Leonard Floyd
refer to caption
Floyd with the Bears in 2018
No. 56 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1992-09-08) September 8, 1992
Chauncey, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Dodge County
(Eastman, Georgia)
College:Georgia (2013–2015)
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2023
Total tackles:362
Sacks:57.0
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:7
Interceptions:2
Pass deflections:13
Defensive touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Leonard Cornilus Floyd (born September 8, 1992) is an American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Early years

Floyd attended Dodge County High School in Eastman, Georgia, where he played football and participated in track.[1] In football, he played defensive end and tight end. Floyd committed to play college football at the University of Georgia in April 2011. After high school, he attended Hargrave Military Academy for a year to take classes that met NCAA requirements.[2][3]

In track & field, Floyd competed as a thrower. He won the shot put event at the 2011 Region 3AA Meet, recording a career-best throw of 14.96 meters.[4]

College career

As a true freshman in 2013, Floyd started eight of 13 games. He finished the season with 55 tackles and a team-leading 6.5 sacks.[5] Floyd played in 11 games during his sophomore season, finishing the year with 55 tackles, six sacks, and a fumble recovery. In a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium, Floyd recovered running back Jalen Hurd's fumble and ran it back 96 yards for a touchdown.[6] As a junior in 2015, he played in 13 games with 72 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks, three passes defended, and a fumble recovery. After his junior year, he announced his intentions to enter the 2016 NFL Draft.[7]

Professional career

Floyd received an invitation to the NFL combine as a top prospect in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. He attended the combine and performed the majority of combine drills before injuring his hamstring while running the 40-yard dash. He opted not to perform the bench press and was unable to perform the three-cone drill and short shuttle due to his injury. Coincidentally, teammate and fellow linebacker Jordan Jenkins also injured his hamstring and was unable to do the short shuttle and three-cone drill.

External videos
video icon Leonard Floyd's NFL Combine Workout
video icon Leonard Floyd's 40-yard dash

On March 16, 2016, he opted to participate at Georgia's pro day and ran drills for representatives from all 32 NFL teams, including head coaches Bill Belichick (New England Patriots), Rex Ryan (Buffalo Bills), Dan Quinn (Atlanta Falcons), and Todd Bowles (New York Jets) and general managers Thomas Dimitroff (Falcons) and Jerry Reese (New York Giants).[8] Floyd added four pounds to his frame prior to his pro day after there were some teams concerns about his thin frame. He performed positional drills, the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and vertical. His vertical (35") was four inches shorter than his jump at the combine and Floyd was also unable to do the bench press due to a pectoral injury. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Floyd was a possible top ten pick and a consensus projected first round pick by NFL draft experts and analysts. He was ranked as the second best linebacker/edge rusher in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, the third best outside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com, and was ranked the fifth best linebacker in the draft by Sports Illustrated.[9][10][11]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 5+5⁄8 in
(1.97 m)		 244 lb
(111 kg)		 33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		 10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.60 s1.60 s2.68 s4.32 s7.18 s39.5 in
(1.00 m)		10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13]

Chicago Bears

2016

The Chicago Bears selected Floyd in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.[14] The Bears traded the No. 11 overall pick and a fourth round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in order to move up to No. 9.[15]

External videos
video icon Bears draft Leonard Floyd 9th overall

On May 27, 2016, the Bears signed Floyd to a four-year, $15.78 million contract that includes $15.33 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $9.67 million.[16]

He competed with Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, and Sam Acho throughout training camp for a job as the starting outside linebacker. He was named the starting left outside linebacker, opposite Willie Young, to begin the regular season.[17]

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Bears' season-opener against the Houston Texans and recorded six combined tackles and was credited with a half a sack on Brock Osweiler during their 23–14 loss.[18] In Week 4, he left the Bears' 17–14 victory over the Detroit Lions after suffering a calf injury.[19] The calf injury sidelined him for the next two games (Weeks 5–6).[20] On October 20, 2016, Floyd recorded three combined tackles, sacked Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice, forced the first fumble of his career, and recorded the first defensive touchdown and fumble recovery of his career in the Bears 26–10 loss.[21] During a Week 11 matchup against the Giants, he collected two combined tackles, but left the 22–16 loss in the fourth quarter after colliding with teammate Akiem Hicks while attempting to tackle running back Rashad Jennings. During the collision, the crown of his helmet made impact with Hicks and compressed his neck. He was stretchered off the field and taken immediately to the hospital, but was released later that night. Floyd suffered a head/neck injury and a concussion and was unable to play the next week against the Tennessee Titans .[22][23] On December 4, 2016, he earned four solo tackles, earned a two sacks on San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick, and recorded the first safety of his career, as the Bears routed them 26–6.[24] On December 24, 2016, Floyd made one solo tackle, but left the Bears' 41–21 loss to the Washington Redskins after suffering a concussion. The concussion kept him from playing in the Bears' regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Floyd claimed it took two months to recover fully from the concussion and for all the symptoms to subside.[25] Floyd finished his rookie season with 7.0 sacks, which placed him third among all rookies.[26] He finished the 2016 season with 33 combined tackles (23 solo), seven sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, one touchdown, and one safety in 12 games and 12 starts.[27] He earned an overall grade of 65.1 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 66th among all qualifying edge rushers in 2016.[28]

