Introducing Defensive Impact Plays Over Expected: Measuring the true disruption of NFL defenders

• Who else but Aidan Hutchinson? Hutchinson leads the league in defensive impact plays over expected through three weeks.

• Carl Granderson has been making plays: The Saints edge rusher has made 22 impact plays this season, tied with Micah Parsons for the second-most in the NFL.

• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full access to all our in-season fantasy tools, including weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and more. Sign up now!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

It’s never too early to start preparing for next season, and for PFF, that means looking at ways to improve PFF Premium Stats. And one way we’re looking to enhance the experience is by introducing more data into the mix.

After introducing several new metrics last week, we’re now unveiling “Defensive Impact Plays Over Expected.” This stat evaluates players based on their position and snap count, measuring how often they are expected to make impact plays and comparing it to their actual production.

Here is how the league's defenders have fared through three weeks of action.

What is Defensive Impact Plays Over Expected?

We evaluate each player based on their position and the number of snaps they play to determine how often they are expected to make an impact play. A positive number indicates they're exceeding expectations, while a negative number suggests they're falling short.

Some players are in roles designed to generate impact plays, while others do more of the foundational work to support these plays, so the stat needs context rather than being seen as strictly good or bad.

A defensive impact play includes pressures, defensive stops, batted passes, forced incompletions, or interceptions.

Defensive Impact Plays Over Expected Through Week 3 (min. 100 snaps)

