The 3 New X-Factor Players
1. Darren Waller, YAC ‘Em Up
I think this is perfect. Much deserved for a great player. There’s the TE Trio (Kelce, Kittle, Waller) who’s great, then there’s the rest. All three of them needed an x-factor, and they finished it.
2. Fred Warner, Zone Hawk
This one is also great. He’s arguably the best MLB in the league right now, he played better than all other LBs in pass coverage last year. Reinforcement would be better, because that would include tackling and pass disruption, but Zone Hawk is fine.
3. Xavien Howard, Zone Hawk
EA hit the 3 most x-factor deserving players. Xavien Howard ended with 10 INTs last year, and it would be criminal for them to leave him without an x-factor. Zone Hawk is great for him.
Should’ve Been Upgraded To X-Factor:
1. Eric Kendricks
Kendricks has made himself out as a top 4 coverage linebacker in the NFL. He was ranked #3 in coverage linebackers by PFF. Eric Kendricks arguably played better than Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David last season, so I believe he should’ve got the Zone Hawk x-factor.
2. Harrison Smith
Smith had an x-factor last year, but this year, EA snubbed him by stripping him of his x-factor. He was ranked #2 NFL safety by PFF, and played great last year, especially in run support. I think he should’ve kept reinforcement as his x-factor.
3. Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons was ranked #1 safety by PFF entering 2021, in a league where safeties aren’t the highest pff-scoring players in the NFL. Simmons is easily a top 3 safety in the NFL.
4. Josh Allen
Josh Allen was arguably the #2 QB last year, and a legitimate MVP contender. He deserves more than just a superstar ability.
5. DK Metcalf
DK Metcalf is a top 5 receiver, and one of, if not THE most physically gifted receivers in the NFL. He’s able to beat players like Stephon Gilmore, Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard and Richard Sherman in coverage. Definitely x-factor worthy
6. Budda Baker
Budda Baker was one of the biggest defensive playmakers in the NFL in 2020, he is deserving of an x-factor.
Players Who Lost X-Factors
1. Harrison Smith
2. Adam Thielen
3. Richard Sherman
Who Should’ve Lost X-Factors
1. Von Miller
Von Miller has regressed big-time the last few years. I believe he deserves a superstar ability, but not an x-factor.
2. Ezekiel Elliott
3. Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas has been injury-ridden last year, didn’t play well when he wasn’t injured, and he won’t be back until possibly November or December of 2021.
4. Julio Jones
Julio is one of the best wide receivers in history, but last year, he didn’t play up to x-factor standards.