Pro Football Focus-1. Michael Bennett
2012 Grade: +18.8
2012 Snaps: 985
Summary: Unlike recent years of free agency that featured elite defensive ends like Julius Peppers and Mario Williams, this year’s defensive end class is short on the upper echelon edge defender. Our top free agent here typifies what this year’s free agent class is all about (for the most part): quality run defense and inconsistent pass rush production.
Ever since the light went on for Bennett in the Bucs’ Week 4 Monday Night victory over Indianapolis in 2011 (+11.2) he has developed into one of the league’s best defensive ends on the left side. However, his performances have been blighted by inconsistency, particularly as a pass rusher. For the performances that you get such as his six pressure (two sacks, two hits, two hurries) effort against Dallas, you get games where he’s completely blanked by a divisional opponent (once each by Atlanta and New Orleans this season).
However, even considering this inconsistency as a pass rusher, Bennett is still a force in run defense. The one thing he does with real consistency as a pass rusher is take advantage of favorable matchups. As a young defensive end, Bennett has shown plenty to get excited about and has time on his side to iron out the inconsistencies and become one of the league’s top 4-3 defensive left ends.
Everyone should know about Cameron Wake, who once again was one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. In 2012, he was by far the most productive 4-3 defensive end and graded out as such by a large margin. Not including plays nullified by penalties, Wake registered 17 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 46 hurries while also grading out well above-average against the run (+10.4) and not being responsible for a single penalty. The problem though, is that there is no one on the other edge to take pressure off Wake.
The starter opposite Wake has been Jared Odrick, a 2010 first-round pick that has never lived up to his high selection. In his rookie year, he broke his foot and ended up playing only 22 snaps. This past year he did help out against opposing running games (+4.0), but struggled generating consistent pressure despite Wake’s presence. Odrick accumulated six sacks, 10 QB hits, and 21 hurries, but those pressures were picked up among 566 pass rushing opportunities. Koa Misi, primarily an LB, saw time in place of Odrick, especially in the two games against New England (62 snaps at DRE to 16 snaps at LB). Like Odrick, he was useful against the run, but not in pass rushing. Rookie third-round pick Olivier Vernon, playing 445 snaps out of 1,146 defensive snaps, also failed to consistently get to signal-callers (-6.1 pass rushing). Help is needed here.
The Free Agent Fix: Michael Bennett
Unrestricted free agent Buccaneer Michael Bennett could tremendously help out Miami’s pass rush. An undrafted 2009 free agent, Bennett has become a thorn in QB’s sides the past two seasons and seems to be getting more dangerous. In 2011 he had 4 sacks, 6 QB hits and 28 hurries and in 2012 he earned 9 sacks, 14 hits and 49 hurries.
Brother to current New York Giant TE Martellus, Bennett is not a one-trick pony. Last year he ranked 17th among 4-3 defensive ends in our Run Stop Percentage with only a single missed tackle and 18 stops in run defense. It’s very possible Tampa Bay knows Bennett is worth keeping around, but if they don’t, Miami could make a move.
