PFF Rankings: Top 32 players in each position (so far) - updated w/ unit rankings (WRs, Secondary, and RBs)

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Just now seeing these lists...PFF is ranking the top 32 players at each position in the NFL. Where WFT players fall on the different lists.

 

EDIT 1: Just added the Secondary rankings as well per @HTTRDynasty, the receiving corps ranking, and the running back units ranking

EDIT 2: Decided to compare each of the NFC East teams in terms of overall rankings--gave points to each player or unit of each team on every list, with the higher you rank the more points you get (for example, on a list of 32 players, the player ranked #1 gets 32 pts and the player ranked #32 gets one point). I also doubled the points for each team's QB to give it more weight.

 

Here's how it stands:

 

Total Ranking Points:

WFT - 351 pts

Cowboys - 336 pts

Giants - 323 pts

Eagles - 307 pts

 

Highest and Lowest Rankings*:

WFT - 2nd / 28th

Cowboys - 2nd / 31st

Giants - 5th / 32nd

Eagles - 5th / 30th

 

*Note: each team had at least one list where they had no players ranked, which would technically be the lowest ranking. But screw that, don't feel like going back and checking lol. We only had one list without a ranked player, I believe (OTs).

 

 

 

Running Back Units rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-running-back-units-ahead-of-the-2021-season )

 

19. Washington Football Team

It looks as though Antonio Gibson has a bright future in the NFL based on what he was able to accomplish in his rookie season. He finished the year with an 83.4 rushing grade — seventh among qualifiers at the position. It would have been nice to see Washington use the former college wide receiver in the passing game, but it was instead J.D. McKissic who received many of those targets. He led all running backs in routes run (399) and targets (106) during the regular season.

 

 

 

Receiving Corps rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-nfl-receiving-corps-ahead-of-the-2021-season )

 

19. Washington Football Team

Last season, Washington wide receivers graded at just 65.9, but they’ve taken steps to turn that around. Terry McLaurin is the No. 1 option, though he was used as more of an underneath option after his explosive rookie year. McLaurin is a sure-handed deep threat who should have more opportunities for big plays, in part due to the addition of Curtis Samuel in free agency. Samuel had a breakout 2020 season as the Panthers properly tapped into his skill set as a slot receiver. He had a career-high 76.4 receiving grade while catching 77 passes for 851 yards.

 

Adam Humphries adds a slot skill set as well — he’s caught 73.1% of his slot targets over a six-year career. Third-round rookie Dyami Brown adds another vertical threat after averaging over 20.0 yards per reception in each of his last two seasons at North Carolina. Cam Sims had an effective 2020 with 581 yards, though he dropped five of his 44 catchable passes. Last year's fourth-rounder, Antonio Gandy-Golden, didn’t do much as a rookie, but his size will keep him in the mix to break out.

 

At tight end, Logan Thomas broke out with 77 catches for 744 yards and six touchdowns last season. He had a 64.8 receiving grade and projects similarly as a possession type at the position. The backup role is a battle between Deon Yelder, Temarrick Hemingway, Ricky Seals-Jones and fourth-rounder John Bates.

 

Washington has added some help for McLaurin, and their group of playmakers has much more potential than it had during the last two seasons.

 

 

 

Secondary rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-32-nfl-secondaries-entering-2021-season )

 

11. Washington Football Team

Washington is all-in on its defensive line, but the team also happened to field one of the better coverage units in the NFL in 2020, ending the year ranked sixth in team coverage grade. The addition of William Jackson III in free agency should only bolster the group, and it gives defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio some flexibility to implement more man coverage. Jackson’s 80.0 coverage grade in man-to-man concepts since 2017 is over 15 points higher than Ronald Darby’s coverage grade on the same subset of plays (64.3).

 

 

 

O-Line rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-line-units-entering-2021-season )

 

16. Washington Football Team

Washington’s offensive line was a pleasant surprise a year ago, finishing sixth in PFF's 2020 end-of-season rankings.

