. Calvin has so much time left in the league and unlike the building he plays in, he has no ceiling.

27. Antonio Cromartie [CB, San Diego Chargers, 24]
Stats: 44 tackles (39 solo), 10 INT, TD, 18 PD
While it may be odd to have a number two corner on the list, you have to take into account Cromartie's age and potential. Starting for about half the season, Cromartie really came into his own as a playmaker in the epic Sunday Night game with 3 interceptions of Manning. While he's far from a polished cornerback and shutdown guy, Cromartie is a different type of great corner. He limits big plays against him, while providing his team with crucial turnovers. Using his size and athleticism to keep him position, Cromartie is tough to beat. He can limit windows because of long arms, size, and recovery speed. If Cromartie can continue to develop into his technique, football IQ, and the other nuances of the positions, there's nothing stopping him from reaching the Champ Bailey plateau.

26. Vince Wilfork [DT, New England Patriots, 26]
Stats: 48 tackles (37 solo), 2 sacks, 3 STF, 2 PD
Eyepoking aside, Wilfork has developed into a premiere nose tackle. He has incredible size and is a mountain in the middle. While Wilfork isn't much of a pass rusher, even though nose tackles primarily aren't asked to hold those responsibilities, he is one of the best interior tackles in holding the line of scrimmage. The nose tackle is arguably the most important position in most schemes. A great nose tackle can stuff the run, making the offense one dimensional. He controls the trenches, moving offensive linemen at will. Wilfork has a quick first step and great lower body strength and leverage to become the anchor he's asked to be.

25. Terrell Suggs [DE/OLB, Baltimore Ravens, 25]
Stats: 78 tackles (52 solo), 5 sacks, 8 STF, FF, 6 PD
Terrell Suggs has become an incredible pass rusher in Baltimore, having played 5 seasons, recording 45 sacks, and still only 25 years old. Suggs deserves a big shout out. He has a great blend of size, quickness, and natural athleticism. Suggs is so quick around the edge and has great body control going up against linemen. While he isn't necessarily a great 4-3 complete defensive end, Suggs is improving to becoming better against the run and adding moves to help him become a dynamic pass rusher. While this may seem a little high for a strict pass rusher, he's one who has accomplished so much, yet he's so young with so much room for improvement.

24. Nnamdi Asomugha [CB, Oakland Raiders, 26]
Stats: 34 tackles (32 solo), STF, INT, 7 PD
Drafted at the tail end of the first round in 2003, Asomugha, nicknamed Scrabble, took a couple years to get going. After several years in the league, Scrabble has turned into one of the dominant man-to-man corners in the league. After an 8 INT, 19 PD year in 2006, his phenomenal coverage abilities and ball skills have forced quarterbacks to look elsewhere for completions. While it is difficult to build a franchise around a cornerback, one like Nnamdi Asomugha is difficult to find. He's developed into one of the best "shut down" corners and comes from a team that relies strictly on man-to-man coverage in the back.

23. LaRon Landry [S, Washington Redskins, 23]
Stats: 95 tackles (63 solo), 1.5 sacks, 3 STF, 7 PD
After a slow start to his rookie season, LaRon Landry turned up the dial and performed like a shining star with the absence of the late and great Sean Taylor beside him. He provided hard hit after hard hit, jarring balls loose and bringing Washington crowds to their feet. While comparisons to his former teammate seem unfair, he’ll likely draw parallels throughout his career. With lofty expectations, Landry will surely put effort into improving his game in attempts to become the best he can be. In a loss to the Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs, LaRon came up with his biggest game, picking off his first two passes as a pro. Displaying elite speed, great range, and a knack for making the big play, LaRon Landry has already become an unstoppable weapon in the secondary.

22. Haloti Ngata [DL, Baltimore Ravens, 24]
Stats: 63 tackles (44 solo), 3 sacks, 5 STF, FF, PD
The difference with Haloti Ngata on and off the field is as different as night and day. With Ngata on the field, the Ravens defense is among the best. Ngata is a very big, but also athletic body that can do just about everything up front. He has great size to stop the run, but also has the ability to provide some pressure on the passer by collapsing the pocket. While his natural position in Baltimore is on the outside at defensive end, he is also very capable of kicking inside where he can fight with the bigger boys on offense. When you talk about a disruptive and destructive monster in the trenches, you’re talking about Haloti Ngata.

21. Jared Allen [DE, Minnesota Vikings, 26]
Stats: 65 tackles (56 solo), 15.5 sacks, 9 STF, 3 FF, BLK, 10 PD
Arguably the most complete defensive end in the league, Jared Allen would be a great player to build a franchise around. He’s a solid anchor against the run and can create for himself. He has the moves, size, and speed that have helped him become one of the most feared sack artists as well. Allen has a high football I.Q. and knows how to alter plays when it seems as if he’s been washed out by either deflecting a pass or pursuing a back across the field. His teammates love his character and enjoy being around Allen, his pranks, and constant positive vibes. If he’s such a tremendous defensive end, what prevents Allen from moving up on the list into the top 10? Well, you can blame that on Allen’s off-field issues with DUI’s and Roger Goodell’s erratic behavior as commissioner of the league. His punishments seem arbitrary and may hinder Allen down the road. Give credit to Allen though because he has understood his previous mistakes and appears to have his life in the right direction, even helping NFL rookies by speaking at the rookie symposium.