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

Avieon
Terrell

CB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
66 91 80 75
87.3
2

Xavier
Scott

CB
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
85 89 72 71
81.5
3

Davison
Igbinosun

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
86 88 67 71
82.7
4

D'Angelo
Ponds

CB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
89 88 95 88
84.5
5

Jaylin
Davies

CB
Oklahoma State   Mascot
Oklahoma State Mascot
77 86 63 55
71.4
6

Elliot
Washington I...

CB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
86 86 75 69
79.9
7

Jermod
McCoy

CB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
85 85 96 92
87.7
8

Mansoor
Delane

CB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
85 84 78 75
85.0
9

Domani
Jackson

CB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
56 84 65 69
83.8
10

Jalon
Kilgore

CB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
76 82 74 73
85.1
11

Jeremiah
Walker

CB
Stephen F. Austin   Mascot
Stephen F. Austin Mascot
81 80 70 73
69.0
12

Cormani
McClain

CB
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
80 80 80 80
75.0
13

DJ
Harvey

CB
San Jose State   Mascot
San Jose State Mascot
64 80 82 70
83.5
14

Lorenzo
Styles Jr.

CB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
54 79 45 51
66.0
15

Fred
Davis

CB
Northwestern   Mascot
Northwestern Mascot
78 78 78 78
74.2
16

DJ
McKinney

CB
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
86 78 79 79
82.1
17

Ethan
O'Connor

CB
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
58 78 79 76
78.5
18

Makari
Vickers

CB
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
74 77 56 60
74.0
19

Malik
Muhammad

CB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
68 77 82 78
87.9
20

Jacobe
Johnson

CB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
79 76 49 53
79.0