There may not be a better story among this year’s rookie class than that of Maxx Crosby. He was a 4th round pick out of Eastern Michigan who finished the year boasting numbers that have him in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Or at least making an All-Rookie team.
The first of those All-Rookie teams was released Tuesday with the Pro Football Writers Association putting out theirs. Josh Jacobs was there. He was named their Offensive Rookie of the Year. Notably absent was Crosby.
Crosby has the misfortune of playing the same position as Nick Bosa, who had a rookie record 80 pressures this season. Even with fewer sacks (9.0) than Crosby (10.0) those pressure numbers are hard to deny. Bosa was named the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year.
There are two DE spots on the PFWA team though, so Crosby would seem to have had a decent shot at the other one. He was passed over in favor of Josh Allen.
The 2019 PFWA All-Rookie Team and rookie honors: pic.twitter.com/mmHVHWWQFx
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 14, 2020
On one hand, it’s impressive for a 4th round pick to be going toe-to-toe with the 2nd overall pick (Bosa) and the 7th overall pick (Allen). On the other hand, Crosby is a better overall player than Allen.
Allen had only slightly better pressure numbers. He had 10.5 sacks to Crosby’s 10.0, 22 QB hits to Crosby’s 14, and 49 pressures to Crosby’s 45. But Crosby blows him out of the water in every other statistical category.
Crosby has more tackles (46) than Allen (44), five more tackles for loss (16), eight more run stops (23), two more forced fumbles (4), and four pass breakups while Allen had none. By the fifth game of the season, Crosby had proven he was an every-down defensive end. Allen was never given those responsibilities.
So, if you’re thinking Crosby deserved the nod over Allen, you have a legit gripe. Playing the position shouldn’t be just about how many times you can get to the quarterback.
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