BEST RUN DEFENDING CORNERBACKS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST RUN DEFENDING CORNERBACKS

While often celebrated for their prowess in thwarting aerial threats, cornerbacks also play a pivotal role in run defense. Players like Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh) and Patrick Peterson (LSU) have historically demonstrated that an aptitude for run defending, characterized by an innate ability to read the play, sheer physicality, and impeccable tackling, is indispensable in a truly elite cornerback.

Explore the nuanced world of run defense with a focus on today's collegiate cornerbacks. Engage with insightful metrics such as tackle for loss (TFL), solo tackles, and run stop percentage that provide a comprehensive view of their impact in stymying the ground game. Unravel the layers of these critical contributors in the defensive lineup and appreciate how their tactical approach and physicality mold them into robust run defenders.

2026 Cornerbacks ranked by RUN DEFENSE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING RUN DEFENSE ZONE MAN/PRESS Rating
1

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
65 90 79 75
85.7
2

Davison
Igbinosun

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
94 88 66 69
81.5
3

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
88 86 94 86
80.8
4

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
85 85 75 68
86.8
5

Domani
Jackson

CB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
56 83 65 68
83.1
6

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
82 83 95 92
85.0
7

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
75 82 73 74
81.3
8

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
56 79 80 77
82.6
9

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
81 78 50 54
83.6
10

Dijon
Johnson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
66 77 72 70
85.6
11

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
68 77 82 78
88.7
12

Mansoor
Delane

CB
Virginia Tech   Mascot
Virginia Tech Mascot
75 77 67 65
83.0
13

Smith
Snowden

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
51 76 80 70
87.8
14

Antonio
Kite

CB
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
72 76 64 65
83.0
15

Ceyair
Wright

CB
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
69 75 67 64
68.7
16

Chandler
Rivers

CB
Duke   Mascot
Duke Mascot
73 73 82 76
82.3
17

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
75 72 82 74
88.8
18

Kayin
Lee

CB
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
70 72 68 78
81.5
19

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
79 72 79 85
90.0
20

DeVonta
Smith

CB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
66 71 72 72
78.0