Defensive linemen drop into coverage a few times a game on zone blitzes and simulated pressures, and the coverage grade scores what happens when they do. Sample sizes are small, so this is a tiebreaker rather than a headline number, and it mostly matters for edge players who might move to linebacker.
Below, draft-eligible defensive linemen are ranked by coverage grade, with tackling, pass rush, run defense and overall rating alongside.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | PASS RUSH | RUN DEFENSE | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
LB /ED |
|
86 | 100 | 83 |
89.7
|
|
2 |
|
LB /ED |
|
51 | 80 | 77 |
73.0
|
|
3 |
|
LB /ED |
|
77 | 77 | 77 |
75.0
|
|
4 |
|
LB /ED |
|
67 | 90 | 84 |
82.8
|
|
5 |
|
LB /ED |
|
66 | 76 | 73 |
81.3
|
|
6 |
|
LB /ED |
|
33 | 85 | 57 |
78.0
|
|
7 |
|
LB /ED |
|
75 | 75 | 95 |
84.5
|
|
8 |
|
LB /ED |
|
63 | 68 | 70 |
76.0
|
|
9 |
|
LB /ED |
|
64 | 93 | 69 |
85.1
|
|
10 |
|
LB /ED |
|
70 | 62 | 73 |
70.7
|
|
11 |
|
LB /ED |
|
45 | 90 | 73 |
77.0
|
|
12 |
|
LB /ED |
|
72 | 78 | 76 |
64.2
|
|
13 |
|
LB /ED |
|
52 | 65 | 86 |
78.0
|
|
14 |
|
LB /ED |
|
54 | 61 | 36 |
66.0
|
|
15 |
|
DL |
|
82 | 58 | 66 |
72.0
|
|
16 |
|
DE |
|
78 | 63 | 56 |
73.8
|
|
17 |
|
DT |
|
70 | 75 | 85 |
85.3
|
|
18 |
|
DT |
|
70 | 66 | 82 |
84.9
|
|
19 |
|
DE /ED |
|
60 | 56 | 64 |
62.1
|
|
20 |
|
DE /ED |
|
66 | 72 | 81 |
83.3
|