BEST RUN DEFENDING CORNERBACKS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST RUN DEFENDING CORNERBACKS

While often celebrated for their prowess in thwarting aerial threats, cornerbacks also play a pivotal role in run defense. Players like Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh) and Patrick Peterson (LSU) have historically demonstrated that an aptitude for run defending, characterized by an innate ability to read the play, sheer physicality, and impeccable tackling, is indispensable in a truly elite cornerback.

Explore the nuanced world of run defense with a focus on today's collegiate cornerbacks. Engage with insightful metrics such as tackle for loss (TFL), solo tackles, and run stop percentage that provide a comprehensive view of their impact in stymying the ground game. Unravel the layers of these critical contributors in the defensive lineup and appreciate how their tactical approach and physicality mold them into robust run defenders.

2026 Cornerbacks ranked by RUN DEFENSE

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

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
91 91 94 87
80.8
2

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
62 89 82 76
85.7
3

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
84 85 75 69
86.8
4

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
83 85 91 83
85.0
5

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
67 79 85 80
88.7
6

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
54 79 76 74
82.6
7

Smith
Snowden

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
49 77 76 72
87.8
8

Kayin
Lee

CB
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
73 74 68 79
81.5
9

Christian
Gray

CB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
66 72 66 74
73.0
10

Dijon
Johnson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
62 72 72 70
85.6
11

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
87 72 52 62
83.6
12

Makari
Vickers

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
68 71 52 55
65.0
13

Javien
Toviano

CB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
90 71 61 62
82.6
14

Jyaire
Hill

CB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
76 70 78 81
90.0
15

Jermaine
Mathews Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
69 70 79 73
88.8
16

Jaylon
Braxton

CB
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
68 65 78 73
80.2
17

Cormani
McClain

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
37 64 57 52
71.0
18

Cameron
Calhoun

CB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
64 62 61 60
37.3
19

Damari
Brown

CB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
40 61 67 62
85.0
20

Ja'Keem
Jackson

CB
Florida   Mascot
Florida Mascot
64 57 66 55
81.0