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 |
|
91 | 95 | 81 | 71 |
84.0
|
|
2 |
|
S |
|
74 | 94 | 74 | 73 |
83.7
|
|
3 |
|
S |
|
93 | 93 | 75 | 79 |
87.3
|
|
4 |
|
S |
|
77 | 88 | 71 | 73 |
80.0
|
|
5 |
|
S |
|
69 | 84 | 70 | 66 |
74.2
|
|
6 |
|
S |
|
65 | 84 | 82 | 70 |
84.6
|
|
7 |
|
S |
|
84 | 83 | 81 | 78 |
78.7
|
|
8 |
|
S |
|
74 | 83 | 57 | 65 |
80.0
|
|
9 |
|
S |
|
79 | 81 | 86 | 92 |
86.6
|
|
10 |
|
S |
|
89 | 80 | 87 | 90 |
82.5
|
|
11 |
|
S |
|
84 | 80 | 69 | 71 |
73.1
|
|
12 |
|
S |
|
94 | 79 | 83 | 87 |
87.7
|
|
13 |
|
S |
|
82 | 79 | 65 | 66 |
78.0
|
|
14 |
|
S |
|
83 | 79 | 74 | 78 |
77.0
|
|
15 |
|
S |
|
68 | 78 | 91 | 89 |
84.7
|
|
16 |
|
S |
|
87 | 77 | 71 | 77 |
79.0
|
|
17 |
|
S |
|
64 | 77 | 57 | 65 |
74.0
|
|
18 |
|
S |
|
77 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
75.0
|
|
19 |
|
S |
|
77 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
75.0
|
|
20 |
|
S |
|
60 | 75 | 68 | 60 |
66.0
|