 

Washington signed former Bears tackle Charles Leno, who has graded out at 70.0 or better in four of the past five years. He’s a consistent, mid-level tackle, which is a valuable commodity in the NFL.

The Football Team released former starting right tackle Morgan Moses, which potentially puts the position in the hands of second-rounder Samuel Cosmi. Cosmi earned a 90.8 overall grade at Texas last year, but he could also use some time to clean up his pass sets. Cornelius Lucas returns as one of the better swing tackles in the NFL. He recorded a 72.2 overall grade with the Bears on 507 snaps in 2019 before posting a solid 78.9 mark last year on 608 snaps, good for 23rd among tackles.

 

Right guard Brandon Scherff returns on the franchise tag after his 86.3 overall grade ranked fourth among guards in 2020. He has a 97th percentile pass-blocking grade on true pass sets over the past three years, making him a trusted pass protector.

 

Center Chase Roullier has improved in each of his four NFL seasons, and his 76.4 overall grade ranked sixth among centers. Roullier had the third-best pass-blocking grade on true pass sets last season (79.0).

 

At left guard, Wes Schweitzer returns after a career-high 69.0 grade last season, though Washington also traded for Ereck Flowers, who started in for the team in 2019. Flowers has graded between 64.0 and 67.0 in each of the past four years, the last two of which came at guard.

 

Washington should have another solid line along with excellent depth.

 

 

D-Line rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-defensive-line-units-entering-2021-season )

 

2. Washington Football Team

When a team invests four consecutive first-round picks into one unit, this is the result they’re hoping for. Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat and Chase Young all look to be impact starters through the early stages of their NFL careers. Allen and Sweat, in particular, took clear steps forward last season. 

 

Allen’s 2020 campaign was somewhat overshadowed by Washington's starting edge tandem, but he was excellent when rushing the passer. His 17.1% pass-rush win rate was a top-10 mark among all interior defenders. Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle provide the Football Team additional interior pass-rushing threats beyond the starters, as well.

 

 

 

Linebacker Unit rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-linebacker-units-entering-2021-season )

 

24. Washington Football Team

The performance of this group rests on first-round rookie Jamin Davis, and rookie linebackers have been struggling to transition to the NFL in recent seasons. Just four linebackers over the past five seasons have earned an overall PFF grade above 71.0 as a rookie. Cole Holcomb has been improving consistently in his two years at this level, including above-average PFF grades in all facets of play last year. Jon Bostic has struggled lately, so he could face pressure to maintain a starting spot from David Mayo and Davis.

 

 

 

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Earlier individual player rankings

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Safety rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-safety-rankings-the-32-best-safeties-entering-the-2021-nfl-season )

 

20. Kamren Curl, Washington Football Team

A seventh-round rookie, Kamren Curl was one of the steals of the draft a year ago, one of the standout rookies of the season. What was even more impressive was the development he showed over the season, with his overall PFF grade jumping from 53.1 to 74.4 from the first half of his season to the second. Curl could be primed for a big sophomore campaign.

 

28. Landon Collins, Washington Football Team

Collins isn’t that far removed from a genuine Defensive Player of the Year kind of season, but he has declined sharply since that spectacular 2016 season. Collins hasn’t been the same player in Washington as he was at his best with the Giants, but he has never had a better defense around him than he will have in 2021. If he can’t show that play again this year, then it really may never happen again.

 

 

Outside Cornerback rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-cornerback-rankings-the-32-best-outside-cornerbacks-entering-the-2021-nfl-season )

 

9. William Jackson III, Washington Football Team

Washington possessed one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2020; Jackson’s addition should only improve it, giving them a No. 1 cornerback who will allow them to play more man coverage if they desire. Jackson burst onto the scene with a 90.4 coverage grade in his first season of action back in 2017. He allowed just 30 receiving yards on 359 coverage snaps across his final 11 games that season.

