7 differences between Yannick Ngakoue and Everson Griffen

Griffen records more tackles than Ngakoue

This is interesting because to a naked eye one might surmise the two defensive ends are comparable from a tackling standpoint. But in the last four seasons, they are not.

Yannick Ngakoue joined the NFL in 2016 when the Jaguars selected him out of Maryland in the third round. Everson Griffen was then in his late 20s, so the age discrepancy between the two men is again mentionable.

In the last four seasons, Griffen has totaled 167 combined tackles, ranking 29th in the NFL among defensive ends. For Ngaokue, he has notched 122 tackles or the 61st-most in the business during the same time frame.

Therefore, it is reasonable to assert that Griffen is more effective against the run or he has been in the last 60 games or so. Ngakoue’s reputation through age 25 is that of a pass-rusher and perhaps his run-stopping prowess will develop in time.

Interestingly though, Ngakoue does have five more tackles-for-loss than Griffen since 2016. So, Griffen is more apt at run-stopping vis-a-vis “regular plays” whereas Ngakoue is skilled in destroying a rush play before it even begins.