NFL.com ranks Josh Norman as No. 30 cornerback in history

Josh Norman held up his end of the bargain for the Redskins in 2016, maintaining his level of play from the year before. According to one football analyst, Norman’s performance has placed him in very impressive company.

Josh Norman was the only set piece in a shaky secondary in 2016. By year’s end, he recorded career highs in solo tackles (52) and pass deflections (19), while also logging three interceptions. Combined with his stellar 2015 season, Norman has produced a very compelling resume.

So compelling is his resume, in fact, that NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt ranked Norman at No. 30 on his top 31 cornerbacks of all time. Countless cornerbacks have filtered through the NFL as the years have gone by, so to be at No. 30 is an impressive feat.

Although some selections are more than questionable, such as Malcolm Butler at No. 20, we’ll take whatever recognition we can get. The Redskins are too often a team that is under-appreciated throughout the league. Norman’s placing shows that some people do pay attention.

Multiple other Redskins managed to grace the list as well. Champ Bailey came in at No. 12, Deion Sanders (hardly a Redskin) led the pack at No. 1, and career burgundy baller Darrell Green locked down the No. 7 spot.

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Norman still has a long way to go before he closes the gap. But to be among those names is an impressive feat in itself. With four years to go on an improving Redskins’ defense, there’s reason to believe that Norman can not only maintain his lockdown performance, but reach even higher heights in the next few years. When his career meets its end, he could find himself far closer to the top of the list.