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

Robert
Spears-Jenni...

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
84 96 69 57
80.8
2

Caleb
Downs

S
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
92 94 92 97
93.3
3

Isaac
Smith

S
Mississippi State   Mascot
Mississippi State Mascot
98 91 72 76
83.0
4

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
66 91 80 75
87.3
5

Xavier
Scott

CB
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
85 89 72 71
81.5
6

Davison
Igbinosun

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
87 88 68 71
82.7
7

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
89 88 95 88
84.5
8

Samuel
Omosigho

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
75 86 76 74
83.3
9

Jaylin
Davies

CB
Oklahoma State   Mascot
Oklahoma State Mascot
77 86 63 55
71.4
10

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
86 86 75 69
79.9
11

Derek
Williams Jr....

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
81 85 72 68
75.4
12

Bryce
Boettcher

DB
Oregon   Mascot
Oregon Mascot
81 85 81 82
83.3
13

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
85 85 96 92
87.7
14

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
77 84 75 75
85.1
15

Isaiah
Nwokobia

S
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
82 84 89 78
84.0
16

Mansoor
Delane

CB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
85 84 78 75
85.0
17

Domani
Jackson

CB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
56 84 65 69
83.8
18

Rod
Moore

S
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
82 82 79 67
83.4
19

Bray
Hubbard

S
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
71 81 95 83
83.5
20

Jordan
Castell

S
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
83 81 62 71
81.2