Post by Purple Pain on Jul 11, 2018 17:53:08 GMT -6
Who Will Be the NFL’s Next Legion of Boom? by Danny Kelly
Jags, Rams, Chargers, and Ravens also listed as favorites:
www.theringer.com/2018/7/11/17558526/nfl-best-secondaries-next-legion-of-boom
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings, thanks in part to the rare continuity the starters have enjoyed in Mike Zimmer’s complex system, posted some unbelievable pass-defense numbers of their own last year. Minnesota allowed an opponent passer rating of 73.0 (third), 6.0 yards per attempt (tied for first), 5.3 adjusted yards per attempt (second), 192.4 pass yards per game (second), and just 13 passing touchdowns on the year (first). The Vikings ranked third in defensive DVOA without pressure, and got better as the year went on, finishing tops in weighted DVOA, which factors late-season play more heavily. And, critically, they return all their key contributors.
Safety Harrison Smith remains the anchor in the middle, and notched 12 passes defensed and five picks en route to All-Pro honors last year. Smith was deployed deep as well as up in the box and was equally strong against the pass and the run, playing a crucial role in the team’s historically great performance on third downs, for which they gave up a league-low conversion rate of just 25.2 percent (the best mark for any team since at least the 2002 season). Next to Smith, Andrew Sendejo was no slouch, finishing with 52 tackles, two picks, and seven passes defensed.
On the outside, the team’s cornerbacks group is headlined by Xavier Rhodes, who’s already entrenched as one of the league’s best. Last year, the 27-year-old picked off two passes and knocked down another 10, surrendering a paltry 73.2 passer rating in coverage while earning first-team All-Pro honors. Rhodes is flanked by the ageless Terence Newman (one interception, 76.7 passer rating against in 2017), third-year pro Mackensie Alexander (six passes defensed, one pick, 71.1 passer rating against), and Trae Waynes (two interceptions, 83.0 passer rating against), who, entering his fourth year, could be a breakout candidate. Oh, and Minnesota just added first-round corner Mike Hughes to the group. This Vikings secondary may just be getting started.
The Vikings, thanks in part to the rare continuity the starters have enjoyed in Mike Zimmer’s complex system, posted some unbelievable pass-defense numbers of their own last year. Minnesota allowed an opponent passer rating of 73.0 (third), 6.0 yards per attempt (tied for first), 5.3 adjusted yards per attempt (second), 192.4 pass yards per game (second), and just 13 passing touchdowns on the year (first). The Vikings ranked third in defensive DVOA without pressure, and got better as the year went on, finishing tops in weighted DVOA, which factors late-season play more heavily. And, critically, they return all their key contributors.
Safety Harrison Smith remains the anchor in the middle, and notched 12 passes defensed and five picks en route to All-Pro honors last year. Smith was deployed deep as well as up in the box and was equally strong against the pass and the run, playing a crucial role in the team’s historically great performance on third downs, for which they gave up a league-low conversion rate of just 25.2 percent (the best mark for any team since at least the 2002 season). Next to Smith, Andrew Sendejo was no slouch, finishing with 52 tackles, two picks, and seven passes defensed.
On the outside, the team’s cornerbacks group is headlined by Xavier Rhodes, who’s already entrenched as one of the league’s best. Last year, the 27-year-old picked off two passes and knocked down another 10, surrendering a paltry 73.2 passer rating in coverage while earning first-team All-Pro honors. Rhodes is flanked by the ageless Terence Newman (one interception, 76.7 passer rating against in 2017), third-year pro Mackensie Alexander (six passes defensed, one pick, 71.1 passer rating against), and Trae Waynes (two interceptions, 83.0 passer rating against), who, entering his fourth year, could be a breakout candidate. Oh, and Minnesota just added first-round corner Mike Hughes to the group. This Vikings secondary may just be getting started.
Jags, Rams, Chargers, and Ravens also listed as favorites:
www.theringer.com/2018/7/11/17558526/nfl-best-secondaries-next-legion-of-boom
