Pro Football Focus’s Mike Renner joined Orange and Blue 760 on Wednesday to discuss all things Broncos with the 1st and 10 crew. One topic they touched on was the grades given to the Broncos rookies, specifically Bradley Chubb.
Bradley Chubb has been impressive for the Denver Broncos so far.
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 18, 2018
See how every first rounder has graded through two weeks ($)
https://t.co/LeUwJGAXBu
(via @PFF_Chichester) pic.twitter.com/pnc6TxgqsK
The Broncos fifth overall pick has yet to total a full sack(currently has a half sack) but he has been impressive for the Broncos through two games.
Chubb has 8 total pressures so far which leads all rookie defenders and has a 75.6 pass rush grade which 4th amongst all rookie defenders. However, according to Pro Football Focus, Chubb has been at his best in the run game.
Through two games, Chubb has played 102 of his team’s 122 defensive snaps and has produced eight total quarterback pressures from his 49 snaps as a pass-rusher. As productive as he’s been as a pass-rusher, Chubb’s best work has come against the run, where he’s already tallied four defensive stops – the most among rookie edge defenders.
The stat here that stood out to me was the number of snaps Chubb has played so far. I expected to see backups Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray to spell him a bit throughout the year, but thus far, Chubb has been the unquestioned starter next to Von Miller.
The matchup this week is good for Chubb and the Broncos pass rushers. Flacco is more of a pocket quarterback who is looking for that deep ball. This should allow the Broncos pass rushers to get after Flacco and make his life miserable much as they did with Russell Wilson week one.
We didn’t see this sort of pressure last week against the Raiders, but that is because Derek Carr was working the quick passing game. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was asked about this and he explained the differences between Carr and Flacco.
“Flacco is different. Carr, he just wants to get the ball out fast, quick dink and dunks. When you look at Flacco, he wants that home-run ball. He wants to take you up top. He wants the deep 70-yard bomb. It’s a totally different mindset. I’ve had plenty of experience playing against Flacco, so I’ll try to share any information I can to the young guys.”
Longer developing plays play right into the Broncos hands. I could see them having another 5+ sack game against Flacco and the struggling Ravens offensive line. Would be nice to see Chubb get his first-career full sack in this one as well.