ߣÏÈÉúAV

1) Russell Wilson, Seahawks: +8.6%
2) Derek Carr, Raiders: +7.4%
3) Aaron Rodgers, Packers: +6.9%
4) Justin Herbert, Chargers: +6.0%
5) Joe Burrow, Bengals: +6.0%

The leader in Completion Percentage Over Expectation (CPOE) -- which measures a quarterback's performance relative to the difficulty of his passes -- should not really be a surprise. Russell Wilson has finished among the top four in CPOE in each of the past three years (2017: third; 2018: second; 2019: fourth). Rookie QBs Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow round out the top five in CPOE so far in 2020, among those with a minimum of 14 attempts per game. (Herbert has a slight edge on Burrow, with a CPOE of +6.0262% compared to Burrow's +6.026%.)

1) Kareem Hunt, Browns: +111
2) Dalvin Cook, Vikings: +106
3) Nick Chubb, Browns: +102
4) Sony Michel, Patriots: +73
5) Raheem Mostert, 49ers: +71

The Browns are off to a hot start in 2020, and at least some credit must be given to the running back duo of Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb, who both rank in the top three in Next Gen Stats' Rushing Yards Over Expected metric. Hunt, Chubb and Minnesota's Dalvin Cook are the only three running backs to gain 100-plus RYOE so far this season. But even with Chubb landing on IR and expected to miss roughly six weeks, the Browns' backfield should continue to perform at a high level -- after all, fellow Browns RB D'Ernest Johnson ranks 11th with a +42 RYOE mark (on just 14 carries).

1) Myles Garrett, Browns: 23
2) Aaron Donald, Rams: 18
T-3) Shaquil Barrett, Buccaneers: 17
T-3) Khalil Mack, Bears: 17
5) Mario Addison, Bills: 16

In addition to boasting a strong group of running backs, Cleveland is home to the most disruptive pass rusher of 2020: Myles Garrett. Garrett leads the ߣÏÈÉúAV with 23 QB pressures, and he's already caused six turnovers as a result of his pressure (via fumble or interception) in just four games. Pittsburgh's Bud Dupree and Tampa Bay's Shaquil Barrett forced six turnovers from pressure across the entire 2019 season to lead the ߣÏÈÉúAV.

1) Steelers: 49.2%
2) Ravens: 44.4%
3) Chiefs: 42.3%
4) Buccaneers: 41.7%
5) Texans: 40.3%

The Steelers and their AFC North foes in Baltimore blitz at the two highest rates in the ߣÏÈÉúAV so far this season. Pittsburgh, however, chooses to deploy its blitzes in slightly different ways than the rest of the league. The Steelers blitz on a ridiculous 60 percent of first- and second-down dropbacks (highest in the ߣÏÈÉúAV), and their blitz rate drops to 28 percent on third and fourth down (22nd in the ߣÏÈÉúAV). This blitz strategy has proven effective, as the Steelers also lead the ߣÏÈÉúAV in QB pressure rate at the team level (41.0%).

Fastest average max speed by ball-carriers (min. 15 touches):

1) Tyreek Hill, Chiefs: 17.04 MPH
2) Allen Lazard, Packers: 16.95 MPH
3) CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: 16.29 MPH
4) DK Metcalf, Seahawks: 16.05 MPH
5) Calvin Ridley, Falcons: 16.03 MPH

Fastest max speed reached as ball-carrier:

1) Raheem Mostert, 49ers: 23.09 MPH
2) Raheem Mostert, 49ers: 22.73 MPH
3) Michael Davis, Chargers: 21.68 MPH
4) Devin Duvernay, Ravens: 21.48 MPH
5) Tyron Johnson, Chargers: 21.46 MPH

On a per-play basis, no one in the ߣÏÈÉúAV reaches a faster average speed with the ball in his hands than Kansas City's Tyreek Hill, the only player to average 17-plus MPH per touch this season. Hill (16.40 MPH) finished just behind teammate Mecole Hardman (16.40 MPH) in the same category last season, among all players with at least 25 touches. In terms of individual plays, San Francisco's Raheem Mostert is responsible for the by any player, not only this season, but since the start of 2018. Mostert (who's been out since injuring his knee in Week 2) is the only player to hit 23-plus MPH with the ball in his hands over that span.

Most slot receptions:

1) Tyler Boyd, Bengals: 24
2) CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: 17
3) Cole Beasley, Bills: 16
T-4) Julian Edelman, Patriots: 15
T-4) Russell Gage, Falcons: 15
T-4) Tyler Lockett, Seahawks: 15
T-4) Greg Ward, Eagles: 15

Most slot receiving yards:

1) Tyler Boyd, Bengals: 278
2) Julian Edelman, Patriots: 262
3) CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: 259
4) Cole Beasley, Bills: 249
5) Justin Jefferson, Vikings: 194

Cincinnati's Tyler Boyd has established himself as the most productive slot receiver in the ߣÏÈÉúAV so far this season, serving as rookie QB Joe Burrow's safety valve across the middle and leading the ߣÏÈÉúAV in receptions and receiving yards from the slot. According to the Next Gen Stats Route Recognition Model, Boyd has been most effective on in-breaking routes (cross, in, slant, post), posting 15 receptions on 17 targets for 186 receiving yards and a touchdown. Boyd is joined by familiar names Cole Beasley and Julian Edelman, along with rookies CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson, among the leaders in slot production this season.