Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive tackle Poona Ford was among the most valuable players in the NFL last season, at least according to VAMP – or value over market price.
This measurement uses a players grade from Pro Football Focus and their number of snaps to give them a production score. That score is then multiplied by the average market price of their position to give the player a real market value.
From there, the players actual salary is deducted and thus, their VAMP is created.
Ford had the ninth highest VAMP among players who are still on their rookie contracts last season, with a VAMP score of $6.3 million. He ranked behind quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, DeShaun Watson, Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff, along with receiver Michael Thomas, edge defender T.J. Watt and receiver Kenny Golladay.
Ford earned an excellent 88.2 grade from PFF last season, including an elite grade in run protection. He was a revelation for the Seahawks, coming over as an undrafted free agent despite being an All-Big-12 selection while at Texas.
He immediately established himself as a run-stuffing defensive tackle, who also showed a surprising ability to get through the line to the quarterback when needed.
He is expected to be a huge part of Seattle’s defensive attack again next season. Not bad for a guy with just a $572k cap hit.
