New York Giants Damon Harrison Named Best Run Defender By Pro Football Focus

New York Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison was named the top run defender in the NFL in 2016 by Pro Football Focus.

The New York Giants defense had a renaissance in 2016. After being one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2015, the Giants became on of the stingiest defenses in 2016. A big reason for that was the infusion of talent the Giants had in free agency.

Jerry Reese opened up his checkbook and signed a number of players to big money deals. Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins, Damon Harrison and Jason Pierre-Paul were all signed on the same day. They were a big help in the Giants fortunes turning around defensively.

Vernon proved to be a difference maker getting after the quarterback and a strong run defender as well. Pierre-Paul looked like his old self before undergoing sports hernia surgery. Jenkins was a shutdown corner all season, shadowing the other team’s best wide receiver all season.

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All three of those players had strong seasons, but Harrison had arguably the best of the bunch. The Giants signed Harrison hoping he would bring the same run-stuffing ability with him to Big Blue that he showed the previous seasons with the New York Jets.

Their signing paid dividends right off the bat. The Giants had a top rush defense in the NFL, giving up only 3.6 yards per carry and 88.6 yards per game. They surrendered only 10 rushing touchdowns on the season and stifled opponents throughout the season.

Harrison was a big reason for that success. His performance was recognized by Pro Football Focus, who handed out some awards for the 2016 season. Harrison was named the best run defender in the NFL by them. Harrison received the highest grade against the run in the NFL with an 88.9. Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Harrison being named the best run defender in the NFL.

"This is now the second season PFF has given an award for the best run defender in the game, and it has yet to go to anybody other than Damon Harrison, who retains the award despite moving teams and changing defensive scheme in the offseason. Harrison is on another level when it comes to defending the run, notching 49 stops against the run — 10 more than any other defensive tackle. In fact, only eight other DTs were able to record more than half the total Harrison did over the season, and his run-stop percentage was some distance clear at the top of the field. Harrison has the ability to single-handedly transform a run defense."

Harrison was billed as a difference maker in the run game and he lived up to that billing. Look at how the Jets fared without him.

Harrison was an undrafted free agent in 2012 when the Jets signed him. He appeared in five games that season without recording a stat. He made the team in 2013 and immediately made an impact. He played in all 16 games, registering 66 tackles and beginning his dominance as a run stuffer in the middle.

With Harrison in the fold, the Jets worst finish in run defense was fifth overall. Without him, they dropped to 11th in 2016, while the Giants went from 24th in 2015 to tied for third in 2016.

The Giants upgrading their defense overall helped, but Harrison was the biggest addition to stopping the run. If you have him in the fold, your run defense automatically improves and the Giants found that out first hand.

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The Giants are glad they have Harrison on their team instead of having to scheme against him. They should also be happy to have Landon Collins, who was recognized by Pro Football Focus as well. Collins was named the Breakout Player of 2016 and runner-up for Best Player and Defensive Player Of The Year.

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