BEST RATED DEFENSIVE LINEMEN IN COVERAGE 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST RATED DEFENSIVE LINEMEN IN COVERAGE

Defensive linemen with the ability to drop back and be effective in coverage have become a multifaceted weapon on defense. In the college scene, individuals like Isaiah Simmons (Clemson), albeit more of a hybrid player, and Chase Winovich (Michigan) have exhibited that defensive linemen can, indeed, be potent in pass coverage, providing that unexpected layer of defensive intricacy.

Delve into the data below to identify current college defensive linemen making waves with their noteworthy skills in pass coverage. Engage with various statistics, including passes defended, interceptions, and coverage grades, to appreciate the strategic depth these versatile linemen bring to their defensive units, blurring traditional positional expectations.

2026 Defensive linemen ranked by COVERAGE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE Rating
1

Suntarine
Perkins

LB
/ED
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
80 72 65
83.1
2

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
49 73 70
65.2
3

Princewill
Umanmielen

LB
/ED
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
41 75 67
81.6
4

Samuel
M'Pemba

LB
/ED
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
70 54 41
51.3
5

Markis
Deal

DL
TCU   Mascot
TCU Mascot
31 60 66
75.5
6

Adonijah
Green

DL
/ED
Louisville   Mascot
Louisville Mascot
51 58 41
35.6
7

Braylan
Shelby

DE
/ED
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
62 66 66
86.7
8

Kamran
James

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
56 57 72
74.0
9

Keldric
Faulk

DL
/ED
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
77 79 91
89.5
10

Adepoju
Adebawore

DL
/ED
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
75 67 65
86.4
11

Stephiylan
Green

DT
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
65 52 66
45.6
12

Thomas
Collins

DL
Oregon State   Mascot
Oregon State Mascot
42 83 53
78.5
13

Jalen
Thompson

DL
/ED
Michigan State   Mascot
Michigan State Mascot
73 68 83
84.9
14

Da'Shawn
Womack

DE
/ED
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
74 79 79
80.0
15

Solomon
Tuliaupupu

DE
/ED
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
67 61 74
85.2
16

Kelby
Collins

DE
/ED
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
87 69 79
87.6
17

Peter
Woods

DL
/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
61 71 90
80.0
18

James
Smith

DL
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
58 65 72
86.4
19

Boubacar
Traore

DL
/ED
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
57 72 71
86.5
20

Rueben
Bain Jr.

DL
/ED
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
46 82 72
87.0