Name	Team	Position	Snaps	Impact Plays	DIPOE
Aidan Hutchinson	Lions	ED	170	24	9.67
Carl Granderson	Saints	ED	149	22	9.44
Budda Baker	Cardinals	S	171	15	9.12
Brian Branch	Lions	S	180	15	8.81
Dexter Lawrence	Giants	DI	149	18	7.94
Cam Lewis	Bills	S	182	14	7.74
Micah Parsons	Cowboys	ED	170	22	7.67
Kobie Turner	Rams	DI	168	19	7.65
Cameron Heyward	Steelers	DI	110	15	7.57
Jalen Pitre	Texans	CB	177	14	7.45
Josh Sweat	Eagles	ED	115	17	7.31
Jonathon Cooper	Broncos	ED	139	19	7.29
Will Anderson Jr.	Texans	ED	134	18	6.71
Chamarri Conner	Chiefs	S	125	11	6.7
Braden Fiske	Rams	DI	144	16	6.27
Greg Rousseau	Bills	ED	142	18	6.03
Daiyan Henley	Chargers	LB	151	16	5.99
Paulson Adebo	Saints	CB	192	13	5.89
Jonathan Greenard	Vikings	ED	144	18	5.86
Jordan Whitehead	Buccaneers	S	212	13	5.71
Zach Sieler	Dolphins	DI	125	14	5.56
Grant Delpit	Browns	S	189	12	5.5
Tyquan Lewis	Colts	ED	161	19	5.43
Quincy Williams	Jets	LB	190	18	5.4
Boye Mafe	Seahawks	ED	150	18	5.36
Tyrann Mathieu	Saints	S	165	11	5.33
Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	LB	146	15	5.32
Denzel Perryman	Chargers	LB	116	13	5.31
A'Shawn Robinson	Panthers	DI	129	14	5.29
Rayshawn Jenkins	Seahawks	S	198	12	5.19
Zach Allen	Broncos	DI	175	17	5.18
Myles Garrett	Browns	ED	129	16	5.13
Micah McFadden	Giants	LB	105	12	5.04
Brian Burns	Giants	ED	166	19	5.01
Devon Witherspoon	Seahawks	CB	189	12	5.01
Josh Metellus	Vikings	S	180	11	4.81
Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	ED	133	16	4.79
Jessie Bates III	Falcons	S	215	12	4.61
Montaric Brown	Jaguars	CB	152	10	4.37
Kwity Paye	Colts	ED	162	18	4.35
E.J. Speed	Colts	LB	236	20	4.35
Denzel Ward	Browns	CB	127	9	4.3
Azeez Al-Shaair	Texans	LB	177	16	4.26
Dorian Williams	Bills	LB	148	14	4.18
Jalen Carter	Eagles	DI	146	14	4.14
Ja'Quan McMillian	Broncos	CB	134	9	4.04
Javon Hargrave	49ers	DI	104	11	3.98
Zack Baun	Eagles	LB	183	16	3.86
Keisean Nixon	Packers	CB	139	9	3.86
Christian Izien	Buccaneers	S	179	10	3.85
Nathan Shepherd	Saints	DI	108	11	3.7
Mike Jackson	Panthers	CB	199	11	3.64
Kenny Moore II	Colts	CB	232	12	3.41
Jared Verse	Rams	ED	138	15	3.37
David Long Jr.	Dolphins	LB	146	13	3.32
Ernest Jones	Titans	LB	146	13	3.32
Henry To'oTo'o	Texans	LB	146	13	3.32
Fred Warner	49ers	LB	162	14	3.26
Kyler Gordon	Bears	CB	157	9	3.19
Mike Hughes	Falcons	CB	159	9	3.12
Alontae Taylor	Saints	CB	159	9	3.12
Germaine Pratt	Bengals	LB	180	15	3.06
Yaya Diaby	Buccaneers	ED	142	15	3.03
Zyon McCollum	Buccaneers	CB	163	9	2.97
Blake Cashman	Vikings	LB	185	15	2.73
C.J. Gardner-Johnson	Eagles	S	183	9	2.71
DeMarvion Overshown	Cowboys	LB	111	10	2.64
Quinnen Williams	Jets	DI	124	11	2.62
Daron Payne	Commanders	DI	125	11	2.56
Odafe Oweh	Ravens	ED	137	14	2.45
Julian Love	Seahawks	S	191	9	2.43
D.J. Reed	Jets	CB	124	7	2.41
Chris Jones	Chiefs	DI	157	13	2.4
Zaven Collins	Cardinals	ED	102	11	2.4
Kyle Hamilton	Ravens	S	193	9	2.37
Quinyon Mitchell	Eagles	CB	180	9	2.34
Kyle Dugger	Patriots	S	194	9	2.33
Maliek Collins	49ers	DI	115	10	2.23
Amani Hooker	Titans	S	168	8	2.23
Derwin James Jr.	Chargers	S	172	8	2.09
