As it has been through the season, there is no predetermined narrative with these grades. No mysterious "clutch factor." No tweaked-out quarterback ratings that defy explanation. Our grades are based on pure scouting, and lots of it. We grade the key criteria for each position based on a series of attributes and add in a score for positional importance.
In the case of a tie, our scouts ask, "Which player would I want on my team?" and adjust accordingly. Is it a subjective process? Of course—that's what scouting is, and as we like to say, ties are no fun.
Each player is evaluated and graded by our crack team of scouts, who possess more than 100 combined years of experience in playing, front-office work, coaching and media. John Middlekauff, Marcus Mosher, Mark Schofield, Duke Manyweather, Ethan Young, Joe Goodberry, Justis Mosqueda, Charles McDonald, Zach Kruse, Derrik Klassen, Jerod Brown, Ian Wharton, Kyle Posey, Mark Bullock, Chuck Zodda and Doug Farrar have watched tape for months to bring you these grades.
Zach Kruse
#NFL1000 rankings will get criticism because we grade process over result. Average fan doesn't care about the process. And that's ok.
Here are the final NFL1000 player grades for the 2016 NFL regular season.
Miami Dolphins grades by position: w/ notes if available
Offense
Ryan Tannehill #9
Matt Moore #32
Grading Scale
- Acc: Accuracy (Graded out of 25)
- Arm: Arm Strength (Graded out of 25)
- Press: Pressure/Run Threat (Graded out of 20) (Pressure weighted at 15, run threat at 5)
- Dec: Decision-Making (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
- Worst Quarterback: Blaine Gabbert, San Francisco 49ers
- Most Accurate: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
- Least Accurate: Blaine Gabbert, San Francisco 49ers
- Best Arm: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
- Worst Arm: Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets
- Best Under Pressure/Run Threat: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
- Worst Under Pressure/Run Threat: Gabbert
- Best Decision-Maker: Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- Worst Decision-Maker: Blaine Gabbert, San Francisco 49ers
Running Back: out of 82
Jay Ajayi #17
Damien Williams #68
Kenyon Drake #69
Arian Foster - notable omission due to insufficient games scored
Grading Scale
- In: Inside Running (Graded out of 25)
- Out: Outside Running (Graded out of 25)
- Rec: Receiving (Graded out of 20)
- Blk: Blocking (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top scorers
- Top Running Back: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Worst Running Back: Bobby Rainey, New York Giants
- Best Inside Runner: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Worst Inside Runner: Bobby Rainey, New York Giants
- Best Outside Runner: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
- Worst Outside Runner: Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
- Best Receiver: David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
- Worst Receiver: Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins
- Best Blocker: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Worst Blocker: Bobby Rainey, New York Giants
Tight End: out of 96
Dion Sims #30
Marqueis Gray #70
Dominique Jones #83
Jordan Cameron - notable omission due to insufficient games scored
Grading Scale
- Route: Route Running (Graded out of 20)
- Hands: Hands (Graded out of 25)
- YAC: Yards After Catch (Graded out of 20)
- Blk: Blocking (Graded out of 25)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
- Worst Tight End: Gavin Escobar, Dallas Cowboys
- Best Route-Runner: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
- Worst Route-Runner: Khari Lee, Detroit Lions
- Best Hands: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
- Worst Hands: Niles Paul, Washington Redskins
- Best After the Catch: Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins
- Worst After the Catch: Gavin Escobar, Dallas Cowboys
- Best Blocker: Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
- Worst Blocker: Clay Harbor, New England Patriots
Wide Receiver: out of 155
Jarvis Landry #10
Devante Parker #57
Kenny Stills #66
Leonte Caroo #135
Down in Miami, Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills formed a formidable trio for the Dolphins, helping Miami get back to the playoffs. The three players worked well in concert and provided Miami with a number of options in the passing game
Grading Scale
- Route: Route Running (Graded out of 25)
