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
72 68 63
83.1
2

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
56 75 74
65.2
3

Princewill
Umanmielen

LB
/ED
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
42 76 63
81.6
4

Gabe
Jacas

LB
/ED
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
65 78 64
80.0
5

Keanu
Koht

LB
/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
56 51 48
43.7
6

Samuel
M'Pemba

LB
/ED
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
70 54 41
51.3
7

Zane
Durant

DT
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
40 71 75
82.5
8

Jamari
Lyons

DL
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
86 62 74
79.0
9

Derrick
Moore

DE
/ED
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
68 89 72
82.9
10

Jehiem
Oatis

DL
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
52 63 60
73.3
11

Keaten
Wade

DE
/ED
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
74 66 81
72.5
12

Mikail
Kamara

DE
/ED
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
70 94 86
85.2
13

Kelby
Collins

DE
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
87 72 80
87.6
14

Markis
Deal

DL
TCU   Mascot
TCU Mascot
55 59 75
75.5
15

Rueben
Bain Jr.

DL
/ED
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
48 81 81
88.5
16

Cashius
Howell

DL
/ED
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
68 94 73
81.5
17

Dontay
Corleone

DT
Cincinnati   Mascot
Cincinnati Mascot
64 71 74
83.5
18

Cade
Denhoff

DE
/ED
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
50 46 48
45.4
19

Patrick
Payton

DL
/ED
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
46 67 67
82.6
20

Darrell
Jackson Jr.

DT
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
54 74 72
84.6