Trevon Diggs	Cowboys	CB	189	9	2.01
Robert Spillane	Raiders	LB	196	15	2
Frankie Luvu	Commanders	LB	166	13	1.99
Jadeveon Clowney	Panthers	ED	131	13	1.96
Kendall Fuller	Dolphins	CB	110	6	1.93
Josh Hines-Allen	Jaguars	ED	156	15	1.85
Marlon Humphrey	Ravens	CB	194	9	1.82
Montez Sweat	Bears	ED	133	13	1.79
Danielle Hunter	Texans	ED	145	14	1.78
Levi Onwuzurike	Lions	DI	122	10	1.76
Jonathan Jones	Patriots	CB	142	7	1.74
Jaquan Brisker	Bears	S	182	8	1.74
Marcus Jones	Patriots	CB	143	7	1.71
Harrison Smith	Vikings	S	184	8	1.68
Tershawn Wharton	Chiefs	DI	153	12	1.67
Travis Jones	Ravens	DI	124	10	1.62
Nnamdi Madubuike	Ravens	DI	139	11	1.61
P.J. Locke	Broncos	S	186	8	1.61
Tony Adams	Jets	S	186	8	1.61
Terrion Arnold	Lions	CB	173	8	1.6
Maxx Crosby	Raiders	ED	183	17	1.58
Will McDonald IV	Jets	ED	100	10	1.57
Jevon Holland	Dolphins	S	158	7	1.57
Stephon Gilmore	Vikings	CB	174	8	1.56
Kenny Clark	Packers	DI	125	10	1.56
Andrew Billings	Bears	DI	125	10	1.56
Pat Jones II	Vikings	ED	101	10	1.49
Ji'Ayir Brown	49ers	S	163	7	1.4
Cody Barton	Broncos	LB	101	8	1.3
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	LB	192	14	1.27
Carlton Davis III	Lions	CB	182	8	1.26
Chase Young	Saints	ED	140	13	1.2
John Jenkins	Raiders	DI	101	8	1.18
Jamel Dean	Buccaneers	CB	212	9	1.15
Sam Hubbard	Bengals	ED	141	13	1.12
Jourdan Lewis	Cowboys	CB	133	6	1.08
Dee Alford	Falcons	CB	134	6	1.04
Jack Jones	Raiders	CB	189	8	1.01
Bobby Wagner	Commanders	LB	181	13	1
Troy Hill	Panthers	CB	108	5	1
Justin Simmons	Falcons	S	204	8	0.99
Ja'Sir Taylor	Chargers	CB	109	5	0.97
Marcus Epps	Raiders	S	176	7	0.95
Gervon Dexter Sr.	Bears	DI	134	10	0.95
Travon Walker	Jaguars	ED	155	14	0.94
T.J. Edwards	Bears	LB	182	13	0.93
Jamien Sherwood	Jets	LB	137	10	0.91
Tykee Smith	Buccaneers	CB	138	6	0.89
Noah Igbinoghene	Commanders	CB	113	5	0.82
Shaq Thompson	Panthers	LB	199	14	0.8
Jaylen Watson	Chiefs	CB	195	8	0.78
Byron Young	Rams	ED	145	13	0.78
Reed Blankenship	Eagles	S	184	7	0.68
Kristian Fulton	Chargers	CB	171	7	0.67
Jaycee Horn	Panthers	CB	199	8	0.64
Osa Odighizuwa	Cowboys	DI	154	11	0.6
Greg Newsome II	Browns	CB	147	6	0.56
Jeffery Simmons	Titans	DI	140	10	0.54
Roger McCreary	Titans	CB	121	5	0.52
Jordan Hicks	Browns	LB	159	11	0.45
Kamari Lassiter	Texans	CB	177	7	0.45
Minkah Fitzpatrick	Steelers	S	163	6	0.4
Jason Pinnock	Giants	S	192	7	0.4
Jaelan Phillips	Dolphins	ED	102	9	0.4
Josey Jewell	Panthers	LB	175	12	0.39
Khalil Mack	Chargers	ED	126	11	0.38
Nate Hobbs	Raiders	CB	179	7	0.38
Harrison Phillips	Vikings	DI	113	8	0.37
SirVocea Dennis	Buccaneers	LB	100	7	0.37
Mike Hilton	Bengals	CB	126	5	0.34
Tyrique Stevenson	Bears	CB	180	7	0.34
Preston Smith	Packers	ED	115	10	0.31
Andrew Van Ginkel	Vikings	ED	139	12	0.29
Jordyn Brooks	Dolphins	LB	162	11	0.26
Jaylon Johnson	Bears	CB	182	7	0.26
Javon Bullard	Packers	S	167	6	0.26
Derick Hall	Seahawks	ED	116	10	0.22
Ronald Darby	Jaguars	CB	184	7	0.19
Julian Blackmon	Colts	S	169	6	0.19
Riley Moss	Broncos	CB	184	7	0.19
Jahlani Tavai	Patriots	LB	179	12	0.13
Mack Wilson Sr.	Cardinals	LB	120	8	0.04
Roy Robertson-Harris	Jaguars	DI	118	8	0.03