 

Jackson hasn’t quite reached those lofty heights in the three years since, but he is coming off his best statistical season since 2017, with just 52% of the passes into his coverage being completed in 2020.

 

 

26. Kendall Fuller, Washington Football Team

Fuller was back in Washington for the 2020 season following a two-year stint in Kansas City. He had spent the vast majority of his time in the slot across the first four years of his NFL career, even dabbling at safety with the Chiefs in 2019. However, his return came at outside cornerback for the Football Team in 2020, where he put up impressive coverage numbers at his new position. Fuller allowed just 53% of the passes into his coverage to be completed with four interceptions and nine pass breakups.

 

It doesn’t hurt that Washington can feel comfortable playing him at multiple positions in their secondary, either.

 

 

 

 

Edge Defender rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-edge-defender-rankings-the-32-best-players-entering-the-2021-nfl-season )

 

8. Chase Young, Washington Football Team

The scary part when analyzing Young’s first season in the NFL is that there is still clear room for improvement from a pass-rushing perspective. And Young still got out to an 87.1 overall grade as a rookie, fifth in the NFL among qualifying edge defenders.

 

He was at his best in the red zone. Young’s 93.3 overall grade last season in that portion of the field led all players at the position.

 

17. Montez Sweat, Washington Football Team

Few edge defenders improved more from 2019 to 2020 than Sweat did in his second year in the NFL. His 87.0 run-defense grade last season ranked third at the position behind only Khalil Mack and T.J. Watt, and he bumped up his pressure count from 32 as a rookie to 47 in 2020. Sweat also stood out as one of the best defensive linemen in the league at getting his hands into throwing lanes when rushing the passer. His six batted passes last year ranked second at the position.

 

 

Linebacker rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-linebacker-rankings-entering-2021-nfl-season )

 

28. Cole Holcomb, Washington Football Team

A former fifth-round pick, Cole Holcomb has started since Day 1 in the NFL, and despite an injury holding him back from the start of the 2020 season, he improved his play in his sophomore season. Holcomb was at least average in every facet of play this past year, allowing just 6.8 yards per reception in coverage as part of the No. 3-ranked defense in the league, according to PFF grades.

 

 

 

Interior Defender rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-interior-defender-rankings-entering-2021-nfl-season )

 

12. Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team

You can make the argument that Allen was the best defensive lineman on one of the NFL's best defensive lines in 2020. The only two interior defenders to record a higher pass-rush grade on true pass sets than Allen last season were Aaron Donald and Chris Jones. It was a prove-it year of sorts for Allen following several seasons of middling play in 2018 and 2019. A similar year in 2021 on a fifth-year option should lead to a sizable payday next offseason.

 

23. Daron Payne, Washington Football Team

Payne is the least exciting of Washington’s quartet of first-round draft picks on the defensive line, but he has steadily improved in each of his first three NFL seasons. He has been particularly impressive against the run across the past two years. Payne ranks above the 80th percentile at the position in both run-defense grade and run-stop percentage since 2019.

 

 

 

Offensive Guard rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-guard-rankings-the-32-best-players-entering-the-2021-nfl-season )

 

5. Brandon Scherff, Washington Football Team

Scherff was once a top-five pick in the NFL draft, and while he has never quite hit the dominant heights Quenton Nelson has, this past season was as close as he has come. The now seventh-year guard produced an impressive overall PFF grade of 86.3 in 2020, ranking in the top 10 as both a run-blocker and pass-protector.

 

 

 

Offensive Tackle rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-tackle-rankings-2021-nfl-season )

 

None. Neither of our OTs ranked in the top 32. We just released one of them.

 

 

 

Center rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-center-rankings-2021-nfl-season )

 

10. Chase Roullier, Washington Football Team

Washington's tackle positions are in flux, with new starters expected at both left and right tackle heading into 2021. The Football Team still has to feel relatively good about their group up front because of how well the interior offensive line played in 2020, including a career year from Roullier. The former sixth-round pick out of Wyoming has improved his PFF grade every season with Washington, putting up a career-high 76.4 overall mark last year. The only two centers with a higher pass-blocking grade on true pass sets than Roullier in 2020 were Linder and Tretter.  

