BEST RUN DEFENDING DEFENSIVE BACKS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST RUN DEFENDING DEFENSIVE BACKS

Run defense isn’t exclusively a front-seven assignment, as historic defensive backs like Landon Collins (Alabama) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) have amply demonstrated. Their knack for analyzing play development, followed by aggressive, accurate positioning, enabled them to snuff out potential big-gainers, playing pivotal roles in ground-game containment.

Beneath, uncover details of contemporary defensive backs, emerging as crucial components in stifling opponents’ rushing attacks. Navigate through the compelling metrics like run-stop percentage, tackling efficiency, and box-snap percentage, offering a panoramic view of how these players are disrupting ground games and establishing themselves as formidable run defenders within the secondary.

2026 Defensive Backs ranked by RUN DEFENSE

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

Isaac
Smith

S
Mississippi State   Mascot
Mississippi State Mascot
100 93 73 78
88.1
2

Caleb
Downs

S
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
91 93 91 96
90.6
3

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
65 90 79 75
85.7
4

Domani
Jackson

CB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
68 90 66 69
83.1
5

Samuel
Omosigho

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
77 88 77 76
87.5
6

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
88 86 94 86
80.8
7

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
85 85 75 68
86.8
8

Derek
Williams Jr....

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
80 84 73 68
74.0
9

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
82 83 95 92
85.0
10

Randon
Fontenette

S
Vanderbilt   Mascot
Vanderbilt Mascot
74 83 71 63
84.6
11

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
75 82 73 74
81.3
12

Jordan
Castell

S
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
83 80 58 67
83.7
13

Keon
Sabb

S
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
64 80 67 71
83.5
14

TJ
Metcalf

S
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
71 80 71 68
81.0
15

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
56 79 80 77
82.6
16

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
81 78 50 54
83.6
17

Michael
Taaffe

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
65 78 95 92
83.0
18

Peyton
Bowen

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
80 78 54 61
83.7
19

Dijon
Johnson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
66 77 72 70
85.6
20

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
68 77 82 78
88.7