2017

Floyd competed for the starting outside linebacker job throughout training camp against Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, and Willie Young. Head coach John Fox named Floyd the starting right outside linebacker to start the season.[29]

On September 28, 2017, Floyd recorded three solo tackles and sacked Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Bears' 35–14 loss.[30] On October 9, 2017, he collected a season-high six solo tackles, two sacks, and a safety during a 20–17 loss to the Vikings. The safety came in the first quarter and was on Vikings' quarterback Sam Bradford.[31] On November 19, 2017, he earned five solo tackles before being carted off the field after sustaining a leg injury after he collided with teammate Kyle Fuller in the Bears 27–24 loss to the Lions. On November 23, 2017, the Bears placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season after he suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his right knee.[32][33] Floyd finished the 2017 season with 34 combined tackles (24 solo), 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a safety in ten games and ten starts.[27] Pro Football Focus gave Floyd an overall grade of 74.5, which ranked 62nd among all qualifying edge rushers in 2017.[34]

2018

Leonard Floyd in 2018

On November 4, 2018, Floyd intercepted Buffalo Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman, returning it for a 19-yard touchdown, his first-career interception and second-career touchdown.[35] In Week 10 against the Lions, Floyd made his first sack of the season off quarterback Matthew Stafford in the 34–22 win.[36] In Week 15 against the Packers, Floyd sacked Aaron Rodgers two times in a 24–17 win.[37] Floyd finished the season with 49 tackles, four sacks, and a pick six.[38] He was named as Pro Bowl alternate.[39]

2019

On May 1, 2019, the Bears picked up the fifth-year option on Floyd's contract.[40] In Week 1 against the Packers, Floyd recorded four tackles and sacked Aaron Rodgers twice as the Bears lost 10–3.[41] In week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Floyd sacked Carson Wentz once in the 22–14 loss. This was Floyd's first sack in two months.[42] He finished the 2019 season with three sacks, 40 total tackles (27 solo), and one pass defended.[43]

Floyd was released by the Bears on March 17, 2020.[44]

Los Angeles Rams

On April 24, 2020, the Los Angeles Rams signed Floyd to a one-year contract.[45]

Floyd made his debut with the Rams in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. During the game, Floyd recorded his first sack as a Ram on Dak Prescott in the 20–17 win.[46]

In Week 7 against his former team, the Bears, on Monday Night Football, Floyd recorded two sacks on Nick Foles during the 24–10 win.[47]

In Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, Floyd recorded three sacks on Russell Wilson and recovered a fumble lost by Wilson during the 23–16 win, later earning him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.[48][49]

In Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals, Floyd recorded a sack on Chris Streveler during the 18–7 win.[50] He finished the regular season with a career-high 10.5 sacks, which earned him a $1.25 million bonus.[51][52]

In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Seahawks, Floyd sacked Russell Wilson two times during the 30–20 win.[53]

2021

On March 15, 2021, Floyd signed a four-year contract extension with the Rams worth $64 million.[54] In Week 14, Floyd recorded eight tackles and intercepted Kyler Murray in a 30–23 win over the Cardinals.[55] In the 2021 season, he had 9.5 sacks, 70 total tackles (37 solo), one interception, three passes defended, and one forced fumble in 17 starts.[56]

Floyd helped the Rams reach Super Bowl LVI where they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20. Floyd recorded five tackles and one sack in the game.[57]

2022

In the 2022 season, Floyd had nine sacks, 59 total tackles (31 solo), and one fumble recovery in 17 starts.[58]

On March 10, 2023, Floyd was released by the Rams.[59]

Buffalo Bills

On June 5, 2023, Floyd signed with the Bills.[60]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckSftyFFFRYdsTDIntYdsTDPD
2016CHI 12123323107.0111010002
2017CHI 10103424104.51012100002
2018CHI 16164734134.00010011914
2019CHI 16164027133.0000000001
2020LAR 161655312410.5012000001
2021LAR 17177037339.50110011103
2022 LAR 17 17 59 31 28 9.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 BUF 11 11 24 15 9 9.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career11511536222214057.0247211230113

