New England Patriots: 2 Patriots listed on PFF’s ‘Top 50 Players For 2017’
Two of the New England Patriots starting defensive backs are poised to post big numbers this fall.
Pro Football Focus unveiled spots 50 to 31 on their ‘Top 50 NFL Players for 2017’ yesterday, featuring two members of the New England Patriots. The list highlights the league’s best players entering next season.
Coming in at number 49? @Patriots safety and one half of the @McCourtyTwins Devin McCourty!#PFF50 pic.twitter.com/P2ZHbwqMbQ
— PFF (@PFF) June 4, 2017
Patriots free safety Devin McCourty was named PFF’s 49th best player entering the 2017 season. McCourty played in 16 games for New England last year, tallying 83 tackles, seven passes defended, and two takeaways. In addition, he was selected to his third Pro Bowl and awarded an AP second-team All-Pro selection. In the article, PFF Senior Analyst Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) writes of McCourty:
"“Once a good young cornerback, McCourty has blossomed into one of the league’s best free safeties for the New England Patriots after they made the position switch with him. McCourty has range and instincts to make plays regardless of the coverage called, and he ended 2016 with the league’s best coverage grade (91.9) among all safeties.” – Sam Monson"
A two-time Super Bowl champion, @Mac_BZ is number 38 on the #PFF50 pic.twitter.com/YjwD0dTDPp
— PFF (@PFF) June 5, 2017
New England’s starting cornerback Malcolm Butler also earned a spot on the list. Butler played his second full season for the Patriots, starting 16 games and collecting four interceptions. Additionally, the third-year defender had 63 tackles, 17 passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Pro Football Focus dubbed Butler the 38th best player entering 2017, eight spots ahead of former Pats cornerback, Aqib Talib. Monson offered Butler good praise, writing:
"“Butler is best known for one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history, to intercept Russell Wilson at the goal line and seal the Lombardi Trophy for the Patriots, but his career has developed into much more than that, and he is on the cusp of being one of the game’s best cornerbacks.” – Sam Monson"
Last month, Butler was voted number 99 on NFL Network’s ‘Top 100 Players of 2017’.
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Earlier this year, PFF ranked New England’s secondary third in the league, awarding the team’s top grades to the aforementioned defensive backs. In 2017, McCourty and Butler will welcome Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots’ defense.