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
82 83 95 92
85.0
2

Michael
Taaffe

S
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
65 78 95 92
83.0
3

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
88 86 94 86
80.8
4

Caleb
Downs

S
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
91 93 91 96
90.6
5

Kamari
Ramsey

S
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
65 65 83 90
86.9
6

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
68 77 82 78
88.7
7

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
75 72 82 74
88.8
8

Xavier
Nwankpa

S
Iowa   Mascot
Iowa Mascot
72 72 81 73
82.2
9

Chandler
Rivers

CB
Duke   Mascot
Duke Mascot
74 74 81 76
82.3
10

Sage
Ryan

S
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
66 59 80 72
74.4
11

Smith
Snowden

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
51 76 80 70
87.8
12

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
56 79 80 77
82.6
13

Malik
Hartford

S
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
65 73 80 75
83.1
14

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
79 72 79 85
90.0
15

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
65 90 79 75
85.7
16

Jaylon
Braxton

CB
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
68 68 78 73
80.2
17

Samuel
Omosigho

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
77 88 77 76
87.5
18

Dasan
McCullough

S
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
79 74 76 68
80.7
19

Ricardo
Hallman

CB
Wisconsin   Mascot
Wisconsin Mascot
42 55 75 79
81.9
20

Elliot
Washington I...

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