Tag: Grade

Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from loss vs. Chiefs

Bo Nix (72.6) received the third-best grade among the Broncos’ offensive players on Sunday. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 10 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 10 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE Lucas Krull: 78.6
  • WR Devaughn Vele: 73.3
  • QB Bo Nix: 72.6
  • OT Garet Bolles: 69.1
  • C Luke Wattenberg: 65.2

Despite the offense not scoring in the second half, it was a good performance from Nix (just ask Patrick Mahomes). Nix put the team in position to win at the end.

Best Defensive Players 

  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 74.4
  • DL D.J. Jones: 72.9
  • CB Pat Surtain: 72.8
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 70.5
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 70.5

A huge game for Denver’s defensive line and pass rush as outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman (69.8) received the sixth-best grade on defense. No Baron Browning, no problem. Inside linebacker Cody Barton (68.1) was seventh.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • OL Ben Powers: 46.8
  • FB Michael Burton: 51.7
  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 55.3
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 56.4
  • RB Javonte Williams: (57.6)

It looks like the Broncos are making a change at running back: Audric Estime (60.5) was ranked 10th on offense this week. Estime (26) led the backfield in snaps, followed by Williams (17) and McLaughlin (7).

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DB P.J. Locke: 38.9
  • DB Brandon Jones: 48.8
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 50.2
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 55.2
  • CB Riley Moss: 57.9

A day to forget for Denver’s safeties, although the illegal contact penalty called against Jones was highly controversial. Justin Strnad (59.0) was the sixth-worst defender. His snaps were declining with the emergence of Kwon Alexander from Weeks 7-9, but Alexander is out of practice squad elevations and he did not dress on Sunday. The Broncos should probably find a spot for Alexander on the active roster so he can play in the final seven games.

Special Teams 

  • ST Levelle Bailey: 68.9
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 43.0
  • R Marvin Mims: 59.7
  • K Wil Lutz: 56.4 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 59.8

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from loss vs. Ravens

Kwon Alexander (92.4) was the Broncos’ best defensive player against the Ravens. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 9 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 9 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • WR Courtland Sutton: 79.0
  • OT Garett Bolles: 71.1
  • C Alex Forsyth: 67.7
  • RB Audric Estime: 66.5
  • FB Michael Burton: 66.2

Sutton threw a touchdown pass and he also had his second-straight game with 100 receiving yards. G Quinn Meinerz (64.3) and QB Bo Nix (63.2) were the sixth- and seventh-best graded players on offense.

Best Defensive Players 

  • LB Kwon Alexander: 92.4
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 76.9
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike: 70.9
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 70.1
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 67.5

Denver made a great signing by picking up Alexander after losing Alex Singleton to a torn ACL. CB Pat Surtain (62.5) and DL Zach Allen (62.3) were sixth- and seventh-best on defense.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 42.0
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 50.1
  • TE Adam Trautman: 50.1
  • TE Lucas Krull: 51.6
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 52.8

Nix is getting no help from his tight ends and little help from non-Sutton receivers: Marvin Mims (53.7) and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (56.5) were the sixth- and seventh-worst players on offense.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • LB Justin Strnad: 25.6
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 27.2
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 30.1
  • CB Riley Moss: 38.0
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 41.0

Strnad seems to be ceding the ILB job to Alexander. McMillian and Moss had a rough day in coverage.

Special Teams 

  • ST JL Skinner: 88.8
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 62.7
  • R Marvin Mims: 63.7
  • K Wil Lutz: 62.6 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 60.4

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from win vs. Panthers

Broncos QB Bo Nix (87.2) had a great game against the Panthers. View more grades from PFF here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 8 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 8 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE Adam Trautman: 90.0
  • QB Bo Nix: 87.2
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 80.9
  • C Alex Forsyth: 80.3
  • OT Garett Bolles: 79.4

It was a great showing for the offensive line as right tackle Mike McGlinchey (79.1) was the sixth-best player on offense. WR Courtland Sutton (72.0) was up next on offense.

