Argonauts’ DB Robertson Daniel named PFF’s top-graded CFL player after three-pick performance

Photo courtesy: David Dermer/B.C. Lions

Toronto Argonauts’ defensive back Robertson Daniel was the CFL’s highest-graded player by Pro Football Focus (PFF) following Week 4.

The veteran cover man recorded four defensive tackles and three interceptions in his club’s 45-24 win over the B.C. Lions, earning a grade of 88.2. He returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown, helping seal the victory and maintain Toronto’s perfect record heading into their bye week.

Argos’ quarterback Chad Kelly was given the highest grade among offensive players this week, earning a rating of 86.4. He completed 23-of-29 pass attempts for 249 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions in his team’s big win. He also carried the ball three times for 25 yards.

The highest-graded offensive line of the week belonged to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who earned a group grade of 71.3. The top individual performer was centre Chris Kolankowski, who earned a grade of 75.8.

The CFL partnered with PFF for the first time ahead of the 2023 season. The American company uses game footage to review every player on the field and grades their individual performances on a scale from zero to 100.

The league will unveil the top-graded players from PFF each week. Offensive and defensive players must play a minimum of 25 snaps to be eligible and special teams players must play at least 10. Ties are broken by the number of snaps played.

The top-graded players from each position are as follows for Week 4.

• QB | Chad Kelly | Toronto Argonauts | 86.4
• RB | De’Montre Tuggle | Ottawa REDBLACKS | 75.6
• REC | Cam Phillips | Toronto Argonauts | 80.5
• OL | Chris Kolankowski | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 75.8
• DL | Folarin Orimolade | Toronto Argonauts | 78.8
• LB | Douglas Coleman II | Ottawa REDBLACKS | 86.7
• DB | Robertson Daniel | Toronto Argonauts | 88.2
• K/P | Boris Bede | Toronto Argonauts | 76.1
• ST | Kene Onyeka | Ottawa REDBLACKS | 91.1

The top ten graded performances from the 2023 season thus far are as follows.

1. 92.5 | Week 3 | DB Royce Metchie | Toronto Argonauts
2. 90.8 | Week 2 | QB Zach Collaros | Winnipeg Blue Bombers
3. 90.6 | Week 2 | DL Julian Howsare | Calgary Stampeders
4. 90.3 | Week 3 | QB Cody Fajardo | Montreal Alouettes
5. 90.3 | Week 3 | DB Loucheiz Purifoy | Edmonton Elks
6. 88.2 | Week 4 | DB Robertson Daniel | Toronto Argonauts
7. 87.1 | Week 3 | QB Vernon Adams Jr. | BC Lions
8. 86.7 | Week 4 | LB Douglas Coleman II | Ottawa REDBLACKS
9. 86.4 | Week 4 | QB Chad Kelly | Toronto Argonauts
10. 85.7 | Week 1 | DB Ciante Evans | Montreal Alouettes