For the better part of the past two months, the monstrosity otherwise known as the Top 100 Players of 2016 has been shoved down all of our collective throats no matter how much we might protest. We all know about the list and it's nonsensical rankings. Based on the rankings of the players, the NFL Network unveils a countdown of the best players in the league over the span of 10 weeks. The result is that it generates something timely to talk about in a period where nothing timely is actually happening. It’s a brilliant league creation to retain fans year round as people love both rankings and the debate that they inevitably create.
As we’ve found out this year, the list itself is an unmitigated disaster. I don’t need to go through the countless amount of atrocities that have been unveiled each week here. An important part of the problem is the mystery around how the list is created and what it means. The list is intended to project who will be the best players next season, not a lifetime achievement award. Players must have forgotten about this part, as athletes whose 2015 seasons were derailed by injuries, like Jordy Nelson and Andrew Luck, were forgotten in this exercise.
Perhaps more concerning is the methodology behind how the list is crafted. Players are asked to rank their top 20 players in the league. The results are averaged together and the final list is put together. While on the surface this may seem fine, it also means that numerous players are listing guys like Kirk Cousins and Allen Hurns as the premier talents of the league. The implications of this are simple — players aren’t creating honest, accurate lists but rather one towards the agenda of their friends and teammates. This explains the inordinate amount of players on the list from a 5-11 Jaguars team.
It’s time to accept this list for what it is: a vague listing of some of the league's big named players filled with head-scratchers and ignorance designed to appeal to casual fans with limited knowledge of non-skill position players. It is not an actually representative list based on production, game film, and certainly not future potential. I’m sure the NFL knows this and I’m even more sure that they like it this way. Each disgracefully high or low placement creates noise in these otherwise silent months and that's exactly how they like it.
With all that being said, I decided to put together my own Top 100 list to coincide with the conclusion of the program this Wednesday. I hope that my list better reflects what actually happens on Sundays instead of the clickbait garbage that floods my timeline every Wednesday night.
Players are ranked by their skill level at their respective positions, not their value to their team. In general, I gave players coming back from injury the benefit of the doubt to appreciate what they can do when they are healthy.
100. Marcus Peters
99. Jeremy Maclin
98. Darius Slay
97. Stephon Gilmore
96. Sammy Watkins
95. Everson Griffin
94. Ryan Shazier
93. David DeCastro
92. Charles Johnson
91. Kyle Long
Marcus Peters quickly usurped Sean Smith as the top corner on the Chiefs defense and emerged as another playmaker on the team's explosive defensive front. He could emerge as a true shutdown corner in the next two years. On the opposite side of the ball, Jeremy Maclin showed that he could thrive as a number own receiver outside of Chip Kelly’s offense. He helped partially revive a lifeless downfield passing attack with sneaky speed on the perimeter.
After a disappointing rookie season, Sammy Watkins became one of the league's best deep threats in the second half of last season. His ranking is subject to variance based on the play of second year starter Tyrod Taylor. Ryan Shazier quietly put together a monster game in the Wild Card playoff game against the Bengals. His unmatched athletic traits for a linebacker could lead him to be a matchup nightmare for offensive coordinators.
90. Anthony Barr
89. Devin McCourty
88. Allen Robinson
87. LeSean McCoy
86. Jason Peters
85. Alshon Jeffery
84. Ryan Kalil
83. Deandre Levy
82. Jimmy Graham
81. Travis Fredrick
It's a telling statement about Devin McCourty's value that the Patriots evaluated him as a more unexpendable asset than All-Pro Darrelle Revis this offseason. His role as the centerfielder on their defense immensely helped Super Bowl Hero Malcolm Butler settle into a outside corner role.
Even though his season was marred by injuries, LeSean McCoy showed the same lateral agility and vision that made him the league's best rusher two years ago. Jason Peters, one of the lineman responsible for that season in Philly, showed signs of aging in a season marred by injuries in 2015. He should return to form as one of the best blindside protectors in football. Ryan Kalil, meanwhile, was the key piece on an overachieving Panthers line last season.
Allen Robinson enjoyed a breakout season due to the growth of Blake Bortles. He shows everything you could want out of a number one receiver. Alshon Jeffery should only be helped out by the addition of last years first round pick, Kevin White, who should draw attention away from the standout receiver.