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka	Buccaneers	ED	131	11	-0.04
Roquan Smith	Ravens	LB	197	13	-0.07
Tremaine Edmunds	Bears	LB	182	12	-0.07
Shelby Harris	Browns	DI	105	7	-0.09
Mario Edwards Jr.	Texans	DI	105	7	-0.09
Jabrill Peppers	Patriots	S	178	6	-0.12
Jerry Tillery	Vikings	DI	106	7	-0.16
Kerby Joseph	Lions	S	182	6	-0.26
Eric Kendricks	Cowboys	LB	170	11	-0.27
Quentin Lake	Rams	CB	198	7	-0.33
Alex Highsmith	Steelers	ED	123	10	-0.37
Alohi Gilman	Chargers	S	128	4	-0.4
Trenton Simpson	Ravens	LB	142	9	-0.42
Ed Oliver	Bills	DI	140	9	-0.46
Devin Lloyd	Jaguars	LB	143	9	-0.48
Isaac Yiadom	49ers	CB	122	4	-0.51
Jeremy Chinn	Commanders	S	161	5	-0.53
Nick Bolton	Chiefs	LB	189	12	-0.54
T.J. Watt	Steelers	ED	149	12	-0.56
Camryn Bynum	Vikings	S	191	6	-0.57
Jonathan Allen	Commanders	DI	127	8	-0.58
Bud Dupree	Chargers	ED	102	8	-0.6
Alex Singleton	Broncos	LB	190	12	-0.6
Caelen Carson	Cowboys	CB	153	5	-0.66
Benjamin St-Juste	Commanders	CB	181	6	-0.7
Jarran Reed	Seahawks	DI	129	8	-0.71
Grady Jarrett	Falcons	DI	144	9	-0.73
Tyrel Dodson	Seahawks	LB	192	12	-0.73
DeShon Elliott	Steelers	S	138	4	-0.74
Larry Ogunjobi	Steelers	DI	100	6	-0.75
Dre'Mont Jones	Seahawks	ED	116	9	-0.78
Nick Bosa	49ers	ED	152	12	-0.81
Justin Reid	Chiefs	S	198	6	-0.81
Dax Hill	Bengals	CB	184	6	-0.81
Alex Anzalone	Lions	LB	118	7	-0.83
Zaire Franklin	Colts	LB	239	15	-0.85
Will Harris	Saints	S	200	6	-0.87
Nakobe Dean	Eagles	LB	179	11	-0.87
Cor'Dale Flott	Giants	CB	160	5	-0.92
Derrick Barnes	Lions	LB	120	7	-0.96
Mike Sainristil	Commanders	CB	161	5	-0.96
Tariq Woolen	Seahawks	CB	189	6	-0.99
Deommodore Lenoir	49ers	CB	162	5	-1
Adam Butler	Raiders	DI	149	9	-1.06
Tre'Davious White	Rams	CB	192	6	-1.11
Deonte Banks	Giants	CB	194	6	-1.18
Brandon Stephens	Ravens	CB	195	6	-1.22
Matthew Judon	Falcons	ED	134	10	-1.29
Mike Danna	Chiefs	ED	134	10	-1.29
Brandon Jones	Broncos	S	156	4	-1.36
Rashan Gary	Packers	ED	123	9	-1.37
Tre Brown	Seahawks	CB	118	3	-1.37
Dayo Odeyingbo	Colts	ED	123	9	-1.37
Jakorian Bennett	Raiders	CB	145	4	-1.37
Xavier McKinney	Packers	S	186	5	-1.39
Darius Slay	Eagles	CB	175	5	-1.48
Shaquill Griffin	Vikings	CB	121	3	-1.48
Keion White	Patriots	ED	160	12	-1.48
Taylor Rapp	Bills	S	189	5	-1.5
Ronnie Hickman Jr.	Browns	S	102	2	-1.51
Donte Jackson	Steelers	CB	150	4	-1.55
DaQuan Jones	Bills	DI	112	6	-1.57
Trent McDuffie	Chiefs	CB	205	6	-1.59
Christian Wilkins	Raiders	DI	172	10	-1.62
K.J. Britt	Buccaneers	LB	115	6	-1.63
Rakeem Nunez-Roches	Giants	DI	129	7	-1.71
Daniel Ekuale	Patriots	DI	144	8	-1.73
Marshon Lattimore	Saints	CB	103	2	-1.81
Jaylon Jones	Colts	CB	239	7	-1.84
Charvarius Ward	49ers	CB	158	4	-1.85
Bobby Okereke	Giants	LB	194	11	-1.87
Leonard Williams	Seahawks	DI	102	5	-1.89
Mazi Smith	Cowboys	DI	102	5	-1.89
A.J. Terrell	Falcons	CB	214	6	-1.92
Troy Reeder	Rams	LB	195	11	-1.93
Calen Bullock	Texans	S	115	2	-1.95
Quandre Diggs	Titans	S	174	4	-1.98
Damar Hamlin	Bills	S	203	5	-1.98
Rasul Douglas	Bills	CB	189	5	-1.99
Bryan Cook	Chiefs	S	204	5	-2.01
Christian Rozeboom	Rams	LB	152	8	-2.08
