Is Aaron Patrick Better Than A.J. Edds? NFL Stats Decide

This is as close as it gets. Aaron Patrick and A.J. Edds split the statistical categories evenly — 1 apiece — making this one of the most genuinely contested LB comparisons in NFL history. When the numbers are this balanced, the debate comes down to which statistics matter most to you.

A.J. Edds's Tackles of 14 compared to Aaron Patrick's 11 represents a 27.3% advantage — significantly better than their counterpart in this critical category. Aaron Patrick falls 98.2% below the career average of 600 in this category while A.J. Edds exceeds it. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for A.J. Edds's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Games Played, where Aaron Patrick posts 17 against A.J. Edds's 15 — a gap of just 13.3%. A.J. Edds can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 1-1 tally suggests. In any debate, Games Played is the statistical ammunition for the A.J. Edds side.

Defensive impact in the NFL is notoriously difficult to quantify. Sacks and tackles capture individual production, but disruption, coverage grades and run-stopping ability paint the complete picture of defensive excellence.

With categories split evenly, this comparison ultimately comes down to which statistics matter most to you. A.J. Edds claims the tiebreaker through Tackles advantage — a 27.3% edge — but reasonable people can, and do, argue both sides of this NFL debate.