Dee Ford is the best edge defender through Week 8

[Hammock Parties]

pay that man his money

https://www.profootballfocus.com/new...er-of-the-year

Ford isn’t just better than the rest of his AFC West rivals; he’s the best edge defender in the NFL through Week 8. The former Auburn product’s 90.5 overall grade and 91.9 pass-rush grade lead all players with 200-plus defensive snaps along the edge this season.

Propping up his 91.9 pass-rush grade is Ford’s high-end efficiency going after the quarterback. He and Philadelphia Eagles’ Chris Long are the only two edge defenders with 200-plus pass-rush snaps with a win percentage above 20%. Ford’s pass-rush productivity (11.1) also ranks second behind just Buffalo Bills edge defender Jerry Hughes, and he’s out-snapped Hughes by 70 pass-rush snaps so far this season. Ford leads all edge defenders with 45 total pressures, including 26 hurries, 10 quarterback hits and nine sacks.

In addition to pressures and pressure efficiency, time to pressure also affects PFF’s pass-rush grade, for pressures recorded earlier in the play have a heightened effect on the passer and more often lead to bigger defensive plays (i.e., strip-sacks, turnover-worthy throws). And no edge defender is better at forcing quick decisions than Ford.

Ford leads all edge defenders in total pressures (19) on passes of 2.5 seconds or less, a testament to his ability to beat his opponent early in the down. Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald (25) is the only defender with more this season.

As a run defender, Ford isn’t among the league’s best, ranking 21st among 47 qualifiers in run-defense grade (69.7). But, more importantly, he’s far from proven to be a liability against the run, which, when combined with his elite play as a pass-rusher, is more than enough for the Chiefs’ defense. He has recorded just six run stops and two tackles for loss/no gain and missed one tackle in run defense.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Contracts are really about the guaranteed money these days, and longer contracts give teams flexibility to spread some of that out on the cap. Berry signed a 6-year deal that the Chiefs can get out of fairly quickly, really after 2 seasons if they designate him a post-June 1 cut and most certainly after 3 seasons. It's not about the length or the total money as much as it is that guaranteed part. It isn't really any different than the Watkins deal in reality.

Yup.

Even most big contracts are orchestrated so the franchise can escape a bad deal after a few years.

[Buckweath]

You tag him and then see what you have as far as passrushers go. Hopefully not but maybe tag him a 2nd year.

[In58men]

1.5 sacks today

He’s solid

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by In58men

1.5 sacks today

He’s solid

I agree with solid. The question is, do you pay a solid edge defender the 12 million a year that Ford is going to want next year? The estimated tag number for Dee Ford is going to be 15-16 million.

[suzzer99]

Those last two Raiders TD scoring drive he didn't do much. At least Houston in his prime you could always count on to disrupt the QB in those spots. He's also struggled to stay healthy. One franchise and then if he has another monster season let him go for a big payday feels right. If he regresses maybe we can sign him for a reasonable price.

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Those last two Raiders TD scoring drive he didn't do much. At least Houston in his prime you could always count on to disrupt the QB in those spots. He's also struggled to stay healthy. One franchise and then if he has another monster season let him go for a big payday feels right. If he regresses maybe we can sign him for a reasonable price.

The tag is going to be like 15 million. We might as well sign him to a contract if the tag is going to be that much.

[suzzer99]

One year to see if he can repeat his monster season might be a less risky option.

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by JakeF

The tag is going to be like 15 million. We might as well sign him to a contract if the tag is going to be that much.

We need his sacks/pressures so you either pay him for more or replace him with a draft pick that may or may not pan out.

I say pay him.

If you're not sure if he's playing this way because it's a contract year or not just franchise him (although with Tyreek, Mahomes, Kelce, etc. contracts coming due I'm not sure you'd be able to sign him long-term unless you're able to get out from under the Houston deal).

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

One year to see if he can repeat his monster season might be a less risky option.

I'd be okay with that too as long as you can make all the other contracts coming up work if you push that decision off a season.