Best Defensive Players 

  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 83.1
  • CB Levin Wallace: 79.2
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 74.9
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 74.5
  • OLB Baron Browning: 72.1

No sacks for him, but maybe teams seeking pass-rush help will notice Browning’s performance ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. CB Pat Surtain (70.9) was the team’s sixth-best defender.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • WR Troy Franklin: 39.5
  • OL Calvin Throckmorton: 41.4
  • TE Lucas Kull: 49.8
  • WR Marvin Mims: 51.6
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 53.4

Perhaps the Broncos should consider trading for a wide receiver before the deadline.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DB Tremon Smith: 39.6
  • CB Riley Moss: 41.4
  • DL Zach Allen: 47.5
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 48.8
  • DB Kevon Key: 54.0

Never mind Smith’s poor grade on defense; he’s an ace on special teams. Meanwhile, Moss and Allen posted uncharacteristically low grades.

Special Teams 

  • ST Tremon Smith: 71.5
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 63.9
  • R Marvin Mims: 60.5
  • K Wil Lutz: 64.5 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 62.6

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Wisconsin cornerback among PFF’s best true freshman of 2024 season

Wisconsin cornerback among PFF’s best true freshman of 2024 season

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas continues to grade well in the eyes of ProFootballFocus.

The standout true freshman has an overall grade of 80.7 through seven weeks of action, good for sixth among all true freshmen in the Power Four.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s premier matchup with Penn State

Lucas has battled minor injuries throughout the season, though has been mostly available for Mike Tressel’s secondary. He has recorded nine total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and two pass deflections in that time.

Raw statistics are often misleading when evaluating cornerbacks, however, as those who are thrown toward less are usually the ones who are best in coverage. For example, Wisconsin star CB Ricardo Hallman barely has any counting statistics this season (nine tackles, four pass deflections), but he’s playing like one of the best corners in the country.

Lucas is certainly playing up to that caliber.

He trails only Oklahoma‘s Eli Bowen (81.4), Louisville’s Isaac Brown (81.6), Ohio State‘s Jeremiah Smith (82.4), Texas‘ Colin Simmons (86.4) and Minnesota’s Koi Perich (91.1) on PFF’s latest list of the true freshmen in the sport:

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1849437436402683981

Lucas’ status for Wisconsin’s Saturday night showdown with No. 3 Penn State is somewhat up in the air. He left the Badgers’ win over Northwestern last weekend and did not return. There has since been no material update on his availability for Saturday.

His status will be worth monitoring as kickoff nears for a season-defining opportunity for Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from win vs. Saints

Broncos LB Cody Barton (93.2) had a huge game against the Saints on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ View more grades from PFF here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 33-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 7 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 6 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • OT Garett Bolles: 83.1
  • OG Ben Powers: 79.5
  • FB Nate Adkins: 78.7
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 75.8
  • WR Devaughn Vele: 73.4

It’s no wonder that Javonte Williams (71.8) had one of the best games of his career when the offensive line turned in those performances. Denver had its most rushing yards in a single game (225) since 2013.

Best Defensive Players 

  • LB Cody Barton: 93.2
  • CB Damarri Mathis: 89.4
  • LB Justin Strnad: 85.6
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 78.4
  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 77.6

If not for D.J. Jones jumping early, Barton would have had two defensive touchdowns against the Saints. Mathis made an immediate impact after returning from injured reserve. Kwon Alexander (77.6) got the start against his former team, but Strnad played the majority of the snaps (42 vs. 21).

Worst Offensive Players 

  • WR Courtland Sutton (44.7)
  • RB Audric Estime (55.9)
  • WR Marvin Mims (57.2)
  • TE Adam Trautman (58.4)
  • C Alex Forsyth (58.7)

A strange game for Sutton, who played 56 snaps but drew zero targets. Perhaps the Broncos knew the Saints would try to take Sutton out of the game and opted to feature other WRs. Estime’s fumbles are a concern. Bo Nix (59.1) received PFF’s sixth-worst grade on offense.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • DB Keidron Smith: 29.4
  • DB Devon Key: 46.9
  • DB P.J. Locke: 52.8
  • OLB Baron Browning: 53.2
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 59.8

This is the third straight game that Locke has received a poor grade from PFF. Denver put in the second-string defense on the final drive of the game and Smith and Key apparently did not impress.

