With Week 10 of the NFL season in the books, it is time to look at the best performers at each position from last week. It should be a mix of usual suspects and random one-game wonders. If a player is not on the list, it does not mean that the individual did not have a great game. Not all positions are created equal. Prior performance has no bearing on this list. With that said, let’s look at the best 11 offensive players and best 11 defensive players from Week 10.
You can find my NFL Week 9 Team of the Week here.
An asterisk (*) indicates a player that would earn a spot on the All-Pro team through seven weeks.
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Previously Appeared: Week 4
After several consecutive weeks that Mahomes looked like a different quarterback, the Mahomes we all know and loved returned to Sunday Night Football and leveled a hapless Las Vegas Raiders team. Mahomes led the week with 406 passing yards and five touchdowns in a mammoth game. It was not a perfect performance; he had a pair of turnover-worthy plays, but Mahomes did get back to his statistical prowess. He is quietly on pace for 43 passing touchdowns.
If the season ended today, Kyler Murray would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Running Back: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
This week featured a tight race at the running back position. D’Andre Swift led all backs with 130 yards, but he did not find the end zone. Jonathan Taylor had 116 yards and a touchdown, but he was ice cold in the second half. The nod here goes to Stevenson. He scored twice in the massacre of the Cleveland Browns. All told, he racked up 100 yards and a 77.4 rushing grade.
If the season ended today, Taylor would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Wide Receiver: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
Diggs was one of two Bills to rack up 100 receiving yards in a blowout win over the New York Jets. He hauled in eight of 13 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown. Diggs ended with a staggering 91.9 receiving grade. He turned six of his catches into first downs, and he converted on three of four contested-catch opportunities. Diggs has launched himself into Pro Bowl consideration.
If the season ended today, Cooper Kupp would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Previously Appeared: Week 3
Jefferson finished second to Diggs in yards, torching the Los Angeles Chargers for 143 yards on nine catches. Jefferson posted a 90.8 receiving grade en route to his second Team of the Week nod. He was the primary chain-mover for the Vikings offense, connecting with Kirk Cousins for seven first downs. He forced one missed tackle, and he brought in two of his three contested-catch opportunities.
If the season ended today, Davante Adams would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Wide Receiver: Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers*
Previously Appeared: Week 1, Week 4, Week 8
Samuel ended tied for eighth in receiving yards with Cooper Kupp, Gabriel Davis, Marcus Johnson, Kendrick Bourne, and Keenan Allen edging him out. However, Samuel tacked on 36 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to go with his 97 receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Samuel turned 10 touches into 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a gigantic Monday Night Football showcase performance. He also ended his streak of games with a drop.
If the season ended today, Samuel would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Previously Appeared: Week 2
The braindead Raiders found no answers for Kelce. Kelce worked the defense for eight catches and 119 yards on nine targets. He did have a drop, but he posted his season-high in yards, and he had his first 80.0-graded game since Week 3. Kelce nearly lapped the field, finishing with 42 yards more than the second-placed Albert Okwuegbunam. Kelce turned seven of his eight catches into first downs in a dominant performance.
If the season ended today, Mark Andrews would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Left Tackle: Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
For the 10th straight week, there is a new name at the left tackle spot. Despite the best efforts from Trent Williams and Dion Dawkins to end the streak, Whitworth attaches his name to the list. He was not asked to do much as a run-blocker, registering only nine snaps, but he graded well (86.5). However, Whitworth was a dominant pass-blocker. He led all tackles with a 91.3 pass-blocking grade, not surrendering pressure on 46 snaps.
If the season ended today, Williams would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns*
Previously Appeared: Week 1, Week 7
Bitonio takes advantage of a weak group of left guards to secure his third appearance in the NFL Team of the Week. Bitonio was the No.2 graded left guard, but Jalen Mayfield’s pitiful 40.3 pass-blocking grade cannot be ignored. On the other hand, Bitonio posted sturdy grades of 79.7 in pass-blocking and 75.5 in run-blocking. He is earning every penny of his recently-signed extension.
If the season ended today, Bitonio would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Center: Ethan Pocic, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks could do nothing on offense against the Green Bay Packers, but none of that blame can go on Pocic. He was elite when asked to pave the way for the Seattle rushing attack, but he held up even better in 50 pass-blocking snaps. Despite facing a talented Packer front, Pocic did not allow a pressure. All told, Pocic ended with an 85.0 overall grade, 91.3 run-blocking grade, and 74.1 pass-blocking grade.
If the season ended today, Creed Humphrey would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
The Zack Martin Award for Best Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*
Previously Appeared: Week 2, Week 4, Week 6
Martin technically was not the No.1 right guard in his game (Colby Gossett earned a 92.0 grade to Martin’s 91.1 in just 12 snaps), but he was his elite self once again. At this point, the right guard spot will be named in honor of Martin based on his consistent elite play. In eight games, Martin has earned a run-blocking grade above 83.5 five times. His lowest pass-blocking grade of the season is just 69.9. Martin owns a quartet of 91.0 or better grades this season.
If the season ended today, Martin would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Right Tackle: Tristan Wirfs, New Orleans Saints
Wirfs had a terrific all-around week despite the incompetence spewed by Tom Brady and the rest of the offense. Wirfs was one of just three offensive tackles to have an 80.0 grade in both pass protection and run blocking. On 35 pass-blocking reps, Wirfs did not surrender any pressure. It was Wirfs’ best game of the NFL season as a run blocker, and he continued his quality pass protection.
