Tag: Pro Football Focus rankings

Which Washington Commanders are in the PFF Top 100 free agents?

Where is Daron Payne ranked? And are there any other Commanders ranked?

According to Pro Football Focus, who are the top 100 NFL players that are set to now enter free agency?

In addition, where does Pro Football Focus rank the Washington Commanders players entering free agency?

Daron Payne is certainly the leading Commander entering free agency. Payne, who made $8.529 million in 2022, has made no secret that his chief desire this offseason is to get what he feels is due him. PFF ranked Payne as the No. 9 player entering free agency in 2023.

Interestingly enough, not a single Washington Commanders player (other than Payne) was considered by PFF to be in the top 100 NFL free agents for this upcoming cycle.

Though Washington had a 5-3-1 record in games started by quarterback Taylor Henicke, PFF apparently was not overly impressed with Heinicke’s play in 2022.

Safety Jeremy Reaves was voted to be the special teams Pro Bowler, yet, PFF does not assess Reaves as one worthy of the top 100 2023 free agents either.

The only other Commanders free agent that I thought might have a chance of breaking into the top 100 but did not was linebacker Cole Holcomb. The former Tar Heel is only age 26 and was a four-year starter (2019-22). However, this past season Holcomb was only able to play and start in seven games, his last game being the home win over the Green Bay Packers.

Holcomb injured his foot and sat out a few weeks; however, there was not sufficient progress in healing, and it was determined surgery was his best option, which then ended his 2022 season.

Here is the PFF top ten 2023 Free Agents

  1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
  2. Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
  3. Javon Hargrave, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
  4. Jessie Bates, S, Cincinnati Bengals
  5. Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  6. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  7. Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
  8. Orlando Brown, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
  9. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
  10. Mike McGlinchey, OT, San Francisco 49ers

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PFF has ranked Washington’s 2021 NFL draft class

Where did PFF rank Washington’s 2021 NFL draft class after one season?

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Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 NFL teams 2021 NFL draft class and where players were taken is part of their formula determining how successful a draft class performed.

For instance, Chase Young was drafted in round one, Antonio Gibson in round three and Kam Curl in round seven of the 2020 Washington draft. Their value would be determined upon what they’ve produced and according to where drafted.

According to PFF, Washington’s 2021 NFL Draft class came in at 22nd behind a good year from tackle Sam Cosmi (round two). But LB Jamin Davis (round one), CB Benjamin St Juste (round three) and WR Dyami Brown (round three) left much to be desired last season.

TE John Bates (round four) came on strong later in the season, while S Darrick Forrest (round five) was mostly injured. LS Cameron Cheesman (round six) snapped consistently, while round seven choices William Bradley-King, Shaka Toney and Dax Milne flashed some potential in their limited action.

The Patriots, Texans and Chiefs graded out as the top three 2021 draft classes, while the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Vikings were ranked the bottom three classes.

Philadelphia was ranked the top team in the NFC East at 9th behind some good play from WR Devonta Smith, guard Landon Dickerson and defensive lineman Milton Williams.

Dallas got great play from Micah Parsons (round one) ranking 12th.

Washington was next at 22nd, and the NY Giants 26th who no doubt would have been higher had WR Kadarius Toney been able to stay on the field longer this season.

We here at Washington Wire recently graded Washington’s class:

Grading each of Washington’s 2021 NFL draft selections