Run defense on the edge is setting the edge: taking on the tackle or tight end, staying square, and turning the run back inside. The grade scores that on every running play, plus the stops the edge makes himself. Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina) was the model for a run defender at the position.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible edge rushers by run defense grade, alongside tackling, pass rush, coverage and overall rating.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | PASS RUSH | RUN DEFENSE | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
LB /ED |
|
81 | 83 | 85 |
85.9
|
|
2 |
|
DE /ED |
|
65 | 93 | 83 |
86.6
|
|
3 |
|
LB /ED |
|
59 | 79 | 80 |
84.5
|
|
4 |
|
LB /ED |
|
73 | 94 | 80 |
86.7
|
|
5 |
|
LB /ED |
|
72 | 64 | 80 |
87.1
|
|
6 |
|
DL /ED |
|
69 | 76 | 80 |
82.5
|
|
7 |
|
LB /ED |
|
71 | 98 | 79 |
90.2
|
|
8 |
|
LB /ED |
|
52 | 77 | 78 |
89.0
|
|
9 |
|
DE /ED |
|
58 | 89 | 78 |
88.1
|
|
10 |
|
DE /ED |
|
69 | 82 | 78 |
86.4
|
|
11 |
|
DE /ED |
|
75 | 79 | 77 |
85.9
|
|
12 |
|
LB /ED |
|
73 | 77 | 76 |
81.9
|
|
13 |
|
DE /ED |
|
54 | 76 | 76 |
86.2
|
|
14 |
|
DL /ED |
|
73 | 75 | 75 |
80.0
|
|
15 |
|
DL /ED |
|
66 | 71 | 75 |
79.4
|
|
16 |
|
LB /ED |
|
63 | 82 | 75 |
85.0
|
|
17 |
|
DE /ED |
|
70 | 71 | 75 |
85.1
|
|
18 |
|
DE /ED |
|
67 | 76 | 75 |
81.6
|
|
19 |
|
DL /ED |
|
66 | 81 | 74 |
80.6
|
|
20 |
|
DL /ED |
|
80 | 88 | 74 |
86.4
|