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GroundPounder
1 yr 10 million
Fowler and Floyd were drafted in the same year in round 1. Fowler was drafted 3rd, Floyed 9th.
Both underachieved for the first 3 years of their career. Fowler exploded in 2019 but was that due to playing next to AD?
Let's look at their stats over the 3 prior years (2016-2018):
FowlerCombined Sacks: 21
PFF pass rush grade: 58.7 to 68.4
PFF overall defensive grade: 59.5 to 66.3
Floyd
Combined Sacks: 19
PFF pass rush grade: 57.8 to 64.8
PFF overall defensive grade: 63.8 to 69.6
Fowler has consistently had slightly better pass rush numbers with the PFF metrics and in sacks and QB hurries but Floyd has consistently been graded better in run defense and coverage. Looking at the overall PFF grade, it's a wash.
I think Fowler benefited a lot from the AD factor.