Rather than define each signature stat in every article in which I reference Pro Football Focus, I decided to make a single article that I can link to that has all the definitions. This is that article. In each case, I will simply copy and paste their blurb explaining what each stat means. Any text found between asterisks *like this* is me explaining a little further.
There is a good amount of redundancy but I want to show which stats are shown for each position.
To see the Elite stats for yourself be sure to check it out for yourself here. For a cheaper but still awesome option, take a look at their Edge package here.
Quarterback
Quarterback Rating
Offering an alternative to the out-dated standard, we take into account dropped passes, throw aways, spikes, and yards in the air and further adjust the old formula so it makes more sense and is a more accurate measure.
Adjusted Completion Percentage (ACC.%)
As an alternative to the common completion percentage statistic, PFF’s “Adjusted Completion Percentage” accounts for dropped passes, throw aways, spiked balls, batted passes, and passes where the quarterback was hit while they threw the ball – factors that hurt the quarterback’s completion percentage but don’t help show how accurate they are. The formula: ((Completions + Drops) / (Attempts – Throw Aways – Spikes – Batted Passes – Hit As Thrown))
Deep Passing
The ability to successfully throw the deep ball is one that not all quarterbacks possess. The numbers here are all derived from passing attempts targeted 20 yards or more downfield. *QB Rating*
Under Pressure
Dealing with pressure is a huge part of playing quarterback in the NFL. The numbers below reflect performance on plays in which pressure was registered. *QB Rating*
Kept Clean
How quarterbacks perform when kept clean. *QB Rating*
Play Action
Never before have Play Action passes been analyzed so in depth. See how quarterbacks perform on Play Action passes and compare it to the times they don’t use Play Action. *QB Rating*
Time in Pocket
The Pro Football Focus Time In The Pocket data lets you find out which quarterbacks are holding onto the ball the most and how it impacts performance. *They look at QB Rating at less than as well as greater than 2.5 seconds*
Wide Receivers
WR Rating
The PFF Wide Receiver rating shows the quarterback rating when a receiver is thrown at.
Drop Rate
The Pro Football Focus “Drop Rate” shows who hangs on to catchable balls most often, the bottom line on the receiving end of the passing game.
Deep Passing
Who’s doing damage downfield? These numbers are all based on targets of 20 yards or more. *Players are ranked by catch rate as the default*
Slot Performance
Life in the slot means living off of mismatches and taking what coverage gives you. Versatility and willingness to do it all are required. *Players are ranked by catch rate as the default*
Yds/Pass Route Run (YPRR)
The Pro Football Focus “Yards per Route Run” figure takes into account the number of snaps a player went into a pattern, providing a better indicator of production than Yards per Reception or even Yards per Target.
Running Back
Elusive Rating
The Pro Football Focus “Elusive Rating” boils down a runner’s success beyond the point of being helped by his blockers.
Breakaway Percentage
The Pro Football Focus “Breakaway Percentage” shows which runners earn the highest (and lowest) percentage of their yardage on big plays (any runs of 15 yards or more).
Yards Per Route Run (YPRR)
The Pro Football Focus “Yards per Route Run” figure takes into account the number of snaps a player went into a pattern, providing a better indicator of production than Yards per Reception or even Yards per Target.
Drop Rate
The Pro Football Focus “Drop Rate” shows who hangs on to catchable balls most often, the bottom line on the receiving end of the passing game.
Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.
Tight End
Drop Rate
The Pro Football Focus “Drop Rate” shows who hangs on to catchable balls most often, the bottom line on the receiving end of the passing game.
Deep Passing
Who’s doing damage downfield? These numbers are all based on targets of 20 yards or more. *Players are ranked by catch rate as the default*
Slot Performance
Life in the slot means living off of mismatches and taking what coverage gives you. Versatility and willingness to do it all are required. *Players are ranked by catch rate as the default*
Yds/Pass Route Run (YPRR)
The Pro Football Focus “Yards per Route Run” figure takes into account the number of snaps a player went into a pattern, providing a better indicator of production than Yards per Reception or even Yards per Target.
Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.
Offensive Line
Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.
Offensive Tackle
Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.
Offensive Guard
Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.
Center
Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Blocking Efficiency” rating measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed.
Interior Defender/DT/NT/3-4 DE
Run Stop Percentage (Stop %)
A player’s impact in the running game is sometimes erroneously based on the total volume of tackles made. However, firstly, does that number include tackles on passing plays and, more importantly, did those tackles really count? Stops constitute a “loss” for the offense so this table shows the percentage of stops per snap played only in run defense.
Pass Rush Productivity (PRP)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Rushing Productivity” rating measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting toward sacks.
Edge Defender/3-4 OLB/4-3 DE
Pass Rush Productivity (PRP)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Rushing Productivity” rating measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting toward sacks.
Run Stop Percentage (Stop %)
A player’s impact in the running game is sometimes erroneously based on the total volume of tackles made. However, firstly, does that number include tackles on passing plays and, more importantly, did those tackles really count? Stops constitute a “loss” for the offense so this table shows the percentage of stops per snap played only in run defense.
Tackling Efficiency
The Pro Football Focus “Tackling Efficiency” number shows the number of attempted tackles per miss.
Coverage
Taking into account the number of snaps a defender spends in coverage is key to understanding their impact. *Uses coverage snaps per reception as ranking default*
Linebackers/ILB/4-3 OLB
Pass Rush Productivity (PRP)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Rushing Productivity” rating measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting toward sacks.
Run Stop Percentage (Stop %)
A player’s impact in the running game is sometimes erroneously based on the total volume of tackles made. However, firstly, does that number include tackles on passing plays and, more importantly, did those tackles really count? Stops constitute a “loss” for the offense so this table shows the percentage of stops per snap played only in run defense.
Tackling Efficiency
The Pro Football Focus “Tackling Efficiency” number shows the number of attempted tackles per miss.
Coverage
Taking into account the number of snaps a defender spends in coverage is key to understanding their impact. *Uses coverage snaps per reception as ranking default*
Cornerback
Pass Rush Productivity (PRP)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Rushing Productivity” rating measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting toward sacks.
Run Stop Percentage (Stop %)
A player’s impact in the running game is sometimes erroneously based on the total volume of tackles made. However, firstly, does that number include tackles on passing plays and, more importantly, did those tackles really count? Stops constitute a “loss” for the offense so this table shows the percentage of stops per snap played only in run defense.
Tackling Efficiency
The Pro Football Focus “Tackling Efficiency” number shows the number of attempted tackles per miss.
Coverage
Taking into account the number of snaps a defender spends in coverage is key to understanding their impact. *Uses coverage snaps per reception as ranking default*
Slot Performance
*None given. Ranks by coverage snaps per reception*
Safety
Run Stop Percentage (Stop %)
A player’s impact in the running game is sometimes erroneously based on the total volume of tackles made. However, firstly, does that number include tackles on passing plays and, more importantly, did those tackles really count? Stops constitute a “loss” for the offense so this table shows the percentage of stops per snap played only in run defense.
Tackling Efficiency
The Pro Football Focus “Tackling Efficiency” number shows the number of attempted tackles per miss.
Coverage
Taking into account the number of snaps a defender spends in coverage is key to understanding their impact. *Uses coverage snaps per reception as ranking default*
Pass Rush Productivity (PRP)
The Pro Football Focus “Pass Rushing Productivity” rating measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting toward sacks.