PFF: Examining the top pass-rushing DBs

ProFootballFocus.com, using its pass rushing productivity (PRP) data, analyzed the past three NFL seasons to determine who the best pass rushing defensive backs have been over that span.

They examined 34 defensive backs over the last three years who rushed the QB at least 75 times, and several DBs with Eagles ties were recognized for their pass rushing prowess — or lack thereof.

Newly acquired safety O.J. Atogwe ranked third in PRP with a score of 14.76, meaning he is the third most effective pass rushing defensive back in the league, according to PFF’s formula.

He ranked behind the Cincinnati Bengals’ Chris Crocker (21.00) and Washington Redskins' LaRon Landry (14.81).

A major reason why Atogwe ranked so high in PRP was because of how much pressure he has created since 2009. In 105 blitz attempts, Atogwe had 19 total pressures, second best behind the Saints’ Harper (43).

Cornerback Joselio Hanson made the cut as well, but not for the right reasons. In 83 blitz attempts, he created just two total pressures. His PRP score of 2.11 was the lowest in the NFL. Hanson will battle rookie Brandon Boykin in training camp for the nickel corner position.

Former Eagle and recently retired safety Brian Dawkins was named a “serial blitzer” for being one of the most blitzed defensive backs. In 1,314 pass plays since 2009, he rushed the quarterback 134 times, eighth most in the NFL.

St. Louis Rams safety Quintin Mikell, who played for the Birds in 2010, was also a “serial blitzer” with 146 sacks attempts in 1,735 attempts, good for fifth in the league.

According to PFF, the PRP stat “goes beyond just looking at sacks, instead adding a new level of context by analyzing total pressure and looking at how many times a player rushes the passer.

“Hits and hurries are valued at three quarters the worth of sacks, all of those numbers are added up and then divided by the number of rushes before being multiplied by 100 to give the PRP rating.”