With Week 6 of the NFL 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 6.
An asterisk (*) indicates a player that would earn a spot on the All-Pro team through six weeks.
Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott was sensational in his dismantling of the New England defense. He fired three touchdowns and racked up 445 yards, the most by any quarterback this season. Prescott earned an 89.0 PFF passing grade on the strength of five big-time throws and just one turnover-worthy play.
If the season ended today, Kyler Murray would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Running Back: Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans*
Previously Appeared: Week 2, Week 5
Henry romped for 143 yards and three rushing touchdowns on just 20 carries. He now has three games with three touchdowns, and he is entering MVP consideration with his dominance. Henry is literally running away with the NFL rushing title, and is likely to make more Teams of the Week.
If the season ended today, Henry would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp*
Previously Appeared: Week 2
After a “down” game, Kupp replied with a masterclass, finishing second in receiving yards and tacking on a pair of touchdowns against a hapless Giants defense. Kupp is among the league leaders in every important receiving category, and he makes his second Team of the Week.
If the season ended today, Kupp would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Lamb led all receivers with 149 yards, adding a pair of touchdowns to the ledger. The wideout was dynamic in overtime, toasting Jalen Mills for the walk-off touchdown. When targeted, Lamb helped Prescott to a 158.3 passer rating and eight first downs. Lamb also forced a pair of missed tackles.
If the season ended today, Davante Adams would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Wide Receiver: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Peoples-Jones ended fourth in receiving yards, but unlike third-place Adam Thielen, Peoples-Jones caught a pair of touchdowns. He had an unlikely touchdown catch on a Hail Mary, and he also trucked a Cardinals defensive back en route to a touchdown. Peoples-Jones had three successful contested catches on the day.
If the season ended today, Ja’Marr Chase would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Tight End: Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
It was a tight week at tight end, but Fant’s touchdown gives him the nod over Mike Gesicki and Travis Kelce‘s extra yardage. Fant hauled in nine of 11 targets for 97 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. He contributed to five first downs, and he secured one of two contested targets.
If the season ended today, Mark Andrews would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Left Tackle: Jason Peters, Chicago Bears
Peters had a stellar all-around game for the Bears. He was top-five among tackles in both run-blocking and pass-blocking grade. His 88.5 overall grade was best among tackles to play more than 10 snaps. Peters had a vintage performance to edge out the present All-Pro nod in Tyron Smith.
If the season ended today, Smith would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Left Guard: Quinton Spain, Cincinnati Bengals
Ali Marpet comes in second once again with a solid performance, but Spain was a class above in every regard. Spain allowed one pressure en route to a 79.2 pass-blocking. grade. As a run-blocker, Spain excelled. He terrorized the Lions to the tune of an 87.1 run-blocking grade. All told, his 89.6 overall grade was second at the position.
If the season ended today, Joel Bitonio would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Center: Ryan Jensen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Consistency matters, and well-roundedness matters here. David Andrews and Chase Roullier graded out better than Jensen, but neither were particularly excellent pass blockers. Jensen was sturdy as both a pass-blocker and run-blocker. He earned a solid 76.2 grade with 70s in both aspects.
If the season ended today, Corey Linsley would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*
Previously Appeared: Week 2, Week 4
While he did not grade out quite as well as he did in Weeks 2 or 4, Martin had yet another elite performance on Sunday. He had a 93.0 overall grade, aided by a 94.9 run-blocking grade, his best of the season. He had his worst pass-blocking grade of the season (71.1), but when a 71.1 is a player’s worst grade, he is having a special season.
If the season ended today, Martin would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Right Tackle: Cornelius Lucas, Washington Football Team
Lucas stole the show among right tackles this week. Taking Team of the Week veteran Samuel Cosmi‘s spot at right tackle, Lucas earned the third-best grade among tackles to play significant tackles (Peters and Smith). While Lucas had a solid effort as a run blocker (77.2), he was a superstar as a pass protector. He allowed no pressure en route to an 85.6 pass-blocking grade.