 

 

 

Tight End rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-tight-end-rankings-2021-nfl-season )

 

14. Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team

With “tight end” Tim Tebow stealing headlines in recent weeks, Thomas stands out as the current model for a former quarterback transitioning to tight end. 

 

He’s coming off by far the most productive season of his career with Washington in 2020, catching over twice as many passes last season (72) than the rest of his career combined (35). Thomas was also the only tight end in the NFL to play over 1,000 regular season snaps last year, rarely coming off the field. He’ll have more competition for targets in 2021 following the additions of receivers like Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown this offseason. 

 

 

 

Wide Receiver rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-wide-receiver-rankings-32-best-wrs-entering-2021-nfl-season )

 

17. TERRY MCLAURIN, WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

With some additions to the receiver unit and a new arm at quarterback, McLaurin will hopefully get back to doing what he does best in 2021: stretching the field. His average depth of target dipped from 14.6 yards as a rookie in 2019 to 9.9 yards in 2020. The percentage of his catches that turned into a 15-plus-yard gain decreased from 40% to 30%, and his yardage total from vertical routes was nearly cut in half from 404 to 207 despite him seeing 37 more targets overall.

 

McLaurin still finished with a respectable 77.1 receiving grade, but it was certainly a downtick from a rookie campaign that saw him finish as the sixth-highest-graded receiver (86.5).

 

 

 

Running Back rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-running-back-rankings-the-32-best-rbs-entering-the-2021-nfl-season )

 

15. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Antonio Gibson is still just scratching the surface of what he can be at the NFL level, but he already finished with a top-five PFF rushing grade (85.3) in just his first year at this level. Gibson is an excellent ball carrier and has yet to be fully exploited as a receiving weapon, given his background playing that position in college.

 

 

 

Quarterback rankings ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings-all-32-starters-ahead-of-the-2021-nfl-season )

 

19. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team

Fitzpatrick continues to play his best football the longer he stays in the league — the veteran ranks 15th in PFF passing grade since 2018. Last year in Miami, he had the team rolling until Brian Flores took the QB room for a rollercoaster ride. It's rare for a veteran quarterback “placeholder” to join a solid football team, but this will be the best team Fitzpatrick has been on in quite some time. Fitzpatrick brings energy, leadership and a wealth of knowledge to a locker room, but his Achilles heel is protecting the football. If he is able to play smart and deliver on explosive plays, Washington will be a playoff contender.

 

 

**************

And lastly...

 

Top 5 Deep Threats ( https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-best-deep-threats-wide-receiver-2021-tyreek-hill )

 

Honorable Mention: TERRY MCLAURIN, WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

After some additions to Washington’s receiver unit and a new arm at quarterback, McLaurin will hopefully get back to doing what he does best in 2021: stretching the field. 

His average depth of target dipped from 14.6 yards as a rookie in 2019 to 9.9 yards in 2020. The percentage of his catches that turned into a 15-plus-yard gain decreased from 40% to 30%, and his yardage total from vertical routes was nearly halved, from 404 to 207, despite him seeing 37 more targets overall. This was solely because of the Football Team’s quarterback situation.

 

During his 2019 rookie campaign, McLaurin hauled in 12 deep receptions, tying for the eighth-most in the NFL that season and tying for the fourth-most we have seen from a first-year wideout in the PFF era. Only time will tell whether McLaurin gets back to his old ways in 2021, but the third-year receiver seems poised to finish near the top of the deep receiving ranks with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the rock.

 

 

Edited June 9, 2021 by Califan007

[Koolblue13]

That seems pretty good for a 7-9 team.

[KDawg]

Holcomb is a bit high. Not to say he doesn’t have potential. He does. But until he starts to play downhill more on run he probably doesn’t belong in the LB1 category (which technically the top 32 would be).

