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October 30, 2018
By Michael Renner
We are eight weeks into the 2018 season, which means it’s time for some midseason awards. Let’s get right to it with PFF’s All-Pro team at the halfway point of the 2018 NFL season.
QB – Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints – 92.1 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
The Saints QB is simply not missing throws. On his 254 dropbacks, he’s been downgraded only 23 times. One can see how much of an outlier that is when compared to other MVP candidates like Patrick Mahomes (33) and Jared Goff (38). Unsurprisingly, his 84.8 adjusted completion percentage would be far and away a PFF single-season record.
RB – Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs – 79.6 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers
Hunt had a bit of a slow start, but over the past handful of weeks, no one has been close to the Chiefs back. His 33 broken tackles on 134 carries are the most in the NFL, and his 88.2 elusive rating ranks second to Steelers running back James Conner.
WR – Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings – 91.2 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Thielen’s consistency is reaching rarified air at this point. Six of his eight games so far have received grades of 80.0 or higher with two eclipsing 90.0. His 95 targets are eight more than any other receiver in the NFL, and even at such a high rate, Kirk Cousins has a passer rating of 123.9 when throwing Thielen’s way.
WR – DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans – 90.3 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Not only does Hopkins belong here statistically, but his highlight reel is also at an All-Pro level this season. He’s made 14 contested catches – the most in the NFL – on only 23 attempts, and his one-handed grab against Miami (that, unfortunately, didn’t count) was easily the catch of the season.
TE – George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers – 84.2 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
There has been no more complete tight end in the NFL this season than Kittle. Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz may have more yards, but neither hold a candle to Kittle as a blocker. The 49ers tight end is ranked fourth at the position in receiving and run blocking.
FLEX – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs – 85.7 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
There’s no more dangerous deep threat in the NFL today, and it’s not up for debate. Hill’s 309 deep receiving yards are the second-most in the league, and he’d be on top if not for an end zone drop against the Bengals.
LT – David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers – 89.5 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Terron Armstead, New Orleans Saints
Bakhtiari is the preeminent pass-protecting tackle in the NFL today. His 94.3 pass-block grade is far and away tops in the league. On 349 snaps in pass-pro, Bakhtiari has allowed only one sack, one hit and seven hurries.
LG – Rodger Saffold, Los Angeles Rams – 79.2 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Will Hernandez, New York Giants
Listed at 6-5, 323 pounds, Saffold has always been a people mover, and that’s no different this season. He’s earned the top run-block grade among all guards. No guard in the NFL has more positively graded blocks than Saffolrd’s 38.
C – Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles – 81.0 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Matt Paradis, Denver Broncos
Yet another All-Pro nod for Kelce, who is still at the top of his game. Once a player known as a liability in pass protection, Kelce has allowed only five pressures all season long and has the third-highest pass-block grade at the position.
RG – Austin Blythe, Los Angeles Rams – 80.3 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Shaq Mason, New England Patriots
The Rams’ offensive line somehow has gotten better from a season ago, and this man is the biggest catalyst behind that. The third-year guard that the Rams got for nothing after he was waived by the Colts last year has been a revelation. His 72.9 run-block grade ranks fifth among all guards while his 84.5 pass-blocking grade is eighth.
RT Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints – 86.5 Overall Grade
HONORABLE MENTION: Rob Havenstein, Los Angeles Rams
Other right tackles have higher grades in pass protection, but Ramczyk’s 83.3 run-block grade – the second-highest among all tackles – gives him the edge. Oh, and he’s also only allowed four pressures all season long in pass protection.
