New York Jets 2014 Final Grades from Pro Football Focus

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (right) talks to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

From time to time, we reference our friends at Pro Football Focus. For those of you that aren’t familiar, this site takes each element of a player’s performance, and gives it a grade. They take that and come up with an overall grade for each week, and finally, a grade for the entire season.

They look at everything from yards after contact for a receiver, to hits and stops for a defensive lineman. They give offensive linemen grades in pass blocking, run blocking, and even screen blocking. As far as evaluations go, PFF is about as comprehensive as it gets. The higher the number, the better the grade, obviously.

Let’s take a look at the final grades for the Jets for 2014.

Note: Looking only at starters and any significant reserves.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback

Geno Smith

(7) yells out from the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

First, we have the grades for the skilled position players on offense:

QUARTERBACKS:

Geno Smith: -19.8

Michael Vick: -21.7

No real surprise, we all saw what the Jets quarterback play looked like for most of the 2014 season.

RUNNING BACKS:

Chris Ivory: -5.1

Chris Johnson: -6.4

Bilal Powell: -1.2

Chris Ivory actually had the best grade in the running game by far, with a 5.9. He was mostly done in by a lack of skills in pass blocking, with a grade of -5.4.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS:

Eric Decker: 4.6

Jeremy Kerley: -4.2

Percy Harvin: 2.2

Jace Amaro: -1.5

Zach Sudfeld: -1.7

Jeff Cumberland: -26.3

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets center

Nick Mangold

(74) wears an NYPD cap during the coin toss before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Now we take a look at the offensive line:

Nick Mangold: 22.6

Breno Giacomini: -6.5

D’Brickashaw Ferguson: 0.0

Willie Colon: -16.3

Oday Aboushi: -2.1

There isn’t a real surprise here either. Nick Mangold was by far the best lineman on the Jets, and we had our problems along the offensive line.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets defensive end

Sheldon Richardson

(91) greets Miami Dolphins quarterback

Ryan Tannehill

(17) after the play was called dead during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Now we take a look at the defensive side of the football. First, we look at the front seven:

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Sheldon Richardson: 39.9

Muhammad Wilkerson: 33.7

Damon Harrison: 11.5

Leger Douzable: 2.3

Damon Harrison fell off a bit after his outstanding 2013 season for the Jets. It’s still remarkable that Sheldon Richardson did not make the Pro Bowl (1st alternate), as he was the second highest rated defensive end, second only to J.J Watt. Muhammad Wilkerson’s grade gives the Jets the second and third highest ranked defensive ends.

LINEBACKERS:

David Harris: -1.2

Demario Davis: 2.7

Calvin Pace: -4.6

Quinton Coples: -4.9

Jason Babin: 13.5

Jason Babin showed that he still has something left, putting up the high grade despite playing a part-time role. Demario Davis is clearly coming into his own as the defensive leader from the New York Jets, and he is only going to get better.

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end

Delanie Walker

(82) is tackled by New York Jets safety

Dawan Landry

(26) during the second half at LP Field. The Jets beat the Titans 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Now let’s finish up the with the Jets defensive backs and special teams:

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

Dawan Landry: 10.9

Darrin Walls: -2.6

Calvin Pryor: 3.3

Antonio Allen: -8.1

Marcus Williams: -2.4

Jaiquawn Jarrett: 3.9

Kyle Wilson: -4.6

Phillip Adams: -7.8