by Cornerbacks are like bodyguards in football!
Their job is to stop the other team’s receivers from catching the ball. They run with receivers, jump for passes, and try to intercept throws.
When a quarterback throws the ball, cornerbacks must be there to defend. It’s one of the hardest positions in all of sports!
Why are cornerbacks so important?
Without good cornerbacks, opposing teams would score touchdowns all day long. Every NFL team needs great corners to win games.
The LA Chargers have had many amazing cornerbacks throughout their history.
Some played in the 1960s when the team started. Others played recently in modern football.
Best NFL LA Chargers Cornerbacks of All Time
This article celebrates the top 10 best NFL LA Chargers cornerbacks of all time!
Let’s meet these defensive legends!
Did You Know? Best NFL Football Podcasts of Pure NFL Fans
How This List Was Made?
Ranking the greatest players isn’t easy. We had to look at many different things!
Here’s what we considered when making this list:
- 🏆 Career stats – How many interceptions, tackles, and big plays did they make?
- 💪 Impact on the team – Did they change games? Did they make the defense better?
- ⏱ Time spent with Chargers – How many years did they play for the team?
- 🔥 Big game performances – Did they shine in important moments?
- 🎖️ Awards and honors – Pro Bowls, All-Pro teams, and other recognition
Some players had short but amazing careers. Others played for many years and were consistently great.
Each player on this list made the Chargers defense special in their own way!
Check out: Tallest NFL Quarterbacks
🥇 Top 10 Best LA Chargers Cornerbacks of All Time
10. Jason Verrett
Jason Verrett’s story is both amazing and sad.
He only had one fully healthy season with the Chargers, but that season was incredible!
In 2015, Verrett was so good that he made the Pro Bowl. He shut down the best receivers in the NFL.
Fans watched him play and thought, “This guy is going to be a star forever!”
But injuries kept hurting him. His body couldn’t stay healthy season after season.
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 2014–2017
- Total Interceptions: 5
- Awards: 2015 Pro Bowl selection
- Special Talent: Could cover any receiver one-on-one
Even though injuries shortened his career, Verrett’s 2015 season was good enough to make this list.
Only seven cornerbacks in Chargers history have ever made a Pro Bowl. Verrett is one of them!
His talent was undeniable. We’ll always wonder what could have been if he had stayed healthy.
Also Read: Best LSU Tigers Wide Receivers Of All Time
9. Bob Howard
Bob Howard was drafted in 1967 and played eight solid years for the Chargers.
He finished his Chargers career with 21 interceptions! That’s a lot of passes stolen from the other team.
Howard later played five more years in the NFL, ending with 37 total career interceptions.
Here’s a cool fact: Bob Howard played college football at San Diego State for coach Don Coryell.
Don Coryell later became the Chargers’ head coach! But by the time Coryell arrived in 1978, Howard had already left the team.
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 1967–1974
- Total Interceptions: 21
- Connection: Played for Don Coryell in college
- Playing Style: Strong coverage defender
Howard was reliable and consistent. He did his job well for eight years!
8. Joe Beauchamp
Joe Beauchamp was special because he could play two positions!
He played both safety and cornerback, giving the Chargers flexibility on defense.
Beauchamp finished his Chargers career with 23 interceptions. That’s more than Bob Howard!
His most famous game: In 1972, Beauchamp intercepted three passes against the Denver Broncos in one game!
Only 11 players in Chargers history have ever had three interceptions in a single game. The last time it happened was 2007!
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 1966–1975
- Total Interceptions: 23
- Special Achievement: 3 interceptions in one game (1972)
- Versatility: Played both cornerback and safety
Beauchamp spent a decade with the Chargers. His ability to play multiple positions made him valuable.
7. Mike Williams (CB)
Wait, Mike Williams? Wasn’t he a wide receiver?
There were TWO Mike Williams in Chargers history! This one was a cornerback, not the receiver.
Mike Williams, the cornerback was drafted in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft.
He spent eight years with the Chargers and was a steady, reliable defender.
