CBS Sports’ NFL experts rank the top interior defensive linemen, edge defenders, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties
The end of July means the NFL is getting back into the swing of things with training camps, and the eyes are back on the stars.
As the season rapidly approaches, CBS Sports’ NFL experts ranked the top 10 players across every position — as well as coaches and coordinators — in the NFL for the 2026 season. After ranking the top 10 players at every offensive position on Tuesday, we continue to the defensive side of the ball: interior defensive linemen, edge defenders, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
Each voter ranked their top 10 players, and each spot was assigned a point value: 10 points for a first-place vote, 9 for a second-place vote, and so on down to 1 for a 10th-place vote.
Panel: Zach Pereles, Jared Dubin, Tyler Sullivan, Jordan Dajani, Bryan DeArdo, Josh Edwards, Garrett Podell, R.J. White, Carter Bahns, Mike Renner, JP Acosta
Interior defensive linemen
Also receiving votes …
Edge defenders
Also receiving votes …
Off-ball linebackers
Also receiving votes …
Cornerbacks
Also receiving votes …
Safeties
Also receiving votes …
