Rams in PFF/ESPN-Insiders position group rankings

from The NFL’s best position groups

Pro Football Focus
ESPN Insider

http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/23472028/nfl-best-position-groups-2018-ranked-pro-football-focus

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Defensive interior: Los Angeles Rams

Depth chart: Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers, Dominique Easley, Ethan Westbrooks, Tanzel Smart, Morgan Fox

The Rams decided that having one unstoppable force in the middle wasn’t enough, so they added Ndamukong Suh to pair with Aaron Donald. Donald led the league with 91 total pressures last season despite not playing in two games, while Suh had an overall PFF grade of 91.0 and the second-best run-defense grade (92.4) of any interior defender. Michael Brockers had a career year under Wade Phillips in 2017, earning an overall PFF grade of 83.1 and a run-defense score of 88.0, so this trio has the potential to make life miserable for any offensive line it faces. Suh’s presence should result in less attention toward Donald, freeing him up to wreak even more destruction on opposing blockers in one-on-one situations.

Runners-up

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles had the best defensive front last season and are strong both outside and up the middle. That interior dominance is led by Fletcher Cox, who was PFF’s third-ranked interior defender last season, with a 91.2 overall grade.

Minnesota Vikings: Linval Joseph is one of the best nose tackles in the league. The Vikings also signed Sheldon Richardson, who had only one sack last season but notched 36 total pressures and can rush the passer.

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Secondary: Los Angeles Chargers

Depth chart: Casey Hayward, Jason Verrett, Jahleel Addae, Derwin James, Trevor Williams, Desmond King, Craig Mager, Michael Davis, Jeff Richards, Tony Brown, B.J. Clay, Marcus Edmond, Brandon Facyson, Adrian Phillips, Jaylen Watkins, Rayshawn Jenkins, A.J. Hendy

It all starts at cornerback for the Chargers, who boast last year’s top-graded corner in Casey Hayward (96.4 overall). He was flanked by Trevor Williams, who had a breakout season with an 88.5 overall grade, while rookie Desmond King continued the excellent play we saw at Iowa, grading at 86.5 while manning the slot. This unit gets even better with the return of Jason Verrett, who was on his way to becoming one of the best young cornerbacks in the league before injuries limited him to only 323 snaps over the past two seasons. First-round pick Derwin James adds another playmaker, posting the top overall grades among safeties in both 2015 and 2017. He’s a perfect run-stopping, versatile safety for their Cover 3 scheme. The Chargers have the ability to match up with even the best wide receiver corps, and the addition of James gives them a man-to-man option against the league’s top tight ends as well.

Runners-up

Los Angeles Rams: The offseason additions of Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib give the Rams playmaking matchup weapons, while re-signing slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman and Lamarcus Joyner secured two important spots on the back end. Safety John Johnson III was the second-highest-graded rookie safety a year ago at 85.8 overall.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey took the step forward into elite cornerback range last season with his 91.8 grade, good for third in the NFL, while A.J. Bouye put together his second straight strong season at 88.0 overall. The Jaguars have solid starting safeties in Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson; it’s now just a matter of replacing slot corner Aaron Colvin’s strong production, as he moves on to the Texans.

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Special teams: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams boast the top special-teams units in the league. Johnny Hekker is consistently one of the best punters in the NFL and was second in the league with a 44.3 net-yard average in 2017. Kicker Greg Zuerlein was tied for third with a 95.0 percent accuracy on field goals and boomed 6 of 7 from 50 yards or longer. Pharoh Cooper was PFF’s highest-graded punt and kick returner, averaging 12.5 yards per punt return and 27.4 yards per kick return. Cory Littleton was one of the best special-teams players in the league, registering six solo tackles, two assists and zero missed tackles while playing across multiple positions and units for the Rams. An undrafted free agent in 2016, Littleton has become worthy of the often-overused term “special-teams ace.”

Runners-up

Baltimore Ravens: Kicker Justin Tucker is just one year removed from arguably the greatest season for a kicker all time. Confident from anywhere inside 55 yards, this might be the season we see him attempt an NFL-record-breaking field goal.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings have several standouts on their special teams units. C.J. Ham, Ben Gedeon, Kentrell Brothers, Jayron Kearse and Anthony Harris continue to impress when on the field for the third phase.