The grading system that Pro Football Focus uses is very subjective but it’s always fun to look at nonetheless. They have now finished their initial grading of the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason opener against the New York Giants and here are a few of the grades that they currently have for players on both sides of the ball.
In his limited playing time, starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert (1.1) received the best grade on offense. The Steelers ran seven times and passed seven times while he was in the game.
Curiously, backup left tackle Mike Adams, who played every snap after starter Kelvin Beachum exited, received the second highest grade (.06) from PFF and they have them as the team’s best pass protector (1.2) in addition. This is worth disputing and I will take a closer look at him as the week progresses as I don’t believe his sheet was that clean.
Second-year left guard Chris Hubbard not only graded out as the worst Steelers lineman against the Giants (-4.0), he also had the lowest grade of all Steelers offensive players. PFF charged him with three total quarterback hurries.
Quarterback Landry Jones (-3.3) and wide receiver Martavis Bryant (-3.4) both round out the bottom end of the PFF offensive ratings.
On defense, second-year defensive end Nick Williams tops PFF’s ratings with a 2.0 overall score. Williams, who entered the game late, was credited with two tackles by PFF in the game with being scored as stops.
Two other young Steelers defensive ends, Brian Arnfelt (-2.5) and Josh Mauro (-2.0), both sit on the bottom of the Steelers defensive ratings. Personally, I felt Mauro had a good showing, so this is another player that I intend on watching closely the next time I run through the game.
Cornerback Isaiah Green (-1.8), also sits near the bottom of PFF’s rankings for his play against the Giants. According to them, he was targeted eight times and gave up seven receptions for 65 yards and a late touchdown.
