Defensive Backs
Calculating DB
Depth Analytics Scores
Each team’s starting starting nickel secondary account for 20% of a Team’s Defense Score when calculating the roster grade.
So let’s break down how we create the Analytics score.
Athleticism (Up to 25 Total Points)
An Defensive Back’s athleticism and flexibility is crucial for the position to help them mirror and stay in phase some of the most premium athletes in the world. This is calculated based off a player’s RAS score.
23-25 Elite Athleticism
20-22.99 Great Athleticism
15-19.99 Good Athleticism
10-14.99 Average Athleticism
5-9.99 Below Average Athleticism
4.99- Poor Athleticism
Measurables (Up to 5 Total Points)
Not every successful Defensive Back has to be made in a lab, but having more height and weight can help win contested catches and reduce potential injury. This score is calculated based on the average of a player’s Height/Weight RAS composite.
4.5+ Elite Measurables
3.5-4.49 Great Measurables
2.5-3.49 Good Measurables
1.5-2.49 Average Measurables
1.49- Below Average Measurables
Press Coverage (Up to 10 Total Points)
This encompasses a Defensive Back’s ability to match up on the line of scrimmage and rely on physicality and technique to knock receivers off their stem. Calculated by completion percentage allowed when aligned in Press.
9+ Elite Press Coverage
8 Good Press Coverage
7 Average Press Coverage
6 Below Press Coverage
5- Poor Press Coverage
Man Coverage (Up to 10 Total Points)
This encompasses a Defensive Back’s ability to match up with receivers man on man and rely on mirroring and twitch to run routes for the receiver. Calculated by completion percentage allowed when aligned in Man.
9+ Elite Man Coverage
8 Good Press Coverage
7 Average Press Coverage
6 Below Press Coverage
5- Poor Press Coverage
Zone Coverage (Up to 10 Total Points)
This encompasses a Defensive Back’s ability to read zones and keep eyes on the passer to generate action on the football. Calculated by completion percentage allowed when aligned in Man.
9+ Elite Zone Coverage
8 Good Zone Coverage
7 Average Zone Coverage
6 Below Zone Coverage
5- Poor Zone Coverage
Stickiness (Up to 15 Total Points)
What? A Defensive Back’s “stickiness” is the ability to stay glued to the receiver and limit separation without committing penalties. Calculated based on average yards of separation when targeted and accepted holding/interference penalties.
13-15 Elite Stickiness (Zero to No Separation)
11-12.99 Great Stickiness (Limited Separation)
10-10.99 Good Stickiness (Fair Separation)
8-9.99 Average Stickiness (Loose Separation)
7-7.99 Below Average Stickiness (Rarely Close to Receiver)
5.99- Poor Stickiness (Burnt Toast)
Run Support (Up to 5 Total Points)
Coverage is the primary focus for Defensive Backs, but corners and safeties are still expected to contribute in the run game when it hits the third level or open field. This also includes pursuit on breakaway plays. Calculated based rushing yards over expected and other advanced metrics.
4.5+ Elite Run Defender
4.0-4.49 Good Run Defender
3.5-3.99 Average Run Defender
3.4- Poor Run Defender
Tackling (Up to 5 Total Points)
Willingness to get your nose dirty in run defense is a great trait for a Defensive Back, but it doesn’t factor much if you can’t finish the play. Calculated based off a player’s missed tackle percentage.
5 Elite Tackler (0.0% Missed Tackle)
4-4.99 Good Tackler
3-3.99 Average Tackler
2.9- Poor Tackler
Blitzing (Up to 5 Total Points)
Defensive Backs aren’t often asked to blitz, but the best ones at getting home can be a tremendous chess piece for a creative Defensive Coordinator. Calculated based on successful blitz rate.
4.5+ Elite Blitzer
3.5-4.49 Great Blitzer
2.5-3.49 Average Blitzer
2.49- Poor Blitzer
Durability (Up to 5 Total Points)
Based off a player’s injury score and availability.
4.0+ Elite Durability
3.0-3.99 Great Durability
2.0-2.99 Average Durability
1.99- Poor Durability
Production (Up to 5 Total Points)
Defensive Back production is all about ballhawking and ability to make plays on the football. To keep this simple and straight-forward, this is based off interceptions and pass break ups. Each INT is .5 points; each PBU is .2 points, so in some rare cases, you may see this number surpass the 5.00 cap.
4.0+ Elite Production
3.0-3.99 Great Production
2.0-2.99 Average Production
1.99- Poor Production
0.00- Rookie (No Production Yet Registered)