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Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White ranked just outside PFF’s Top 101

By Brandon Croce

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 24: Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos attempts to tackle Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills after White intercepted the ball during the second quarter of an NFL game at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 24: Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos attempts to tackle Tre'Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills after White intercepted the ball during the second quarter of an NFL game at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Bills didn’t have any players make Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 Players for 2019 but one cornerback came very close.

Buffalo Bills’ fans were disappointed to see that there was not a single player from the 10-6 Bills to make Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 players of 2019. It was incredibly surprising to see that Tre’Davious White, a player who led the league in interceptions and should have been in the discussion for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was not considered.

On Monday, Pro Football Focus announced the 10 players who just missed the cut and White was, unfortunately, part of that group.

The team’s third year cornerback was number three on this list and PFF acknowledged right from the start that White’s omission was certainly controversial.

"3. TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE, CB, BUFFALO BILLSThe most controversial omission of the Top 101. White was an Associated Press All-Pro cornerback this season, but not a PFF All-Pro. Some of his coverage numbers were excellent, but the PFF grade captures all of the ways those numbers can mislead or paint an inaccurate picture that can compound over time. White didn’t surrender a touchdown, but he ranked just 26th in yards surrendered per snap in coverage at more than double the figure of Richard Sherman, who led the league. 39 corners also allowed catches at a lower rate than White in coverage. He had a solid year, but was actually significantly better as a rookie two years ago."

While analytics in sports has come a long way and is sometimes look to like that one source of truth, there certainly needs to be some context for the numbers provided by Pro Football Focus.

The Buffalo Bills coaching staff looked to Tre’Davious White to shut down opposing offense’s number one receiving option. It is impressive that White did not allow a receiving touchdown but it is unrealistic to expect an Odell Beckham Jr. not to have any receptions or years, although he only had 5 receptions for 57 against the Bills this past season.

Tre’Davious White was a pivotal piece to a Buffalo Bills’ passing defense that ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed. He was always matched up against the toughest matchup and more times than not he excelled.

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Any fan who watched Tre’Davious White for most of the season would have to agree this was one time that Pro Football Focus missed the grade.

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