Will Gholston Again Most Consistent DT Pass Rusher
September 17th, 2021
Bucs DL Will Gholston.
It still makes Joe’s head spin thinking about how last year, the guy who led the Bucs in quarterback hits was the guy least known for getting after the quarterback.
We all love the fire and passion of Jason Pierre-Paul, the boyish enthusiasm of Shaq Barrett, the human bulldozing of Vita Vea and the sheer violence of Ndamukong Suh.
None of them led the Super Bowl-winning Bucs in QB hits. Instead, it was Will Gholston with 20.
And though Gholston did not record a hit last week against the Cowboys, he was the most consistent Bucs defensive tackle in pass-rushing win-rate, per BSPN, which culled the data from NextGen stats.
“Win-rate” is basically winning a block, or getting past a blocker. This is determined using computer chip data that players have embedded in their equipment.
Per Seth Walder of BSPN, 25 percent of the time Gholston “won” his matchup. That was seventh-best in the NFL and the only Bucs defensive tackle in the top-10.
Now Joe fully understands Twitter went crazy with Vea’s performance. NBC gave Cris Collinsworth goosebumps with its highlights of Vea manhandling blockers. Unfortunately, NextGen stats don’t reflect Vea being consistent “winning” his matchup.
This tells Joe that either the Cowboys were doing a helluva job blocking or the Bucs’ edge rushers weren’t having their best games. Or more likely, a little of both.
If a defensive tackle is getting past the blocks (which the data suggests happened and our eyes showed us with Vea), you have to wonder where was the edge rush?
Defensive Tackle Win-Rate Leaders Week 1
September 17th, 2021 at 12:13 pm
in my opinion, the culprit is the soft cushion being given by our DBs. If the DBs cannot cover for a measly 2.3 seconds, how will the pass rushers ever get to the QB?
September 17th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
he’s a late bloomer. I been saying he looks a lot better these days.
September 17th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Surprised to see Rankins leading the NFL even in Week 1. He had 1 excellent year with New Orleans (2018 with 8 sacks & 15 QB Hits) but beyond that he never but up any big numbers. Maybe the change of scenery to New York pulled out the beast in him.
Will Gholston has long been one of my favorite Bucs. Just a good old blue-collar type who showed up & got it done but never put up any fancy numbers. Can still remember lots of JBFers wanting to dump him after his initial contract because he wasn’t worth $4 or $5 mil a year they said. Problem was that previous coaching staffs didn’t know how to use him IMO. Got a hunch that happens to a lot of players on both sides of the ball.
September 17th, 2021 at 12:23 pm
If Gholston could have a closing speed beyond the blocker like Shaq Barrett, he would lead the league in sacks. He is just a tad slow.
September 17th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
He is the same player he has always been. Its just most of yall were hung up on sack numbers and didnt see the good he brought to the table. The pied piper joe hollered about the 7mil a year he signed for as if that was suppose to equate to von miller production who was making 15 ml + and posters like you followed along hooked lines and sinker. So much so every year posters were calling for him to be cut etc as if the 7mil was an overpayment. I said it 5 or 6 years ago and I say it today, Gholston is doing exactly what this team needs and is paid accordingly. Every player can’t be all pro. Some have to be Al Singleton, Will Gholston etc
September 17th, 2021 at 12:41 pm
Wonder if vita’s win rate would be higher if it included bulldozing linemen into the qb. you do that without getting past the oline.
September 17th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
@jimm: a new NexGen stat: “bulldoze”. When a DL pushes an OL vertically 4 yards toward the QB.
September 17th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
No need to disengage when you can lift and drive another grown ass man straight back. Falcons Oline losing sleep.
September 17th, 2021 at 1:57 pm
He will never ever see a double team like legit stars we have up front so it means he’s doing his job beating his man
September 17th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
What did he win? It definitely wasn’t sacks. What a useless stat!
September 17th, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Well said again DR.
I have been on that same train.
September 17th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
One of our very best 4th round picks…….Whitehead is another…..
September 17th, 2021 at 2:43 pm
I wonder how those NextGen Stats account for double blocks? You know VV had two blockers on him a lot. Much harder to win those battles.
September 17th, 2021 at 3:02 pm
Joe spelled out what that means in the story.
September 17th, 2021 at 6:51 pm
He’s been this way for like 5 years. Most people paid attention to GMC when Gholston was the real deal