ProFootballFocus recently took a look at pass blocking efficiency for tight ends during the 2010 NFL season. The way PFF determined how efficient each tight end was at pass blocking is by using this formula: ((Sacks + (0.75 * Hits) + (0.75 * Hurries)) / Pass Pro Snaps) * 100. In layman's terms, the fewer pressures allowed combined with more pass blocking snaps results in a better pass blocking efficiency number.
Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew was ranked sixth in 2010 when it came to pass blocking efficiency among tight ends. He was on the field for 74 pass blocking snaps and allowed only two pressures, resulting in a pass blocking efficiency of 2.36.
The league leader in this category was Seattle's Chris Baker, who allowed one pressure in 69 snaps. Minnesota's Jim Kleinsasser was second by allowing only two pressures in 113 snaps. Former Lion and current Bronco Dan Gronkowski was third with one pressure allowed in 61 snaps, and his teammate, Daniel Graham, was fourth with six pressures in a whopping 241 snaps.
The worst pass blocking tight end (based on TEs who were on the field for at least 60 snaps) in 2010 was Chicago's Brandon Manumaleuna. He was on the field for 194 snaps and allowed 24 pressures. That resulted in a pass blocking efficiency of 9.92 and contributed to Chicago's pass protection problems.