Jack Campbell	Lions	LB	138	7	-2.15
George Karlaftis	Chiefs	ED	168	12	-2.16
Nick Cross	Colts	S	238	6	-2.18
Jalen Ramsey	Dolphins	CB	141	3	-2.22
Demario Davis	Saints	LB	170	9	-2.27
Byron Murphy Jr.	Vikings	CB	170	4	-2.29
Avonte Maddox	Eagles	CB	144	3	-2.33
Christian Benford	Bills	CB	198	5	-2.33
L'Jarius Sneed	Titans	CB	172	4	-2.37
Vonn Bell	Bengals	S	186	4	-2.39
Kenneth Murray Jr.	Titans	LB	173	9	-2.47
Chuck Clark	Jets	S	190	4	-2.53
Derek Stingley Jr.	Texans	CB	177	4	-2.55
Garrett Williams	Cardinals	CB	123	2	-2.55
Anfernee Jennings	Patriots	ED	114	7	-2.61
Zach Carter	Bengals	DI	113	5	-2.63
David Onyemata	Falcons	DI	128	6	-2.65
Sauce Gardner	Jets	CB	181	4	-2.7
Justin Jones	Cardinals	DI	100	4	-2.75
Kader Kohou	Dolphins	CB	129	2	-2.77
A.J. Epenesa	Bills	ED	116	7	-2.78
Xavier Woods	Panthers	S	199	4	-2.84
Davon Godchaux	Patriots	DI	131	6	-2.85
Jaire Alexander	Packers	CB	185	4	-2.85
Cam Taylor-Britt	Bengals	CB	185	4	-2.85
Quan Martin	Commanders	S	171	3	-2.88
Joey Porter Jr.	Steelers	CB	160	3	-2.92
Bryan Bresee	Saints	DI	132	6	-2.92
Isaiah McDuffie	Packers	LB	166	8	-3.01
Dorance Armstrong	Commanders	ED	107	6	-3.02
Pat Surtain II	Broncos	CB	190	4	-3.03
Chidobe Awuzie	Titans	CB	110	1	-3.07
Starling Thomas V	Cardinals	CB	140	2	-3.18
Emmanuel Ogbah	Dolphins	ED	109	6	-3.19
Kevin Byard	Bears	S	182	3	-3.26
T'Vondre Sweat	Titans	DI	123	5	-3.31
Asante Samuel Jr.	Chargers	CB	172	3	-3.37
Sean Murphy-Bunting	Cardinals	CB	173	3	-3.4
Logan Wilson	Bengals	LB	187	9	-3.4
Harold Landry III	Titans	ED	148	9	-3.47
DeMarcus Lawrence	Cowboys	ED	137	8	-3.55
Donovan Wilson	Cowboys	S	191	3	-3.57
Jordan Fuller	Panthers	S	163	2	-3.6
Za'Darius Smith	Browns	ED	114	6	-3.61
Michael Hoecht	Rams	ED	115	6	-3.69
Tre'von Moehrig	Raiders	S	196	3	-3.74
Martin Emerson Jr.	Browns	CB	182	3	-3.74
Kamren Curl	Rams	S	198	3	-3.81
Andre Cisco	Jaguars	S	198	3	-3.81
Baylon Spector	Bills	LB	119	4	-3.89
Jalen Thompson	Cardinals	S	173	2	-3.95
Alim McNeill	Lions	DI	118	4	-3.97
Eddie Jackson	Ravens	S	116	0	-3.99
Arden Key	Titans	ED	131	7	-4.04
Christian Gonzalez	Patriots	CB	191	3	-4.07
Antonio Johnson	Jaguars	S	207	3	-4.11
Jimmie Ward	Texans	S	178	2	-4.12
Grover Stewart	Colts	DI	138	5	-4.32
Geno Stone	Bengals	S	184	2	-4.32
Eric Stokes	Packers	CB	144	1	-4.33
Jordan Poyer	Dolphins	S	158	1	-4.43
Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	ED	149	8	-4.56
Tyler Nubin	Giants	S	194	2	-4.67
Marcus Williams	Ravens	S	197	2	-4.77
James Smith -Williams	Falcons	ED	106	4	-4.93
Tuli Tuipulotu	Chargers	ED	106	4	-4.93
De'Vondre Campbell	49ers	LB	150	5	-4.95
Lavonte David	Buccaneers	LB	211	9	-4.99
Bobby Brown III	Rams	DI	104	2	-5.02
DeMarcus Walker	Bears	ED	156	8	-5.15
Quay Walker	Packers	LB	186	7	-5.34
Kyzir White	Cardinals	LB	173	6	-5.47
Troy Andersen	Falcons	LB	173	6	-5.47
Malik Hooker	Cowboys	S	189	1	-5.5
Cobie Durant	Rams	CB	177	1	-5.55
Pete Werner	Saints	LB	162	5	-5.74
Greg Gaines	Buccaneers	DI	148	4	-6
Kaden Elliss	Falcons	LB	215	8	-6.26
Lorenzo Carter	Falcons	ED	115	3	-6.69
Drue Tranquill	Chiefs	LB	172	4	-7.41
Patrick Queen	Steelers	LB	163	3	-7.81