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

Xavier
Scott

CB
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
85 89 73 71
82.9
3

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
89 88 77 71
86.8
4

Davison
Igbinosun

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
86 88 67 71
81.5
5

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
88 86 94 86
80.8
6

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
84 84 95 91
85.0
7

Domani
Jackson

CB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
56 83 65 68
83.1
8

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
76 83 74 74
81.3
9

Fred
Davis

CB
Jacksonville State   Mascot
Jacksonville State Mascot
82 80 74 81
72.0
10

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
59 80 81 78
82.6
11

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
81 78 50 54
83.6
12

Dijon
Johnson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
66 77 72 70
85.6
13

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
68 77 82 78
88.7
14

Smith
Snowden

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
51 76 80 70
87.8
15

Karon
Prunty

CB
North Carolina A&T   Mascot
North Carolina A&T Mascot
63 76 72 70
66.4
16

Malcolm
Greene

CB
Virginia   Mascot
Virginia Mascot
57 76 52 53
71.5
17

Antonio
Kite

CB
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
72 76 64 65
83.0
18

Jaylin
Davies

CB
UCLA   Mascot
UCLA Mascot
67 75 55 48
54.9
19

Christian
Gray

CB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
69 75 69 72
73.0
20

Ceyair
Wright

CB
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
69 75 67 64
68.7