The Patriots have been the most dominant team over the last two decades, so it stands to reason that the New England would be well represented when Pro Football Focus put together its Team of the PFF Era (since 2006).
And while two of the choices were no-brainers (Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski), the third might be a surprise for Pats fans. First, let's get to the obvious choices.
Brady earned a grade of 94.9 for his 2016 season, which is the best rating for a QB in the 13 years that PFF has graded players.
Including the postseason, Brady had a completion percentage of 66.9 while throwing for 4,691 yards, 35 touchdowns and only five interceptions, which translates to a 108.6 QB rating. PFF points out that Brady's negatively graded play rate of 6.9 percent in 2016 is the lowest out of 388 instances for a QB with at least 300 dropbacks in a season since 2006.
Gronkowski's 2011 campaign grades out as the best for a tight end in the PFF Era, as he racked up 1,585 yards (743 after the catch) and 20 touchdowns over 19 games. According to PFF, Gronk dropped just eight catchable balls all season long, and his passer rating when targeted was an obscene 138.5.
Now, for the surprise of the bunch. If you had to think of the best season by a Patriot defender over the last 13 years, you might guess Vince Wilfork, Dont'a Hightower, Richard Seymour, or Jerod Mayo.
New England Patriots
But the New England defender who made PFF's All-Era Team was Asante Samuel — and a reminder of his dominant 2006 season demonstrates why he's on the list.
According to PFF, Samuel allowed only 57 completions on 112 targets in '06 and he finished the year with 12 interceptions, translating to a miniscule 31.0 passer rating allowed, the third-lowest for a cornerback in the 13 seasons that PFF has been crunching numbers.
The Patriots were the only team with three representatives on PFF's All-Era Team, while the Rams, Bears, Ravens, and Eagles all placed two.
Who makes Phil Perry's 53-man Patriots roster projection?
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