RELATED LINKS:-- Redskins Sign Reed To Multi-Year Extension-- Redskins Players Share Photos For Mother's Day
Redskins' cornerback Josh Norman and tight end Jordan Reed are two of the premier players in the NFL, and both of them are just hitting their prime, which is a scary thought for the other 31 teams in the league.
Norman and Reed both had fantastic 2015 seasons that Pro Football Focus tracked very carefully. PFF thought so highly of the two that they placed them on their list of the "Top 101 NFL players from 2015."
Norman – who played for the Carolina Panthers last season – came in at No. 11, while Reed came in at No. 84.
Here's what PFF's Sam Monson had to say about Norman and Reed:
Josh Norman:
"The raw statistics were there for Josh Norman in 2014, but his grade never quite matched the numbers," Monson said. "In 2015, the two met in spectacular fashion, as for most of the season, opposing quarterbacks were better off statistically just throwing the ball into the turf every play than challenging Norman and throwing it in his direction. He finished the season having allowed just 51 percent of passes thrown his way to be caught, for a passer rating of only 54.0, picking four passes off in the process and scoring twice himself on those returns. There were a couple of hiccups to his season, most notably against Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants before that encounter descended into farce; but at his best, Norman was truly a shutdown corner in an era where that term has practically lost all relevance."
A key stat Monson gathered on Norman: He allowed the fewest yards per coverage snap among corners (0.63).
Jordan Reed:
"Reed is at the forefront of a new breed of offensive weapon who ostensibly lines up at the TE position, but in effect is simply a big slot receiver who works the middle of the field and out-breaking patterns," Monson said. "Reed had the third-highest receiving grade among TEs, trailing only Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen, and scored 11 touchdowns from his 87 receptions. His blocking is ornamental at best, and three fumbles were disappointing, but Reed has become one of the most interesting receiving weapons in the league. That level of play earned him a $50 million extension from the Redskins last week."
Monson's key stat on Reed: He led all tight ends in yards per route run (2.46).
PFF had a stringent policy on players making their Top 101. It wasn't about a player's "class or talent," it was based solely on their play last season and nothing from previous seasons. There was also an "all positions are created equal" approach. They looked at each player and how they played according to what's expected from players at that position.
.
.
.
