BEST DEFENSIVE LINEMEN IN RUN DEFENSE 2028 NFL Draft

2028 BEST DEFENSIVE LINEMEN IN RUN DEFENSE

Run defense grade scores a lineman’s work on running plays: holding his gap, shedding blocks, and making or forcing the stop. It is the trait that gets an interior lineman on the field on early downs. Derrick Brown (Auburn) and Ed Oliver (Houston) both anchored their college fronts on it.

The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible defensive linemen by run defense grade, alongside tackling, pass rush, coverage and overall rating.

2028 Defensive linemen ranked by RUN DEFENSE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE Rating
1

Jahkeem
Stewart

DE
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
56 68 76
81.6
2

Elijah
Griffin

DL
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
55 71 76
88.0
3

Justin
Hill

LB
/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
58 63 71
82.5
4

Yvan
Kemajou

DE
/ED
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
72 66 71
80.5
5

Zahir
Mathis

DL
/ED
Maryland   Mascot
Maryland Mascot
70 78 67
83.7
6

Darryll
Desir

DL
/ED
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
61 71 61
80.2
7

Anthony
Smith

DL
Florida International   Mascot
Florida International Mascot
59 46 49
50.9