Now through Week 4 of the 2019 NFL season, we at PFF have put together our First-Quarter All-Pro Team to highlight the best players at every position heading into Week 5.
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QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Honorable Mention: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
With nine big-time throws and four turnover-worthy plays through Week 4, Carson Wentz leads all NFL quarterbacks with 100 or more dropbacks this season in passing grade at 86.0. Unfortunately for Wentz and the Eagles, he has an incredible five big-time throws that have fallen incomplete (receiver’s fault) while every other quarterback in the league has combined for just 24. In total, he's had an NFL-high 8.3% of his passes dropped and 192 air yards dropped (another NFL-high) on the year.
RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Honorable Mention: Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Not only does he lead all qualifying running backs in overall grade, but Dalvin Cook ranks sixth in forced missed tackles per carry (0.23) and fourth in yards after contact per attempt (3.6).
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Honorable Mention: DJ Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris Godwin has been on fire to start the year. He leads all receivers with 80 or more routes run in receiving grade, and he ranks seventh in yards per route run (2.59) and third in passer rating when targeted (155.0). He has also caught five of his six contested-catch opportunities, forced five missed tackles and gained 15 yards or more on 12 of his 26 receptions.
WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
Honorable Mention: Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
It's unfortunate that Davante Adams will miss some time with a turf toe injury because he was on a tear to start the season. He currently ranks second in yards per route run (2.74) and receiving grade (89.4) among qualifying receivers. He's also dropped zero passes so far this season.
TE George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Honorable Mention: Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders
Though George Kittle did have a bye in Week 4, we still gave him the nod as the NFL's best tight end through the first quarter of the season. He leads all qualifying offensive players in overall grade (92.5). He also leads all at his position in receiving grade (92.5) with three contested catches and zero drops thus far.
FLEX: RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Honorable Mention: TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Playing 99% of the Panthers' offensive snaps, Christian McCaffrey has been an absolute workhorse to start the season and remained efficient across a large sample size. He ranks third at his position in overall grade (83.3) with plus marks as a runner, receiver and pass-blocker.
LT Anthony Castonzo, Indianapolis Colts
Honorable Mention: Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles
Anthony Castonzo is currently one of the NFL's best pass-blocking offensive tackles, and he currently ranks ninth at his position in run-blocking grade (73.0).
LG Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
Honorable Mention: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
Though Joel Bitonio ranks just 10th in pass-blocking grade (76.9) through Week 4, he owns the league's third-best run-blocking grade (84.6) among guards. He's been a road grader for the Browns to start the year, helping Nick Chubb & Co. run wild in the team's Week 4 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
C Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
Honorable Mention: Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
No surprises here. Jason Kelce is still the best center in football and has been for quite some time. He's earned top-10 marks in run-blocking grade (73.3) and pass-blocking grade (73.8) through Week 4.
RG Brandon Brooks, Philadelphia Eagles
Honorable Mention: Graham Glasgow, Detroit Lions
Brandon Brooks has been his usual dominant self despite coming off a torn Achilles. He currently ranks fifth in run-blocking grade (79.1) and third in pass-blocking grade (86.3) among qualifying guards.
RT La'el Collins, Dallas Cowboys
Honorable Mention: Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs
La'el Collins leads all qualifying offensive tackles in run-blocking grade (88.3) and ranks inside the top-10 at his position in pass-blocking grade (77.8) through Week 4.
Edge Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
Honorable Mention: Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack has been a game-wrecker in his second season with the Chicago Bears. He leads all NFL defensive linemen with 100 or more defensive snaps through Week 4 in overall grade (91.8) and pass-rushing grade (92.5).
Edge Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Honorable Mention: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Well on his way to Comeback Player of the Year honors (if not Defensive Player of the Year), Bucs edge defender Shaquil Barrett ranks tied for fourth in overall grade (90.2) and fourth in pass-rush grade among all qualifying defensive linemen.
DI Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
Honorable Mention: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
With Josh Allen and Yannick Ngakoue locking down the edges of the Jags' defense, Calais Campbell has had the luxury of playing inside and bullying guards for most of the 2019 season, and he's thrived as a result. Campbell currently leads all interior defensive linemen in overall grade (90.7) and pass-rush grade (90.2).
DI D.J. Reader, Houston Texans
Honorable Mention: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
A name many probably didn't expect to see on this list, D.J. Reader is off to a career-year pace with his 90.3 overall grade, 84.3 run-defense grade and 81.7 pass-rushing grade. In a contract year, Reader has seemingly taken his game to the next level after earning a 79.2 overall grade in 2017 and a 76.7 overall grade in 2018.
LB Raekwon McMillan, Miami Dolphins
Honorable Mention: Deion Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Raekwon McMillan, a 2017 second-round pick out of Ohio State, has taken a significant step forward this year, specifically in run defense. He currently leads all qualifiers at his position in overall grade (88.0) and ranks fourth in run-defense grade (84.3).
LB Jamie Collins Sr., New England Patriots
Honorable Mention: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Through Week 4, Jamie Collins Sr. ranks second among all off-ball linebackers in overall grade (86.4) with plus grades defending the run, playing in coverage and rushing the passer.
CB Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
Honorable Mention: Shaquill Griffin, Seattle Seahawks
Jaire Alexander may be the NFL's next shutdown cornerback. He currently leads all cornerbacks targeted 15 or more times this season in coverage grade (88.3) and forced incompletion percentage (33.3%).
CB Brian Poole, New York Jets
Honorable Mention: Justin Coleman, Detroit Lions
Brian Poole has played lights out for the Jets as the team's primary slot cornerback. He ranks second behind Alexander in coverage rade (84.6) and has allowed just 36 yards from 18 targets in coverage.
S Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills
Honorable Mention: Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings
Perhaps the most underrated safety in the NFL, Buffalo Bills' Micah Hyde leads all qualifiers at his position in overall grade through four weeks (89.6). He's also logged an impressive 88.9 coverage grade, zero penalties, three defensive stops and just one missed tackles on the year.
S Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
Honorable Mention: Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints
New England's secondary is chock full of talented defensive backs, and Devin McCourty is one of them. He ranks second behind Hyde in overall grade (89.4) and tied for first with Jamal Adams in coverage grade (90.1) among qualifying safeties.
FLEX: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Chicago Bears
Honorable Mention: CB Casey Hayward Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
Earning an 80.7 coverage grade and an 81.1 run-defense grade through Week 4, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix currently ranks fifth at his position in overall grade (85.2). Added this offseason via free agency, Clinton-Dix is proving his worth for the Bears' defense to start the year.
Special Teams
K Joey Slye, Carolina Panthers
Honorable Mention: Josh Lambo, Jacksonville Jaguars
P Tress Way, Washington Redskins
Honorable Mention: Brett Kern, Tennessee Titans
K/R Andre Roberts, Buffalo Bills
Honorable Mention: Jamal Agnew, Detroit Lions
ST Drue Tranquill, Los Angeles Chargers
Honorable Mention: Mark Nzeocha, San Francisco 49ers
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