Williams finished with 24 interceptions during his time in San Diego. That’s among the most in franchise history!
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 1975–1982
- Total Interceptions: 24
- Draft Position: First round (1975)
- Playing Style: Solid coverage corner
Like many players, injuries slowed him down and ended his career earlier than expected.
But for eight years, Mike Williams was a cornerstone of the Chargers’ defense!
Also Check Out: Greatest College Football Teams of All Time
6. Speedy Duncan
With a nickname like “Speedy,” you know this guy was fast!
Speedy Duncan didn’t just play cornerback. He was also an elite return man for the Chargers!
He returned punts and kickoffs for big yards. He even scored four punt-return touchdowns in just four years!
As a cornerback, Duncan was a four-time Pro Bowler (three times with the Chargers).
He finished with 21 interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns!
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 1964–1970
- Total Interceptions: 21
- Total Touchdowns: 7 (most on this list!)
- Awards: 3× Pro Bowl with Chargers
- Special Skill: Elite punt returner
Speedy Duncan scored seven total touchdowns for the Chargers. That’s way more than any other player on this list!
He was dangerous with the ball in his hands, whether on defense or special teams.
5. Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie had one of the best single seasons any Chargers cornerback ever had!
In 2007, Cromartie led the entire NFL with 10 interceptions! That’s incredible for just his second year in the league.
He made the Pro Bowl and was named First-Team All-Pro that year. Fans around the league knew his name.
Cromartie’s athletic ability was special. He could jump high, run fast, and make amazing catches.
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 2006–2009
- Total Interceptions: 15
- 2007 Season: 10 interceptions (led NFL)
- Awards: 2007 First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl
- Draft: First round (2006)
Some fans think Cromartie should be ranked even higher because of how dominant 2007 was.
But he only had one truly elite season with the Chargers. Other players on this list did more over longer periods.
Still, Cromartie’s 2007 season is legendary in Chargers history!
4. Casey Hayward
Casey Hayward joined the Chargers in 2016 and quickly became a star!
He had back-to-back amazing seasons in 2016 and 2017. Both years, he made the Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro!
Hayward finished his Chargers career with 14 interceptions and was a shutdown corner when healthy.
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 2016–2020
- Total Interceptions: 14
- Awards: 2× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro
- Playing Style: Smart, technical coverage
Hayward narrowly beats Cromartie on this list because he had two great seasons instead of just one.
He also played more games and had more interceptions during his Chargers career.
Hayward was a leader in the secondary and made everyone around him better!
3. Quentin Jammer
Quentin Jammer never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team.
So why is he ranked #3? Because he played 11 seasons with the Chargers!
That’s longer than almost anyone else on this list. Longevity matters!
Jammer was drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He was an above-average starting cornerback for over a decade.
He finished with 21 interceptions, including several returned for touchdowns.
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 2002–2012
- Total Interceptions: 21
- Longevity: 11 seasons (most on this list)
- Final Season: 3 interceptions, including 2 touchdowns at age 33!
Jammer’s ceiling might not have been as high as Cromartie or Hayward.
But he was consistently good for 11 years. That’s incredibly valuable!
2. Dick Harris
Dick Harris played in the very beginning of the Chargers history!
His first season (1960) was the Chargers’ first season ever. He played through 1965.
Harris was a key defender when the Chargers won their only championship in 1963!
He finished with 29 interceptions in just 76 games. That’s an amazing rate!
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 1960–1965
- Total Interceptions: 29
- Championship: 1963 AFL Champion
- Awards: 2× First-Team All-AFL, 2× Second-Team All-AFL
- Legacy: Only cornerback with 2× First-Team All-Pro
Harris is the only cornerback on this list to be a two-time First-Team All-Pro!
The game was different back then, but compared to his peers, Harris was elite.
He helped build the foundation of Chargers football!
1. Gill Byrd
Gill Byrd is the greatest cornerback in LA Chargers history!
There’s really no debate. The numbers speak for themselves.
Byrd has the most interceptions in franchise history with 42! That’s way more than anyone else.
