What Happens If a Cornerback Can’t Tackle?

There was a time in football when you could get away with not being able to tackle as a cornerback. That time is gone.

About 25 years ago, when offenses primarily focused on forcing the ball downfield to their top wide receivers and relied on a ground game centered around runs between the tackles, a cornerback could stay on his island and be hit-or-miss as a tackler. In this new era of football, a cornerback who won’t tackle is a liability to the defense.

Offenses today have found creative ways to get the ball to their top pass catchers. This can come in the form of an endless variety of screens, quick throws out of stacks and bunches, or rub routes that create separation.

Cornerbacks nowadays are not just covering the traditional route tree. A corner with great skills could be all over routes one through nine in the tree and never have to tackle. However, with the creativity in modern offensive schemes, if you’re not a tackler, you’re a target.

If you’re one of those cornerbacks who thinks your only job and value to the team is to cover the opponent’s top receiver downfield, be prepared to rarely see the routes you want to defend.

Once you’re identified as a player who won’t or can’t tackle, say goodbye to the fade routes, curl routes, and post routes you prefer to defend. Say hello to quick hitches that force you to come up and make a tackle, and get ready for screens and shallow routes.

On top of those frustrating routes, be prepared for tosses, jet sweeps, and tight end screens coming your way. Covering is your strength, but if you’ve ignored your tackling, guess what? They’re going to make you tackle.

At some point, you’ll become such a liability that you’ll have to be taken off the field. If your backup doesn’t cover like you, then guess what’s going to start happening? You got it—here come the curls, fades, and posts that you were supposed to be covering.

If you want to see those deep routes that allow you to be a playmaker, start getting serious about learning how to shed blocks and make solid tackles. If you kill enough screens for minimal or negative gains, the offense has no choice but to start pushing the ball downfield into the interception zone.

Perhaps you’ve heard me say, “Tackling is a part of this game.” This entire post explains what I mean. You can’t be a one-trick pony as a cornerback in 2024. Work on your whole game so you can get what you want from the offense.

For more info on making tackles, covering routes, and being a playmaker, pick up a copy of my top-selling book, 101 DB Tips. It’s the ultimate guide to becoming an elite DB—click here now for more info.

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alleyesdbcamp

Owner at All Eyes DB Camp

Chad Wilson is the founder of All Eyes DB Camp and a former standout defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes. After an elite collegiate career, Wilson spent a season with the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into coaching. A 3-time Florida state champion defensive coordinator, he has spent over 20 years developing the "All Eyes" blueprint that has produced NFL All-Pros and stars like Xavien Howard, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and more. His coaching system is proven at the highest levels—his own sons, Quincy and Marco Wilson, both excelled as starters in the SEC before being drafted into the NFL.

Chad is the author of "101 DB Tips"—The Ultimate DB Reference Guide. You can find more information on the manual and how to order your copy in the sidebar and footer of this page.

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