BEST ZONE COVERAGE DEFENSIVE BACKS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST ZONE COVERAGE DEFENSIVE BACKS

The intricacies of zone coverage require a defensive back to amalgamate a robust understanding of spatial dynamics with rapid decision-making. Figures like Richard Sherman (Stanford) and Earl Thomas (Texas) have historically demonstrated how well-executed zone coverage can stymie even the most potent aerial assaults, underlining the pivotal role that strategic spatial control plays in dictating the outcomes of passing attempts.

Proceed to explore a detailed analysis of contemporary defensive backs, exemplifying astuteness in zone coverage within the realm of college football. Engage with enlightening metrics such as target separation, disruption rate, and interceptions to gain insights into how these players are concurrently managing space and quelling receivers, consequently crafting a conundrum for opposing quarterbacks in the zone coverage schema.

2026 Defensive Backs ranked by ZONE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING RUN DEFENSE ZONE MAN/PRESS Rating
1

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
85 85 96 92
87.7
2

Bray
Hubbard

S
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
71 81 95 83
83.5
3

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
89 88 95 88
84.5
4

Michael
Taaffe

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
60 75 94 92
86.2
5

Caleb
Downs

S
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
92 94 92 97
93.3
6

Bud
Clark

S
TCU   Mascot
TCU Mascot
84 79 92 88
85.5
7

Isaiah
Nwokobia

S
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
82 84 89 78
84.0
8

Cameron
Calhoun

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
72 75 87 81
81.8
9

A.J.
Harris

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
70 75 86 84
87.1
10

Kamari
Ramsey

S
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
63 65 86 91
85.9
11

Jeremiah
Wilson

CB
Houston   Mascot
Houston Mascot
73 74 85 79
84.0
12

Chandler
Rivers

CB
Duke   Mascot
Duke Mascot
74 74 83 77
85.7
13

Josh
Moten

CB
Marshall   Mascot
Marshall Mascot
66 68 82 80
85.2
14

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
68 77 82 78
87.9
15

DJ
Harvey

CB
San Jose State   Mascot
San Jose State Mascot
64 80 82 70
83.5
16

Bryce
Boettcher

DB
Oregon   Mascot
Oregon Mascot
81 85 81 82
83.3
17

Ahmaad
Moses

S
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
65 73 81 89
83.2
18

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
73 70 80 72
82.6
19

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
66 91 80 75
87.3
20

Cormani
McClain

CB
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
80 80 80 80
75.0