Denzel Ward

[Jack Brickman]

It seems the only other guy that you could even argue is Leighton Vander Esch from Dallas. He has the highest PFF grade for any rookie defender and has looked pretty damn good thus far in the couple games I watched Dallas.

Don't forget about Darius Leonard if he can stay healthy.

 

[blommen]

Derwin James has apparently also been killing it for the Chargers and people are arguing whether or not he could be a pro bowler. Now, Safety isn't nearly as contentious a position as CB and probably isn't as "valuable", but he really has been putting in the work so far.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Derwin James has apparently also been killing it for the Chargers and people are arguing whether or not he could be a pro bowler. Now, Safety isn't nearly as contentious a position as CB and probably isn't as "valuable", but he really has been putting in the work so far.

Yeah, he's been fantastic as well.

 

[prf100]

It seems the only other guy that you could even argue is Leighton Vander Esch from Dallas. He has the highest PFF grade for any rookie defender and has looked pretty damn good thus far in the couple games I watched Dallas.

Definitely should win for Girliest Name.

 

[Real Deal]

 

[Phills14]

Definitely should win for Girliest Name.

Or most likely to date rape someone in Lake Havasu during spring break

 

[NorthCoastBias]

View: https://twitter.com/dmcodj/status/1050865272721207296

 

[Ohio]

View: https://twitter.com/JeffRatcliffe/status/1051867645262356480


A bright spot from Sunday, I suppose.

 

[Ohio]

2018 SEASON GRADE: 81.1
In Week 7 against the Buccaneers, Denzel Ward once again showed why he was worthy of the No. 4 overall pick in this past offseason’s draft. Ward was beaten down the field early in the game by DeSean Jackson on a pass that fell incomplete due to an overthrow, but that was one of his few blemishes of the day. Ward went on to play solid coverage and allowed just four receptions from eight targets for 36 yards, while he also added two pass breakups. Through seven weeks, Ward has allowed a passer rating of only 63.4 on throws into his coverage, which is the ninth-best mark among cornerbacks this year.

Ward is currently ranked by PFF as the 5th best CB in the NFL.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I think DROY is really neck and neck between James / Ward.

The big problem for Denzel will be it is likely the Chargers win 10-11 games.

Browns D has been good but it's going to be tough for DW to overcome high level performance, on a winning team.

PFF Grades through 7 weeks:

Ward: OVR - 80.8, COV -85.4, RUN - 50.2, Snaps - 541 (#5 overall CB)
James: OVR - 82.8, COV -77, RUN - 74.8, Snaps - 447 (#6 overall S)

Raw Stats:

Ward: 32 tackles, 8 PD, 3 INTs
James: 44 tackles, 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks

Out of qualifying coverage snap corners, Ward is ranked #3 in the entire league as rookie....which is insane.

James isn't elite in either metric (Run / Pass) but is a player with absolutely no weaknesses. His overall grade puts him in the high quality, bordering on elite rating.....which is even more impressive with SD having played the entire season without its' best pass rusher.

Tough to pick one at this point.

 

[Ohio]

I think DROY is really neck and neck between James / Ward.

The big problem for Denzel will be it is likely the Chargers win 10-11 games.

Browns D has been good but it's going to be tough for DW to overcome high level performance, on a winning team.

PFF Grades through 7 weeks:

Ward: OVR - 80.8, COV -85.4, RUN - 50.2, Snaps - 541 (#5 overall CB)
James: OVR - 82.8, COV -77, RUN - 74.8, Snaps - 447 (#6 overall S)

Raw Stats:

Ward: 32 tackles, 8 PD, 3 INTs
James: 44 tackles, 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks

Out of qualifying coverage snap corners, Ward is ranked #3 in the entire league as rookie....which is insane.

James isn't elite in either metric (Run / Pass) but is a player with absolutely no weaknesses. His overall grade puts him in the high quality, bordering on elite rating.....which is even more impressive with SD having played the entire season without its' best pass rusher.

Tough to pick one at this point.

Darius Leonard has been great as well.

It'll be a tight race down to the end for sure.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Darius Leonard has been great as well.

It'll be a tight race down to the end for sure.

He's been good but he just isn't in the same category as Ward / James.....in terms of peer comparison.

Both secondary players are bordering on top 5 of their position as rookies.

Leonard is more of a top 15 ish LB, depending on what metric you want to look at.

Certainly a very good player, especially for a rookie but Ward / James are in a different class at this point.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

I know his PFF grade is poor, but let’s be real, that has no impact on these awards. It’s a flashy stat driven award so sacks and turnovers are weighted heavily

That said Chubb has 5 sacks in the last 2 weeks. If he gets to 10 on the season he will be a contender as well

 

[Ohio]

I still don't understand why/how Derwin fell to #17 in the draft.

 

[Ohio]

I know his PFF grade is poor, but let’s be real, that has no impact on these awards. It’s a flashy stat driven award so sacks and turnovers are weighted heavily

That said Chubb has 5 sacks in the last 2 weeks. If he gets to 10 on the season he will be a contender as well

Why I mentioned Leonard as well. Dude's on pace for a shitload of tackles, he's also got 4 sacks in 6 games along with 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He'll end up being the flashy stat king of the defensive rookies.