Andre James improvement
Yes, the start of James’ season was a disaster. Horrible snaps combined with lackluster blocking led the third-year pro to start with the worst PFF grade for a center across the league, and it didn’t appear as if it would end anytime soon.
Suddenly, in the middle of the season – Almost as if by magic – everything turned around for the 24-year-old.
James’ blocking technique was much more sound, and his confidence was through the roof. Although he started with a 40.8 Pro Football Focus grade throughout the first six weeks, his grade between weeks seven and fifteen shot up to 77.9; A number that ranked him 6th in this timespan. The 38.1 run blocking grade he had early on skyrocketed as well, increasing to a top-10 grade of 76.3.
"“Andre James has emerged as one of the better Centers in the league”"
What had been a disastrous start turned into a display of dominance, seemingly out of thin air.
Not only was James entering his first season as a starter, but to his immediate left and right lay John Simpson and Jermain Eluemunor. Both of these players were filling in while the team’s starting guards suffered season-ending injuries, potentially contributing to James’s lack of initial success.
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Was his strong finish enough for the new duo of Ziegler and McDaniels to overlook the start? James’ signed an extension after the departure of Hudson, keeping him under contract until the ’23 season wraps up. In 2023, James’ cap hit peaks with the damage being $5,480,000; A bargain for a starting center, especially if he plays anything like he did the latter half of the 2021 season.