If the season ended today, Jack Conklin would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Interior Defensive Line: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers*
Previously Appeared: Week 1
It was another run-of-the-mill game for Heyward. He had a 90.0 grade. He earned an 87.7 in run defense. Heyward notched three pressures and four stops. Heyward may not have the gaudy stats to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in a traditional sense, but he has been the best defensive player in 2021.
If the season ended today, Heyward would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Interior Defensive Line: Armon Watts, Minnesota Vikings
Watts had an incredible game for Minnesota. He had four pressures to help himself to a 93.4 pass-rush grade. He was the only interior player to register above an 84.0 until Monday Night Football. On the whole, Watts played 36 snaps to a 91.8 grade, earning the best mark among interior players.
If the season ended today, Aaron Donald would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Edge Defender: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Previously Appeared: Week 1*
Watt and Week 5 Team of the Week member Randy Gregory had nearly identical numbers on Saturday. Both forced a fumble and had two sacks. However, Watt gets the nod here because his forced fumble came in overtime, and he also added a pair of batted passes at the line of scrimmage.
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* (The published list was created before Week 1’s Monday Night Football. Crosby retroactively stole Watt’s spot with his 13-pressure game against Baltimore.)
There have been three defensive performances with 12 pressures in 2021. Crosby now has two of them. Crosby had a ridiculous 3.0 sacks against Denver, but even then, that was one full sack and four half-sacks. By PFF’s method of counting sacks, Crosby had five sacks on Sunday. Crosby has yet to earn a grade below 72.7, and his 89.6 on Sunday was his second-best of the season.
If the season ended today, Crosby would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Linebacker: Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
Among linebackers to play 20 snaps, Leonard had the highest grade (91.2). Statistically, he had a strong day, recording both a forced fumble and an interception. Leonard can occasionally be too reliant on the big play, but Sunday was one of the most well-rounded linebacker games any player has had. He graded in the 80s in run defense, tackling, pass-rushing, and coverage.
If the season ended today, De’Vondre Campbell would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Linebacker: Kyzir White, Los Angeles Chargers
White was one of three players with two interceptions on Sunday (both safeties). He graded out poorly as the Ravens terrorized him in the run game (29.0 run-defense grade), but he racked up four pressures in addition to the interceptions. Remember, production is king in the Team of the Week.
If the season ended today, Matt Milano would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Cornerback: Bashaud Breeland
Breeland was targeted six times. None of the passes were complete, and one ended in Breeland’s hands. He dominated, en route to an 89.9 coverage grade and an 88.9 overall grade. He even had a solid day as a tackler (75.1) and run defender (65.8).
If the season ended today, Marshon Lattimore would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Cornerback: Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys
Previously Appeared: Week 3, Week 4
As mentioned weekly, pick-sixes earn spots. Diggs had a pick-six, his second of the season, one play before allowing a 75-yard touchdown, the longest pass of the week. Diggs is a boom-or-bust player, but he booms enough to be a mainstay in the Team of the Week. His 42.5 overall grade was not pretty, however.
If the season ended today, Diggs would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Safety: Xavier McKinney, New York Giants
McKinney was one of two safeties in his game to notch a pair of interceptions. He victimized both Matthew Stafford and John Wolford. It was not an outstanding game otherwise, but McKinney did have a solid 76.3 overall defensive grade. He was a productive tackler (78.2) and cover player (75.4).
If the season ended today, Marcus Williams would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Safety: Taylor Rapp, Los Angeles Rams
Like McKinney, Rapp hauled in a pair of interceptions on Sunday. Rapp was the No. 2 safety by PFF, posting a 90.5 grade. He had a 90.6 grade in coverage and tackled well (80.8). Rapp even notched a pressure in a strong all-around performance.
If the season ended today, Kevin Byard would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
Defensive Back: DeShon Elliott, Baltimore Ravens
Speaking of all-around, Elliott had perhaps his best game as a Raven. Elliott was one of four safeties to have multiple pressures, and he dragged Justin Herbert down for a sack. In coverage, Elliott secured his first career interception, and he allowed just a 9.4 passer rating in coverage. He graded well across the board with a 76.7 overall grade.
If the season ended today, Casey Hayward would earn the author’s All-Pro vote.
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