1. Trent Williams, LT, Washington Redskins (91.5)
Returning in Week 14 after serving a four-game suspension, Trent Williams has been the best lineman in the league when on the field this season. The Redskins LT has allowed just 10 total QB pressures across the eight games he has played, and has even had to moonlight at guard in-game when injuries forced a reshuffle for Washington. Williams has been one of the league’s best run blockers, but has upped his game in pass protection and is playing the best football of his career, reminding people of his 2013 season, when he was arguably the league’s best tackle. It has taken him a few years, but Williams is finally repeating that performance over a full season (or full season minus four games).
O-Lines:
7. Washington Redskins (12)
Top overall grade: LT Trent Williams, 92.8 (No. 1)
Top pass-blocking grade: LT Trent Williams, 90.6 (No. 3)
Top run-blocking grade: LT Trent Williams, 89.0 (No. 1)
LT Trent Williams was back to his best form, which is to say the best left tackle in the game. He missed four games through suspension, but ended the season with an overall grade of 92.8, the best mark for any offensive lineman at any position. Williams surrendered 16 total QB pressures in 12 games, and was only flagged three times, while also run blocking well. He even moonlighted at left guard when injuries forced a reshuffle mid-game. Spencer Long proved to be a huge upgrade over the level of play the team had a year ago at the center position, and when the team lost Kory Lichtensteiger to injury early in the year, it actually provided them another upgrade. Tackle Ty Nsekhe, who played 385 snaps filling in for Williams when he was suspended, also played remarkably well, allowing just one sack over the season and none in the four games that he started.
Corners:
11. Josh Norman, Washington Redskins, 83.5
Josh Norman may not be playing quite as well as he did a season ago in Carolina, but he has still been very good for Washington, albeit prone to getting beat a little more often. Norman has been beaten for three touchdowns (having surrendered only two all of last season), and has only one pick, but he does have eight pass breakups, has allowed only 52.0 percent of the passes thrown his way to be caught, and has generally made plays even when shadowing top receivers. Norman owns a league-high 12 penalties, though, three more than any other corner, and needs to rein in his play a little.
Secondaries:
26. Washington Redskins (26)
Top overall grade: CB Josh Norman, 82.0 (No. 24)
Top coverage grade: CB Josh Norman, 84.0 (No. 14)
Top run defense grade: CB Josh Norman, 79.5 (No. 17)
Most snaps: CB Josh Norman, 1,059
Big-money free agent Josh Norman didn’t quite match his 2015 season, but was still a considerable improvement for the Washington secondary. In fact, Norman actually made plays on the ball more often than he did last season; the former Panther intercepted or broke up 20 percent of his targets, the highest percentage in the league. Beyond Norman, injuries definitely did not help the Redskins’ secondary. However, Will Blackmon played well when given a chance, and Bashaud Breeland played better as the season progressed. Missed tackles were an issue for Washington’s defensive backs. Their 61 missed tackles were fifth-most among NFL secondaries, and Duke Ihenacho recorded the second-most for a defensive back, with 15.
Front Sevens:
21. Washington Redskins
Top overall grade: LB Mason Foster, 86.3
Lowest overall grade: DE Ziggy Hood, 41.7
Why the Redskins chose to part ways with Stephen Paea in order to give Ziggy Hood 662 snaps, I have no idea, but it certainly didn’t work out for them. Hood earned the fourth-lowest run-defense grade of any starting interior lineman this year, and collected only 17 QB pressures all season long. The weak interior ruined what were very impressive seasons from their outside linebackers, Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy, who both totaled over 20 combined sacks and hits.
Receiving Corps:
3. Washington Redskins (2)
Starters: WR Pierre Garçon, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jamison Crowder, TE Jordan Reed, TE Vernon Davis
Yet another team that can throw four above-average options on the field at once. The Redskins may not have a sure-fire No. 1 receiver, but each has their own niche they excel within. What’s most surprising about this unit is the resurgence of Vernon Davis. The maligned tight end has only 174 passing snaps on the season, but is second behind only Rob Gronkowski in yards per route run (2.57).
RB Units:
27. Washington Redskins
Key contributors: Matt Jones, Chris Thompson
Matt Jones has looked much better in year two than he did as a rookie, except for the whole holding-onto-the ball thing, which I’m told is important. Jones’ four fumbles lead the position and put in question his status as the lead back. Still, though, much of his production is due to an absurdly-good offensive line, as Jones has been the fifth-least elusive back in the NFL.
Misc:
Ryan Kerrigan #4 in QB pressures among all defenders.
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