Fansided

NFL Player Grades: What defenders passed the test?

By Lyle Graversen

Aug 16, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after making a sack during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after making a sack during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford (5) celebrates with middle linebacker Mark Herzlich (58) after a punt against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford (5) celebrates with middle linebacker Mark Herzlich (58) after a punt against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Making The Grade:

Jadeveon Clowney – Houston Texans

The much hyped but much debated prospect has thus far made his first overall selection look justified. Clowney is currently the number three rated 3-4 OLB by PFF with an overall score of +4.4. Perhaps most impressive is that Clowney has graded out well both as a pass rusher (which was expected) and against the run where his +2.8 grade is a good sign for both Clowney and the Texans as they move forward.

Mark Herzlich – New York Giants

The former undrafted free agent and cancer survivor appears to have overcome the odds with the Giants. Not only is he currently PFF’s number five rated ILB, his +2.0 coverage grade is one of the best at his position. LBs that can cover get to stay on the field more and more in the pass happy NFL. The Giants have a couple of secondary players on the wrong side of this list coming up so if Herzlich can continue to play well in coverage it should help the Giants defense.

Missing The Mark:

CJ Mosley – Baltimore Ravens

Mosley is just a rookie and may justifiably need some time to adjust to the NFL game, so this certainly isn’t an insinuation that he’s going to be a bust as a first round pick. However, the Ravens didn’t draft Mosley in the first round to be a two down LB. They need him to show that he can stay on the field in passing downs. Thus far this preseason that has been an issue with a -2.0 coverage grade being the source of his -1.7 overall grade.

Bruce Carter – Dallas Cowboys

At this point everyone knows that the Cowboys defense is in shambles. With DeMarcus Ware gone and Sean Lee injured, Dallas had to be hoping that Carter, a former second round pick might step up and fill some of that void left at the LB position. Not only has that not happened, his play has been poor enough (as evident by his -5.4 overall PFF grade) that he may lose playing time to former first round bust, Rolando McClain.

Now onto the cornerbacks…..

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