The 2021 season was a difficult one for the Washington Commanders. On the surface, Washington didn’t take a major step backward, finishing the same amount of wins as the season before. Considering Washington’s moves last offseason, that was a disappointment.
There were the injuries, COVID-19 outbreaks and a historically bad performance from the defense during the first half of the season. Unfortunately for Washington fans, the defense was expected to carry the team until veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick got comfortable with the offense.
We know how that story played out. During Washington’s early defensive struggles, almost every defender struggled throughout the first seven weeks, outside of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. One of those, cornerback Kendall Fuller turned things around in the second half of the season.
Pro Football Focus recently named their most improved players of the 2021 season for every NFL team and Fuller was that player for the Commanders.
PFF Grade change from 2020 to 2021: 66.7 → 81.5 (+14.8)
Fuller was moved to the outside in his return to Washington in 2020, and it was volatile to say the least. He allowed a career-high five touchdowns and earned his second-lowest PFF grade of his career.
His second-year playing on the outside in 2021 went far better. He finished as the second-most valuable cornerback in the NFL and got better as the year went on. From Week 8 forward, he was the highest-graded corner in the NFL.
PFF used its own grading scale to determine each team’s most improved player. The results for Fuller are undeniable, although Washington fans who watched every game may have a different opinion of Fuller’s season.
The key statement in PFF’s grade of Fuller: “From Week 8 forward.”
That is correct. Fuller was a different player from the Denver game forward. His coverage was improved and his tackling — always a strength — remained outstanding.
As far as the eyeball test watching every game, and not using PFF’s data, I would give linebacker Cole Holcomb credit for a much-improved 2021 campaign. The third-year linebacker took another step forward in his career last season and if Washington can land a true inside linebacker, Holcomb can be even better in 2022 and beyond.
