- We are a quarter of the way through the NFL season and Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead is on pace for a career year. While it is still early, Whitehead has been one of Detroit’s best players and currently ranks sixth among linebackers with an overall grade of 86.7.
- Moving back to outside linebacker in Detroit’s 4-3 front, Whitehead has been very effective against the run. Whitehead’s run defense grade of 87.7 ranks third among all linebackers while his 10.1 run stop percentage ranks sixth among 4-3 outside linebackers.
- After allowing a passer rating against of 124.9 last season, Whitehead has also shown much improvement in coverage, allowing a passer rating against of just 65.2 this season. He has yet to allow a touchdown this season after allowing a league-high seven last year. His 78.1 coverage grade so far would be the highest of his career.
- Lastly, Whitehead has cleaned up his mistakes as a tackler. Last season Whitehead missed a tackle every 9.5 attempts, which ranked 54th among off the ball linebackers. This season he is missing a tackle every 31 attempts, which ranks seventh (min 40 snaps).
- At the very least, maybe this season is proving Whitehead's 84th ranked 2016 grade of 36.7 is the aberration to his career.
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