Special Teams 

  • ST Adam Trautman: 90.2
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 64.8
  • R Marvin Mims: 64.5
  • K Wil Lutz: 72.7 (FG) 48.3 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 64.3

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from loss to Chargers

Levi Wallace (92.0) stepped up at cornerback after the Broncos lost Pat Surtain to a concussion on Sunday.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 6 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • WR Courtland Sutton: 85.3
  • OT Matt Peart: 81.7
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 81.0
  • QB Bo Nix: 78.7
  • G Ben Powers: 70.4

Sutton had an impressive one-handed touchdown catch and Peart filled in well at right tackle. Wide receiver Devaughn Vele (68.4) was the sixth-highest graded player on offense, followed by left tackle Garett Bolles (66.2) and running back Audric Estime (62.9).

Best Defensive Players 

  • CB Levi Wallace: 92.0
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 87.1
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 81.6
  • DB Brandon Jones: 76.2
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 75.7

Wallace stepped up after the team lost Pat Surtain to a concussion. Meanwhile, the team’s pass rush continues to impress.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • RB Javonte Williams: 38.3
  • TE Adam Trautman: 49.2
  • TE Lucas Krull: 49.6
  • WR Marvin Mims: 55.1
  • C Alex Forsyth: 57.1

Williams lost a fumble and dropped a pass and Estime played well. Perhaps we’ll see more of the rookie going forward. Looking ahead to 2025, tight end will likely be a top position of need for the Broncos.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 46.0
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 50.1
  • LB Cody Barton: 52.4
  • DB P.J. Locke: 55.5
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 55.8

McMillian struggled after Surtain left the game and Locke has now had consecutive weeks ranking among the worst defenders in Denver. The Broncos will need McMillian and Locke to bounce back on Thursday.

Special Teams 

  • ST Kristian Welch: 84.6
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 84.6
  • R Marvin Mims: 63.1
  • K Wil Lutz: 63.3 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 69.4

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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CBS Sports gives Broncos ‘A’ grade after Week 5

CBS Sports gave the Broncos an ‘A’ grade following their big win over the Raiders.

The Denver Broncos are back on track.

Expectations are rising for the Broncos after they defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18 this past Sunday. Head coach Sean Payton is delivering on turning the culture around, guiding the Broncos to a 3-2 record as the first quarter of the season is over, and Bo Nix is showing mastery of Payton’s offenses, throwing for two touchdowns with a 70.4% completion rate in the win.

John Breech of CBS Sports grades each NFL team’s performance every week, and he gave the Broncos an “A” due to their Sunday performance.

This was Breech’s commentary on Denver this week:

The Broncos gave Patrick Surtain a $96 million extension before the start of the season and he showed why they’re paying him the the big bucks. Surtain had two interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six in the first quarter that started a run of 31 straight points for Denver. Offensively, Bo Nix had another efficient game. He’s not wowing anyone with this throws, but he’s not making many mistakes. He threw for 206 yards while totaling three touchdowns, including one on the ground. With three wins in a row, the Broncos are quietly starting to look like one of the better teams in the AFC.

This Sunday, let’s see if the Broncos can capitalize and improve to 4-2. They face off against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from win over Raiders

No surprise: Pat Surtain (92.0) was the Broncos’ highest-graded player by PFF against the Raiders.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ impressive 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 5 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • OT Garett Bolles: 79.5
  • RB Javonte Williams: 78.6
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 70.2
  • WR Marvin Mims: 68.9
  • TE Adam Trautman: 68.5

Williams had another productive game after impressing last week. Quarterback Bo Nix (66.5) received the seventh-best grade on offense.

