Unafraidshow’s Best Pac-12 Players: Week 4

Another great NFL week is over. Week 4 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

Reggie Gilbert

After making his first appearance on Unafraidshow’s Best Pac-12 NFL Players list in Week 3, Reggie Gilbert improved. In his Week 3 performance, he managed to make the most of eight snaps. It clearly impressed coaches because he logged 48 (60-percent) snaps in Week 4.

Strong sequence of events there for #Titans defense, which forces a TO on downs:



Jayon Brown with a big tipped pass. Kenny Vaccaro, Reggie Gilbert good pursuit on an end-around to Julio Jones. Cam Wake with a PBU after good pressure. Then great penetration by Vaccaro on fourth. — Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) September 29, 2019

Against Atlanta, Gilbert was an impactful force on defense. His ability to make open field tackles and pressure the quarterback was needed. Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons couldn’t get much going against the Titans.



Arizona State

Terrell Suggs – Arizona Cardinals

Timeless.

That is career sack #135.5 for Terrell Suggs; most among active players & just 11 in NFL history have more pic.twitter.com/twbLPCvP8B — Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) September 29, 2019

At 36 (soon to be 37), he’s still making big moves. Against the Seahawks, Suggs displayed power and presence. Yet again, he was able to make big plays. His best play of the night was his strip-sack of Russell Wilson.

On the day, Suggs totaled 8 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble. Brushing off his advancing age, Suggs put in another quality performance. Games like this remind us that he will always be one of the best Pac-12 NFL players to ever play.

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Cal

Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers

For the first time this season, Aaron Rodgers surpassed 300 yards. In fact, he passed for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rodgers also added 46 rushing yards, showing he’s still got athleticism.

But, more important, Rodgers came through in the clutch. Down 27 to 34, he led his team to the opposing three-yard line. With just 28 seconds left. It was another classic Rodgers performance.

First interception of the season for Aaron Rodgers and that’s ballgame.



Eagles win and escape September, 2-2. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/Q385BAEfQi — Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) September 27, 2019

However, Rodgers threw his first interception of the season. It was a heartbreaking throw, reminiscent to Russell Wilson’s interception in Super Bowl XLIX. Nonetheless, Rodgers showed us that he still should be regarded as one of the better Pac-12 NFL players.

Colorado

Chidobe Awuzie – Dallas Cowboys

In a tight game against the Saints, Chidobe Awuzie played well. In addition to 6 tackles and defending a pass, Awuzie got his first interception of the season. And it was a beaut!

Chidobe Awuzie with the first interception of the season for the Dallas Cowboys. (via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/XRr1WcWoPn — RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) September 30, 2019

More than just the plays, Awuzie has an incredible attitude.

On how he expects Cowboys to respond to first loss: “There’s only one way. That’s the name of the game right there. Adversity, we’ve all been through it in this league and in our lives. I think we know what type of men we are in this room.” Chidobe Awuzie

Oregon

Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota is one of the more controversial picks on this Pac-12 NFL players list. Particularly because he’s been up and down this season.

Though Mariota has been inconsistent this season, he played quite well against the Atlanta Falcons. Many criticize Mariota for having a game-manger, safe-quarterback attitude. But, he showed Sunday that he can still make plays and carry a team.

#Titans rookie AJ Brown with a 55-yard TD from Marcus Mariota.



pic.twitter.com/5o5GfN1oVa — NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2019

On the season, Mariota has 933 passing yards, 7 passing touchdowns, 7 passing touchdowns and 112 yards. If he is able to maintain this pace, he will end the season with

28 touchdowns

3,712 passing yards

Zero interceptions

448 rushing yards

Here’s to hoping he can finish similar to this stat-line.

Oregon State

Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills

Keep Jordan Poyer on the best Pac-12 NFL players list! He continues to play well for the Buffalo Bills. Most recently, against the formidable New England Patriots, Poyer and the Bills made it a game. Poyer swung in for some key tackles, big hits and even forced a fumble.

Jordan Poyer gives his perspective on the hit on Josh Allen #Bills pic.twitter.com/SKo07RAffE — Alex Brasky (@AlexBraskyBDN) September 30, 2019

And while he may disagree with the officiating, we can all agree that his play is exceptional.

Stanford

Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers

27 Carries

93 Rushing Yards

1 Rushing Touchdown

10 Targets

10 Receptions

86 Receiving Yards

Honestly, it’s impossible for football fans to not like Christian McCaffrey. He continues to be the best dual-threat running back in the NFL. It’s also in his range of outcomes to reach 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. He would join Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk in glory.

Bottom line, tune in to watch Christian McCaffrey every game.

UCLA

Eric Kendricks – Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Player Eric Kendricks and The Sheridan Story are once again inviting fans to help keep kids in Minnesota fed and healthy by making a pledge for every sack recorded throughout the month of October. Learn more: https://t.co/SUMA8bCF35 — The Sheridan Story (@SheridanStory) September 30, 2019

In their loss to the Chicago Bears, Eric Kendricks was all over the field for the Minnesota Vikings. He led the team with 12 combined tackles. For the few Vikings fans that are still watching, Kendricks is a bright spot in a dark chasm. He is a Pro-Bowl-caliber linebacker and needs to be recognized.

USC

Everson Griffen – Minnesota Vikings

No, this isn’t a Minnesota Vikings fan page. But, Unafraidshow still has to give props when they are due for our favorite Pac-12 NFL players. Everson Griffen is a baller. In each game this season, he’s hit the opposing quarterback at least once. Among NFL players, he’s one of 11 players with at least 8 quarterback hits.

Everson Griffen forces a fumble at the 16 yard line; hits Trey Burton and the ball pops out. Harrison Smith tries to track it down but Chicago recovers. Bears are challenging the completion. — Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 29, 2019

Against Mitchell Trubisky, he managed to pressure him consistently and hit him twice. No, they didn’t get the win. But, Griffen still managed to put in a solid outing for Week 4.

Utah

Marcus Williams – New Orleans Saints

For Utah, Marcus Williams is playing at a near-elite level. Per Pro-Football-Focus, Williams has an overall grade of 89.3. 2019 is his season. He’s yet another defensive Pac-12 NFL player on our list.

Not only did Williams seal the victory for the New Orlean Saints, but he played every defensive snap for the Saints. He was incredible against the Cowboys.

Lattimore may be disappointing Saints fans this year, but Marcus Williams shouldn’t.

Washington

Kevin King – Green Bay Packers

Should Kevin King have been on Unafraidshow’s Week 3 best Pac-12 NFL Players list? Certainly not. The Denver Broncos picked on his inconsistency.

But, even though Kevin King has been inconsistent for the Green Bay Packers this season, he shut Alshon Jeffrey down in Week 4. King was the Packers highest-graded PFF defender.

Kevin King vs Alshon Jeffery in TNF (via @PFF)



92.6 coverage grade

6 targets

1 catch

3 forced incompletions

(including plays negated by penalty) pic.twitter.com/Q7B5s4pYPs — Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) September 27, 2019

Unfortunately for the Packers, King went down with a groin injury. Along with Davante Adams’ injury, the Packers lost key contributors in their loss to the Eagles. However, if he can come back quickly, King can add to an impressive secondary.

Washington State University

Gardner Minshew – Jacksonville Jaguars

Can we, in our Pac-12 loving hearts, ever take Gardner Minshew off this list? Jock-Strap King (per Leonard Fournette), is playing out of his mind right now.

In four games (just three starts), Minshew has 905 yards, 7 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. Additionally, his pocket-movement is beautiful. How can anyone go against the mustache at this point?

Missed the Best Pac-12 NFL Players List from Week 3?

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