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 |
|
70 | 84 | 69 | 69 |
81.1
|
|
2 |
|
S |
|
70 | 80 | 86 | 89 |
86.1
|
|
3 |
|
S |
|
69 | 75 | 78 | 75 |
83.1
|
|
4 |
|
S |
|
73 | 71 | 75 | 75 |
81.1
|
|
5 |
|
S |
|
63 | 70 | 75 | 73 |
85.0
|
|
6 |
|
S |
|
79 | 68 | 69 | 75 |
80.2
|
|
7 |
|
S |
|
38 | 66 | 62 | 63 |
64.3
|
|
8 |
|
S |
|
52 | 58 | 50 | 50 |
60.4
|
|
9 |
|
S |
|
48 | 56 | 65 | 66 |
74.0
|
|
10 |
|
S |
|
37 | 52 | 58 | 63 |
66.1
|