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We are nearing the end of the NFL playoffs, with the Super Bowl matchup to be decided this Sunday. It is now that time of the year where MVP's and all pro teams become final.
The Football Scout 365 High Impact Team of The Year is our version of the NFL All-Pro Team. We use a stat driven analysis with metrics from our High Impact Play Rate Analysis.
What Is High Impact Play Rate (Hip Rate)?
High Impact Play Rate accounts for big in-game moments such as sacks, turnovers, TFL's, and explosive plays. Our High Impact Play Rate analysis works as a diagnostic tool created to help identify the critical areas of focus when performing an every play film review.
Measuring the Impact Of A Single-Player
When grading individual player performance, we use the same team level High Impact Play Rate Metrics. So without out further explanation, let's examine the 2020 NFL High Impact NFL Players of The Year and our High Impact Team of The Year.
The 2020 NFL High Impact Offensive Team
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers
48 TD's to 6 INT's is a start; Rodgers ranks 2nd in NFL passer rate on throws of 20+ yards or more (explosive plays). Rodgers has posted the second-best single-season NFL passer rating of his career (121.5). His highest was in 2011 where he posted a 122.5. Aaron Rodgers is the Football Scout 365 High Impact Player of The Year (MVP).
RB Derrick Henry, Titans
Henry surpassed the 2000 yard mark in 2020, he also amassed nearly 1500 of those yards after contact. Henry led the NFL in runs of 10+ yards with 48.
RB Alvin Kamara
Kamara did his damage in different ways than Henry. On the ground, he averaged 5.0 yds per carrying, as a receiver, Kamara led the NFL in yards after the catch with 731.
WR Davante Adams, Packers
Adams leads the NFL in TD receptions, ranks third at moving the chains (1st downs), and dropped the ball at the league's lowest rate (0.7%). Among all players with 50 targets or more, Adams is 2nd in the NFL to Robert Tonyan in passer rate when targeted (136.0).
WR Stefan Diggs, Bills
There is no doubt that Diggs has made a huge difference in Buffalo. He amassed a league-leading 166 targets and picked up a league-leading 1535 yards. He moved the chains (first downs) equally to that of Davante Adams (73 times).
TE Darren Waller, Raiders
Waller is no fluke and should be considered one of the top 3 TE's in the NFL. He tied for 7th in total targets with Travis Kelce, scored 9 TD's, and picked up 1100+ yds. He is behind Kelce in most categories, but unlike Kelce, he is playing on a team where he is the number one receiver.
LT David Bakhtiari, Packers
In 12 games Backtiari allowed 1 sack and 9 pressures.
LG Joel Bitonio, Browns
Bitonio is part of the NFL's top offensive line, he allowed 1 sack, and 15 pressures in 16 games played. The Browns averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt in his direction while staying on schedule 47% of the time.
Center J.C. Tretter, Browns
Tretter gave up 1 sack, and 5 pressures in the middle of the league's top offensive line. The Browns averaged 5 yards per attempt when running behind Tretter. The Browns stayed on schedule when running through his area 50% of the time.
RG Wyatt Teller, Browns
Another Brown's offensive lineman makes the team and this one might be the best of them all. He gave up 3 sacks in 11 games (not great) and allowed 14 total pressures. His pass blocking is not the best on the team, but it is his ability to block in the run game that separates him. The Browns averaged 4 yards per att in his direction and stayed ahead of the chains 50% of the time.
RT Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay
Wirfs has ten year all-pro written all over him. His 1 sack and 22 pressures are great for a first-year NFL tackle. The Bucs average 5.0 yards per rush attempt in his direction and stay ahead of the chains 53% of the time when rushing his way. Aside from his excellent year one stats, he played a full 16 games as a rookie and has consistently improved week over week.
2020 NFL Coach of the Year
The Browns Kevin Stefanski led Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. He has developed Baker Mayfield into a potential long term QB. Not much else needs to be said.
Offensive Coordinator of The Year
Brian Daboll, Bills
Daboll has done some amazing work in the development of Josh Allen. This season Allen ranks top 5 in passing yards (4544), top 5 in pass TD's (38), and top 5 in passer rating (107.2). In addition, the Bills offense has been explosive and is currently in the position to make it to the Super Bowl with a win vs. the Chiefs on Sunday.
The 2020 NFL High Impact Defensive Team
Edge Khalil Mack, Bears
Mack had another great season in the Bears defense. He posted 59 total pressures and 10 sacks.
Edge T.J. Watt, Steelers
Watt is an every-down high motor player who is arguably the top player on a top 5 defense. He posted 72 total pressures and led all NFL edge rushers with 15 sacks.
IDL Aaron Donald, Rams
The Wrecking ball known as Aaron Donald continues to wreak havoc. Donald led the NFL in total pressures with 98 and tied T.J. Watt with 15 sacks. Aaron Donald is our 2020 NFL High Impact Defensive Player of The Year.
IDL Chris Jones, Chiefs
Jones's presence on the Chief's defense is vital to their success. He is top 5 in total pressures with 60, has 8 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
LB Fred Warner, 49ers
Warner has 125 total tackles, he does not show up much in the stats outside of tackles, but his pass coverage ability in today's NFL is what separates him from the rest. He is among league leaders in passer rating when targeted, giving up a low 69.7, compared to Jalen Ramsey's 68.6.
LB Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
Wagner is the heart of the Seattle defense, a defense that struggled throughout but he was their one consistent force. Wagner's 20+ pressures and 138 total tackles stand out. He is also a very capable pass defender, not on the level of Warner, but Wagner allows an 88.9 passer rate when targeted, he is on the same level as Carlton Davis who ha posted an 87.6 paaser rate when targeted.
CB Jaire Alexander, Packers
Alexander is arguably the top corner in the NFL, his 4.7 yards per target rank 2nd among DB's targeted on 50+ pass attempts. He ranks 7th in passer rate allowed when targeted. He allowed 2 TD's in 2020.
CB Xavien Howard, Dolphins
Howard has an argument to be considered the top CB in the NFL. He posted a league-best 47.8 passer rate when targeted, and had a league-leading 10 picks. He did surrender 4 TD's on the year, but there is no doubt he had an all-pro year in 2020.
S Jesse Bates, Bengals
Bates roamed the deep middle for the Bengals and played at a high level in coverage. He posted 3 INT's, and 11 pass breakups in 2020.
S Adrian Amos, Packers
Amos is a chess piece that the Packers can move all over the formation; he can play deep middle, line up in the box, or cover in the slot. Amos posted 2 INT's and 7 pass breakups. He also had two forced fumbles with one fumble recovery. He is a key piece to a Packers defense one win away from playing in the Super Bowl.
BOX Safety Budda Baker
Today's NFL requires you have dynamic players like Budda Baker. Not wholly considered a box safety, he, like Adrian Amos, is a chess piece that the Cardinals can move all around. His ability to stop the run when at the LOS is key; he has 20 tackles or forced plays that resulted in a loss of yards in the run game. He also has two sacks and 7 pressures on the QB. When you think about a box safety, you would consider Jamal Adams or Derwin James's, Baker is not in the mold of Adams, or James at 5-10, 195, but he plays just as physical.
Defensive Coordinator of The Year
Brandon Staley, Rams
The Rams were powered by their top rated defense in 2020. The man who coordinated the NFL's top ranked defense, Perry High School Alum (Ohio) Brandon Staley. The 38-Year-old coach has moved fast through the coaching ranks and in only one year as a DC, he is now going to be the head coach of the cross-town LA Chargers.
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