For a defensive end the tackling grade is about finishing in the backfield: converting a beaten tackle into a stop, wrapping up a quarterback rather than bouncing off, and not missing on the edge. Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) and Joey Bosa (Ohio State) were as reliable finishing as they were getting there.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible defensive ends by tackling grade, alongside pass rush, run defense and overall rating.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | PASS RUSH | RUN DEFENSE | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
DE /ED |
|
80 | 76 | 81 |
85.9
|
|
2 |
|
DE /ED |
|
79 | 78 | 69 |
83.6
|
|
3 |
|
DE |
|
75 | 79 | 74 |
86.0
|
|
4 |
|
DE /ED |
|
74 | 85 | 81 |
83.8
|
|
5 |
|
DE /ED |
|
73 | 86 | 70 |
76.9
|
|
6 |
|
DE /ED |
|
71 | 83 | 79 |
86.4
|
|
7 |
|
DE /ED |
|
70 | 86 | 71 |
76.1
|
|
8 |
|
DE /ED |
|
69 | 75 | 75 |
85.1
|
|
9 |
|
DE /ED |
|
67 | 84 | 77 |
81.6
|
|
10 |
|
DE /ED |
|
67 | 61 | 67 |
76.4
|
|
11 |
|
DE /ED |
|
67 | 75 | 69 |
81.8
|
|
12 |
|
DE /ED |
|
66 | 83 | 75 |
78.1
|
|
13 |
|
DE /ED |
|
65 | 65 | 74 |
79.9
|
|
14 |
|
DE |
|
64 | 76 | 69 |
81.9
|
|
15 |
|
DE /ED |
|
62 | 91 | 84 |
86.6
|
|
16 |
|
DE /ED |
|
62 | 92 | 81 |
88.2
|
|
17 |
|
DE |
|
60 | 66 | 70 |
74.3
|
|
18 |
|
DE /ED |
|
59 | 66 | 67 |
79.5
|
|
19 |
|
DE /ED |
|
57 | 63 | 59 |
80.5
|
|
20 |
|
DE /ED |
|
57 | 74 | 68 |
83.3
|