Pro Football Focus started releasing its annual list of the top 101 players in the NFL earlier in the week. Outside linebacker Justin Houston was the first member of the Chiefs to make this list at No. 80. Teammates Dee Ford and Mitchell Schwartz have joined him at No. 37 and No. 35 respectively.
Dee Ford has never appeared in a PFF top 101 list before. 2018 was largely considered a breakout season for Ford and he saw massive production pressuring the quarterback. Here’s what PFF had to say about him:
“Dee Ford had a breakout year in his fifth season as a pro, the first season in which he earned an overall grade higher than 65.0. His overall grade of 88.6 ranked 11th among edge defenders in 2018, and his pass-rush grade of 91.0 ranked first. Ford led all edge defenders with 77 total pressures (45 hurries, 17 hits, 15 sacks).”
Ford is finally playing like the Chiefs had hoped he would. Being the pressure leader among all qualifying edge defenders is a huge improvement for Ford. The problem is that it’s coming in a contract year. The franchise tag may be the Chiefs’ only option at retaining this player.
Mitchell Schwartz is making his second appearance on a PFF top 101 list. He was the PFF Bruce Matthew’s award winner for outstanding offensive lineman this season, so it shouldn’t surprise that he’s among the top players in the NFL per PFF’s metrics. In the top 101 list PFF noted 2018 was the best graded year of Schwartz’s career. His overall grade was fifth among all offensive tackles (both left and right). Schwartz has been solid throughout his career and it feels like the Chiefs are getting some of his best years.
I expect several other Chiefs will make it on the top 101 list from PFF this season. Chris Jones, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Patrick Mahomes have yet to make it and there are only 25 remaining spots. It’s a safe bet that all four of those players will be in the top 25.
.jpg?w=600)
