Defensive linemen drop into coverage a few times a game on zone blitzes and simulated pressures, and the coverage grade scores what happens when they do. Sample sizes are small, so this is a tiebreaker rather than a headline number, and it mostly matters for edge players who might move to linebacker.
Below, draft-eligible defensive linemen are ranked by coverage grade, with tackling, pass rush, run defense and overall rating alongside.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | PASS RUSH | RUN DEFENSE | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
LB /ED |
|
72 | 64 | 80 |
87.1
|
|
2 |
|
LB /ED |
|
73 | 94 | 80 |
86.7
|
|
3 |
|
LB /ED |
|
38 | 79 | 68 |
81.6
|
|
4 |
|
LB /ED |
|
48 | 74 | 74 |
87.3
|
|
5 |
|
LB /ED |
|
57 | 83 | 62 |
86.7
|
|
6 |
|
LB /ED |
|
73 | 77 | 76 |
81.9
|
|
7 |
|
LB /ED |
|
71 | 98 | 79 |
90.2
|
|
8 |
|
LB /ED |
|
63 | 82 | 75 |
85.0
|
|
9 |
|
LB /ED |
|
59 | 79 | 80 |
84.5
|
|
10 |
|
LB /ED |
|
74 | 71 | 68 |
76.1
|
|
11 |
|
LB /ED |
|
52 | 77 | 78 |
89.0
|
|
12 |
|
LB /ED |
|
77 | 55 | 63 |
76.2
|
|
13 |
|
LB /ED |
|
73 | 65 | 72 |
76.0
|
|
14 |
|
LB /ED |
|
81 | 83 | 85 |
85.9
|
|
15 |
|
DE /ED |
|
65 | 93 | 83 |
86.6
|
|
16 |
|
DE /ED |
|
69 | 82 | 78 |
86.4
|
|
17 |
|
DT |
|
67 | 67 | 74 |
78.5
|
|
18 |
|
DT |
|
56 | 74 | 86 |
87.5
|
|
19 |
|
DE /ED |
|
72 | 64 | 73 |
79.9
|
|
20 |
|
DL |
|
58 | 81 | 85 |
87.2
|