Unafraidshow’s Best Pac-12 Players: Week 3

Another great NFL week is over. Week 3 is in the books and there are plenty of excellent Pac-12 NFL performances. Here are the best, broken down by college.

Arizona

Reggie Gilbert – Tennessee Titans

Finally! We can take Will Parks off this list. Granted, it’s still a stretch to name Reggie Gilbert a top performer. He only got eight defensive snaps in Week 3. But, the Arizona list of Pac-12 NFL players is quite small.

#Titans OLB Reggie Gilbert is active for the first time. Here’s a look at him working on pass rush off the edge. pic.twitter.com/u2ufgBSXLu — TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 19, 2019

It’s important to put his eight snaps in context. This was Gilbert’s first active game for the Titans. Also, in just 8 snaps, Gilbert managed to make two solo tackles. Not a bad debut.

Arizona State

Lawrence Guy – New England Patriots

#GoPats DT Lawrence Guy (3-tech) is one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL at taking on doubles pic.twitter.com/2FXbhuibkC — Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) September 24, 2019

Everyone saw it coming, but the New England Patriots still put in a solid performance against the New York Jets. Part of that win was Lawrence Guy. Guy continued to block the gaps, make tackles and take on double teams. He made Le’Veon Bell bounce the ball outside and didn’t let the offensive line get any push.

Cal

Keenan Allen – Los Angeles Chargers

Against the Houston Texans, Keenan Allen had himself a game!

17 Targets

13 Receptions

183 Receiving Yards

2 Touchdowns

Allen did everything possible to secure a win for his team. And even though the LA Chargers los the game, Allen had the best performance of his career. 183 yards was also a career best. The Cal product shed his injury-tag last season and continue to be one of the best Pac-12 NFL players.

Colorado

Ahkello Witherspoon – San Francisco 49ers

Yet again, Ahkello Witherspoon kept doing his thing. He made it quite difficult for Mason Crosby.

49ers CB Ahkello Witherspoon is expected to miss at least a month. He was playing at an extremely high level, and will be impossible to replace. We take a look at some of the options the Niners have. https://t.co/Q0bXHoy039 — Niners Nation (@NinersNation) September 23, 2019

Unfortunately for fans of the 49ers or defense, Ahkello Witherspoon is likely to miss a month. That’s a massive hit for the 49ers. Through three games, Witherspoon only allowed 13 targets, 5 receptions and 57 yards. His Passer Rating Allowed is only 32.9 (No. 5). Most of all, his plus-114.2 Coverage Rating is the league-best.

Witherspoon is the most important piece of the 49ers defense (or team) right now. Missing him is a big deal.

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Oregon

DeForest Buckner – San Francisco 49ers

DE Arik Armstead saves the game with a FF and Buckner recovers. Way to go Ducks! @arikarmstead @DeForestBuckner #49ers pic.twitter.com/r6a5PilW4N — 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) September 22, 2019

While his teammate and fellow Oregon-alum Arik Armstead was a top Pac-12 NFL player last week, DeForest Buckner got the glory in Week 4. He made defensive play after defensive play in a tight win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Buckner led his team with 8 tackles and also added a quarterback hit, a forced fumble and a clutch fumble recovery.

Oregon State

Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills

Jordan Poyer predicting the future.



"I told him [Tre'Davious White] in the second half, I said hey you're gonna make the play that changes the game right here." @J_poyer21 @WGRZ @TheBillsMafia #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/RJQxoFgMOl — Heather Prusak (@haprusak) September 23, 2019

As good as Steven Nelson played in Week 3, Jordan Poyer gets to sit above him on the best Pac-12 NFL players list once more. He’s just too dominant to leave out.

Against the Cincinnati Bengals, he racked up 11 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. It was an unbelievable game for him. Poyer is a big reason why the Bills continue to win.

Stanford

Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers

24 Carries

153 Rushing Yards

1 Rushing Touchdown

4 Targets

3 Receptions

35 Receiving Yards

Stanford fans! Look away from the college games and pay attention to Christian McCaffrey instead. His elite, NFL career continues to shine a bright spotlight on the Stanford name. Ignore the Stanford program freefall and watch the rise of Christian McCaffrey. He’s one of the greatest Pac-12 NFL players to step onto the field.

UCLA

Kenny Clark – Green Bay Packers

Kenny Clark was ROCKING this center off the ball all game… Lots of knockbacks!



Sometimes the hurries and pressures are just as impactful!! Teams don’t have time for all this long developing backfield action against an aggressive/attacking front like the Packers DL pic.twitter.com/147s8Qnwfl — Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 24, 2019

Let’s keep Kenny Clark on the list. He’s one of the better Pac-12 NFL players and the best nose-tackle to come out of the Pac-12 in years. Against NFL centers, he continues to be a mismatch.

Clark is too strong and continues to overpower offensive linemen. Interior pressure is a huge advantage in NFL games. Clark brings that.



USC

Tyron Smith – Dallas Cowboys

Tyron Smith just went from 10/10 to 11/10 wearing the Pink Floyd T-shirt. (La'el Collins is next to him on the right) 👍🏿#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/dckhZQIJbC — Dan G (@DangurousDan) September 23, 2019

This will be obvious. But, the Dallas Cowboys obliterated the Miami Dolphins. The tanking Dolphins were no match for the Cowboys. Nonetheless, Tyron Smith showed well and displayed why he’s an NFL great.

Against Miami, the Cowboys racked up 235 rushing yards on 34 carries. It was a piece of cake for the stellar offensive line. Leading the way, as usual, was Tyron Smith. It’s been another good year for him. On 206 snaps this season, he’s allowed zero sacks and only has one penalty.

Utah

Marcus Williams – New Orleans Saints

Time for the defense.



Marcus Williams is back as your top graded defender of Week 3!



Williams earned an 82.2 grade, playing all 83 snaps in the process.



His 2019 grading is looking quite nice at the moment: 85.5 OVR, 69.0 run def, 72.9 tackling, 81.6 coverage#Saints #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/XyTZvsKfOQ — PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) September 23, 2019

Not only is Marcus Williams getting his second spot on Unafraidshow’s Best Pac-12 NFL Players list, but he was the Saints best defender in Week 3. On 83 defensive snaps. Wow. Marcus Williams glued himself to the field and helped the New Orleans Saints beat the Seattle Seahawks. Even though they had Teddy Bridgewater as their quarterback, the Saints made too many plays.

In the secondary, Williams continues to cover well and make tackles. It’s turning out to be a career year for Williams and he’s making a name for himself.



Washington

Vita Vea – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh absolutely mauled Barkley in the backfield – dropping him for another loss of one on first down. — Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) September 22, 2019

Although the Giants ultimately won the game, due to Daniel Jones’ heroics, Vita Vea played well. On just 65% of defensive snaps, he consistently gave the Giants offensive line trouble. In addition to accidentally stepping on Daniel Jones’ helmet, he totaled two quarterback hits.

After getting hit twice from the 350-pound Vea, Jones must be feeling it.

Washington State University

Gardner Minshew – Jacksonville Jaguars

If you don’t like it, learn to love it! #Wooooo pic.twitter.com/wTrP3MKOYD — Gardner Minshew (@GardnerMinshew5) September 21, 2019

If you haven’t already fallen in love with Gardner Minshew, better start now. Minshew must be in all Pac-12 hearts.

Against Tennessee in Week 3, Minshew put in a stellar game for his first NFL win. Buy in now to the Minshew hype because he’s going to be one of the great Pac-12 NFL players from WSU.



Missed the Best Pac-12 NFL Players List from Week 1?

If you somehow missed last week’s edition of this, check it out here: