Ranking the NFL's top 10 secondaries for 2016

In a three-part series, theScore breaks down the NFL's top 10 position groups at each of the main areas on the defensive side of the ball.

With offenses turning to the aerial attack more often than ever, it's easy to expose teams that lack talent in the secondary. By the same token, though, a well-rounded group can make all the difference for a team looking to go on a deep playoff run.

Here's a look at the top secondaries heading into 2016:

• Defensive Lines
• Linebacker Corps
• Secondaries

Honorable Mentions: Jets, Raiders, Saints, Chargers

10. Chiefs

Projected Starters: Marcus Peters, Eric Berry, Ron Parker, Phillip Gaines

Depth: KeiVarae Russell, D.J. White, Steven Nelson, Stevie Brown, Jamell Fleming

Kansas City could have been a top-five team on this list had it managed to retain Sean Smith in free agency, but there's still plenty of talent to be excited about. Berry is a perennial All-Pro who's done more than enough to earn his upcoming payday. Peters gave up his share of big plays as a rookie, but the playmaking ability makes him the kind of player quarterbacks will look to avoid going forward.

9. Bengals

Projected Starters: Dre Kirkpatrick, George Illoka, Derron Smith, Adam Jones

Depth: William Jackson III, Darqueze Dennard, Josh Shaw, Shawn Williams, Clayton Fejedelem

A pair of recent first-round cornerbacks being primed for rotational roles tells you everything you need to know about the state of Cincinnati's secondary. The cornerback position remains solid with both Kirkpatrick and Jones returning to their starting roles. Iloka earned himself a long-term contract this offseason, and the presence of Williams was enough for the Bengals to justify letting Reggie Nelson walk in free agency.

8. Bills

Projected Starters: Stephon Gilmore, Corey Graham, Aaron Williams, Ronald Darby

Depth: Nickell Roby, Corey White, Sterling Moore, Duke Williams, Robert Blanton

Rex Ryan's first year in Buffalo didn't exactly go as planned, but he certainly has the secondary in place to run his defense effectively. Darby's instant impact opposite Gilmore has given the unit a rare tandem of corners capable of matching up in man coverage. Williams making a healthy return after last year's neck injury also provides a complement to Graham's steady presence at safety.

7. Giants

Projected Starters: Janoris Jenkins, Landon Collins, Darian Thompson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Depth: Eli Apple, Bennett Jackson, Trevin Wade, Cooper Taylor, Mykkele Thompson

Can the Giants' secondary make the jump from disaster to dominance in just one year? Well, yes. The free-agent addition of Jenkins to fill the starting spot opposite Rodgers-Cromartie gives the club an impressive pair of starting corners. Collins should thrive in a strong safety role better suited to his abilities, and Thompson finally provides a young playmaker over the middle. Some early career development from Apple could make for an impressive nickel package, too.

6. Patriots

Projected Starters: Malcolm Butler, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Logan Ryan

Depth: Cyrus Jones, E.J. Biggers, Justin Coleman, Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards

New England's secondary appeared to be lacking in top talent following the departure of Darrelle Revis, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, right? This remains a top unit due largely to the way the group fits together. Continuing his ascent following a heroic Super Bowl XLIX performance, Butler should only take that a step further.

5. Vikings

Projected Starters: Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, Terence Newman

Depth: Captain Munnerlyn, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Michael Griffin, Jayron Kearse

Minnesota has a perfect blend of young talent and veteran experience in the secondary. Rhodes, for one, is constantly taking steps toward emerging as a shutdown corner. Newman remains an effective cover man heading into his age-38 season, but the Vikings also have a pair of early-round picks in Waynes and Alexander primed to step in before long. Smith's playmaking ability in the middle of the field makes him the star of the group.

4. Packers

Projected Starters: Sam Shields, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, Damarious Randall

Depth: Quinten Rollins, Demetri Goodson, Ladarius Gunter, Micah Hyde, Chris Banjo

The NFL's model team when it comes to drafting and developing, Green Bay has long boasted one of the league's most consistent secondaries due largely to homegrown talent capable of stepping in for free-agent departures. That should be no different this year, as Randall and Rollins will take on more substantial cornerback roles alongside Sam Shields in replacing Casey Hayward.

3. Cardinals

Projected Starters: Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson, Justin Bethel

Depth: Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, Deone Bucannon, Tyvon Branch, D.J. Swearinger

Peterson rebounded from a disappointing 2014 campaign to re-establish himself as an elite cornerback. He gives the Cardinals the rare kind of cover man capable of shadowing and shutting down an opponent's top target. Mathieu's ability to excel at any position in the defensive backfield, meanwhile, makes him the ultimate weapon for Arizona's coaching staff. The elite duo carries this group to a spot near the top, despite some question marks in terms of depth.

2. Broncos

Projected Starters: Chris Harris, T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart, Aqib Talib

Depth: Bradley Roby, Kayvon Webster, Lorenzo Doss, Justin Simmons, Shiloh Keo

An explosive group of pass-rushers will continue to get the glory, but Denver's defense wouldn't have been what it was last season without this group on the back end. Harris and Talib provide everything a team can ask for out of its starting cornerback tandem, and the emergence of Roby keeps the unit just as strong when forced into sub packages. Ward and Stewart have an impact in every phase of the defensive game at safety.

1. Seahawks

Projected Starters: Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Jeremy Lane

Depth: Tharold Simon, DeShawn Shead, Tye Smith, Brandon Browner, Steven Terrell

The Legion of Boom has been deserving of the unquestioned top spot among NFL secondaries for five seasons running. Still leading the way are Sherman and Thomas, who will continue to have cases as the league's top defensive backs for years to come. Chancellor is a tone-setter over the middle of the field and rotating down into the box, and the return of Browner provides some added flexibility heading into 2016. The longtime cornerback won't challenge for a starting job on the outside, but there's no team better at finding ways to utilize a defensive back's physicality.