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

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
90 90 93 86
80.8
2

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
65 90 83 77
85.7
3

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
85 85 75 68
86.8
4

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
82 83 95 92
85.0
5

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
75 82 73 74
81.3
6

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
62 80 81 76
88.7
7

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
56 79 80 77
82.6
8

Mansoor
Delane

CB
Virginia Tech   Mascot
Virginia Tech Mascot
75 77 67 65
83.0
9

Smith
Snowden

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
51 76 84 74
87.8
10

Dijon
Johnson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
65 74 70 69
85.6
11

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
77 72 50 61
83.6
12

Kayin
Lee

CB
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
70 72 68 79
81.5
13

Makari
Vickers

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
68 71 52 55
65.0
14

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
69 70 78 72
88.8
15

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
77 70 78 82
90.0
16

Christian
Gray

CB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
73 69 69 76
73.0
17

Jaylon
Braxton

CB
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
68 65 78 73
80.2
18

Cormani
McClain

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
37 64 57 52
71.0
19

Damari
Brown

CB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
41 61 65 62
85.0
20

Tacario
Davis

CB
Arizona   Mascot
Arizona Mascot
81 61 68 75
83.7