The difference between Byrd (#1) and Dick Harris (#2) is 13 interceptions. That’s the same amount as the 10th-place player!
Career Highlights:
- Years with Chargers: 1983–1992
- Total Interceptions: 42 (franchise record!)
- Awards: 2× Pro Bowl, 1× Second-Team All-Pro
- Honor: Chargers Hall of Fame member
- Legacy: Set the bar for all future Chargers corners
Byrd was a two-time Pro Bowler and incredibly versatile in the secondary.
He could cover receivers, stop the run, and make big plays when needed.
The Chargers inducted him into their Hall of Fame because of his greatness.
Gill Byrd is the runaway best cornerback in the Chargers franchise history!
Quick Stats Comparison
Here’s how all 10 legendary cornerbacks compare:
| Rank | Player Name | Years with Chargers | Interceptions | Awards/Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gill Byrd | 1983–1992 | 42 | 2× Pro Bowl, Chargers HOF |
| 2 | Dick Harris | 1960–1965 | 29 | 2× All-AFL First Team |
| 3 | Quentin Jammer | 2002–2012 | 21 | 11 seasons (longest tenure) |
| 4 | Casey Hayward | 2016–2020 | 14 | 2× Pro Bowl, 2× All-Pro |
| 5 | Antonio Cromartie | 2006–2009 | 15 | 2007 First-Team All-Pro |
| 6 | Speedy Duncan | 1964–1970 | 21 | 3× Pro Bowl, 7 TDs |
| 7 | Mike Williams | 1975–1982 | 24 | Steady, reliable defender |
| 8 | Joe Beauchamp | 1966–1975 | 23 | 3 INTs in one game |
| 9 | Bob Howard | 1967–1974 | 21 | Solid coverage skills |
| 10 | Jason Verrett | 2014–2017 | 5 | 2015 Pro Bowl season |
What Makes a Great Cornerback?
Looking at this list, we can see what makes cornerbacks special:
- Ball Skills – Great corners catch interceptions like receivers catch passes
- Speed – You must be fast to keep up with NFL receivers
- Toughness – Cornerbacks get beaten sometimes, but they bounce back
- Consistency – Playing well for many years matters
- Big-Game Performance – Making plays when it counts most
Every player on this list had these qualities. That’s why they’re legends!
The Evolution of the Position
The cornerback position has changed a lot over the years.
In the 1960s (Dick Harris, Speedy Duncan era):
- Receivers ran simpler routes
- Less passing overall
- Physical, tough coverage
In the 1980s-90s (Gill Byrd era):
- Passing became more popular
- Corners needed to be athletes
- Zone coverage became important
In the 2000s-2010s (Jammer, Cromartie, Hayward era):
- High-powered passing offenses
- Corners must cover elite receivers
- Need for speed and size
Modern era:
- Passing dominates the game
- Cornerbacks are more valuable than ever
- Need to defend anywhere on the field
The Chargers have adapted to each era, and these 10 players represent the best of their generations!
Conclusion:
The top 10 best NFL LA Chargers cornerbacks of all time represent decades of excellence!
From Dick Harris in the 1960s to Casey Hayward in the 2010s, these players protected the Chargers’ end zone.
They jumped for interceptions, tackled receivers, and made game-changing plays.
Why cornerbacks matter:
- They stop the other team from scoring
- One great corner can shut down an entire side of the field
- Interceptions change momentum and win games
Gill Byrd stands alone as the franchise’s best with 42 interceptions. That record may never be broken!
But every player on this list deserves respect and recognition.
They made the Chargers defense special. They gave fans memories that last forever.
Every great Chargers defense started with a great corner!
Whether it was Speedy Duncan returning punts, Antonio Cromartie making spectacular catches, or Quentin Jammer being reliable for 11 years, each player contributed to Chargers history.
Who knows? Maybe the next great Chargers cornerback is playing right now!
For more LA Chargers history, NFL legends, and everything football — visit FieldBulls.com, where we celebrate the greatest players and moments in the game!
