News: NFL rates Donovan Wilson as number 2 Safety in the league

Jumbo075 · Sep 29, 2022

Rank
2

Donovan Wilson
Dallas Cowboys · Year 4

Play-time percentage: 94
Tackling score: 95
Coverage score: 90
Pass-rush score: 92
OVERALL SCORE: 93

Since taking over as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator in 2021, Dan Quinn has used nickel personnel (five defensive backs) at the second-highest rate in the NFL (79 percent of plays). Given that Quinn is also one of the last defensive play callers majoring in single-high shells (63 percent of plays since '21, third in NFL), that means the strong safety will often line up in the box. This year, Wilson has filled that role for the Cowboys, aligning in the box almost as frequently (41 percent of the time) as he does at deep safety (44 percent). The fourth-year pro has taken advantage of his proximity to the ball, leading all safeties with four QB pressures on just 11 blitzes. Availability has been the only weak point in Wilson's NFL career, but if he can stay healthy, opposing quarterbacks will have to account for another emerging threat on Dallas' aggressive defense.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-s...ties-derwin-james-at-no-1-rookies-paying-imme

JoeyBoy718 · Sep 29, 2022

I don't really know what these scores mean, but Wilson is higher than Derwin in every category except play-time percentage. He's the only player 90+ in every category. If you can take these scores seriously, that would indicate that he's elite in coverage and the box.

big dog cowboy · Sep 29, 2022

Light bulb has come on. Thank goodness.

ScipioCowboy · Sep 29, 2022

Then why does PFF hate him?

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country · Sep 29, 2022

He could cover well and tackle very well in college. Health is his biggest issue. He's Sean Lee in my book. Don't know if we should keep this new Sean Lee or just let him walk. Guess it depends on his price.

plasticman · Sep 29, 2022

Xavier Woods at #6. Ouch!

john van brocklin · Sep 29, 2022

Jumbo075 said:
Rank
2

Donovan Wilson
Dallas Cowboys · Year 4

Play-time percentage: 94

Tackling score: 95

Coverage score: 90

Pass-rush score: 92

OVERALL SCORE: 93

Since taking over as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator in 2021, Dan Quinn has used nickel personnel (five defensive backs) at the second-highest rate in the NFL (79 percent of plays). Given that Quinn is also one of the last defensive play callers majoring in single-high shells (63 percent of plays since '21, third in NFL), that means the strong safety will often line up in the box. This year, Wilson has filled that role for the Cowboys, aligning in the box almost as frequently (41 percent of the time) as he does at deep safety (44 percent). The fourth-year pro has taken advantage of his proximity to the ball, leading all safeties with four QB pressures on just 11 blitzes. Availability has been the only weak point in Wilson's NFL career, but if he can stay healthy, opposing quarterbacks will have to account for another emerging threat on Dallas' aggressive defense.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-s...ties-derwin-james-at-no-1-rookies-paying-imme

Stepping up his game..
This defense has some serious potential.

Knotamus · Sep 29, 2022

ScipioCowboy said:
Then why does PFF hate him?

Because PFF is fools gold.

I can’t for the life of me figure out why people (media and fans alike) put any faith in PFF made up numbers. It’s garbage analysis calculated by opinion.

It’s only used by media pundits for confirmation bias to “prove” whatever short take they are selling at the moment.

Betcha his PFF grades miraculously improve after this week now that NFL.com has him rated highly.

gimmesix · Sep 29, 2022

big dog cowboy said:
Light bulb has come on. Thank goodness.

It's more about the position he's playing at the moment. It's the one Kearse played last year when he was also all over the field making plays. I'd say it's more equivalent to a weakside linebacker role in the 4-3 where it is supposed to be a high-volume tackle role.

Not trying to take anything away from Wilson because he's still got to execute, but this role puts that safety/linebacker in great position to make plays.

FanofJerry · Sep 29, 2022

Im not smart enough to quantify a players value...

But at some level it seems valuable to have a guys jersey in your face on tv. I have seen Wilson numerous times making plays and him forcing me to know who he is. He might be terrible for every other play I dont see him...but he seems to pop up more than other players names. Maybe that means they are doing their job or something...I dont know. But Wilson seems to be forcing me to know who he is...and I like that even though he could be terrible overall.

I mentioned in another thread...I have watched decent minutes of two Denver games....Pat Surtain's name was mentioned by the broadcasters numerous times...not because they are paid to hype him...but because he was actually making plays. Maybe its a fluke sample size...but if Pat Surtains name is being mentioned numerous times during a game...hes prolly going to be good.

