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 |
|
85 | 87 | 84 |
84.9
|
|
2 |
|
DE /ED |
|
84 | 73 | 78 |
84.7
|
|
3 |
|
DE /ED |
|
81 | 77 | 71 |
84.6
|
|
4 |
|
DE |
|
77 | 65 | 66 |
68.4
|
|
5 |
|
DE /ED |
|
77 | 94 | 83 |
87.2
|
|
6 |
|
DE |
|
75 | 75 | 75 |
75.0
|
|
7 |
|
DE /ED |
|
75 | 79 | 72 |
84.8
|
|
8 |
|
DE /ED |
|
74 | 91 | 82 |
85.6
|
|
9 |
|
DE |
|
74 | 74 | 70 |
81.2
|
|
10 |
|
DE |
|
72 | 65 | 80 |
80.0
|
|
11 |
|
DE /ED |
|
72 | 53 | 70 |
64.7
|
|
12 |
|
DE /ED |
|
71 | 77 | 69 |
62.5
|
|
13 |
|
DE /ED |
|
71 | 64 | 70 |
62.0
|
|
14 |
|
DE /ED |
|
71 | 78 | 80 |
79.8
|
|
15 |
|
DE /ED |
|
69 | 82 | 67 |
67.5
|
|
16 |
|
DE /ED |
|
66 | 59 | 66 |
62.4
|
|
17 |
|
DE /ED |
|
66 | 86 | 80 |
84.6
|
|
18 |
|
DE /ED |
|
64 | 86 | 83 |
85.5
|
|
19 |
|
DE /ED |
|
64 | 74 | 69 |
81.0
|
|
20 |
|
DE |
|
62 | 57 | 56 |
63.4
|