In preparation for NFL Week 13, here are the updated PFF power rankings. This week, the rankings are presented with a player I would select for an “All-Star team.” This isn’t necessarily the best player on each team, but one picked to ensure the roster had as few weaknesses as possible. A statistic about each player is provided.
1. Carolina Panthers
Linebacker Luke Kuechly has the best tackling efficiency among linebackers in the league. He has one missed tackle on a rusher, compared to 33 made tackles in the run game, and one missed tackle on a receiver, compared to 29 made tackles in the passing game.
2. New England Patriots
Tight end Rob Gronkowski has 441 yards after the catch, the most among all tight ends.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Cornerback Adam Jones has 19 stops on the year, which is the best for all cornerbacks who don’t play a significant number of snaps in the slot.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback Carson Palmer has 886 of his passing yards coming on deep passes, the most in the league. He’s completed 28 deep passes, which is also second most; eight have gone for touchdowns, most in the NFL.
5. Denver Broncos
When cornerback Chris Harris Jr. lines up in the slot, opposing quarterbacks have an NFL passer rating of 46.5 when targeting him, the best in the league for CBs with at least 150 slot coverage snaps. He would play outside in base and slot in nickel for this All-star team.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Nose tackle Linval Joseph has a run defense rating of 95.0, second-best among all defensive tackles.
7. Green Bay Packers
Right guard T.J. Lang is the only starting guard not to give up a sack or hit this season. He’s done this on 425 pass blocks.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Fullback Patrick DiMarco has a PFF run block rating of 88.0, while no other fullback has managed a run block rating above 75.0.
9. Houston Texans
3-4 defensive end J.J. Watt has 13 sacks and 29 hits this year, which both lead the position. No other 3-4 DE is within five sacks or 11 hits of his numbers.
10. Oakland Raiders
3-4 outside linebacker Khalil Mack has a run stop percentage of 10.7, and 22 total run stops—both best among players at the position.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide receiver Antonio Brown has 401 yards on 11 deep passes, which are both second-best in the league.
12. Kansas City Chiefs
Safety Eric Berry has allowed just 54 passing yards combined over his last five games. That is the fewest for any safety over the past six weeks of the season (among those targeted more than 10 times).
13. Seattle Seahawks
Linebacker K.J. Wright has the best tackling efficiency among 4-3 outside linebackers (among those with at least 150 snaps this year). He has one missed tackle, compared to 33 made tackles in the run game, and two missed tackles compared to 34 made in the passing game. He would play 3-4 inside linebacker on this All-Star team.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Free safety Will Hill is one of just two safeties with a PFF rating above 85 in both run defense and coverage. He would play in the dime defense for this All-Star team.
15. Buffalo Bills
Cornerback Ronald Darby is one of two starting cornerbacks to allow a catch rate below 52 percent, and 11.0 yards per catch or fewer—the other being Carolina's Josh Norman. Darby would play outside in this All-Star team’s nickel defense.
16. Indianapolis Colts
Punter Pat McAfee is averaging 49.1 yards per punt, the best for all punters. He also serves as this All-Star team’s kickoff man.
17. Philadelphia Eagles
Safety Malcolm Jenkins has 26 stops on the year, sixth-best among all safeties.
18. New York Jets
Nose tackle Damon Harrison has a run stop percentage of 16.9, the best for all defensive tackles. This would be the third straight year he leads the league (for DT/NTs with at least 150 run snaps). For this All-Star team, he would play in run-specific situations.
19. Chicago Bears
3-4 outside linebacker Pernell McPhee has a pass rushing productivity of 16.3, the best for all players, regardless of position, with at least 50 pass rushes this year. He has five sacks, 10 hits, and 37 hurries on 247 pass rushes.
20. New Orleans Saints
Left tackle Terron Armstead has a pass blocking efficiency of 97.5, third-best among all tackles. He’s allowed just two sacks, two hits, and eight hurries on 382 pass blocks this year.
21. Dallas Cowboys
Center Travis Frederick has been among the top two centers by PFF run block grade each of the past three years. In 2013, he was second best, in 2014 he was the best, and in 2015, he is currently the best again, with a PFF run block grade of 94.0.
22. St. Louis Rams
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the only DT in the league with a PFF grade above 90 in both run defense and pass rushing; and he has above 93 in each category. He would play 3-4 defensive tackle for this All-Star defense.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver Allen Robinson has 462 receiving yards on 14 deep passes, both best in the league.
24. Washington
Receiving tight end Jordan Reed has forced nine players to miss tackles on him this year, which is the fourth-best for all tight ends.
25. New York Giants
Left guard Justin Pugh has a PFF overall grade of 87.3, which is seventh-best among all guards.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Halfback Doug Martin has forced 46 missed tackles on his carries this year, the most in the league. This has helped lead to his 3.5 yards after contact per carry, which is also the league’s best.
27. Miami Dolphins
Slot receiver Jarvis Landry has 48 catches when lined up in the slot, the best in the league. His 1.72 yards per route run in the slot is also second-best among receivers who spend at least two thirds of their snaps in the slot. Landry also serves as this All-Star team’s punt returner.
28. Detroit Lions
Kick returner Ameer Abdullah is averaging 31.2 yards per kick return this year, which is the best among all players with at least 10 kick returns.
29. Cleveland Browns
Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has a PFF overall grade of 88.2, the best among all right tackles.
30. Tennessee Titans
Run blocking tight end Craig Stevens has a PFF run block grade of 84.9, third-best among all tight ends.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Kicker Phil Dawson is a perfect 12-for-12 on kicks beyond 30 yards this year. Only two other full-time starters have remained perfect from that distance this year.
32. San Diego Chargers
Receiving halfback Danny Woodhead has 573 yards after the catch this season, which is over 100 yards more than any other running back this year.