 

McClaurin is probably too low. 
 

Roullier seems right.

 

Jon Allen seems high, Payne seems low. I’d have them both pretty close together and somewhere in the 16-20 range I think. 
 

I think Logan Thomas is too low. Kelce, Kittle, Ertz, Waller, Pitts (already), Henry, Andrews are the only ones clearly better. 
 

And honestly, I think Fitz might be a touch low but not worth arguing.

[Koolblue13]

I think PFF has Allen and Payne ranked as they do, because they value pass rushing a lot more than run defense or eating blocks. Typical fan focused stuff.

[terpfan]

Somewhat surprising that none of our tackles made the list. For what it’s worth, ranked purely by 2020 PFF rating: Lucas was 22nd, Leno was 28th, and Moses was 18th (although I’m sure him getting released hurt his odds of making this list).  

 

And as a side note: Kevin Pierre-Louis was ranked one spot above Holcomb on the LB list (#27). Had no idea PFF liked him that much. 
 

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by terpfan

[CommDownMan]

No defensive backs?  Have they not been done yet?

 

I feel like at least Jackson would be up there and hopefully Fuller/Curl hit as well.

[bakedtater1]

Thanks for sharing this cali fan... pretty cool stuff to go over during this slow period

[CommDownMan]

3 hours ago, KDawg said:

Holcomb is a bit high. Not to say he doesn’t have potential. He does. But until he starts to play downhill more on run he probably doesn’t belong in the LB1 category (which technically the top 32 would be).

 

McClaurin is probably too low. 
 

Roullier seems right.

 

Jon Allen seems high, Payne seems low. I’d have them both pretty close together and somewhere in the 16-20 range I think. 
 

I think Logan Thomas is too low. Kelce, Kittle, Ertz, Waller, Pitts (already), Henry, Andrews are the only ones clearly better. 
 

And honestly, I think Fitz might be a touch low but not worth arguing.

 

McClaurin and Thomas likely do better this year with better QB play.  It seems this ranking is pretty heavy on last years results and (mind blowing moment...) Haskins/Smith/Allen didn't put these 2 in prime position to succeed.

 

Fitz, with these 2 should all come up together.  Hopefully Curtis Samuel joins them. 

 

edit: Quick look Samuel had a higher grade than 18 OBJ (Injured), 22 Lockett, 27 Parker, 28 Sutton (Injured I think), 29 Woods and 32 Boyd.  Shame we didn't see him here.  Next year, next year for sure!

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by jsharrin55

[NewCliche21]

Thanks for parsing this out with our boys instead of having to ctrl+F it!

[Califan007 The Constipated]

9 hours ago, jsharrin55 said:

No defensive backs?  Have they not been done yet?

 

I feel like at least Jackson would be up there and hopefully Fuller/Curl hit as well.

 

At the time I was making this thread I don't think they had them up yet...

 

 

11 hours ago, Koolblue13 said:

I think PFF has Allen and Payne ranked as they do, because they value pass rushing a lot more than run defense or eating blocks. Typical fan focused stuff.

 

Payne had more sacks last year than Allen, though...not sure why they have Payne in the 20s, definitely seems low. Especially when numerous other rankings had either Payne or Allen in the top 10 IDLinemen (one had both).

Edited May 27, 2021 by Califan007

[Koolblue13]

51 minutes ago, Califan007 said:

 

At the time I was making this thread I don't think they had them up yet...

 

 

 

Payne had more sacks last year than Allen, though...not sure why they have Payne in the 20s, definitely seems low. Especially when numerous other rankings had either Payne or Allen in the top 10 IDLinemen (one had both).

Allen is top 5 in pressures I believe.

[Berggy9598]

Payne isn't exciting? He's a complete freak show how does nobody see that?!

[Koolblue13]

6 hours ago, Berggy9598 said:

Payne isn't exciting? He's a complete freak show how does nobody see that?!

