Pro Football Focus Top 101: Patrick Willis, Aubrayo Franklin Ranked, Justin Smith Likely Next

by David Fucillo on May 6, 2011 6:00 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

The folks at Pro Football Focus are putting together a countdown of the 101 top ranked players and it has already drawn some fire. Thus far they have released spots 21-101 and I'd imagine at some point today they will release the top 20 players. As their list currently stands, the 49ers have two representatives. Patrick Willis ranked 24th and Aubrayo Franklin is ranked 59th (101-81, 80-61, 60-41, 40-21)

24. Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
It says something that even in a down year (in comparison to his 2009 anyway) Willis still ranks so highly. You can blame that on injury primarily as his end to the season was weak by his standards, but before that he'd put down another claim to being the best linebacker in the league. Dominant in run defense, and a much improved blitzer, Willis didn't make the plays in coverage a guy of his athleticism is used to, but by no means was he a liability. Injury really is the only thing that brings anyone close to this guy.
Best Performance: Week 10 versus St Louis (+6.7)
Key Stat: Picked up 20 QB disruptions. A 35% increase on 2009.

59. Aubrayo Franklin, NT, San Francisco 49ers
He's one of those prototypical nose tackles that teams search for but never seem to find. If he hits the open market then he's a guy who really should get a big deal as possibly the best zero technique in the league at the moment. Yeah I said it. Not just a guy who eats up blocks, Franklin showed a real ability to make plays on the ball carrier with 42 tackles.
Best Performance: Week 2 versus New Orleans (+5.4)
Key Stat: Had the fourth highest amount of tackles of all nose tackles / defensive tackles. The three above him played over three hundred more snaps to do so.

In looking over the list, I'm assuming that Justin Smith will be ranked in the top twenty. While this list has a variety of question marks, if Smith is not included there will be hell to pay. I'm not going to overreact yet because as this list currently stands I just can't see how there can be any reason not to include him there. We'll just have to wait and see.

Beyond that, potential remaining candidates are Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. Since it's a list of the top 101 players in 2010, I'd imagine Gore isn't included since he missed a chunk of the season with his hip injury. As for Davis, in looking through the list, your ranked tight ends are:

47. Mercedes Lewis, Jacksonville
57. Antonio Gates, San Diego
60. Rob Gronkowski, New England
99. Anthony Fasano, Miami

Considering they only have twenty spots left, it seems like just the tight end spot is all over the place. They included Fasano because of his blocking. Given that, wouldn't they need to include Vernon Davis? Am I overrating Davis in this sense? It seems to be a pretty subjective ranking system, so I guess I really can't tell what is going on right now. It's not exactly some kind of valuable science we're looking at in this list, but rather just one tidbit of offseason discussion. It might be bat-[site decorum] crazy, but it's a little something to ponder over for now.

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Comments

My problem with lists such as this.

They are often based on perception and name recognition more than actual production. They may be good talking points, but that is about it. Not to mention that quantifying the play of individuals as positions such as the O-line and D-line is overly difficult. That said, you are bound to upset someone when making it so I’ll refrain from being too harsh.

Basing it solely on 2010, I do not believe Aubrayo Franklin was the “best zero technique in the league.” While I agree that he will get a big pay day and I hope he stays with the Niners, I think he slipped a tad last season.

I agree that if Justin Smith is not on here it would be a travesty and I think because of his overall game V.D. deserves it as well. But I doubt both will be up there even though they should. I’d argue that both should have made it over Gore basing it solely on 2010.

Twitter: @Joshuahss

by Joshuahss on May 6, 2011 7:16 AM PDT reply actions

Fooch Update: Justin Smith was ranked as the 2nd best player

on a sidenote Brandon Lloyd is the best WR in the NFL!!!

