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
89 91 94 84
80.8
2

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
85 89 75 69
86.8
3

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
74 83 86 77
88.7
4

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
82 82 91 87
85.0
5

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
58 80 72 69
82.6
6

Smith
Snowden

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
62 77 77 71
87.8
7

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
61 75 85 78
85.7
8

Dijon
Johnson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
58 75 80 78
85.6
9

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
87 72 55 66
83.6
10

Makari
Vickers

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
68 71 52 55
65.0
11

Kayin
Lee

CB
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
71 70 74 84
81.5
12

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
76 70 79 80
90.0
13

Javien
Toviano

CB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
90 67 61 62
82.6
14

Christian
Gray

CB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
61 67 63 70
73.0
15

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
57 66 82 84
88.8
16

Jaylon
Braxton

CB
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
68 65 78 73
80.2
17

Cormani
McClain

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
47 64 64 53
71.0
18

Cameron
Calhoun

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
61 62 61 59
37.3
19

Damari
Brown

CB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
40 61 67 62
85.0
20

Ja'Keem
Jackson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
64 57 66 55
81.0