80. Cameron Wake
79. Amari Cooper
78. Mike Iupati
77. Carlos Dunlap
76. Josh Sitton
75. Doug Martin
74. Jordan Reed
73. KJ Wright
72. Eric Berry
71. CJ Mosley
Headlining a trendy offense in 2016, Amari Cooper put together a rookie campaign that nearly rivaled that of Odell Beckham’s. With a polished, full route tree and breakaway speed at his disposal, there is no reason he can’t be an elite wideout for the next 10 years. Healthy for the first time in years, Jordan Reed was largely responsible for the surprising rise of the Redskins down the stretch last year. He shows rare explosiveness for a tight end and can run routes like a receiver.
Josh Sitton and Mike Iupati have been two of the league's premier guards for years. It is still to be seen if Doug Martin can repeat last year's surprise 1,400-yard effort behind a suspect offensive line. Is he the back of 2012 and 2015 or 2013 and 2014?
70. LaVonte David
69. Demaryius Thomas
68. Chandler Jones
67. Donta Hightower
66. Linval Joseph
65. Desmond Trufant
64. Trent Williams
63. Bobby Wagner
62. Sheldon Richardson
61. Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer’s return to the upper echelon of quarterbacks was one of the most surprising developments. His arm looks as good as ever and he can throw a deep ball rivaling Big Ben for the best in the league. He’ll be joined by Chandler Jones in Arizona to put together one of the best rosters in the league. Jones immediately corrects the Cards' biggest weakness by giving them a bonafide pass rush monster.
Even though he doesn’t get the attention of some of the more vocal corners, Desmond Trufant is one the best cover corners in football. He is the only playmaker on a weak Falcon’s defense. Demaryius Thomas has to be better in 2016. He just dropped too many balls last year to justify his contract extension last offseason.
60. NaVorro Bowman
59. Thomas Davis
58. Cameron Jordan
57. Malcolm Jenkins
56. Brandon Marshall
55. Andrew Whitworth
54. Greg Olson
53. TJ Ward
52. Jordy Nelson
51. Harrison Smith
It’s crazy that Brandon Marshall was traded for just a fifth round pick last year. In 2015, he showed no signs of aging and was largely responsible for the Jets development on offense. It's yet to be seen if he can do it again with the Jets soap opera of a quarterback room.
We saw just how big of a difference Jordy Nelson makes to the Packers offense last year. Without his talents on the perimeter, the offense struggled to move the ball against above average defenses. Greg Olson emerged as a blue chip talent and was Cam Newton’s top option last year.
Malcolm Jenkins, TJ Ward, and Harrison Smith represent some of the league's premier safeties who don’t get nearly enough attention. Jenkins and Smith are two centerfield playmakers who can cover like corners and force game changing turnovers.
50. Jaime Collins
49. Eric Weddle
48. Drew Brees
47. Clay Matthews
46. Gerald McCoy
45. Ezekiel Ansah
44. DeMarcus Ware
43. Chris Harris
42. Zach Martin
41. Cam Newton
Even though he may have slipped a half step, Drew Brees is still the force that makes the Saints go. His accuracy and pre snap awareness have allowed him to compensate for his lack of arm talent. Still, as Peyton Manning showed over the last year and a half, father time is undefeated in sports.
This ranking is meant as no slight to Cam Newton. He took major steps forward as a passer last season after years of inconsistent play. The former Auburn star is the single best third down threat in the league. He still needs to improve his accuracy a bit more to sustain this level of performance over years.
Jamie Collins and Clay Matthews are two of the most athletic linebackers in the NFL. Expect Clay Matthews to return to a high-level after he moves back to a more suitable position on the outside.
After nearly whiffing on the flashiness of Johnny Manziel in 2014, the Cowboys unearthed Zach Martin, who has quickly become an All-Pro at guard. Martin was a major reason behind the Cowboys rushing attack in 2014 and looks to have the same type of impact this year.
40. Josh Norman
39. Marcell Darius
38. Kam Chancellor
37. Calais Campbell
36. Darrelle Revis
35. Fletcher Cox
34. Aqib Talib
33. Robert Quinn
32. Dez Bryant
31. Russell Wilson
With his weekly feats of acrobatic madness, Josh Norman jumped into the discussion of the top corners in the NFL. He has to prove that he can succeed outside of Carolina’s zone heavy scheme to be in the same conversation as Sherman and Peterson. He’ll be tested by Odell Beckham and Dez Bryant twice a year now. Even though Chris Harris is loved by the metrics, it’s telling that that Broncos had Aqib Talib cover the opposing team's top threat week in and out. Darrelle Revis may have taken a step back last year, but he remains the generation's best corner.
