5 Patriots players make PFF’s Top 101 list as of 2021 season

Pro Football Focus has published its annual report list of top 101 playersand five Patriots have made the cut this season: guard Shaq Mason (35), cornerback JC Jackson (71), center David Andrews (75), guard Michael Onwenu (84) and safety Adrian Phillips (90 ).

Here is an overview:

Shaq Mason

PFF gave Mason an 88.3 rating, noting that he recorded an 87.2 run blocking rating and allowed 16 pressures despite blocking a rookie setter in Mac Jones.

“New England have rebuilt their offensive line this season, and the unit has started to really dominate again, with Shaq Mason playing some of their best footballers at right guard,” Sam Monson wrote in the PFF exam.

Mason is in his seventh season, all with the Patriots, and is expected to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

JC Jackson

The eye test says Jackson was better than the NFL’s 71st best player this season, but that’s where PFF has him with a 78.9 rating.

He completed eight passes and broke 12, and the projected receiver caught just 51% of the passes thrown to Jackson. Jackson is currently an unrestricted free agent, and his future with the Patriots remains unknown as he considers a big contract.

“Few players can claim to be the kind of ballhawk that Jackson proved to be during his NFL career,” said Monson.

david andrews

Andrews is arguably the most reliable and consistent player on the roster, and he has an 82.4 rating. He’s played 1,149 snaps this season and allowed 18 pressures on 654 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF.

“He’s given up just one sack all season and has recorded strong marks as both a run blocker and pass protector,” Monson wrote.

He won’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2025.

Michel Onwenu

Onwenu impressed in several positions and showed his versatility early in his career. Last season, per PFF, he played both left guard and right tackle for at least 200 snaps and allowed just 11 pressures in 340 pass-blocking snaps.

“For some reason, Onwenu was the player forced to go to the bench when everyone was healthy on the New England offensive line,” Monson wrote. “His game certainly doesn’t justify this move.”

Onwenu, who has an 88.3 rating in 632 snaps, will become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

Adrian Phillips

PFF noted that Phillips took damage everywhere – at the line of scrimmage, in the box, deep in coverage, in the slot and even split wide. He had four interceptions and five pass breakups.

“Phillips was a jack of all trades for the Patriots this season,” Monson wrote.

He won’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2025.