Pro Football Focus has graded every game in the NFL dating all the way back to the 2006 season, providing almost 20 years of data on every team, including the Green Bay Packers. At PFF, an “elite” grade for a season is anything 90.0 or better, and the Packers have enjoyed several elite or near elite seasons by players on defense over the past 20 seasons.
Unlike the offensive side, where the majority of the elite seasons came from only a handful of players, the Packers defense has a smattering of players who have been elite during recent seasons.
Here are the highest graded individual seasons by a Packers player on defense since 2006:
Elite seasons (stats include playoffs)
2020: CB Jaire Alexander (90.7): Alexander was the highest-graded cornerback in football, and he earned the highest coverage grade among cornerbacks by almost two full grade points. On 76 targets into his coverage, Alexander allowed only 37 catches and 353 yards. Lockdown.
2018: DL Kenny Clark (90.2): Clark produced 46 pressures, three batted passes and 35 stops against the run during a dominant two-way season in which he graded at 88.0 or better against the pass and run.
2015: DL Mike Daniels (90.2): Daniels created a career-high 62 pressures while also producing 35 stops against the run. He was one of only seven defensive tackles to earn an elite grade during the 2015 season.
2012: CB Casey Hayward (91.5): Hayward intercepted six passes, didn’t allow a touchdown pass into his coverage or commit a penalty and finished the season giving up a passer rating of only 30.4. He missed only four tackles and was a plus run defender from the slot. Only three corners had a higher grade in 2012: Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Charles Tillman.
2012: CB Sam Shields (90.2): Shields allowed only 26 total catches while also intercepting five passes. His coverage grade ranked sixth among all cornerbacks in 2012.
2009: DB Charles Woodson (91.7): The NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year produced 37 stops against the run, five forced fumbles and nine interceptions during one of the best seasons ever by a cornerback. He gave up seven touchdown passes and had nine penalties, bringing down his overall grade slightly.
2009: LB Desmond Bishop (90.4): Only Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis had better grades among linebackers in 2009. Bishop became a full-time player in 2010 and was a difference-maker for the Super Bowl champs.
Every Packers player on offense to earn elite PFF grade since 2006
Near elite seasons
- 2024: LB Edgerrin Cooper (85.7)
- 2021: OLB Rashan Gary (89.8)
- 2021: LB De’Vondre Campbell (85.0)
- 2020: S Adrian Amos (89.9)
- 2019: OLB Za’Darius Smith (89.7)
- 2017: DL Kenny Clark (87.3)
- 2014: CB Casey Hayward (88.8)
- 2010: LB Desmond Bishop (89.1)
- 2008: S Nick Collins (85.1)
- 2007: DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (85.3)
- 2006: DL Cullen Jenkins (89.7)
- 2006: DB Charles Woodson (88.7)
- 2006: S Nick Collins (88.4)
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Every Packers player to earn elite grade on defense since 2006