- Hands: Hands (Graded out of 25)
- YAC: Yards After Catch (Graded out of 20)
- Blk: Blocking (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Wide Receiver: A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
- Worst Wide Receiver: Bradley Marquez, Los Angeles Rams
- Best Route-Runner: A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
- Worst Route-Runner: Lucky Whitehead, Dallas Cowboys
- Best Hands: A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
- Worst Hands: Bradley Marquez, Los Angeles Rams
- Best After the Catch: Ty Montgomery
- Worst After the Catch: Bradley Marquez, Los Angeles Rams
- Best Blocker: Seth Roberts, Oakland Raiders
- Worst Blocker: Tavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams
Left Tackle: out of 40
Brandon Albert #25
Laremy Tunsil - notable omission due to insufficient games scored
Grading Scale
- Pass: Pass Protection (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Blocking (Graded out of 25)
- Power: Power (Graded out of 20)
- Agl: Agility (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Left Tackle: Trent Williams, Washington Redskins
- Worst Left Tackle: Bradley Sowell, Seattle Seahawks
- Best Pass-Blocker: David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers
- Worst Pass-Blocker: Bradley Sowell, Seattle Seahawks
- Best Run-Blocker: Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys
- Worst Run-Blocker: Bradley Sowell, Seattle Seahawks
- Most Powerful: Trent Williams, Washington Redskins
- Least Powerful: George Fant, Seattle Seahawks
- Most Agile: Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
- Least Agile: Chris Hairston, San Diego Chargers
Right Tackle: out of 38
Ju'Wuan James #18
Grading Scale
- Pass: Pass Protection (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Blocking (Graded out of 25)
- Power: Power (Graded out of 20)
- Agl: Agility (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
- Worst Right Tackle: Ty Sambrailo, Denver Broncos
- Best Pass-Blocker: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
- Worst Pass-Blocker: Ty Sambrailo, Denver Broncos
- Best Run-Blocker: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
- Worst Run-Blocker: Ty Sambrailo, Denver Broncos
- Most Powerful: Trenton Brown, San Francisco 49ers
- Least Powerful: Ty Sambrailo, Denver Broncos
- Most Agile: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
- Least Agile: Ty Sambrailo, Denver Broncos
Guard: out of 78
Laremy Tunsil #26
Jermon Bushrod #68
Grading Scale
- Pass: Pass Protection (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Blocking (Graded out of 25)
- Power: Power (Graded out of 20)
- Agl: Agility (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Offensive Guard: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
- Worst Offensive Guard: Alvin Bailey, Cleveland Browns
- Best Pass-Blocker: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
- Worst Pass-Blocker: Germain Ifedi, Seattle Seahawks
- Best Run-Blocker: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
- Worst Run-Blocker: Alvin Bailey, Cleveland Browns
- Most Powerful: Trai Turner, Carolina Panthers
- Least Powerful: Joe Thuney, New England Patriots
- Most Agile: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
- Least Agile: Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints
Center: out of 38
Mike Pouncey #20
Anthony Steen #38
Kraig Urbik - notable omission due to insufficient games scored
Grading Scale:
- Pass: Pass Protection (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run-Blocking (Graded out of 25)
- Power: Power (Graded out of 20)
- Agl: Agility (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Center: Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
- Worst Center: Anthony Steen, Miami Dolphins
- Best Pass-Blocker: Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
- Worst Pass-Blocker: Cameron Erving, Cleveland Browns
- Best Run-Blocker: Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
- Worst Run-Blocker: Anthony Steen, Miami Dolphins
- Most Powerful: Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
- Least Powerful: Anthony Steen, Miami Dolphins
- Most Agile: Mitch Morse, Kansas City Chiefs
- Least Agile: Nick Mangold, New York Jets
Defense
4-3 Defensive Ends: out of 68
Cameron Wake #15
Andre Branch #32
Mario Williams #65
Jason Jones #67
The AFC featured fewer teams running a true 4-3. The best tandem was in Miami with Cam Wake, enjoying a fine comeback season, and the addition of Andre Branch, which ended up being a nice piece.
