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 |
|
94 | 91 | 88 | 80 |
86.1
|
|
2 |
|
S |
|
82 | 87 | 80 | 79 |
78.6
|
|
3 |
|
S |
|
74 | 85 | 85 | 96 |
88.4
|
|
4 |
|
S |
|
91 | 85 | 81 | 90 |
82.1
|
|
5 |
|
S |
|
74 | 85 | 80 | 83 |
78.4
|
|
6 |
|
S |
|
83 | 84 | 80 | 74 |
89.5
|
|
7 |
|
S |
|
89 | 83 | 90 | 89 |
85.0
|
|
8 |
|
S |
|
81 | 82 | 75 | 84 |
65.0
|
|
9 |
|
S |
|
87 | 80 | 91 | 85 |
85.7
|
|
10 |
|
S |
|
88 | 80 | 87 | 87 |
91.6
|
|
11 |
|
S |
|
72 | 79 | 72 | 70 |
59.0
|
|
12 |
|
S |
|
74 | 79 | 58 | 68 |
81.1
|
|
13 |
|
S |
|
67 | 79 | 78 | 78 |
82.1
|
|
14 |
|
S |
|
78 | 78 | 91 | 94 |
90.6
|
|
15 |
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|
S |
|
55 | 77 | 41 | 37 |
55.0
|
|
16 |
|
S |
|
72 | 77 | 82 | 78 |
76.0
|
|
17 |
|
S |
|
66 | 77 | 60 | 56 |
63.2
|
|
18 |
|
S |
|
77 | 77 | 70 | 71 |
78.5
|
|
19 |
|
S |
|
67 | 77 | 65 | 63 |
76.8
|
|
20 |
|
S |
|
71 | 76 | 47 | 53 |
55.0
|