– Chiefs dominate inside offensive line, Chargers at sort out: Kansas City fields three of one of the best inside offensive linemen within the league, and Los Angeles’ sort out duo has been premier.
– Khalil Mack and Chris Jones lead protection: Both veteran stalwarts have maintained their elite play with 90.0-plus total grades.
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Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
We’re on the midway mark (or close to sufficient) of the season, so PFF will dive into every division and current one of the best gamers at each place up to now. Up subsequent is the AFC South, the place the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers every boast eight alternatives.
QUARTERBACK: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
This was a straight battle between Mahomes and Justin Herbert, and it’s actually solely the work Mahomes has been in a position to do together with his legs that units the 2 aside and will get him the nod. Mahomes’ 90.6 dashing grade is the second-best amongst all quarterbacks.
RUNNING BACK: J.Ok. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
This hasn’t been a division the place the working backs have actually lit it up, however Dobbins’ workload (126 makes an attempt) carries him to victory. The former Raven has posted only a 65.2 dashing grade in his first yr out west.
WIDE RECEIVER: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers; Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
McConkey and Meyers are having good seasons, with each recording receiving grades of 76.6 or higher. But, there’s an absence of greatness on the vast receiver place within the AFC West which will change with DeAndre Hopkins now right here.
TIGHT END: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders; Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s fairly telling that that is the one division the place we’ve opted for 2 tight ends. Bowers has hit the bottom working as a rookie and already proven himself to be a menace within the passing sport, rating second amongst qualifiers with an 88.0 receiving grade. Kelce’s 70.8 total grade is the bottom of his profession, however he nonetheless is aware of get open and produce — racking up 52 catches for 435 receiving yards.
LEFT TACKLE: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Slater and his career-best 86.4 total grade nearly survived Myles Garrett in Week 9, permitting three pressures and two sacks. He is the choice right here forward of Garret Bolles.
LEFT GUARD: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs
Thuney continues to be among the finest guards within the league, rating third with an 86.1 total grade. He didn’t actually face any competitors for this spot.
CENTER: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
Is there a greater heart within the league than Humphrey? It’s exhausting to argue that there’s, particularly contemplating he’s recorded a career-high 93.6 total grade this season.
RIGHT GUARD: Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
In finishing a Chiefs sweep of the inside positions, Smith (81.5 total grade) did need to fend off the spectacular Jordan Meredith, who actually solely misplaced out due to taking part in time. This is a battle to look at within the second half.
RIGHT TACKLE: Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers
By the tip of the yr, this might simply learn Mike McGlinchey or Jawaan Taylor, as there actually isn’t a lot between the three. But Alt and his superior work within the run sport (73.1 grade) get the nod.
EDGE DEFENDER: Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Mack is comfortably the highest-graded defender within the division together with his 91.9 total grade. Usually, we wouldn’t have to consider Crosby getting in, however he hasn’t performed his greatest soccer this yr. Crosby simply edges out Jonathan Cooper together with his superior 72.5 pass-rushing grade.
DEFENSIVE INTERIOR: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Poona Ford, Los Angeles Chargers
As ever, it’s a case of Jones plus one, with the longtime Chiefs star as soon as once more grading within the elite blue with a 90.2 total grade. Ford and Christian Wilkins have been the 2 guys we checked out for the second spot, with Ford in the end getting it due to how a lot time Wilkins has missed. The former Dolphin hasn’t performed since Week 5, totaling simply 246 snaps.
LINEBACKER: Leo Chenal, Kansas City Chiefs; Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos
Playing time is the one actual subject for the 2 we went with, with neither crossing the 300 snap-threshold. But, the grades they’ve earned communicate for themselves, with Chenal (85.5 total) significantly spectacular.
CORNERBACK: Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs; Kristian Fulton, Los Angeles Chargers; Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
This was a really aggressive group, with seven cornerbacks taking part in a minimum of 100 snaps and getting above a 70.0 protection grade. McDuffie has excelled at stopping separation, whereas Fulton has allowed simply 4 first downs all yr. Surtain is at simply seven on the yr for that quantity and is but to overlook a sort out in protection.
SAFETY: Elijah Molden, Los Angeles Chargers; Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos
These are two of the higher safeties within the league, with each gamers incomes a protection grade over 80.0. Jones is at a 85.1, and Molden is at an 81.2.
KICKER: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
PUNTER: A.J. Cole, Las Vegas Raiders
KICK RETURNER: Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos
SPECIAL TEAMS: JL Skinner, Denver Broncos
Mims leads AFC West returners with 13 pressured missed tackles. On the kicking aspect, it was a toss-up between Wil Lutz and Carlson, though the latter’s 76.6 discipline purpose grade is increased. J.Ok. Scott has graded out exceptionally effectively at punter together with his 91.8 effort, however Cole has been phenomenal at a 97.0 mark.