Grading Scale
- Rush: Pass Rush (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Defense (Graded out of 25)
- Snap: Snap Explosion (Graded out of 20)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top 4-3 Defensive End: Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
- Worst 4-3 Defensive End: Wallace Gilberry, Detroit Lions
- Best Pass-Rusher: Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings
- Worst Pass-Rusher: Jared Odrick, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Best Run Defender: Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks
- Worst Run Defender: Anthony Zettel, Detroit Lions
- Best Snap Explosion: Robert Quinn, Los Angeles Rams
- Worst Snap Explosion: Jared Odrick, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Best Tackler: Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks
- Worst Tackler: Margus Hunt, Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive Tackles: out of 99
Ndamukong Suh #5 (#34 overall)
Jordan Phillips #42
Earl Mitchell #46
Grading Scale
- Snap: Snap Explosion (Graded out of 25)
- Rush: Pass Rush (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Defense (Graded out of 25)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 15)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
- Worst Defensive Tackle: David Parry, Indianapolis Colts
- Best Snap Explosion: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
- Worst Snap Explosion: David Parry, Indianapolis Colts
- Best Pass-Rusher: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
- Worst Pass-Rusher: Mike Purcell, San Francisco 49ers
- Best Run Defender: Roy Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Worst Run Defender: David Parry, Indianapolis Colts
- Best Tackler: Roy Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Worst Tackler: Mike Purcell, San Francisco 49ers
4-3 Outside Line Backers: out of 46
Spencer Paysinger #40
Neville Hewitt #41
Donald Butler #45
Jelani Jenkins #46
Grading Scale
- Cvg: Coverage (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Defense (Graded out of 25)
- Rush: Pass Rush (Graded out of 15)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 25)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top 4-3 Outside Linebacker: Bruce Irvin, Oakland Raiders
- Worst 4-3 Outside Linebacker: Jelani Jenkins, Miami Dolphins
- Best in Coverage: Nigel Bradham, Philadelphia Eagles
- Worst in Coverage: Dan Skuta, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Best Run Defender: Bruce Irvin, Oakland Raiders
- Worst Run Defender: Jelani Jenkins, Miami Dolphins
- Best Pass-Rusher: Bruce Irvin, Oakland Raiders
- Worst Pass-Rusher: Donald Butler, Miami Dolphins
- Best Tackler: K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks
- Worst Tackler: Jelani Jenkins, Miami Dolphins
Inside Line Backers: Out of 65
Kiko Alonso#60
Largely overvalued players are at the bottom of the list. For all of the talk about passing offenses, a linebacker who can cover but can't stop the run is a liability. Miami Dolphins middle man Kiko Alonso is the perfect example of a player with sideline-to-sideline range but the poor ability to stop the interior run with consistency.
