Defensive backs rarely get credit for the plays that never show up in the boxscore.

A well-timed breakup, tight coverage that forces a quarterback off his first read or a perfectly contested throw can end a drive just as effectively as an interception. These are the subtle moments that define great secondary play.

Using data from PFF, we can highlight some of the CFL defenders who consistently disrupted opposing passing attacks in 2025. Here are the five defensive backs who led the league in forced incompletions last season.

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DEATRICK NICHOLS | 16 FORCED INCOMPLETIONS

Defensive back Deatrick Nichols led the league in forced incompletions, according to PFF (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)

Few defensive backs were around the football as often as Deatrick Nichols in 2025. The veteran Blue Bombers defensive back led the CFL with 16 forced incompletions, consistently closing throwing windows........

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