Top Graded CFL players of week 18: emphasize the best artists of the competition

The CFL season is warmed up and every week we dive into the figures to bring the best artists of the competition to the attention.

Thanks to the consistent question of fans, we bring you the top 10 CFL players with the highest degree that important snaps played, based on the PFFF assessment system.

From Quarterbacks that dissect defenses to defensive rulers that cause damage in the trenches, these are the athletes who fell above the rest in week 18. We will emphasize this group every week of the season, so that CFL fans can keep track of the top talent who have an impact in the competition.

Do you want to dig deeper into the data? Click here for PFF figures on full seasonal level over the CFL.

Assessment highlight of the week: Edge Defender Julian Howsare, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

It has been a fantastic season for Julian Howsare in his return to Hamilton. After completing last year with just a general figure of 63.9, he is currently in second place in the CFL with an 88.9 mark. His best outing came last week, when he earned a season -high 91.7 general figure.

It is also important to note that although the CFL credit only one player with a bag or tackle, at PFF we credit all defenders who are involved in making the game. Football is a team sport, and many tackles and bags require more than one contribution. So, while the official CFL statistics HOWS are credited with four pockets, the assessment of PFF reflects his involvement in five.

Five bags in one match are an absurd number – the most by every player in a week this season. But it wasn’t just the bag that stood out. Howsare also registered two quarterback hits and five hurry. Moreover, there were four other plays in which he hit his blocker without registering any pressure. Although those plays can seem small, every passtrush victory makes sense. A defender who consistently beats blocks will inevitably generate more pressure than someone who doesn’t.

Howsare achieved a profit percentage of 28.0% Pass rush and a pass-Rushing productivity score of 17.0, both tops in the competition last week. With two more games, he came forward as a dark man candidate for the most excellent defensive player. He currently leads the competition in bags (14), total pressure (68) and pass-rush grade (91.6).

Quarterback

Walk back

Width

Attacking tackle

Attack

Center

Interior defender

Edge Defender

Linebacker

Cornerback

Halfback

Safety