Grading Scale
- Pass: Pass Defense (Graded out of 25)
- Run: Run Defense (Graded out of 35)
- Rush: Pass Rush (Graded out of 15)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 15)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Inside Linebacker: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
- Worst Inside Linebacker: Nick Bellore, San Francisco 49ers
- Best in Coverage: Jamie Collins, Cleveland Browns
- Worst in Coverage: Nick Bellore, San Francisco 49ers
- Best Run Defender: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
- Worst Run Defender: Nick Bellore, San Francisco 49ers
- Best Pass-Rusher: Jamie Collins, Cleveland Browns
- Worst Pass-Rusher: Josh McNary, Indianapolis Colts
- Best Tackler: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
- Worst Tackler: Nick Bellore, San Francisco 49ers
Corner Backs: out of 135
Byron Maxwell #42
Tony Lippet #79
Bobby McCain #98
Xavien Howard #110
Grading Scale
- Cvg: Coverage (Graded out of 30)
- React: Reaction/Recovery (Graded out of 30)
- Slot: Slot (Graded out of 20)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 10)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Cornerback: Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos
- Worst Cornerback: Johnson Bademosi, Detroit Lions
- Best in Coverage: Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos
- Worst in Coverage: Brandon Williams, Arizona Cardinals
- Best Reaction: Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos
- Worst Reaction: Brandon Williams, Arizona Cardinals
- Best in the Slot: Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos
- Worst in the Slot: Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
- Best Tackler: Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
- Worst Tackler: Ken Crawley, New Orleans Saints
Free Safety: out of 50
Isa Abdul Quddus #17
Michael Thomas #46
Grading Scale
- Cvg: Coverage (Graded out of 30)
- Rec: Recovery (Graded out of 30)
- Slot: Slot/LB (Graded out of 10)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Free Safety: Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
- Worst Free Safety: Nat Berhe, New York Giants
- Best in Coverage: Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
- Worst in Coverage: Nat Berhe, New York Giants
- Best Recovery: Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
- Worst Recovery: Nat Berhe, New York Giants
- Best in the Slot: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
- Worst in the Slot: Jeff Heath, Dallas Cowboys
- Best Tackler: Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
- Worst Tackler: Ed Reynolds, Cleveland Browns
Strong Safety: out of 53
Rashad Jones #1 (#7 overall)
Miami's Reshad Jones was having a terrific season before he tore his rotator cuff in October. He is one of the most well-rounded safeties in the league, equally adept in run support and coverage. He has the highest average grade of any safety this year, and it was a shame to see his season cut short by injury.
Grading Scale
- Cvg: Coverage (Graded out of 25)
- Rec: Recovery (Graded out of 25)
- Slot: Slot/LB (Graded out of 20)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 20)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Strong Safety: Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
- Worst Strong Safety: Jonathan Meeks, Buffalo Bills
- Best in Coverage: Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
- Worst in Coverage: Miles Killebrew, Detroit Lions
- Best Recovery: Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
- Worst Recovery: Jonathan Meeks, Buffalo Bills
- Best in the Slot: Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
- Worst in the Slot: Adrian Phillips, San Diego Chargers
- Best Tackler: Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
- Worst Tackler: Daimion Stafford, Tennessee Titans
Kickers: out of 34
Andrew Franks #22
Grading Scale
- Pwr: Kick Power (Graded out of 40)
- Acc: Kick Accuracy (Graded out of 40)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 10)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Kicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
- Worst Kicker: Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals
- Best Leg: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
- Worst Leg: Nick Novak, Houston Texans
- Most Accurate: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
- Least Accurate: Blair Walsh, Free Agent
- Best Tackler: Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals
- Worst Tackler: Robbie Gould, New York Giants
Punters: out of 34
Matt Darr #17
Grading Scale
- Dist: Kick Distance (Graded out of 20)
- Hang: Kick Hang Time (Graded out of 20)
- Acc: Kick Accuracy (Graded out of 45)
- Tkl: Tackling (Graded out of 5)
- Pos: Positional Value (Graded out of 10)
- Ovr: Top Possible Score of 100
Top Scorers
- Top Punter: Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams
- Worst Punter: Drew Butler, Arizona Cardinals
- Best Leg: Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams
- Worst Leg: Drew Butler, Arizona Cardinals
- Most Hang Time: Bryan Anger, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Least Hang Time: Kevin Huber, Cincinnati Bengals
- Most Accurate: Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens
- Least Accurate: Ryan Quigley, Arizona Cardinals
- Best Tackler: Chris Jones, Dallas Cowboys
- Worst Tackler: Brett Kern, Tennessee Titans
*Notable Former Dolphins:
Lamar Miller #11/82
Olivier Vernon #14/68
Rishard Matthew #46/155
Full Article: NFL 1000 - Final Regular Season Breakdown of the League's Top Player