Latest news with #AboveReplacement
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF names Cowboys starter projected to earn $76 million one of NFL's 25 best under age 25
PFF names Cowboys starter projected to earn $76 million one of NFL's 25 best under age 25 Dallas' young cornerstone in the trenches is gaining national recognition for his consistency, growth, and all-around impact through his first three NFL seasons. In the NFL, it's never easy to make a name for oneself, especially before turning 25. However, All-Pro guard Tyler Smith has done just that, and then some. Pro Football Focus' Jonathon Macri recently ranked the top 25 NFL players under the age of 25 heading into the 2025 season, and the Dallas Cowboys' versatile guard came in at No. 22. Offensive line is one of the most difficult positions to hit the ground running at in the NFL, but through his first three years in the league, Smith has done just that, ranking in the top 10 at his position since 2022 in PFF WAR. Smith has established himself as a very good run blocker, ranking in the top 20 at his position in each of his first three seasons, though he has also developed nicely as a pass blocker. He has gradually increased his PFF pass-blocking grade each year since entering the NFL, culminating in a 76.0 mark in 2024 — a top-10 figure for the position. Since being drafted in 2022, Smith has become one of the most dependable young linemen in the league. He's logged over 3,300 snaps in three seasons, a workload that speaks to his durability and consistency, and he's backed it up with performance. His three-year PFF grade sits at a strong 79.1, and his Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metric ranks him among the top 10 offensive linemen in football during that stretch. Smith's run blocking has been a strength since Day One, finishing in the top 20 at his position in that department every year he's been in the league. But what's impressed evaluators most is his steady growth in pass protection. After entering the NFL with room to grow in that area, Smith's pass-blocking grade has improved every season — peaking at 76.0 in 2024, good for top-10 status among guards. He's so talented, he has a projected market value of a four-year, $76 million extension, according to Spotrac. Still just 23, the former 2022 first-round pick looks like a long-term cornerstone on Dallas' offensive line, a line that's quietly been retooling for the next chapter after the Tyron Smith and Zack Martin era. If his current trajectory holds, Smith will go down as one of the best at his position, regardless of age. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings lose Adrian Peterson in PFF's 2007 NFL re-draft
Vikings lose Adrian Peterson in PFF's 2007 NFL re-draft In 2007, the Minnesota Vikings struck gold by drafting Adrian Peterson with the seventh overall pick. After trading Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders, the team suffered an identity crisis for two years. The Vikings didn't need a running back, as Chester Taylor had just run for 1,216 yards. However, head coach Brad Childress believed Peterson was too good a talent to pass up. "All Day" was a difference-maker, rushing for 1,341 yards as a rookie. He accounted for 361 all-purpose yards at Soldier Field, the third-highest mark in league history. Less than a month later, he set the NFL record with 296 rushing yards against the San Diego Chargers, which still stands today. The Vikings were thrilled to land the future Hall of Famer, but even though they'd select him again, would he have lasted to the seventh pick if the NFL redrafted? PFF did their own 2007 re-draft. The Vikings couldn't snatch Peterson in this exercise, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did what everyone thought they would do back then and took AP. So with the seventh pick, the Vikings took Utah safety Eric Weddle. Without Peterson on the board, the Vikings could draft another perennial Pro Bowl running back in Marshawn Lynch. However, Minnesota instead adds to a safety unit in need of talented youth. Weddle finished his career as the most valuable player from the 2007 draft class, according to PFF's Wins Above Replacement metric, and his 94.7 career PFF overall grade is the top mark among safeties since PFF began grading in 2006. It feels like a letdown landing Weddle. Other Hall of Famers in the 2007 draft include Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Darrelle Revis, and Patrick Willis. But they're already off the board by the time the Vikings are on the clock here. Weddle would have been a great selection, though. The Vikings were set at safety in 2007 with Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith, but both were gone by 2009. Minnesota signed Madieu Williams and drafted Tyrell Johnson in 2008, but neither materialized into a reliable starter. By 2011, the Vikings had one of the worst safety units in the league. In San Diego, Weddle played nine seasons and was selected First-Team All-Pro twice and Second-Team All-Pro two more times. He finished his career with 29 interceptions and 9.5 sacks before retiring after the 2021 season, winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams and offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell. This is a fun redraft where the Vikings only downgrade because their real selection was so good that they couldn't fall to them again. Let's hope this continues in the coming years for the Vikings.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks top 10 in intriguing PFF metric
Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks top 10 in intriguing PFF metric The Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks in the top 10 in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. The Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 NFL draft class ranks in the top 10 in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. In an effort to help quantify and compare draft classes without any subjectivity, PFF utilized its Wins Above Average (WAA) metric, which is similar to Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in baseball. "Wins Above Average (WAA) is designed to help cut through that subjectivity," wrote PFF. "It estimates how many wins a player is worth above an average college football player, offering a standardized, data-driven method of assessing performance." Of the 32 NFL teams, the Jaguars' draft class ranked ninth in this metric, with 1.784 WAA added. At the top of the list were the Cleveland Browns with a WAA of 3.203, followed by the New York Giants, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and San Francisco, rounding out the top five. As you'd expect, Travis Hunter, with a WAA of 0.86, provided the biggest jolt for the Jaguars. Wyatt Milum, Jack Kiser, Jalen McLeod, and Rayuan Lane all provided modest boosts to Jacksonville's overall score, while Bhayshul Tuten, Jonah Monheim, and LeQuint Allen hovered around the average mark to varying degrees. Hunter, of course, was a two-way star, but Milum, Kiser, McLeod, and Lane all graded out well by PFF's metrics in specific areas that helped increase their WAA. Milum was all-around dominant last season at left tackle. Kiser graded out well as a tackler and run defender, Lane was very good in coverage, according to PFF, and McLeod was a top-graded pass rusher. As PFF also noted, WAA is not a projection of what each team's draft class will do, but instead measures what they've already done.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this PFF metric
Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this PFF metric The Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. The Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL draft class ranks among the best in this intriguing metric from Pro Football Focus. In an effort to help quantify and compare draft classes without any subjectivity, PFF utilized its Wins Above Average (WAA) metric, which is similar to Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in baseball. "Wins Above Average (WAA) is designed to help cut through that subjectivity," wrote PFF. "It estimates how many wins a player is worth above an average college football player, offering a standardized, data-driven method of assessing performance." Of the 32 NFL teams, the Colts' draft class ranked fourth in this category, with 2.231 WAA added. In front of them were Cleveland at No. 1, followed by the New York Giants and Philadelphia. The biggest WAA boost that the Colts received came from first-round pick Tyler Warren. Not too far behind him was quarterback Riley Leonard, while defensive end JT Tuimoloau ranked well by this metric. Warren was considered the most well-rounded tight end prospect in this year's class. Tuimoloau ranked among the best at his position against both the run and the pass, while Leonard helped lead Notre Dame to the National Championship game. Those three players in particular accounted for 1.96 of the Colts' draft class WAA. The other five players were all around slightly above average. As PFF also noted, WAA is not a projection of what each team's draft class will do, but instead measures what they've already done.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Maryland freshman Derik Queen listed as top-5 pick in one mock draft
Maryland freshman Derik Queen listed as top-5 pick in one mock draft After turning in a historic freshman campaign, Maryland forward Derik Queen announced Friday on ESPN that he will enter the 2025 NBA draft. Queen was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after averaging 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 36 games on 52.6% shooting from the field. He helped lead the Terrapins to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016. The 6-foot-10 forward entered the season considered a potential late first-round pick. But after establishing himself as one of the top freshmen in the country, Queen is now projected to be the fourth pick in the latest mock draft from Bryan Kalbrosky of For the Win. After recording perhaps the biggest moment of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, as noted by my colleague Mike Sykes, Maryland freshman Derik Queen skyrocketed his draft status. He trailed only Flagg in Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP) among freshmen this season, per CBB Analytics. Queen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and consistently proved his versatility and skill as a big man. Queen, also an AP All-American honorable mention, set the program freshman scoring record (594 points) after registering 12 20-point games and 15 double-doubles, which led all first-year players. He ranked sixth in scoring average among Power Four freshmen. The 20-year-old is highly touted for his versatility on offense and ability to score in various ways. He is a tremendous competitor and showed throughout the year his ability to affect games on the defensive end at a high level, with his activity, instincts and size. Queen led the Terrapins to their best season in nearly a decade and emerged as one of the top freshmen in the country in the process. He is now looking to become the first Maryland player to be drafted in the top five since Alex Len in 2013. The 2025 NBA draft will occur June 25-26 in New York City.
