Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week 6 Top Performers
We are back for another week of “Hawkeyes in the NFL” and all the sudden the NFL regular season is already 1/3 of the way over. Through six weeks, 17 different players have appeared on the top performers list, while tight ends have appeared 13 times. Sam LaPorta leads the way with five appearances, while Tristan Wirfs and TJ Hockenson earned their fourth appearance this week. There are currently 30 former Hawkeyes on active NFL rosters, while an additional 11 players are on practice squads or injured reserve. We take a look at the top performances from former Hawkeyes from week six.
1. DE AJ Epenesa
AJ Epenesa is tied for fourth all-time in sacks at the University of Iowa and over the last two weeks, the Edwardsville, Illinois native has been channeling all of that energy. In the Bills low scoring 14-9 win over the Giants on Sunday night, Epenesa finishied with two tackles, one sack and three quarterback hurries. His 90.8 pass rush grade by Pro Football Focus led all defensive lineman for week six, while his 89.6 overall grade ranked second. Epenesa now has racked up 3 sks and seven quarterback hurries over the last two weeks. He is all the way up to #11 (89.4) in the overall edge rusher rankings by PFF.
2. DB Geno Stone
Geno Stone played just 23 snaps for the Ravens on Sunday win over the Titans, but made a huge play late in the third quarter of a close game. Trailing 18-13, Tennessee was looking to take the lead with a touchdown and Ryan Tannehill took a shot down the field for Chigoziem Okonkwo, but Stone intercepted the pass. He returned the interception for 24 yards and it led to a Ravens field goal on the next drive.
Yes, it was a small sample size compared to others, but his 90.1 game grade was second amongst all safaties for week six. Also worth noting, starting safety Marcus Williams was injured during the game and is questionable for next week. If he can’t go, Stone may see a larger share of the snaps.
3. TE TJ Hockenson
Week six wasn’t his best game of the season, but TJ Hockenson led the Vikings with six catches for 50 yards in their 19-13 win over the Bears. He had three receptions for 35 yards on Minnesota’s eight play 77 yard touchdown drive right before halftime. Through six weeks, Hockenson is tied for the league lead in catches by a tight end with 36, second in yards with 304 and first in targets with 47. He is currently on track for 102 catches and 861 yards.
4. OL Tristan Wirfs
The Buccaneers did not get the win against the Lions on Sunday, but Tristan Wirfs did have a good day protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield. Unfortunately, Mayfield completed just 19/37 passes, but Wirfs allowed just one pressure over 42 pass block snaps. His 85.2 pass blocking grade ranked 11th out of all offensive lineman for week six.
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On the season, Wirfs has allowed just three quarterback pressures of 183 pass blocking snaps and his 89.9 pass blocking grade ranks #1 in the NFL. His 82.1 overall grade ranks eighth overall.
5. LB Josey Jewell, LB Jack Campbell and S Amani Hooker
Three former Hawkeyes were able to rack up some tackles for their respective teams this week. Josey Jewell started the week off on Thursday with seven tackles in the Broncos loss to the Chiefs. Through five games, Jewell has 33 tackles and averages 6.6 tackles per game.
On Sunday, Jack Campbell made a season-high five tackles in the Lions win over the Buccaneers and he now has 22 tackles during his rookie campaign. Amani Hooker also had five tackles in the Titans loss to the Ravens. Hooker has 30 tackles in five games this season.
Play of the Week – Geno Stone
Mentioned earlier, the interception by Geno Stone was a big one in a close win for the Ravens. Stone runs a long way from his safety spot to undercut the deep route by Chigoziem Okonkwo and then tacked on 24 return yards to get the Ravens out to near midfield. Baltimore got a field goal off of the forced turnover and went on to win 24-16.