Tag: Chargers PFF

Chargers’ Khalil Mack named to PFF’s top 101 players from 2023

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2023.

Despite a dud of a season, the Chargers still had a few key contributors.

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2023, and Khalil Mack made the list, checking in at No. 40.

Mack bounced back in 2023 and posted his best performance since at least 2020. He tallied 88 quarterback pressures, headed by 18 sacks, on his way to an elite PFF grade that showed well in every facet of play.

After considering retiring following the Chargers’ playoff collapse to the Jaguars, Mack had one of the best years of his career in his 10th NFL season.

He set a career-high in sacks for a season with 17 and became the 43rd player in NFL history to hit the 100-sack mark. A menace off the edge, Mack not only got after the quarterback at a high level, but he was also a key contributor at defending the run.

In a season where the defense struggled, Mack remained a bright spot that shined on a weekly basis. For his efforts, he was named to his eighth Pro Bowl.

Chargers’ Khalil Mack makes PFF’s Team of the Week for Week 4

Khalil Mack earned high praise from Pro Football Focus.

After a career day in the Chargers’ win over the Raiders, edge defender Khalil Mack was named to Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week for Week 4.

Here is what they said about Mack’s performance:

Mack registered a sack around once every six pass-rushing snaps, finishing the game with six sacks and three hurries on 38 pass-rushing opportunities. It was an incredible bounce-back game for the veteran.

Mack earned an overall grade of 92.3, his highest mark since the 2020 season when he played with the Bears.

He posted six sacks, two of which resulted in fumbles. His six sacks are a career-high for a single game and a franchise record. It’s also tied for the second-most sacks in a single game in NFL history.

Mack was one sack shy of tying the single-game sack record, which is held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas, dating back to 1990.

For a player who was quietly making an impact despite not recording a sack coming into this past weekend’s game, it was quite the way to raise some eyebrows and remind people that Mack is still a game-wrecker.

Pair of Chargers named to PFF’s top 101 players from 2022

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2022, and the Chargers had two players make the list.

The Chargers had a few key contributors on both sides of the ball this past season.

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2022, and Los Angeles had two players make the list.

The first player mentioned was center Corey Linsley, who checked in at No. 95.

Linsley allowed just seven pressures across 15 games this past season, none of which were sacks. His run blocking wasn’t quite at the same level, but he has been arguably the best pass-blocking center in the game for several seasons.

Despite missing two games, Linsley continued to show why the Chargers signed him two offseasons ago. The 31-year-old Linsley was dominant in pass protection, finishing with Pro Football Focus’ best pass block grade in the league and zero sacks allowed.

Next up was safety Derwin James at No. 65 overall.

There may not be a more complete NFL safety than Derwin James, who was able to post his second straight largely injury-free season for the Chargers. James has yet to earn a below-average PFF grade in any facet of play over a season in his NFL career.

James, the do-it-all defender, finished the regular season with 115 tackles, five for loss, four sacks, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and an interception in 14 games. He earned his third Pro Bowl nod and was named AP Second-Team All-Pro.

While they didn’t make this list, other players, like quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler, cornerback Michael Davis and edge defender Khalil Mack were more than deserving of making it from their play this past season.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in season opener vs. Raiders

Here are the Chargers’ best and worst performers against the Raiders, per Pro Football Focus’ grades.

In the opening game of the 2022 regular season, the Chargers took care of business at home against the Raiders.

En route to victory, a handful of players helped guide the team along the way.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (67) or defense (58).

Top 5 Offense

WR DeAndre Carter – 90.4

WR Keenan Allen — 82.1

QB Justin Herbert – 79.8

OT Rashawn Slater – 79.0

TE Gerald Everett – 73.5

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 87.0

EDGE Joey Bosa — 82.6

LB Drue Tranquill — 77.6

S Nasir Adderley — 76.4

DT Austin Johnson — 76.0

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Josh Palmer — 56.5

G Zion Johnson — 54.8

OT Trey Pipkins — 53.0

WR Mike Williams — 45.5

TE Tre’ McKitty — 29.7

Bottom 5 Defense

S Alohi Gilman — 54.0

DT Jerry Tillery — 50.9

CB Asante Samuel Jr. — 49.8

CB Michael Davis — 48.7

DT Sebastian Joseph-Day — 30.0

Pro Football Focus tabs Chargers’ Corey Linsley as NFL’s best center

Chargers center Corey Linsley reigned supreme.

The Chargers aggressively addressed their offensive line entering 2021, adding second-team All-Pro Rashawn Slater via the draft and left guard Matt Feiler via free agency. Yet, their biggest addition and arguably best lineman in 2021 was veteran Corey Linsley, who was given a five-year, $62.5 million contract to come to Los Angeles last offseason.

So far, that investment looks to be paying off, as Pro Football Focus named Linsley the best center in the league in its 2022 rankings. He edged out the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey and the Lions’ Frank Ragnow, the only other two centers categorized as elite by Ben Linsey. The former Packer has been in at least the 90th percentile of most of PFF’s stable metrics since 2020, including a 96th percentile score in pass-block grade on true pass sets.

Here’s what Linsey had to say about the center position:

An elite center is a force multiplier for an offensive line, given their responsibilities to call protections and organize the rest of the unit. They’re not just asked to lock down their position; they’re asked to put their fellow offensive linemen and quarterback in a position to succeed.

And that’s why we’ve seen teams with young quarterbacks — the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals, to name a few — aggressively pursue proven veterans at the position in recent years.

That sentiment certainly rings true for Linsley, whose first season in LA marked an improvement in offensive DVOA from 15th in the league to 4th. Of course, there are many reasons why the Chargers’ offense improved in 2021, but Linsley’s stable veteran presence on the offensive line is undoubtedly a contributing factor. That presence should only amplify importance in year two, especially with rookie Zion Johnson slated to start at right guard next to Linsley.

