The 10 best cornerbacks in Washington Commanders franchise history

It is no secret to state that the Washington Commanders' secondary has been poor in recent years. With the 2024 season imminent, maybe it's a good way to draw some inspiration from the past and examine the best cornerbacks in franchise history.

If the current regime could give the fountain of youth to these players, the Commanders would be in pretty good shape.

There is potential now. From new draft picks to free agents that have been brought in, and the new regime with a different energy and set of demands, it seems the Commanders could begin their ascent toward the top of the NFL and reclaim their origin as one of the most historic faces of football.

Should the Commanders reach the top again, the NFL would benefit most of all. That's for the future. For now, we're focusing on the past with the best 10 cornerbacks in this proud organization's illustrious history.

Criteria for selection

To classify such a select group in franchise history some guidelines were needed to help govern the process. I came up with a list that included things like statistical dominance, impact on the team's success, leadership qualities and intangibles, longevity, and consistency, as well as memorable moments and clutch performances.

The top of the group was not that hard to figure out, as many diehard fans will be able to recollect. However, the further I got into it, primarily from the 4-10 spots, it became somewhat difficult and the reasons for their following rankings varied.

Some of the names will be unrecognizable by a large majority of the fanbase. Others will be recognized by all. And others yet and still will be recognized by those who have been following the storied organization since the poor days before Joe Gibbs came to town, through the championship years and rise to dominance, and once against through the tumultuous fall from grace during Dan Snyder's reign of terror.

Without further ado, here are the best 10 cornerbacks in the prestigious history of the Washington Commanders.

The 10 best cornerbacks in Washington Commanders franchise history

10. Martin Mayhew

Until he was replaced by golden boy Adam Peters this last offseason, the former Super Bowl XXVI-winning cornerback served as the Commanders' general manager since 2021. But Martin Mayhew's career in football, unknown to many modern fans, was most notable as a player.

During his time in Washington from 1989-1992, Mayhew became known for his ability to see things before they happened. This helped him rack up 13 interceptions during three years from 1990-1992, including a whopping seven takeaways in 1990.

9. Fred Smoot

The fan favorite and current host of one of the organization's favorite shows, second-round pick Fred Smoot played with the team from 2001-2009. The athletic defensive back was often tasked with guarding the other team's best wide receivers. A challenge he accepted and always relished.

His career did not rack up the same statistical numbers that many of the others on this list did. But anyone who saw Smoot play knew they were witnessing a top-level performer with a dog mentality seldom seen in today's game.

His charisma on the camera has also helped entrench him further into the Commanders' lore for life. Smoot is more than deserving of a place among the franchise's top-10 cornerbacks of all time.

8. Lemar Parrish

In the span of four years with Washington from 1978-1981, Lemar Parrish joined the franchise after eight years with the Cincinnati Bengals. It didn't take long for the explosive presence to leave his mark.

His success carried over into his tenure in Washington, where he gained two Pro Bowl selections during his time in D.C. Added to the six Pro Bowl distinctions achieved with the Bengals, that brought Parrish's career total to eight.

If Parrish would have been in D.C. longer, he would have been higher on this list. He also once scored touchdowns on a 93-yard punt return as well as a 47-yard fumble return against Washington in 1974.

7. Barry Wilburn

Though he only played with Washington from 1985-1989, Barry Wilburn's ability to take the opponent's best wide receiver out of the game was so astounding that he is higher on this list than other more well-known individuals. He was a true shutdown presence in every sense of the term.

Wilburn was a prototype for a lot of the talk you hear today about corners keeping top receivers stuck on an island. He helped bring a Super Bowl to D.C. and was named an All-Pro. The defensive back would've been a genuine franchise icon had he been with the organization for a longer period.

He led the league in interceptions in 1987 with nine. This was even more impressive when one considers it was during a strike-shortened campaign.

6. Joe Lavender

"Big Joe" Lavender was given the obvious nickname due to his towering stature. But that wasn't all he had. He was a very smart player who helped guide Washington's defense to two NFC Championships during his time with the team from 1976-1981.

In a game against the San Diego Chargers in 1980, Lavender had three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Throughout his career, he had 33 takeaways, which is an astonishing return from the physically imposing cornerback.

There is no doubt that in the league of today - with many of the wide receivers being bigger and faster - Lavender would have not only found his way but thrived. He was a player built ahead of his time.

5. Shawn Springs

Shawn Springs is one of the more underrated cornerbacks in recent history. He was great not only in man coverage but zone as well. His versatility gave him success wherever he went, whether in Seattle or Washington.

A fun fact about him and his exceptional speed was that in his very first season with the organization, Springs became the first cornerback in NFL history to lead his team in both sacks and interceptions. With five interceptions and six sacks, he made the All-Pro team.

Springs was an exceptional player that doesn't get the credit he deserves. Anyone fortunate to have seen him dominate on the field can attest to that.

4. Pat Fischer

Somewhat of an anomaly, Pat Fischer made his way as an undrafted free agent. He was one of those guys who excelled by heart and then kept his spot by becoming a prolific performer. Despite his smaller stature, he wound up with 56 career interceptions and three Pro Bowl nods.

His most important game came in the NFC title game against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1972-1973 campaign. Quarterback Roger Staubach was held to a measly nine completions for 98 passing yards thanks in no small part to Fischer's efforts.

Washington lost in the Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins, who game-planned around their defensive backs and rushed for almost 200 yards. Although disappointing, that doesn't detract from the immense contribution Fisher made in D.C.

3. DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Hall was a mid-season acquisition that wound up playing for the team for roughly a decade. With a penchant for over-pursuing on occasion, he made his mistakes. But all-in-all, the cornerback was a terror to opposing offenses.

During his tenure in Washington - despite playing on some poor teams - Hall earned three Pro Bowl selections. He was considered among the league's best cornerbacks once upon a time, getting into some legendary tussles with wide receivers and not backing down an inch.

Hall once recorded four interceptions in one game, which tied a record. He has the most fumble return yards in history, five of which he scored touchdowns.

He made his share of mistakes, but he is among the franchise cornerback legends for good reason. Hall is now making his way up the coaching ranks with the Carolina Panthers.

2. Champ Bailey

First-round pick Champ Bailey was one of those guys you knew would be dominant right away. That's exactly what happened.

Though he didn't play with the franchise long enough due to the Clinton Portis trade, he made two Pro Bowls from 1999-2003. The running back was a good player, but Washington might go back and revisit this transaction in hindsight.

Even though there are potentially those more deserving of this spot in Washington folklore, Bailey leaps them just because he was that good. He made 12 Pro Bowls and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

He is, without question, one of the greatest corners to ever play.

1. Darrell Green

There is no other option at No. 1. And in all honesty, it's not even close.

Darrell Green. The ageless wonder. What more needs to be said about the golden boy whose first touch of his preseason career went for a 61-yard punt return touchdown?

Rumored to have the fastest 40-yard dash time ever, Green was also class personified. He played in three Super Bowls for Washington and helped them win two.

A member of the 1990's All-Decade Team, he recorded an interception for 19 seasons in a row. Green is the greatest cornerback in franchise history. One could argue he's even the team's best-ever player.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer will have his No. 28 jersey retired by the Commanders this season. There's is nobody more deserving than Green, a man whose legacy will live through the ages.

The 10 best cornerbacks in Washington Commanders franchise history by interceptions

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