30) Eric Kendricks, ILB, Minnesota Vikings
2019 stats: 15 games, 110 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 12 passes deflected
Eric Kendricks was among the best cover linebackers in the NFL throughout this past season. As evidenced by his 12 pass deflections and 53.3% completion percentage allowed, the fifth-year linebacker proved that he is more than a rangy tackler for a regressing Vikings’ defensive front in 2019.
29) Marcus Peters, CB, Los Angeles Rams/Baltimore Ravens
2019 stats: 16 games, 53 tackles, 5 interceptions, 14 passes deflected, 1 fumble recovery, 1 tackle for loss, 3 defensive touchdowns
The Rams’ gain ended up being the Ravens’ bigger gain. After acquiring Jalen Ramsey from Jacksonville, Los Angeles unloaded the risk-taking cornerback in order to pay their newly acquired star defensive back. Marcus Peters rewarded Baltimore with a 63.4 passer rating allowed during his 10 games with the team. Not only was Peters able to take away opposing receivers in the passing game, but he provided instant offense on multiple occasions for both teams, accumulating three pick-sixes throughout the season.
28) Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts
2019 stats: 16 games, 0 sacks allowed, 3 penalties
The star of Indianapolis’ formidable offensive line, Quenton Nelson somehow outdid himself in the running game. Not many offensive linemen can give up zero sacks through 16 starts while simultaneously provided more for the Colts on the ground. Marlon Mack’s 1,000-yard season went largely quiet, due to the achievement seeming like a byproduct of Nelson’s capability to break holes open in the trenches.
27) Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos
2019 stats: 16 games, 93 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 passes deflected, 2 tackles for loss
After initially replacing T.J. Ward as Denver’s strong safety in 2017, the versatile defensive back has developed his skills in the defensive backfield on his way to allowing a 43.6 passer rating against him. Playing primarily free safety in 2019, Justin Simmons still found some chances to wreak havoc in the defensive backfield, but the franchise tag-recipient has established himself as someone quarterbacks don’t want to throw against, as well as someone that receivers don’t want to be tackled by.
26) Richard Sherman, CB, San Francisco 49ers
2019 stats: 15 games, 61 tackles, 3 interceptions, 11 passes deflected, 2 tackles for loss, 1 defensive touchdown
Richard Sherman returned to near-Seattle form with the help of the 49ers’ improved defense. While the cornerback position remained a question mark as a whole, Sherman reestablished himself as a shutdown cornerback in the proper system. While his blunder in Super Bowl LIV will likely be remembered more than the entirety of his San Francisco tenure down the line, Sherman’s overall body of work in 2019 was fantastic, as evidenced by his 64.1 passer rating allowed. Even during the team’s playoff run, the cornerback intercepted two more passes and forced a fumble.
25) Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
2019 stats: 16 games, 298 rushes, 1,494 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 36 catches, 278 receiving yards
Even during Cleveland’s disappointing season, Nick Chubb was a force to be reckoned with. Part of a unit featuring Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry, Chubb surprised fans around the league as he quietly developed into the Browns’ best player on offense. The former Georgia Bulldog was able to overcome shaky offensive line play in Cleveland and finish second in rushing yards on the season, doing a lot of damage after contact.
24) Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
2019 stats: 15 games, 99 catches, 1,394 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns, 14.1 yards-per-catch
Julio Jones just missed out on completing his sixth straight 1,400-yard season. Despite the Falcons’ struggles on both sides of the ball throughout the first half of the season, Jones remained the Falcons’ most important weapon. The team very likely would have started their season 0-8 if the former Alabama wideout didn’t shred the Eagles for 106 yards and two scores, including the game-winner. Not many receivers possess the “clutch” gene that Jones has. In a futile season, Jones remained focused on making plays for his team and cut his drops from the previous season by more than half (9 in 2018 to 4 in 2019).
23) Luke Kuechly, ILB, Carolina Panthers
2019 season: 16 games, 144 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 12 passes deflected, 1 safety
Luke Kuechly surprisingly wrapped up his playing career after 2019, but not before adding another Pro-Bowl season to his Hall of Fame resume. The five-time First-Team All-Pro completed his second straight complete season and almost single-handedly kept the Panthers’ run defense from falling into shambles. While his run-stopping duties increased due to the team’s struggles in the department, the recent retiree continued to cover the middle of the field fantastically, allowing only a 75.3 passer rating and one touchdown throughout his final season.
22) Bobby Wagner, ILB, Seattle Seahawks
2019 stats: 16 games, 159 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 6 passes deflected, 1 forced fumble, one fumble recovery
Bobby Wagner doesn’t come with the same coverage pedigree that Kuechly does, but the eighth-year linebacker brought it as a playmaker for the Seahawks defense in 2019. Despite adding Jadaveon Clowney, the front seven struggled to accumulate pressure consistently. Their star linebacker proved he could either contribute to the pass rush and pressure the quarterback, something he did on several occasions, or sit back and seek out the ballcarrier. Even with Wagner giving up 80% of passes his way last year, he was able to return fire at the offense a couple times, coming up with a pick and a handful of pass deflections.
21) Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
2019 stats: 16 games, 0 sacks allowed, 5 penalties
Much was made of the Chiefs’ offensive line at two separate occasions last season. The first was when Patrick Mahomes went down against Denver and the second was the pre-Super Bowl chatter regarding San Francisco’s defensive front. Both of those times, the unit rebounded by holding their own and arguably playing their cleanest football during those tough circumstances. A lot of that can be attributed to Mitchell Schwartz. The leader of Kansas City’s front five on offense, Schwartz provides left-tackle-esque pass protection on the right side of the line and calls blocking adjustments pre-snap like centers are known for. Schwartz’s competence on the right helps further by allowing Travis Kelce to help Eric Fisher on the other side of the line.
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