5 NFL Stats to Know Through Week 6
Jason McCourty is PFF's Highest-Rated Cornerback
After releasing Joe Haden -- who Pro Football Focus graded as the NFL's 87th best cornerback in 2016 -- the Cleveland Browns brought in Jason McCourty for less than a third of the annual money that Haden would have cost them. They paired McCourty with Jamar Taylor, who was Pro Football Focus' 19th-ranked cornerback last year.
Taylor's play has declined this season while lining up on the left side 84% of the time, where Haden has been on all of his snaps this year. But McCourty has been excellent, and new slot cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun ranks 15th among 114 eligible cornerbacks.
| Player | Team | Overall | Rank | Coverage | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason McCourty | CLE | 92.0 | 1st | 91.4 | 1st |
| Briean Boddy-Calhoun | CLE | 85.3 | 15th | 85.6 | 12th |
| Joe Haden | PIT | 75.1 | 55th | 75.5 | 52nd |
| Jamar Taylor | CLE | 48.2 | 82nd | 45.9 | 89th |
The Browns have kept McCourty on the right side for 85% of his snaps this season, instead of moving him around like they did with Haden, who played 56% of his snaps on the left side.
Through six games Browns are allowing an average of 36.1 less receiving yards per game to opposing wide receivers than they did last season. McCourty is currently tied for 2nd in the NFL with 3 interceptions, including 1 for a touchdown in Week 6.
In Week 7, he will be defending his former team, the Tennessee Titans, who are averaging the 8th-fewest (204.0) passing yards per game of any team this season.
