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32 Observations, Week 14

2014-32Obs-WK14While the Pro Bowl might not be the most competitive game, it is still an honor for the players who are selected to the team. It is even more meaningful for those who get voted into the Pro Bowl for their first time. This weeks 32 Observations looks at 32 players who have never made it to the Pro Bowl, but are worth considering for the team this year. Obviously some teams have multiple players worth a look and I just picked one, and other teams might not have anyone worth serious consideration so I picked the one closest to being in the conversation.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Outside linebacker Nigel Bradham has a 0.64 Yards Per Coverage Snap which is the best for all 4-3 outside linebackers.

Miami Dolphins: When safety Reshad Jones lines up within 8 yards of the line of scrimmage, he has a Run Stop Percentage of 18.4% which leads all safeties. He’s made 14 run stops on 76 run snaps in that area.

New England Patriots: Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer is the only tackle to have a PFF Rating above +1.0 in Pass Blocking, Screen Blocking, Run Blocking and Penalty. He has a +9.5, +2.5, +3.1 and +1.4 rating in those areas, respectively.

New York Jets: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has a Run Stop Percentage of 11.9%, which is the second-best for 3-4 defensive ends.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Running back Justin Forsett has a Breakaway Percentage of 41.1% which is the best for backs with at least 150 carries. He has 15 carries of 15 or more yards, and has 444 yards on those carries

Cincinnati Bengals: When quarterbacks have thrown at players that safety George Iloka was covering, they have an NFL Passer Rating of 17.3, which is the lowest for safeties who have been thrown at 15 or more times.

Cleveland Browns: Guard Joel Bitonio is one of just five guards this year to have over 400 pass block snaps and has yet to allow a single sack.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Running back Le’Veon Bell has had 50 players miss tackles on him on his carries which is third-best in the league, and an additional 24 players miss tackles on him on his receptions which leads the league.

AFC South

Houston Texans: Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins has a Yards Per Route Run of 2.6, which is the fourth-best for wide receivers with more than 300 pass routes.

Indianapolis Colts: When quarterbacks have thrown to the receiver that Vontae Davis is covering, they have an NFL Passer Rating of 41.7. That is the lowest for a cornerback who has been thrown at more than 15 times.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Since Week 7, guard Brandon Linder has not allowed a sack, and has allowed just one hit and one hurry. His Pass Blocking Efficiency of 99.2 in that time is the best for all guards.

Tennessee Titans: Tight End Delanie Walker has a Run Block Rating of +8.2 which is the best for all tight ends.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: Cornerback Chris Harris has allowed 7.5 yards per catch which is the lowest rate in the league. He’s done this while allowing a low 53.2% catch rate which is among the top 15 in the league.

Kansas City Chiefs: Fullback Anthony Sherman has an overall PFF rating of +9.7, which is significantly higher than the next best which is at +4.2.

Oakland Raiders: Outside linebacker Khalil Mack has 34 run stops on the year which leads all 3-4 outside linebackers. The next most for the position is 22.

San Diego Chargers: Cornerback Jason Verrett has yet to miss a tackle this season. He has successfully made 19 tackles which is the second-most for all cornerbacks who have not missed.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Since Week 9, Travis Frederick has a Run Block Rating of +11.9 which leads all centers.

New York Giants: Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins has a Pass Rushing Productivity of 9.2 which is third best for all defensive tackles. He has five sacks, five hits and 19 hurries on his 250 pass rushes this year.

Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive end Fletcher Cox has 31 run stops on the year, which is the second most for all 3-4 defensive ends.

Washington: Punter Tress Way had a hang-time of 5.65 on his best punt, which is the highest hang-time on a punt this year.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: Tight End Martellus Bennett has had 22 players miss tackles on him after his catches, which is the most for all tight ends. He finished with 23 last year which also led the position.

Detroit Lions: Defensive End Ezekiel Ansah has a Pass Rushing Productivity of 13.1 which is second best for 4-3 defensive ends.

Green Bay Packers: Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson only has 11 catches on deep passes, but on those catches he had 553 receiving yards which is the second most in the league, and seven touchdowns which is tied for the most.

Minnesota Vikings: Safety Harrison Smith has only rushed the passer 31 times on the year, but when he has, he’s collected two sacks, three hits and four hurries. His Pass Rushing Productivity of 23.4 is second-best among safeties.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Kicker Matt Bryant is one of two kickers to have attempted more than eight kicks within 50 yards and has remained perfect on those field goals. He has made all 17 kicks he has attempted within 50 yards.

Carolina Panthers: Tight End Greg Olsen has a Yards Per Route Run of 1.91 which is second-highest for all tight ends with at least 300 pass routes run.

New Orleans Saints: Defensive end Junior Galette has been one of the most consistent pass rushers on the year. He’s had at least two pressures in every game, has sacked or hit the quarterback in all but three games, and has averaged 4.77 pressures per game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wide Receiver Mike Evans has more catches and more receptions than any other receiver on deep passes. He has 18 catches and 575 yards on those plays. He also has seven touchdowns which are tied for the league lead.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: Since Week 7, Jared Veldheer has not allowed a single sack or hit, and has allowed just eight hurries. Over that time he has a Pass Blocking Efficiency of 98.0 which is third-best for all tackles.

St. Louis Rams: Defensive tackle Aaron Donald has a Run Stop Percentage of 12.3% which is second-best for all defensive/nose tackles.

San Francisco 49ers: Inside linebacker Chris Borland had 41 run stops, which is the most for all middle and inside linebackers. He’s done this on 191 run snaps, while every other inside or middle linebacker with 35 or more run stops has 300 or more run snaps.

Seattle Seahawks: Defensive end Michael Bennett has 58 total pressures, which is second most for all 4-3 defensive ends.

 

Follow Nathan on Twitter: @PFF_NateJahnke

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