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

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
89 88 77 71
86.8
4

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
88 86 94 86
80.8
5

Davison
Igbinosun

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
86 88 67 71
81.5
6

Javien
Toviano

S
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
86 74 62 62
82.6
7

Robert
Spears-Jenni...

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
85 97 70 58
83.1
8

Xavier
Scott

CB
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
85 89 73 71
82.9
9

Jordan
Castell

S
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
84 82 62 72
83.7
10

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
84 84 95 91
85.0
11

Fred
Davis

CB
Jacksonville State   Mascot
Jacksonville State Mascot
82 80 74 81
72.0
12

Tacario
Davis

CB
Arizona   Mascot
Arizona Mascot
82 61 67 75
84.7
13

Rod
Moore

S
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
82 82 79 67
83.0
14

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
81 78 50 54
83.6
15

Derek
Williams Jr....

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
80 84 71 67
74.0
16

Peyton
Bowen

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
80 78 54 61
83.7
17

Dillon
Thieneman

S
Purdue   Mascot
Purdue Mascot
80 76 73 77
85.6
18

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
79 72 79 85
90.0
19

Dasan
McCullough

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
79 73 76 68
80.7
20

Malik
Spencer

S
Michigan State   Mascot
Michigan State Mascot
77 77 61 53
73.8