Worst players at every position for Week 2

Each week, PFF gives you the best player at every position in our Team of the Week article (click here to see Week 2’s TOTW).

This is not that team.

PFF is now providing a list of players that performed, well, less-than-adequately in their roles; welcome to our Worst Team of the Week roster.

(Note: Changes might be made following our review process and once Monday Night Football games have been analyzed and graded.)

Quarterback: Ryan Mallett, Texans (-8.2)

Mallett attempted a ridiculous 57 passes, but only completed 26 of them (45.6 percent) for 239 yards. When he was under pressure? Forget about it. He had 16 attempts under pressure, with no completions.

Running back: Adrian Peterson, Vikings (-3.9)

His 134 yards on 29 rushes is a bit misleading. The Vikings O-line played extremely well, but Peterson only rushed for 50 yards after contact and forced just one missed tackle. He also fumbled twice.

Fullback: Malcolm Johnson, Browns (-4.1)

Johnson, one of the rare fullbacks still left, was constantly blown up trying to lead-block, finishing with a -3.1 run blocking grade. He also had one pass thrown to him—which he dropped.

Tight end: Brent Celek, Eagles (-4.6)

In one of the worst offensive displays in recent memory, Celek’s -4.2 run blocking grade helped the Eagles run the ball 15 times and actually lose two yards. That included a ridiculous -19 yards on four carries to the outside, where the tight end block is key.

Wide receivers: Harry Douglas, Titans (-4.3) and Rashad Greene, Jaguars (-2.8)

Douglas was targeted eight times in his game against the Browns and managed to haul in just one of those balls, a nine-yard completion. He also had a drop, and, for good measure, one rush that lost six yards. Greene was only targeted four times, but still managed to drop two of those passes.

Tackles: Don Barclay, Packers (-10.3), David Bakhtiari, Packers (-7.3)

They’re teammates on the Packers, and teammates on this list. Aaron Rodgers was running for his life as Barclay, filling in for injured right tackle Bryan Bulaga, allowed an unbelievable 10 QB hurries. Bakhtiari was hardly better, allowing seven QB hurries and both of the Seahawks’ sacks.

Guards: John Miller, Bills (-6.1), Mackenzy Bernadeau, Cowboys (-4.9)

Miller allowed one sack and four QB hurries against the Patriots, and just for good measure, added a -2.2 run block grade. He was not good. Bernadeau false-started twice, earned a holding penalty, and allowed four tackles for short or no gain, leading to his -3.2 run block grade.

Center: Kory Lichtensteiger, Redskins (-10.0)

Lichtensteiger severely struggled against the Rams’ defensive line. In the pass game, he allowed the hat trick; a sack, a hit, and a hurry. He was also beaten two other times on quick throws. Against the run, he allowed six tackles for short gains (between 0 and 2 yards) or less.

Each week we put forward a hybrid defense that features two edge rushers (4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers), three players on the “interior” of the defensive line (3-4 defensive ends or defensive tackles, and two linebackers (all inside linebackers and 4-3 outside linebackers).

Defensive interior – Ends: Denico Autry, Raiders (-4.7) and Kendall Reyes, Chargers (-3.9)

Autry struggled mostly against the run (-3.1), as he was consistently cleared out to make big holes for the Ravens running backs. He also managed just one QB hurry in 35 pass-rushes. The Bengals offensive line manhandled Reyes, and his only tackle of the game was a clean-up tackle for loss.

Defensive interior – Tackle: Tyrunn Walker, Lions (-3.1)

Walker was nearly invisible against the Vikings, making only one tackle (a clean-up) and putting up little-to-no fight against a rushing attack that ran for 199 yards.

Edge rushers: Melvin Ingram, Chargers (-5.2) and Mario Williams, Bills (-4.3)

The good thing about Ingram is that he didn’t struggle mightily at one thing—he just struggled a fair amount at two things. He made only one defensive stop, and missed three tackles (one was nullified by penalty). He also didn’t record a single QB pressure. Williams’ grade came almost entirely from pass-rushing, as he had only one sack (a clean-up) and one QB hit, despite rushing the passer 62 times.

Linebackers: Curtis Lofton, Raiders (-5.1) and Manti Te’o, Chargers (-4.6)

Lofton had a tough time against the run, making only three stops, but struggled even more in coverage. He allowed all seven targets he saw to be caught, surrendering 54 yards and a touchdown. Te’o did next to nothing when defending the run, consistently being blocked out of the play. When he wasn’t, he was struggling to cover his man (-1.0 coverage grade).

Cornerbacks: Jamell Fleming, Chiefs (-5.8) and Johnathan Joseph, Texans (-3.7)

Fleming was absolutely torched by the Broncos receivers, particularly Emmanuel Sanders. Fleming was targeted 13 times, and allowed nine receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. He did have one pass defense, though. Joseph saw nine targets and allowed five of them for 74 yards and a touchdown, leading to his -4.0 coverage grade.

Safeties: Landon Collins, Giants (-4.1) and Kendrick Lewis, Ravens (-3.5)

Despite being a safety, Collins was targeted six times. He allowed four receptions for 81 yards, and all were for first downs. He also missed two tackles, but luckily for him, the one that led to a touchdown was called back by a penalty. Lewis had a pass interference penalty, was pancaked once, missed two tackles, and lost outside-contain on a 24-yard run by Derek Carr.

Kicker: Mike Nugent, Bengals (-1.8)

Nugent missed a 36-yard field goal, and also managed to force only two touchbacks on five kickoffs.

Punter: Tress Way, Redskins (-3.5)

Way averaged only 40.7 yards per punt, and had a terrible 18-yard shank that gave the Rams a chance to score before halftime.

Returner: J.J. Nelson, Cardinals (-1.8)

Nelson had just one punt return—and he muffed it.