We’re back with another look at the league’s most efficient tacklers from 2014, this time looking at the defensive backs. There’s probably no better way to stay on the field for a safety than simply being in the right position and making the sure tackle, something that often goes unnoticed and that might be a good thing for safeties. As for cornerbacks, everyone likes to talk about their man coverage ability, but tackling in space is a huge part of the job in the new, pass-happy NFL. Cornerbacks that wrap up and limit yards after the catch are essential as more teams get the ball into their playmakers’ hands in a variety of ways. Here’s a look at the best and worst tackling defensive backs from 2014.
Top Safeties
# | Name | Team | Snaps | Tackles | Assists | Missed Tackles | Tackling Efficiency |
1 | Danieal Manning | HST | 556 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 33.0 |
2 | Dawan Landry | NYJ | 905 | 70 | 3 | 3 | 29.3 |
3 | Robert Blanton | MIN | 896 | 84 | 4 | 4 | 27.0 |
4 | Eric Weddle | SD | 962 | 82 | 4 | 4 | 23.8 |
5 | Marcus Gilchrist | SD | 930 | 64 | 4 | 4 | 20.5 |
6 | Reshad Jones | MIA | 733 | 79 | 5 | 5 | 18.0 |
7 | Ryan Mundy | CHI | 915 | 82 | 8 | 8 | 14.0 |
8 | Morgan Burnett | GB | 906 | 91 | 9 | 9 | 13.7 |
9 | Kemal Ishmael | ATL | 773 | 77 | 8 | 8 | 13.4 |
10 | George Wilson | TEN | 777 | 60 | 6 | 6 | 13.3 |
Making tackles is one easy way to ensure a positive PFF grade and many of the players at the top did just that. Danieal Manning finished at +3.0 with only one missed tackle while Dawan Landry flew under the radar with a strong season that saw him grade at +10.9 with only three misses. Eric Weddle had the highest grade among safeties at +18.9, so it’s no surprise to see his name near the top of this list.
Bottom Safeties
# | Name | Team | Snaps | Tackles | Assists | Missed Tackles | Tackling Efficiency |
53 | J.J. Wilcox | DAL | 929 | 59 | 15 | 15 | 5.6 |
54 | T.J. Ward | DEN | 955 | 67 | 18 | 18 | 5.5 |
55 | Ryan Clark | WAS | 954 | 77 | 22 | 22 | 5.4 |
56 | D.J. Swearinger | HST | 968 | 57 | 16 | 16 | 5.3 |
57 | Josh Evans | JAX | 937 | 72 | 21 | 21 | 5.0 |
58 | Rahim Moore | DEN | 1007 | 43 | 12 | 12 | 5.0 |
59 | James Ihedigbo | DET | 773 | 55 | 17 | 17 | 4.9 |
60 | Ron Parker | KC | 702 | 56 | 17 | 17 | 4.6 |
61 | Dashon Goldson | TB | 755 | 61 | 20 | 20 | 4.5 |
62 | Kenny Vaccaro | NO | 934 | 58 | 19 | 19 | 4.5 |
63 | Calvin Pryor | NYJ | 649 | 40 | 15 | 15 | 4.4 |
Jets rookie Calvin Pryor overcame his tackling woes to still grade at +3.3 but that’s a lot of plays being left on the field. Kenny Vaccaro struggled in his sophomore campaign, leading to a late-season benching as he missed one of every 4.5 tackle attempts. Dashon Goldson usually ranks near the bottom in the tackling department and he finished third-worst while Ryan Clark led all safeties with 22 total misses.
Top Cornerbacks
# | Name | Team | Snaps | Tackles | Assists | Missed Tackles | Tackling Efficiency |
1 | Jason McCourty | TEN | 1039 | 79 | 5 | 2 | 43.0 |
2 | Vontae Davis | IND | 791 | 37 | 6 | 2 | 22.5 |
3 | Joe Haden | CLV | 976 | 71 | 6 | 4 | 20.3 |
4 | Xavier Rhodes | MIN | 975 | 48 | 4 | 3 | 18.3 |
5 | A.J. Bouye | HST | 595 | 51 | 0 | 3 | 18.0 |
6 | Corey Graham | BUF | 651 | 56 | 8 | 4 | 17.0 |
7 | Perrish Cox | SF | 888 | 54 | 3 | 4 | 15.3 |
8 | Johnathan Joseph | HST | 818 | 68 | 1 | 5 | 14.8 |
9 | Tarell Brown | OAK | 893 | 49 | 3 | 4 | 14.0 |
10 | Captain Munnerlyn | MIN | 1007 | 55 | 9 | 5 | 13.8 |
Both McCourty brothers are sure tacklers and Jason paved the way for cornerbacks with only two misses on 86 attempts. Not only did Vontae Davis rank second among cornerbacks at +21.8 overall but he ranked second in Tackling Efficiency as well with one miss every 22.5 attempts. Xavier Rhodes’ breakout season also included a strong tackling effort with only three misses on 55 attempts.
Bottom Cornerbacks
# | Name | Team | Snaps | Tackles | Assists | Missed Tackles | Tackling Efficiency |
62 | Brent Grimes | MIA | 982 | 54 | 5 | 12 | 5.9 |
63 | William Gay | PIT | 819 | 57 | 5 | 13 | 5.8 |
64 | D. Rodgers-Cromartie | NYG | 713 | 36 | 2 | 8 | 5.8 |
64 | Darrin Walls | NYJ | 720 | 40 | 4 | 10 | 5.4 |
66 | Keenan Lewis | NO | 856 | 40 | 2 | 10 | 5.2 |
67 | Greg Toler | IND | 923 | 54 | 2 | 14 | 5.0 |
68 | Sam Shields | GB | 791 | 37 | 6 | 11 | 4.9 |
69 | Brandon Carr | DAL | 953 | 47 | 10 | 15 | 4.8 |
70 | Janoris Jenkins | SL | 803 | 55 | 4 | 16 | 4.7 |
71 | Coty Sensabaugh | TEN | 695 | 42 | 1 | 12 | 4.6 |
72 | Nickell Robey | BUF | 610 | 38 | 4 | 12 | 4.5 |
73 | Johnthan Banks | TB | 875 | 43 | 6 | 15 | 4.3 |
After finishing fifth from the bottom a year ago, Johnthan Banks followed it up with one missed tackle every 4.3 opportunities to rank last. Nickell Robey had a promising rookie season but he struggled in Year 2, including tackling woes that saw him miss 12 on the year. Janoris Jenkins led the league with 16 missed tackles, a feat he’s now accomplished in two of his three years in the league as he tied for the lead with 18 in 2012.
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