Like Jordy Nelson, Kam Chancellor’s absence went a long way in showing how valuable he is. Although Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman get the accolades, he is the heartbeat of the Legion of Boom. Look for Fletcher Cox become a household name this year. After two years of quiet dominance, he will be set loose by new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
30. Jamaal Charles
29. Marshall Yanda
28. A.J. Green
27. Adrian Peterson
26. Muhammad Wilkerson
25. Deandre Hopkins
24. Geno Atkins
23. Todd Gurley
22. Khalil Mack
21. Joe Thomas
Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles have been the best two running backs of their generation. Against all odds, Peterson lead the league in rushing even when teams knew the Vikings were running the ball with a running back at age 30. Charles' career average yards per carry of 5.5 should be something of legend. Even so, running backs tend not to age gracefully. Second-year sensation Todd Gurley could surge past both of them this season.
Similarly, Joe Thomas and Marshall Yanda have been the best guard and tackle in the league for nearly 10 years running. In a passing league, Yanda may be the best run blocker in the league.
Even with suspect quarterback play for much of the season, AJ Green and Deandre Hopkins put up numbers to make fantasy owners salivate week after week. The two possession receivers should be even better with more stability at the quarterback position in 2016.
20. Earl Thomas
19. Justin Houston
18. Ndamukong Suh
17. Richard Sherman
16. Tyron Smith
15. Le’veon Bell
14. Ben Roethlisberger
13. Julio Jones
12. Patrick Peterson
11. Aaron Donald
I’m giving Ndamukong Suh the benefit of the doubt here. Even though he had a quiet 2015 season, he has been of Hall of Fame level defensive tackle at a position that traditionally doesn’t get much attention. There is no reason to compare him to Albert Haynesworth yet. As good as Suh is, Aaron Donald may be even better. With rare explosiveness, he rivaled J.J. Watt for the best defensive lineman in the game last year. He could jump into the top five on this list a year from now if he repeats that.
Fully healthy in 2015, Patrick Peterson showed that he is the best cover corner in the NFL. He shut down the likes of Calvin Johnson and Antonio Brown. He is a freak athlete that can compare to any receiver in football.
Big Ben and Le’Veon Bell are easilly the best quarterback-running back duo of the last five years. Roethlisberger has finally become the statistical monster believers always knew he could be in the Steelers spread attack with a track team of receivers on the outside. Bell has rare elusiveness and vision that is reminiscent of Barry Sanders. He just needs to stay healthy.
10. Tom Brady
The greatest quarterback of all time had one of his best seasons last year. The best pre-snap quarterback ever save for Peyton Manning. Showing no signs of decline despite his age.
9. Andrew Luck
Forget 2014. Luck has the look and feel of an all-time great quarterback. There is a reason that general managers and scouts still fall head over heels for his talents. He could surpass even Rodgers a year from now.
8. Antonio Brown
The best route runner in football was only kept from the single season receiving record due to injuries at the quarterback position. Expect him to pick up where he left off last year.
7. Tyrann Mathieu
The single most versatile defender in the league right now. He can cover, stop the run, go after the quarterback, and generally wreak havoc on any offense if he returns to 2015 form. Last year's ACL tear could keep him from that.
6. Odell Beckham
Beckham has a very similar skill set to Brown, but is a slight faster with the playmaking prowess of an all-time legend. Like Brown, he could break records if he can get consistent quarterback play.
5. Luke Kuechly
The best player on the best team in the league last year, Kuechly is on an almost Ray Lewis-like career arc. He’s scary fast and relentless in pursuit, and worse yet, he can even cover.
4. Von Miller
The best pure pass rusher in the league and the most important reason the Broncos won the Super Bowl. When you get a 4.4 athlete who can bend around right tackles with ease across from DeMarcus Ware, problems start to happen for opposing offenses. Just ask Cam Newton.
3. Rob Gronkowski
As good as Tom Brady is, Gronkowski might just be more valuable to the Patriots offense than him. Gronkowski is utterly uncoverable, simple as that. He’s already the best tight end ever and still has years left to pad his resume.
2. J.J. Watt
What is there left to say about Watt? Without him, the Texans are a three-win team last year. Even in a down year, he still won Defensive Player of the Year.
1. Aaron Rodgers
How could it be anyone else? The best player at the most important position in sports, and it isn’t all that close. His first month of 2015 displayed complete master of the position. He can read defenses, extend plays, make any throw from any angle, scramble, and draw free plays for lethal shots against defenses. When it is all said and done, Rodgers could easily be the best quarterback to ever play the game.
