Defensive linemen often go underappreciated throughout the season, which makes defensive tackle Gerald McCoy’s six-time Pro Bowl selection (and captaincy this year) even more impressive. They’re often judged solely on the flashy sack total stat, but again, as is the case with McCoy, that stat is far from telling of the whole story. Part of the argument for McCoy’s Pro Bowl selection was his disruption of opposing quarterbacks: he led the team in quarterback hits in 2017. The guy right behind him in totals? Defensive end Robert Ayers Jr.
Ayers had 16 quarterback hits this season to add to McCoy’s 24.