Von Miller left off list of best NFL edge defenders
Jun 29, 2021, 9:47 AM | Updated: 10:10 am
Von Miller may have an even bigger chip on his shoulder heading into this season after being left off USA Today’s list of 11 best edge defenders.
Doug Fararr created the ranking and highlighted the fact that the increasing popularity of the quick game has made interior pressure “more important than ever.”
According to Sports Info Solutions, through the 2020 season, NFL quarterbacks attempted 18,983 dropbacks and of those 18,983 attempts, either from under center or pistol or shotgun, quarterbacks threw from zero- through three-step drops 11,540 times.
This means edge defenders really were limited with opposing quarterbacks running a quick game 60.8% of the time.
As for the list?
The NFC West was represented, but not by Miller. Farrar had Miller ranked No. 10 on his list last year.
Los Angeles Chargers star Joey Bosa was ranked No. 10 in the best edge defenders.
“Bosa has amassed 20 sacks and 133 total pressures over the last two seasons, and he possesses a rare combination of speed, power, technique, and fluidity to either side of the blocker that makes him excessively tough to deal with on a down-to-down basis,” Fararr wrote.
Miller is looking to bounce back after dislocating his peroneal tendon (ankle) — an injury that kept him sidelined all last season.
General manager George Paton told the Denver Broncos website that the eight-time Pro Bowler “looks like he’s in his prime.”
Here’s hoping.