PFF only ranked the top 16 centers in the league. As a result, AFC West rivals Denver, and Las Vegas failed to land a player on the list.

5 Chargers named to PFF’s top 101 players from 2021

The Chargers were well-represented.

The Chargers had a few key contributors on both sides of the ball this past season.

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2021, and Los Angeles had five players make the list.

The first player mentioned was safety Derwin James, who checked in at No. 99.

After missing most of 2019 and all of the 2020 season with lower-body injuries, James returned to the action like he never skipped a beat.

Wearing multiple hats, James was impactful in all facets, finishing the season with 118 tackles, seven for loss, five passes defended, and two interceptions.

Next up was edge defender Joey Bosa at No. 50 overall.

A menace off the edge, Bosa posted 68 quarterback pressures, ten sacks, seven strip-sacks. He was named to his fourth Pro Bowl of his career.

Following Bosa was offensive tackle Rashawn Slater at No. 39 overall.

Slater, the No. 13 overall selection of the 2021 NFL draft, allowed only 26 pressures and four sacks while imposing will in the run game. He was also named a Pro Bowler and earned Second-Team All-Pro.

After Slater was center Corey Linsley at No. 37 overall.

The anchor of the offensive line, Linsley surrendered just 10 pressures and zero sacks. Like Slater, Linsley was also named to the Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors.

Finally, the heart and soul of the Chargers, quarterback Justin Herbert, checked in at No. 25 overall.

Herbert finished his sophomore season with a 65.9 completion percentage, 5,014 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions, 302 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.

Herbert ranks first among quarterbacks in their first two seasons in NFL history in passing touchdowns (69), passing yards (9,350), and completions (839). He also owns the franchise record for most passing touchdowns.

Chargers PFF grades: Top offensive, defensive performers from 2021 season

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ top-5 performers on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Which Chargers players impressed the most this season?

I put out who I thought did, and now it’s time to shift gears to the analytics.

With that being said, here are the best performers on both sides of the ball, according to PFF’s player grades.

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert — 90.1

C Corey Linsley — 86.3

OT Rashawn Slater — 83.7

WR Mike Williams — 77.6

WR Keenan Allen — 77.5

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa — 85.9

S Derwin James — 78.5

S Nasir Adderley — 66.2

LB Kyzir White — 65.1

EDGE Uchenna Nwosu — 64.3

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 18 loss to Raiders

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest graded Chargers players from the loss to the Raiders.

On Sunday, the Chargers’ season came to an end after losing to the Raiders.

Along the way, some players performed well, and there were a few who struggled.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from the Week 18 contest, according to Pro Football Focus player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 30% of the snaps on offense (93) or defense (80).

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert – 78.8

WR Mike Williams – 78.7

C Corey Linsley – 73.6

OT Rashawn Slater – 67.7

OL Michael Schofield – 65.4

Top 5 Defense

S Nasir Adderley – 87.0

LB Kyzir White – 79.4

S Alohi Gilman – 72.4

S Derwin James – 72.2

NT Linval Joseph – 69.9

Bottom 5 Offense

RB Austin Ekeler – 58.5

WR Keenan Allen – 56.3

OL Matt Feiler -53.2

TE Stephen Anderson – 47.6

OT Storm Norton – 43.3

Bottom 5 Defense

DT Christian Covington – 51.4

CB Chris Harris Jr. – 47.8

EDGE Joey Bosa – 47.0

DT Jerry Tillery – 42.6

LB Kenneth Murray – 28.9

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 17 win over Broncos

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ individual studs and duds from the Chargers’ win over the Broncos.

In Week 17, the Chargers ran away with a road win over the Broncos.

En route to victory, there were a handful of players who helped guide the team along the way.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (67) or defense (60).

Top 5 Offense

OT Rashawn Slater – 94.8

OL Michael Schofield – 84.5

QB Justin Herbert – 79.4

OT Trey Pipkins – 73.3

WR Mike Williams – 68.8

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa – 81.5

DT Linval Joseph – 68.9

S Derwin James – 68.5

EDGE Uchenna Nwosu – 65.1

DT Jerry Tillery – 59.5

Bottom 5 Offense

OL Scott Quessenberry – 65.0

WR Jalen Guyton – 64.4

TE Stephen Anderson – 51.0

WR Josh Palmer – 47.6

OL Matt Feiler – 46.2

Bottom 5 Defense

S Nasir Adderley – 49.8

CB Asante Samuel Jr. – 43.9

CB Chris Harris Jr. – 42.3

LB Kyzir White – 40.2

CB Michael Davis – 37.3

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 16 loss to Texans

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest graded Chargers players from the loss to the Texans.

On Sunday, the Chargers fell to the Texans in an unexpected manner, 41-29.

Along the way, some players performed well, and there were a few who struggled.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from the Week 16 contest, according to Pro Football Focus player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (62) or defense (68).

Top 5 Offense

OT Storm Norton – 78.2

TE Stephen Anderson – 75.5

TE Jared Cook – 68.5

OL Michael Schofield – 66.5

WR Josh Palmer – 66.2

Top 5 Defense

DT Christian Covington – 81.8

DT Breiden Fehoko – 68.1

EDGE Uchenna Nwosu – 66.0

DT Jerry Tillery – 64.8

LB Kyzir White – 61.1

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Jason Moore – 64.1

RB Justin Jackson – 62.3

OL Scott Quessenberry – 61.9

WR Keenan Allen – 61.7

OT Rashawn Slater – 60.0

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Kenneth Murray – 50.9

CB Asante Samuel Jr. – 48.5

S Alohi Gilman – 47.5

NT Linval Joseph – 42.3

CB Davontae Harris – 38.3