Run defense grade for a safety scores run support: reading the play from depth, filling the right gap, taking on a lead blocker and making the stop. It is the grade that decides whether a safety can play in the box. Harrison Smith (Notre Dame) and Landon Collins (Alabama) were both run defenders first in college.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible safeties by run defense grade, alongside tackling, zone and man coverage grades, and overall rating.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | RUN DEFENSE | ZONE | MAN/PRESS | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
S |
|
77 | 83 | 90 | 86 |
82.0
|
|
2 |
|
S |
|
64 | 81 | 59 | 49 |
70.0
|
|
3 |
|
S |
|
66 | 78 | 38 | 58 |
56.0
|
|
4 |
|
S |
|
73 | 77 | 67 | 62 |
58.0
|
|
5 |
|
S |
|
74 | 76 | 67 | 64 |
59.0
|
|
6 |
|
S |
|
55 | 75 | 63 | 65 |
56.5
|
|
7 |
|
S |
|
78 | 73 | 89 | 86 |
85.0
|
|
8 |
|
S |
|
75 | 73 | 88 | 83 |
91.0
|
|
9 |
|
S |
|
68 | 73 | 58 | 46 |
62.0
|
|
10 |
|
S |
|
82 | 73 | 56 | 55 |
56.0
|
|
11 |
|
S |
|
67 | 73 | 66 | 58 |
71.0
|
|
12 |
|
S |
|
70 | 73 | 63 | 65 |
54.0
|
|
13 |
|
S |
|
89 | 72 | 58 | 62 |
72.0
|
|
14 |
|
S |
|
62 | 71 | 42 | 44 |
67.0
|
|
15 |
|
S |
|
49 | 71 | 50 | 50 |
55.9
|
|
16 |
|
S |
|
64 | 71 | 53 | 60 |
41.0
|
|
17 |
|
S |
|
71 | 71 | 55 | 58 |
52.0
|
|
18 |
|
S |
|
70 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
76.0
|
|
19 |
|
S |
|
66 | 68 | 54 | 56 |
64.0
|
|
20 |
|
S |
|
77 | 68 | 71 | 67 |
59.0
|