Best Defensive Players 

  • CB Pat Surtain: 92.0
  • DL D.J. Jones: 84.3
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 80.8
  • CB Riley Moss: 80.1
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 74.3

No surprise that Surtain was the team’s best-graded player after he grabbed two interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six. Moss also recorded his first career interception and Denver’s defensive line dominated up front.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 44.7
  • C Alex Forsyth: 48.0
  • TE Lucas Krull: 53.1
  • WR Troy Franklin: 54.8
  • FB Michael Burton: 58.8

PFF clearly didn’t like the performance of the fullbacks on Sunday. Franklin ending up near the bottom of the list isn’t a surprise after he dropped what would have been a touchdown.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • OLB Dondrea Tillman: 44.1
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 49.4
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 52.1
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 53.3
  • DB P.J. Locke: 54.7

Locke was likely dinged for failing to break up a pass on what ended up being a Brock Bowers touchdown to give the Raiders an early 7-0 lead. He bounced back after that.

Special Teams 

  • ST Levelle Bailey: 73.4
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 65.4
  • R Marvin Mims: 61.6
  • K Wil Lutz: 64.4 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 73.5

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Broncos DB Brandon Jones is PFF’s No. 1 safety this season

Broncos defensive back Brandon Jones is PFF’s highest-graded safety (90.0) through four games this season.

Four games into his career with the Denver Broncos, Brandon Jones is currently graded as the NFL’s best safety by Pro Football Focus.

PFF has given Jones an overall grade of 90.0, with an 87.9 coverage grade. The 26-year-old safety joined Denver after the team released Justin Simmons this spring.

“I’m pleased because there’s a little bit of unknown just not having him and, man, he’s got real good football instincts, savvy, the ball finds him,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked about Jones following the team’s 10-9 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. “He’s doing well.”

Jones is Denver’s first player since 2015 to record at least one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the team’s first four games of a season. The last player to do it was Darian Stewart, a member of the No Fly Zone defense that won Super Bowl 50.

Jones has totaled 24 tackles, two pass breakups and two takeaways through four games with the Broncos. He was an excellent signing this offseason.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from win over Jets

PFF has released grades from the Broncos’ win over the Jets. These were Denver’s best (and worst) players in Week 4.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ ugly 10-9 win over the New York Jets in Week 4, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 3 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • G Ben Powers: 83.3
  • OT Garett Bolles: 80.8
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 79.3
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 72.3
  • WR Courtland Sutton: 67.7

Denver’s offensive line had a great day, with Alex Palczewski (67.4) tied as the sixth-best player on offense and Luke Wattenberg (65.7) one spot behind him. McLaughlin and Javonte Williams (67.4) had their best games of the season.

Best Defensive Players 

  • LB Kristian Welch: 86.1
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 86.1
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 79.8
  • CB Levi Wallace: 78.8
  • CB Ja’Qauan McMillian: 76.8

Welch had a small sample size of just three snaps on defense, but he had a key tackle to keep Breece Hall out of the end zone at the one-yard line. Pat Surtain (76.5) received the sixth-best grade on defense, followed by Jonathon Copper (76.2), Brandon Jones (76.1) and Riley Moss (74.1). The secondary had a great game, and Justin Strnad (72.1) stepped up at linebacker.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • RB Tyler Badie (37.5)
  • OT Matt Peart (42.6)
  • TE Greg Dulcich (43.3)
  • QB Bo Nix (48.9)
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (49.2)

Badie suffered a scary back injury and left in the first quarter (he’s expected to be okay). Nix posted just 60 yards but he had no turnovers and did not take any sacks, so being graded as the third-worst player on offense seems a little harsh.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 41.0
  • DB P.J. Locke: 54.3
  • ILB Cody Barton: 57.7
  • OLB Dondrea Tillman: 58.2
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 58.6

Locke had a key sack in the fourth quarter and Barton seemingly played well filling in for Alex Singleton. Both their grades feel extremely harsh.

Special Teams 

  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 85.6
  • R Marvin Mims: 61.0
  • K Wil Lutz: 43.9 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 64.4

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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