1.QB Ryan Mallett 2.G Ben Ijalana 3.CB Jalil Brown 4.NT Kendrick Ellis 4.CB Kendric Burney 5.S Tyler Sash 6.WR Lester Jean 6.RB Chad Spann 7.OLB Jamari Lattimore 7.Kicker 7.CB Richard Sherman

by supraman on May 6, 2011 7:57 AM PDT reply actions

Vernon Davis OVERRATED. Didn't even make the top 100

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/06/the-top-101-players-of-2010-the-top-20/

1.QB Ryan Mallett 2.G Ben Ijalana 3.CB Jalil Brown 4.NT Kendrick Ellis 4.CB Kendric Burney 5.S Tyler Sash 6.WR Lester Jean 6.RB Chad Spann 7.OLB Jamari Lattimore 7.Kicker 7.CB Richard Sherman

by supraman on May 6, 2011 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Vernon Davis

I was surprised by this given their inclusion of Anthony Fasano. I don’t think Davis should have necessarily been in this final top 20, but given his combination of receiving and blocking skills, I think he could be considered deserving.

by David Fucillo on May 6, 2011 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd have to imagine it's because Vernon isn't efficient

The guy is thrown to a lot and drops a lot of passes.

1.QB Ryan Mallett 2.G Ben Ijalana 3.CB Jalil Brown 4.NT Kendrick Ellis 4.CB Kendric Burney 5.S Tyler Sash 6.WR Lester Jean 6.RB Chad Spann 7.OLB Jamari Lattimore 7.Kicker 7.CB Richard Sherman

by supraman on May 6, 2011 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions

blocking

He’s still a high quality blocker. I suppose debating this kind of list is useless given the subjective nature of it.

by David Fucillo on May 6, 2011 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Well look at Antonio Gates

He was injuried for a good portion of the season, in fact he only played 8 games and his numbers were a huge dropoff from his previous seasons. He shouldnt be included on this list if you are solely going off of last season since he only played half the season

Antonio Gates: 40 catches, 663 yards & 9 TDS

Vernon Davis: 56 catches, 914 yards & 7 TDS

Mercedes Lewis: 58 catches, 700 yards & 10 TDS

Plus like you said He’s still a high quality blocker, in fact he is a better blocker than both players combined. With his ability and passion, he could have been a hall of fame tackle in this league

by Lok on May 6, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

The drops were improved on this year

He gets rated low due to a poor catch percentage because his QB’s blow chunks.

You're not a 49er unless you got a gold star from Trent Baalke. Only "high character" guys get to play for the 49ers. The team is built in the locker room, as we all know.

by BustaTheRippa on May 6, 2011 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I think its an incredible feat to have a 3-4 DE to be listed as the 2nd best player in their rankings

I argue that its a deserved listing but rationally speaking the 3-4 DE position is non-glamorous position, those who play the position do not get the credit that they deserve. I love Justin Smith as a player he is a top 20 defender in this league. Ask any tackle in this league who is the toughest matchup they come across during the season and they will list him highly

by Lok on May 6, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Shocked with Willis' ranking

I’m surprised that Willis was ranked at 24th. I think he is a top 5/10 defender in the league and should be higher than 24th. I personally think that he is better than Justin Smith also.

by flyincow555 on May 6, 2011 10:29 AM PDT reply actions

players

Overall maybe, but based on 2010 performance alone?

by David Fucillo on May 6, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

He is

but not based on 2010 only. Broken hand and poorer NT play lead to him having somewhat of a down year.

by See Jay on May 6, 2011 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

It's amazing what Franklin brings to this team

I wonder what kind of money he could be looking for in FA

"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."

Norm Sloan

"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."

Weldon Drew

by EcERyda69 on May 6, 2011 12:23 PM PDT reply actions

Justin Smith

Favorite player on the team by far. He’s a workhorse and isnt an idiot on or off the field. What a man.

by Poundtherock on May 6, 2011 7:01 PM PDT reply actions

This list

is stupid. Vernon Davis should absolutely be on this list. If he were on any team with any half way decent QBs he would dominate all tight ends in every receiving statistic there is. He was 2nd in the league in yards amongst tight ends and had nearly half as many catches as Witten who was 1st. The dude had a 16.3 yards per catch which was the highest out of any tight end with over 20 catches and had some amazing catches see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sydbsEVt428&feature=player_detailpage#t=30s

by ZivilynBane on May 7, 2011 5:26 PM PDT reply actions