As we're at the bye week, I thought I'd hand out grades to each player on the roster. Defense is in focus today. This is based on live game notes, film study (I watch 'em over and over, so you don't have to), and conversations I have with both sources inside the building and league sources I've cultivated over 25 years. Without further ado (drumroll, please)… let's have some fun (he said, with a Ron Burgundy question mark at the end of it).
DEFENSIVE LNE
Anfernee Jennings (B) - A pleasant surprise to this season. Jennings has been rock solid against the run, give or take a play here or there (the Taylor TD Sunday). He still isn't much of a pass rusher, and I suspect that won't change much at this point, but he's someone I think is worth keeping around.
Christian Barmore (B+) - This could easily been an "A" based on recency bias, but Barmore was slow out of the gates. Now? He's a beast. Is hard to block one-on-one and improving dramatically against the run. He keeps this up, and he will be a rich man a year from now.
Josh Uche (C) - A bit of a mystery this season. I thought he would double down on his double-digit sack performance from a year ago. Instead, there are games where he's invisible, and he, more than anyone, seems most impacted by Judon's absence. There's also the situational aspect of this. They're always trailing. I would have traded him for a 5th. They didn't. Despite recent assurances that he wants to stay, and they want him to stay, I'll believe it when I see it.
Lawrence Guy (D+) - He's had a hell of a run here, but there's not much left in the tank.
Davon Godchaux (C-) - Not much better than Guy. Has played hurt for a bit, which has definitely impacted his performance, but this is not one of the best defensive linemen in football, Bill.
Deatrich Wise (C-) - Leadership and accountability kick this grade up a notch, but he, too, has struggled. There's been a dumb penalty every other week, and his work against the run has left something to be desired. Still provides some pass rush, and I know the knee has been an issue.
Keion White (C) - Decent against the run. Works his ass off to impact the QB but just doesn't have much in his bag yet on that front. Would like to see some more pop here and expect to see some over the final 7 weeks.
Jeremiah Pharms/Matthew Judon/Sam Roberts (Inc) - It is what it is.
LINEBACKERS
Ja'Whaun Bentley (C+) - A little surprised by the roller-coaster nature of his season. There have been a couple stinkers in there (home vs. Miami and Buffalo), but he is a glue guy, an aggressive tackler, and an intelligent player.
Jahlani Tavai (A) - As of right now, Tavai has been your best player. Not just on defense, but period. He has done an excellent job setting the edge, which he's been asked to do more of this year, and he has a natural feel for dropping into coverage and adjusting to what's going on behind him and what happens in front.
Mack Wilson (B-) - It's taken a while for Wilson to get comfortable with his reads and the way they want him to play, but there he's strung together a handful of games now (on part-time snap counts) that have left me reasonably comfortable with the sight of him at the position.
SECONDARY
Jon Jones (C+) - He really is a warrior. Don't think he's been physically right all year, but when he's out there, he stays out there. He is still a terrific tackler, especially for his size. His coverage has been a mixed bag. I'd worry that at his size, he's finally breaking down.
Shaun Wade (D) - Nice kid. Just not a starting NFL corner from a coverage standpoint. Has been decent against the run, but no matter what Bill feels about that, that's not what this position is about.
Kyle Dugger (C+) - Erratic this year. Still inconsistent as a coverage player. Don't like him playing back at all. Interesting spot with him. Should be a building block but I wonder if he's good enough to give a healthy extension. Tough as they come, however.
Adrian Phillips (C-) - Has become irrelevant on this team. Damn shame. Looks like he's lost a step. Would say that probably has to do with the brutally hard miles they put on him in 2020 and 2021 Should have done him a favor and tried to move him.
Jalen Mills (D+) - I thought he should have been given the first crack at free safety. He was not. Snaps have been limited, but the ones he's gotten have yet to aid his cause for more playing time.
Marte Mapu (D+) - The darling of the spring and summer had a hard time adjusting to everyone's best once the real football started. I see him as a WLB in passing downs, not a free safety. I don't know exactly where he fits best, but if Dugger leaves, he needs to be on the field to justify the pick.
Jabril Peppers (A-) - If I wrote once, I wrote dozens of times that the view of Peppers is he's a downhill player. That's still what he does best, but he's Pro Bowl-ish at it. Just an absolute badass. A real thumper/intimidator. Needs to improve in coverage. He is more like a C+ player in that regard, but overall, he has made a significant impact and is someone I want on the roster going forward.
Myles Bryant (C-) - Tough. Smart. He's been asked to do too much this year because of the injuries and idiocy around him. Can live with him in the slot.
Christian Gonzalez (A-) - We were robbed of watching him develop.
J.C. Jackson (Disgust) - Appears he's staying. Couldn't tell you why. It's illogical and embarrassing.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brenden Schooler (B+) - He's the real deal covering kicks. The only reason he's not an "A" is because of his meltdown against Washington.
Matthew Slater (C) - Not the player he once was. Father Time finally tapped him on the shoulder.
Chris Board (C+) - Name a play he's made this year. I'll hang up and listen.
Cody Davis (C-) - Close to an incomplete. Just four games in. Solid guy.
Bryce Baringer (C) - I thought he'd be better. There's been some inexcusable touchbacks. Needs to improve his directional skills and not try to kick it to the moon every time.
Joe Cardona (C-) - He had a stretch of about three weeks where the number of bad snaps equaled an entire season's worth. He is back on track now but didn't give the Pats their money's worth early.