Run defense grade scores a lineman’s work on running plays: holding his gap, shedding blocks, and making or forcing the stop. It is the trait that gets an interior lineman on the field on early downs. Derrick Brown (Auburn) and Ed Oliver (Houston) both anchored their college fronts on it.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible defensive linemen by run defense grade, alongside tackling, pass rush, coverage and overall rating.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | PASS RUSH | RUN DEFENSE | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
DT |
|
62 | 74 | 88 |
87.1
|
|
2 |
|
DT |
|
52 | 76 | 87 |
87.5
|
|
3 |
|
DL |
|
66 | 79 | 86 |
87.2
|
|
4 |
|
LB /ED |
|
82 | 84 | 85 |
85.9
|
|
5 |
|
DT |
|
77 | 78 | 84 |
86.2
|
|
6 |
|
DL |
|
67 | 71 | 84 |
83.4
|
|
7 |
|
DE /ED |
|
68 | 96 | 82 |
86.6
|
|
8 |
|
DL |
|
54 | 91 | 81 |
80.7
|
|
9 |
|
DL |
|
65 | 72 | 81 |
82.0
|
|
10 |
|
DT |
|
67 | 69 | 81 |
87.2
|
|
11 |
|
LB /ED |
|
56 | 80 | 81 |
84.5
|
|
12 |
|
DL /ED |
|
68 | 77 | 80 |
82.5
|
|
13 |
|
LB /ED |
|
66 | 95 | 80 |
90.2
|
|
14 |
|
DL |
|
67 | 81 | 79 |
79.5
|
|
15 |
|
LB /ED |
|
71 | 65 | 79 |
87.1
|
|
16 |
|
LB /ED |
|
56 | 78 | 79 |
89.0
|
|
17 |
|
DE /ED |
|
75 | 81 | 78 |
85.9
|
|
18 |
|
DE /ED |
|
70 | 81 | 78 |
86.4
|
|
19 |
|
LB /ED |
|
78 | 96 | 77 |
86.7
|
|
20 |
|
DT |
|
68 | 77 | 77 |
87.2
|