CBS Sports' top 10 players at every defensive position: Four unanimous top picks, including Myles Garrett

CBS Sports' NFL experts rank the top interior defensive linemen, edge defenders, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties

Jul 30, 2026 at 8:21 am ET • 13 min read

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 ...

• Milton Williams, Patriots (Points: 17 | Highest rank: 8)
• Kobie Turner, Rams (Points: 8 | Highest rank: 6)
• Poona Ford, Rams (Points: 3 | Highest rank: 8)
• Vita Vea, Buccaneers (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)

Edge defenders

Also receiving votes ...

• Brian Burns, Giants (Points: 11 | Highest rank: 4)
• Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars (Points: 11 | Highest rank: 7)
• Trey Hendrickson, Ravens (Points: 10 | Highest rank: 6)
• Abdul Carter, Giants (Points: 4 | Highest rank: 9)
• Nick Herbig, Steelers (Points: 1 | Highest rank: 10)

Off-ball linebackers

Also receiving votes ...

• Daiyan Henley, Chargers (Points: 9 | Highest rank: 6)
• Nick Bolton, Chiefs (Points: 8 | Highest rank: 6)
• Jihaad Campbell, Eagles (Points: 7 | Highest rank: 9)
• Devin Bush, Bears (Points: 6 | Highest rank: 5)
• Demario Davis, Jets (Points: 5 | Highest rank: 7)
• Bobby Wagner, FA (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)

Cornerbacks

Also receiving votes ...

• Jaycee Horn, Panthers (Points: 10 | Highest rank: 8)
• DJ Turner II, Bengals (Points: 5 | Highest rank: 6)
• Jaylon Johnson, Bears (Points: 4 | Highest rank: 9)
• Travis Hunter, Jaguars (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)
• Mike Jackson, Panthers (Points: 1 | Highest rank: 10)

Safeties

Also receiving votes ...

• Coby Bryant, Bears (Points: 10 | Highest rank: 6)
• Budda Baker, Cardinals (Points: 9 | Highest rank: 8)
• Jalen Pitre, Texans (Points: 7 | Highest rank: 8)
• Xavier Watts, Falcons (Points: 5 | Highest rank: 8)
• Kevin Byard, Patriots (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)
• Bryan Cook, Bengals (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 9)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jets (Points: 2 | Highest rank: 10)
• Camryn Bynum, Colts (Points: 1 | Highest rank: 10)