Experiment: If you ever watch an NBA game with Alex Caruso...his name is constantly being mentioned by broadcasters. Dude is a baller that makes plays. Caruso is not well paid...but seems to have an impact...dont know why he doesnt get paid.

Hopefully Wilson's TV impact is legit and hes a baller across the board.

darthseinfeld · Sep 29, 2022

big dog cowboy said:
Light bulb has come on. Thank goodness.

Did you watch him at all in 2020? He is basically doing the same thing he was then

ChuckA1 · Sep 29, 2022

He's a great SS. Any thoughts of "letting him walk" are not reasonable or based on his ability. He's a big hitter and a big part of what has become a great safety group

yentl911 · Sep 29, 2022

As well as he has played he has missed some tackles. He needs to learn that he doesn’t need to blow up the ball carrier or receiver on every tackle. Sometimes you just need to get the guy on the ground. Love how he plays though. Reckless abandon

Knotamus · Sep 30, 2022

gimmesix said:
It's more about the position he's playing at the moment. It's the one Kearse played last year when he was also all over the field making plays. I'd say it's more equivalent to a weakside linebacker role in the 4-3 where it is supposed to be a high-volume tackle role.

Not trying to take anything away from Wilson because he's still got to execute, but this role puts that safety/linebacker in great position to make plays.

Absolutely correct.

Wilson is the Rover in Dan Quinn’s defense.
Likewise, Parson’s plays the Leo position. Both are schemed and intended to make more plays than anyone else on the field. Of course, the player still has to have the ability to make the play.. so credit is still warranted

Rover is the 2nd level playmaker

Leo is the playmaker near(or beyond) the LOS

side note: Since Wilson is playing Kearse’s position.. it will be interesting to see how Quinn utilizes both when Kearse returns. It might actually be even better. Bc is both are on the field (dime packages), the opposing offense won’t know which player is coming down

stilltheguru · Sep 30, 2022

Woods and Chido suffered from Mike Nolan syndrome. I knew something was up with them playing so bad in contract years. They had their worst season when they should've had their best. Xavier isn't a world beater but he can play.

As for Donovan. I dont want to say I told you so but.............

zrinkill · Sep 30, 2022

Kid has played well.

Crown Royal · Sep 30, 2022

He is playing really good football, and he ended up Positive on Monday, but he was not great in the first half.

gimmesix said:
It's more about the position he's playing at the moment. It's the one Kearse played last year when he was also all over the field making plays. I'd say it's more equivalent to a weakside linebacker role in the 4-3 where it is supposed to be a high-volume tackle role.

Not trying to take anything away from Wilson because he's still got to execute, but this role puts that safety/linebacker in great position to make plays.

This is very true. The league has been trying to do this for years - there was a guy for the Rams several years ago that kept going back and forth but it never worked out. Quinn has finally implemented the concept of strong nickel well at the NFL level.

I think Woody was the same style of player in the late nineties/early 2000s before nickel became base. Safety who could line up as a slot player and still work well.

Aftershock · Sep 30, 2022

FanofJerry said:
Im not smart enough to quantify a players value...

But at some level it seems valuable to have a guys jersey in your face on tv. I have seen Wilson numerous times making plays and him forcing me to know who he is. He might be terrible for every other play I dont see him...but he seems to pop up more than other players names. Maybe that means they are doing their job or something...I dont know. But Wilson seems to be forcing me to know who he is...and I like that even though he could be terrible overall.

I mentioned in another thread...I have watched decent minutes of two Denver games....Pat Surtain's name was mentioned by the broadcasters numerous times...not because they are paid to hype him...but because he was actually making plays. Maybe its a fluke sample size...but if Pat Surtains name is being mentioned numerous times during a game...hes prolly going to be good.

Experiment: If you ever watch an NBA game with Alex Caruso...his name is constantly being mentioned by broadcasters. Dude is a baller that makes plays. Caruso is not well paid...but seems to have an impact...dont know why he doesnt get paid.

Hopefully Wilson's TV impact is legit and hes a baller across the board.

I hear those same commentator clowns praise players that aren’t even playing like Brady and mahomes j guess they’re having a large impact too! :omg:

noshame · Sep 30, 2022

There are so many young players on this team that are just getting ready to blossom
totally reminds me of 90-91

Everybody really needs to absorb the moment and enjoy the ride

Proof · Sep 30, 2022

stilltheguru said:
Woods and Chido suffered from Mike Nolan syndrome. I knew something was up with them playing so bad in contract years. They had their worst season when they should've had their best. Xavier isn't a world beater but he can play.

As for Donovan. I dont want to say I told you so but.............

what did you tell us? not being snarky, genuinely asking.

News: NFL rates Donovan Wilson as number 2 Safety in the league

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