Next Gen Stats continues to evolve how we can quantify what we see on Sundays (and Mondays, Thursdays, an occasional Friday or Saturday and some other days). Senior NFL Researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno tried to uncover some hidden gems using NFL Pro data.
Here are 11 insane Next Gen Stats entering Week 12…
NOTE: Data from NFL Pro and Next Gen Stats.
Caleb Williams is over halfway through his first season in Ben Johnson’s offense. Johnson’s ability to scheme it up has shown in droves. Williams has the lowest tight-window percentage (10.5) and the highest wide-open percentage (30.2) among all qualified quarterbacks this season. Williams has also completed 12 of his 13 passing touchdowns to open or wide-open targets this season, tied with Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers for the most such passing touchdowns this season. Surprisingly and on a different note, Williams also has three carries of 20+ miles per hour this season. Here is the list of players with more: Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, and De'Von Achane.
NGS Definition: Tight Window (less than 1 yard of separation when the pass arrives).
NGS Definition: Open (3+ yards of separation when the pass arrives).
NGS Definition: Wide Open (5+ yards of separation when the pass arrives).
2. Jonathan Taylor Yards After Contact (Again)
We talked about Jonathan Taylor’s rushing yards after contact last week during his bye. His season is the gift that keeps on giving for those diving into NFL Pro. For this week’s edition, he’s averaged 4.7 yards per carry after contact this season, the highest in the Next Gen Stats era (minimum 150 carries). The next-closest player is Nick Chubb with 4.5 in 2021. Taylor has also showed off his breakaway speed in 2025 with a league-high six carries reaching 20+ miles per hour.
3. Matchup of Elite Edges Myles Garrett & Maxx Crosby
Since being drafted in 2019, Maxx Crosby has the second-most quarterback pressures (447) in the NFL. The only player with more, Myles Garrett (499), will be on the opposite sideline in Week 12. As for this season, Crosby has 14 run stuffs, tied for the most in the NFL. Garrett has an average pass-rush get off of 0.73 seconds, the fastest in the NFL (minimum 100 snaps). Garrett is also on pace for 25.5 sacks, a mark that would shatter the current record of 22.5 by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan in 2001.
NGS Definition: Run stuff (carries for 0 or negative yards).
4. De’Von Achane’s Efficiency
De’Von Achane is one of four players to be stuffed on at least 35 carries this season. Each of the other three players are averaging fewer than four yards per carry: Saquon Barkley (3.8), Ashton Jeanty (3.7), and Christian McCaffrey (3.7). Achane has averaged 5.5 yards per carry this season, the second-most in the NFL behind only rushing leader Jonathan Taylor (6.0). Achane also has the second-most rushing yards after contact (718) and yards gained on missed tackles forced (396) behind Taylor.
NGS Definition: Run stuff (carries for 0 or negative yards).
5. Jamel Dean When Targeted Downfield
Jamel Dean has allowed the lowest passer rating (22.6) by any player targeted at least 30 times in the NGS era. Looking closer though, Dean has allowed the fewest receptions (4) and receiving yards (98) when targeted downfield this season (minimum 20 targets). He has almost as many catches on downfield targets (3 interceptions) than the receivers he’s covering (4 receptions). He’s allowed a league-low 4.9 yards per target and a 7.9 passer rating on those targets this season; he’s the only player allowing fewer than 6.0 yards per target and under a 30.0 passer rating. No one has caught a deep ball on Dean, who has 3 picks on such targets.
NGS Definition: Downfield targets (10+ air yards).
NGS Definition: Deep targets (20+ air yards).
6. Quinyon Mitchell When Targeted Downfield
Quinyon Mitchell has also been glued to defenders on downfield throws this season. He has more passes defensed (10) on those throws than he has receptions allowed (7) this season. He has forced the highest tight-window percentage (53.1) and allowed the fewest yards of separation (1.3) among all players with at least 20 downfield targets. His teammate Cooper DeJean has allowed the most coverage snaps (368) among cornerbacks without allowing touchdown in coverage.
NGS Definition: Downfield Targets (10+ air yards).
NGS Definition: Tight Window (less than 1 yard of separation when the pass arrives).
7. Jeffery Simmons Fastest Time to Pressure
Jeffery Simmons has the fastest average time to pressure (2.48 seconds) among 34 players with at least 25 quarterback pressures this season. The only three others with an average of 2.6 seconds or faster are edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Abdul Carter, and Will Anderson Jr.. Each of those three have been double-teamed on fewer than ten percent of their pass rush snaps and weigh under 260 pounds. Simmons has been double-teamed on 43.4 percent of his and weighs 305 pounds.
8. George Pickens Against Man Coverage
George Pickens has destroyed man coverage this season. He leads the NFL with 22 receptions and 371 receiving yards against man coverage this season. He paces the league with 3.2 yards per route and 12.0 yards per target against man. His 143.3 passer rating against man defenders is 20 points higher than the next closest player (Tee Higgins: 120.5, minimum 100 routes). Pickens hasn’t just been a man coverage merchant though: Pickens is the only player with 500-plus receiving yards against zone coverage and 300-plus receiving yards against man coverage this season.
9. Javonte Williams Yards Per Carry from Shotgun
Another 2025 Cowboys offseason addition makes the list. Javonte Williams has been the perfect addition to the Cowboys offense. He ranks in the top five in rushing yards (809) and rushing touchdowns (8) this season. Williams has averaged 6.7 yards per carry in shotgun this season, the third highest in the Next Gen Stats era (minimum 60 carries).
10. Quinshon Judkins vs Stacked Boxes
Most of the attention has been focused on who is and is not playing quarterback in Cleveland, but rookie Quinshon Judkins has handled the adversity that lacking a threat at quarterback can bring. He leads the NFL in carries (71) and rush yards (294) against stacked boxes this season. He has 10 explosive runs against stacked boxes, tied with Derrick Henry and De’Von Achane for the second-most in the NFL. Only Breece Hall (8) has more.
NGS Definition: Stacked Box (8+ defenders).
NGS Definition: Explosive Run (10+ yards).
BONUS: Jaelan Phillips' Eagles Impact
The Eagles made a big move before the trade deadline, acquiring edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins for a 2026 third-round pick. Since joining the Eagles in Week 10, Phillips has 13 quarterback pressures, tied with Micah Parsons and Jermaine Johnson II for the most in the NFL. His 21.3 quarterback pressure percentage trails only Parsons, who is the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at $46.5 million per year.