Hes probably my favorite player on that line, so I love watching him eat blocks and hold the line down. It's pretty amazing, but I wouldn't call taking on two blockers, without being moved, so other guys can chase, hit, shoot gaps and sack the QB exciting comparatively. 

[Warhead36]

Payne at 23 seems low. The rest seem okay. McLaurin would probably be ranked higher with better QB play but he was also hampered by an ankle injury late in the year.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

The ones I was surprised by (in a good way) were Roullier and Holcomb. And also Mclaurin in terms of being the honorable mention for the Top 5 Deep Threats. Figured there would be better candidates for that from PFF but being honest here I really haven't been keeping track of other teams/players around the league too much.

[CommanderInTheRye]

32 minutes ago, Califan007 said:

The ones I was surprised by (in a good way)... Mclaurin in terms of being the honorable mention for the Top 5 Deep Threats. 

 

 

McLaurin even sniffing the top 5 deep threats list is mind boggling given that the majority of his throws came from Dwayne "off target" Haskins and Alex "Dink and Dunkit" Smith.

[Riggo-toni]

For whatever reason, I thought Payne outplayed Allen last year, but the analyses I keep seeing all say this is not the case. I understand the need now to extend Allen this year.  Actually I think Ioan man is our best interior rusher when he's healthy...it will be scary to see him, Young, and Sweat lined up on 3rd downs. 😈

[Califan007 The Constipated]

30 minutes ago, TrancesWithWolves said:

 

 

McLaurin even sniffing the top 5 deep threats list is mind boggling given that the majority of his throws came from Dwayne "off target" Haskins and Alex "Dink and Dunkit" Smith.

 

They did at least take the QB situation into consideration when analyzing Mclaurin, which a number of outlets seem to ignore.

[Anselmheifer]

How high was WJIII?

Edited May 28, 2021 by Anselmheifer

[carex]

8 hours ago, Koolblue13 said:

Hes probably my favorite player on that line, so I love watching him eat blocks and hold the line down. It's pretty amazing, but I wouldn't call taking on two blockers, without being moved, so other guys can chase, hit, shoot gaps and sack the QB exciting comparatively. 

is it Payne or Allen who's good at reaching out and just consuming a guy you looks  like they're about to run right by them?  I've seen that in highlights a few times, and I swear the sudden stop is just great.  It practically jukes to camera man at times.  I'm probably describing it poorly though

[Koolblue13]

49 minutes ago, carex said:

is it Payne or Allen who's good at reaching out and just consuming a guy you looks  like they're about to run right by them?  I've seen that in highlights a few times, and I swear the sudden stop is just great.  It practically jukes to camera man at times.  I'm probably describing it poorly though

I think they both do it. Must be a Bama thing, but yeah, that's Payne. Stopping a running back for a 3 yard game isn't sexy, unless you've got 2 blockers occupied and can just palm a back and throw them to the ground. 

[COWBOY-KILLA-]

I think Payne, Maclaurin, Thomas, and Fitz are low. But overall we are building talent on both sides of the ball. It’s encouraging. 
 

I feel it’s Allen you are referring to @carex

Edited May 28, 2021 by COWBOY-KILLA-

[Warhead36]

Allen is so technically sound. He's like the textbook definition of DT. If he were a wee bit more explosive he'd be in ~10 sack territory. It feels like he always beats his man but is like a .5 second late to the QB.

[Anselmheifer]

42 minutes ago, Warhead36 said:

Allen is so technically sound. He's like the textbook definition of DT. If he were a wee bit more explosive he'd be in ~10 sack territory. It feels like he always beats his man but is like a .5 second late to the QB.

I still see him posting at least one 10-12 sack year. It's going to be great for the DL to play with an offense that isn't totally inept, and with an improved secondary. 

[Koolblue13]

I cant wait to see who on our line blows up this year. Now that we'll be putting points up on offense, we should have some explosive games on defense.