BEST RATED TACKLING DEFENSIVE BACKS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST RATED TACKLING DEFENSIVE BACKS

Lockdown defensive backs extend beyond pass coverage, and a critical aspect of their game is open-field tackling. Players like Eric Berry (Tennessee) and Tyrann Mathieu (LSU) established a collegiate legacy by not only being pass defense stalwarts but also by exhibiting impeccable tackling skills, limiting YAC (Yards After Catch) and neutralizing potential breakout runs.

Herein, explore the latest data that identifies those current defensive backs who are demonstrating superior tackling proficiency. Engage with metrics like tackle success rate, missed tackle percentage, and run-stop percentage to gain a holistic view of how these players are not merely defending passes but are crucial cogs in their team's run defense and ability to mitigate damage post-reception.

2026 Defensive Backs ranked by TACKLING

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

Javien
Toviano

S
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
90 71 61 62
82.6
4

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
88 86 94 86
80.8
5

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
85 85 75 68
86.8
6

Jordan
Castell

S
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
83 80 58 67
83.7
7

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
82 83 95 92
85.0
8

Tacario
Davis

CB
Arizona   Mascot
Arizona Mascot
81 61 68 75
84.7
9

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
81 78 50 54
83.6
10

Derek
Williams Jr....

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
80 84 73 68
74.0
11

Peyton
Bowen

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
80 78 54 61
83.7
12

Dillon
Thieneman

S
Purdue   Mascot
Purdue Mascot
80 76 73 77
85.6
13

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
79 72 79 85
90.0
14

Dasan
McCullough

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
79 74 76 68
80.7
15

Samuel
Omosigho

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
77 88 77 76
87.5
16

Will
Lee III

CB
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
76 55 72 77
81.2
17

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
75 72 82 74
88.8
18

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
75 82 73 74
81.3
19

Ceyair
Wright

CB
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
75 75 67 63
68.7
20

Mansoor
Delane

CB
Virginia Tech   Mascot
Virginia Tech Mascot
75 77 67 65
83.0