Run defense grade for a safety scores run support: reading the play from depth, filling the right gap, taking on a lead blocker and making the stop. It is the grade that decides whether a safety can play in the box. Harrison Smith (Notre Dame) and Landon Collins (Alabama) were both run defenders first in college.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible safeties by run defense grade, alongside tackling, zone and man coverage grades, and overall rating.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | RUN DEFENSE | ZONE | MAN/PRESS | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
S |
|
88 | 93 | 89 | 99 |
92.0
|
|
2 |
|
S |
|
77 | 92 | 79 | 89 |
84.7
|
|
3 |
|
S |
|
80 | 90 | 80 | 84 |
79.9
|
|
4 |
|
S |
|
79 | 86 | 58 | 52 |
79.9
|
|
5 |
|
S |
|
80 | 86 | 86 | 88 |
84.6
|
|
6 |
|
S |
|
74 | 84 | 74 | 72 |
77.0
|
|
7 |
|
S |
|
69 | 84 | 86 | 71 |
81.1
|
|
8 |
|
S |
|
80 | 84 | 85 | 74 |
79.8
|
|
9 |
|
S |
|
78 | 83 | 64 | 64 |
79.9
|
|
10 |
|
S |
|
73 | 83 | 70 | 69 |
79.9
|
|
11 |
|
S |
|
68 | 82 | 90 | 76 |
85.8
|
|
12 |
|
S |
|
84 | 81 | 69 | 84 |
78.0
|
|
13 |
|
S |
|
71 | 80 | 90 | 84 |
85.2
|
|
14 |
|
S |
|
92 | 80 | 92 | 89 |
86.7
|
|
15 |
|
S |
|
75 | 79 | 85 | 81 |
82.1
|
|
16 |
|
S |
|
85 | 79 | 91 | 88 |
84.0
|
|
17 |
|
S |
|
71 | 77 | 64 | 66 |
77.5
|
|
18 |
|
S |
|
76 | 76 | 76 | 76 |
75.0
|
|
19 |
|
S |
|
58 | 74 | 84 | 90 |
83.2
|
|
20 |
|
S |
|
75 | 74 | 94 | 87 |
84.9
|