References

  1. ↑ Anthony, TJ (February 21, 2022). "Dodge County plans celebration for hometown hero, Super Bowl champ Leonard Floyd". WMAZ. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Dodge County's Floyd shining early". macon. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Freshman linebacker Leonard Floyd drawing praise at Georgia". The Augusta Chronicle.
  4. ↑ "Region 3AA Meet Boys & Girls". MileSplit GA.
  5. ↑ "Georgia LB Leonard Floyd draws strength from his family, community back home". Dogbytesonline.com. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Georgia at Tennessee Box Score, October 10, 2015". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Polacek, Scott (November 29, 2015). "Leonard Floyd Announces He's Leaving Georgia: Latest Comments and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  8. ↑ Gil Brandt (March 16, 2016). "Georgia's Floyd draws huge crowd, but can't complete workout". NFL.com. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  9. ↑ Chris Burke (April 12, 2016). "2016 NFL draft position rankings". si.com. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  10. ↑ "*Leonard Floyd, DS #3 OLB, Georgia". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  11. ↑ Mike Mayock (April 25, 2016). "Mayock's top 100 draft prospect rankings". NFL.com. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Leonard Floyd Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  13. ↑ "2016 NFL Draft Scout Leonard Floyd College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  15. ↑ "NFL draft: Results, analysis for every Round 1 pick". ESPN.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Spotrac.com: Leonard Floyd contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Chicago Bears' depth chart: 10/01/2016". Ourlads.com. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Chicago Bears at Houston Texans - September 11th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ Eurich, Matt (October 7, 2016). "Leonard Floyd's injury status starting to be a concern for Bears". 247sports.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  20. ↑ Finley, Patrick (October 9, 2016). "Bears first-rounder Leonard Floyd won't play vs. Colts". chicagosuntimes.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  21. ↑ "NFL Player stats: Leonard Floyd". NFL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  22. ↑ Soriano, Joe (November 20, 2016). "Bears Rookie Leonard Floyd Stretchered Off After Scary Hit (Video)". nflspinzone.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  23. ↑ Campbell, Rich (November 20, 2016). "Leonard Floyd able to travel with Bears after scary head, neck injury". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  24. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 13-2016: San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears". NFL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  25. ↑ Wiltfong, Lester (December 30, 2016). "Chicago Bears Injury Report: OLBs Leonard FLoyd doubtful, Willie Young and Pernell McPhee questionable". windycitygridiron.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Bears' Leonard Floyd Proved His Place In Rookie Season". CBSLocal.com. January 12, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  27. 1 2 "NFL Player stats: Leonard Floyd: career stats". NFL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  28. ↑ Aulakh, Zach (May 15, 2017). "Bears expecting big things from Leonard Floyd in 2017". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Chicago Bears depth chart: 10/01/2017". Ourlads.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - September 28th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  31. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 5-2017: Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears". NFL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  32. ↑ Mayer, Larry (November 23, 2017). "Floyd placed on IR with knee injury". ChicagoBears.com.
  33. ↑ Potash, Marl (November 23, 2017). "Season over: Bears OLB Leonard Floyd heads to injured reserve". Chicago.suntimes.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Leonard Floyd (2017)". Pro Football Focus. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  35. ↑ Mayer, Larry (November 4, 2018). "Game recap: Bears crush Bills 41–9". ChicagoBears.com.
  36. ↑ "Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears - November 11th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - December 16th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Leonard Floyd 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  39. ↑ "The Bears will deservingly be well-represented at the 2019 Pro Bowl". NBC Sports Chicago. December 19, 2018.
  40. ↑ Teope, Herbie (May 1, 2019). "Bears exercise fifth-year option on LB Leonard Floyd". NFL.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Packers D, Aaron Rodgers beat Bears 10–3 in opener". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Wentz, Howard lead Eagles past Bears 22–14". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Leonard Floyd 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  44. ↑ Infante, Jacob (March 17, 2020). "Bears sign Robert Quinn to five-year deal, release Leonard Floyd". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  45. ↑ Jackson, Stu (April 24, 2020). "Rams sign OLB Leonard Floyd and DT A'Shawn Robinson". Los Angeles Rams. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams – September 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams – October 26th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  49. ↑ Gordon, Grant (November 18, 2020). "Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger among Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  50. ↑ "Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Leonard Floyd 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  52. ↑ DaSilva, Cameron (January 3, 2021). "Leonard Floyd earns $1.25M bonus by reaching 10 sacks". Rams Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks – January 9th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  54. ↑ Shook, Nick (March 15, 2021). "Leonard Floyd agrees to four-year, $64 million deal to stay with Rams". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – December 13th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Leonard Floyd 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Super Bowl LVI – Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals – February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Leonard Floyd 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  59. ↑ Williams, Charean (March 10, 2023). "Rams officially release Leonard Floyd, seven others". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  60. ↑ Getzenberg, Alaina (June 5, 2023). "Source: Buffalo Bills, Leonard Floyd agree to one-year deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
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