For a defensive end the tackling grade is about finishing in the backfield: converting a beaten tackle into a stop, wrapping up a quarterback rather than bouncing off, and not missing on the edge. Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) and Joey Bosa (Ohio State) were as reliable finishing as they were getting there.
The table ranks this year’s draft-eligible defensive ends by tackling grade, alongside pass rush, run defense and overall rating.
| RANK | Player | Pos | Team | TACKLING | PASS RUSH | RUN DEFENSE | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
DE /ED |
|
80 | 86 | 80 |
83.6
|
|
2 |
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|
DE /ED |
|
78 | 78 | 78 |
75.0
|
|
3 |
|
DE /ED |
|
77 | 93 | 83 |
84.9
|
|
4 |
|
DE /ED |
|
75 | 71 | 91 |
79.6
|
|
5 |
|
DE /ED |
|
75 | 84 | 78 |
86.2
|
|
6 |
|
DE /ED |
|
74 | 72 | 65 |
85.1
|
|
7 |
|
DE /ED |
|
74 | 86 | 75 |
87.0
|
|
8 |
|
DE |
|
73 | 62 | 63 |
73.0
|
|
9 |
|
DE /ED |
|
68 | 93 | 71 |
87.0
|
|
10 |
|
DE /ED |
|
65 | 85 | 82 |
90.7
|
|
11 |
|
DE /ED |
|
65 | 78 | 65 |
80.8
|
|
12 |
|
DE /ED |
|
64 | 56 | 61 |
60.5
|
|
13 |
|
DE /ED |
|
61 | 77 | 78 |
83.2
|
|
14 |
|
DE /ED |
|
61 | 84 | 85 |
77.0
|
|
15 |
|
DE /ED |
|
59 | 76 | 73 |
77.3
|
|
16 |
|
DE /ED |
|
58 | 71 | 73 |
66.0
|
|
17 |
|
DE /ED |
|
57 | 60 | 52 |
53.0
|
|
18 |
|
DE /ED |
|
56 | 53 | 64 |
54.0
|
|
19 |
|
DE /ED |
|
53 | 64 | 68 |
58.2
|
|
20 |
|
DE /ED |
|
53 | 69 | 71 |
73.0
|