If the season ended today, Ryan Ramczyk would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Interior Defensive Line: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans*
Previously Appeared: Week 9
Simmons has exploded in the last two weeks. He has back-to-back multi-sack games, and he has taken the NFL lead in pressures as an interior defensive lineman. In Week 10, Simmons tacked on four pressures, 2.0 sacks, and a batted pass. He totaled five stops, and he ended with an 85.5 grade. As strange as it is, Simmons has overtaken Aaron Donald as the No.2 interior defensive lineman in 2021. Will it hold?
If the season ended today, Simmons would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Interior Defensive Line: Calais Campbell, Baltimore Ravens
Previously Appeared: Week 4
Regardless of the volatility of the Ravens defense, Campbell has been ridiculously good in 2021. He makes his second Team of the Week appearance here after posting five pressures. As is the standard for Campbell, he excelled as a run defender, posting a strong 85.0 run defense grade. He had a 74.1 pass-rush grade, and his 89.5 overall grade was second to David Onyemata among interior defensive linemen.
If the season ended today, Cameron Heyward would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Edge Defender: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
It took a while, but Jones is beginning to put it together on the edge for the Chiefs. Jones is beginning to play on the interior more than he had in recent weeks, but he will be counted as an edge for the time being. Either way, Jones racked up five pressures against the Raiders, and he had a pair of batted passes. Jones had a 90.3 pass-rush grade, and his 90.3 overall grade was third among edges.
If the season ended today, Myles Garrett would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Edge Defender: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders*
Previously Appeared: Week 1, Week 6
There have been four 12-pressure games in the NFL in 2021. Heyward opened the season with a 12-pressure game. Crosby now has the other three. Crosby posted an obscene 13 pressures against the Chiefs on Sunday night, finishing with a gargantuan 92.3 pass-rush grade. His 92.2 overall grade was second to Justin Houston among all edge players. Crosby was even an effective run defender, posting an 86.8 run defense grade.
If the season ended today, Crosby would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Linebacker: Kyle Van Noy, New England Patriots
Van Noy had an all-around standout game as the Patriots erased the Browns. He had one pressure, a sack, five stops, and a forced fumble. He was PFF’s No.2 linebacker (among those that played 10 snaps), and he had 77.0 or better grades in run defense, tackling, and coverage. Josh Bynes, Micah Parsons, and Cory Littleton posted solid grades, but Van Noy gets the nod here.
If the season ended today, De’Vondre Campbell would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Linebacker: Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers*
Previously Appeared: Week 1, Week 3, Week 8
Thompson has only played seven games, but this is his fourth Team of the Week appearance. Is he volatile? Yes, but this was another elite performance for the potential All-Pro linebacker. Thompson racked up five stops and a pair of pressures. He continued his elite coverage season, breaking up two passes. When the dust settled, Thompson earned a 91.6 overall grade and a 90.7 coverage grade.
If the season ended today, Thompson would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Cornerback: Kenny Moore, Indianapolis Colts
Moore had a spectacular performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He racked up a trio of pass-break ups, and he allowed a paltry 45.8 passer rating when in coverage. Across 43 coverage snaps, Moore earned an elite 91.8 coverage grade. However, Moore excelled in all aspects. He tackled well, earning a 79.3 grade, and he recorded two pressures. As a whole, Moore ended with a 91.9 grade, second among NFL corners.
If the season ended today, Jalen Ramsey would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Cornerback: Jourdan Lewis, Dallas Cowboys
Lewis posted a nearly NSFW 94.5 overall grade, bolstered by a special 94.9 coverage grade. Lewis was targeted five times. On those targets, Lewis allowed one catch, broke up three passes and nabbed the fifth as an interception. Lewis surrendered a 0.0 passer rating in one of the best performances by a defensive back this NFL season. Kevin King (not a typo) is an honorable mention for perhaps the first time in his NFL career.
If the season ended today, Trevon Diggs would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Safety: Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
Holland was the key cog in Miami’s humiliation of Baltimore on Thursday Night Football. He recorded six pressures of Lamar Jackson when he was deployed as a blitzer, but he was even better in coverage. Holland earned an 85.1 coverage grade (and an 80.0 tackling grade) en route to an impressive 83.7 overall grade. In coverage, Holland allowed a 39.6 passer rating.
If the season ended today, Kevin Byard would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Safety: Jimmie Ward, San Francisco 49ers
Ward hijacked Kyle Dugger‘s spot with a two-interception game. After showing solid ball skills on the first interception, Ward sniffed out a screen for his second pick. This interception ended in the end zone as Ward hauled the only pick-six of Week 10 of the NFL season. Ward was the only player in Week 10 to notch a pair of interceptions, and his four targets resulted in zero catches for the Rams.
If the season ended today, Marcus Williams would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Defensive Back: Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
Previously Appeared: Week 1
Howard had one of the biggest plays of the week with a forced fumble, recovery, and touchdown against Sammy Watkins. If there was a Worst Team of the Week, Watkins would be the MVP. Howard earned an 89.2 coverage grade, raising his overall grade to 84.2 He had three stops, and he did not allow a catch to go for more than 11 yards. Howard is big-play dependent, but he made that big play in Week 10.
If the season ended today, Casey Hayward would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Be sure to check out our NFL Team of the Week every week for the remainder of the season.
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