• Falcons ability place gamers characterize: Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts all make the checklist.
• Issues for all groups up entrance on protection: Only two gamers recorded pass-rushing grades above 72.0 at each edge rusher and line of defense.
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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 the perfect gamers at each place up to now. After diving into the AFC, we’ll head into the NFC South, the place the Atlanta Falcons file 11 picks.
QUARTERBACK: Kirk Cousins, Falcons
Derek Carr has the very best grade of all NFC South quarterbacks (81.4 general) however his missed time means this can be a straight shootout between Cousins and Baker Mayfield. Cousins wins largely thanks to 2 wonderful efforts towards the Buccaneers. His 75.5 passing grade is simply a notch higher than Mayfield at 75.4.
RUNNING BACK: Bijan Robinson, Falcons
This is a division loaded with expertise at working again, however Robinson is simply on one other stage in the meanwhile. Only Derrick Henry has the next grade than him by 9 weeks with a 91.2 general grade.
WIDE RECEIVER: Chris Godwin, Buccaneers; Drake London, Falcons; Chris Olave, Saints
Godwin was having an All-Pro sort 12 months earlier than taking place with a dislocated ankle, however greater than deserves his spot right here. Mike Evans and Darnell Mooney have made robust circumstances, however Olave and London have each put forth stellar efforts. Each has recorded a receiving grade of 79.8 or higher.
TIGHT END: Kyle Pitts, Falcons
Cade Otton is trending as competitors however it’s Pitts’ spot for his superior work throughout his 271 receiving snaps, together with a 70.6 receiving grade.
LEFT TACKLE: Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers
The NFC South is without doubt one of the extra stable divisions for tackles, with one notably excellent pass-blocker in Wirfs. His 91.5 go professional grade is elite.
LEFT GUARD: Lucas Patrick, Saints
After a powerful sport towards the Panthers, Patrick has locked up this place regardless of an honest 12 months from Damien Lewis and an improved sophomore season from Matthew Bergeron. Patrick’s 71.1 general grade is the perfect in his eight-year profession.
CENTER: Graham Barton, Buccaneers
Barton’s slot right here is basically resulting from harm. Both Erik McCoy and Drew Dalman have been enjoying higher than the rookie earlier than harm, however staying on the sector issues. The 62.9 general grade of Barton is sufficient to get the job completed.
RIGHT GUARD: Chris Lindstrom, Falcons
Lindstrom continues to be grading out extraordinarily nicely (85.2 general) after a poor begin to the 12 months in go safety. He stays a monster run blocker, with just one sport grading beneath 70.0.
RIGHT TACKLE: Luke Goedeke, Buccaneers
The attention-grabbing factor for Goedeke is that his largest competitors got here from the person who changed him when he was unavailable: Justin Skule. His 97.7 pass-blocking effectivity is the perfect he’s recorded as a professional, yielding solely 9 pressures.
EDGE DEFENDER: Yaya Diaby, Buccaneers; Carl Granderson, Saints
This isn’t a division blessed with plenty of dynamic edge rushers. Diaby is the one NFC South participant to hurry the passer greater than 100 occasions and obtain a pass-rushing grade above 70.0 (79.1).
DEFENSIVE INTERIOR: Vita Vea, Buccaneers; David Onyemata, Falcons
The inside of the NFC South is likely to be even much less impactful than at edge. There’s simply not an entire lot of manufacturing from any of the groups right here, however Vea has a minimum of earned the very best pass-rushing grade amongst his counterparts at 72.8.
LINEBACKER: Lavonte David, Buccaneers; Kaden Elliss, Falcons
Nate Landman and Shaq Thompson have graded out nicely however merely haven’t performed sufficient. So David and Ellis, every-down and every-week starters, get the choice regardless of each not reaching the heights we all know they’re able to. David’s 66.0 general grade is his lowest since 2016.
CORNERBACK: Zyon McCollum, Buccaneers; Jaycee Horn, Panthers; Mike Hughes, Falcons
Corner wound up as no spot for a few of the bigger-name (and paid) corners within the division, as McCollum is the standout by 9 weeks with a stellar 86.9 general grade. Now injury-free, Horn has began to point out his first-round pedigree, whereas Hughes has been higher than anticipated for Atlanta with a 74.4 protection grade.
SAFETY: Jessie Bates III, Falcons; Justin Simmons, Falcons
Bates has been the perfect security within the division together with his playmaking capability nonetheless one thing else: he’s recorded 13 stops to go together with two interceptions and three go breakups. Simmons will get the choice over Jordan Howden, however with extra enjoying time not too long ago, the Saint is making a case.
KICKER: Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers
PUNTER: Bradley Pinion, Falcons
KICK RETURNER: Jermaine Jackson, Saints
SPECIAL TEAMS: Feleipe Franks, Panthers
Pinion is the one punter within the division to earn a grade above 63.0 together with his 80.4 effort. Despite teammate Younghoe Koo recording some pivotal late-game kicks, he loses out to the consistency of McLaughlin, who’s made 14-of-15 makes an attempt this season.