As they do every year, the NFL Network is rolling out their countdown of the Top 100 players in the league, as voted on by the players themselves. On Sunday night, the league unveiled the first 30 players, and here is a running tally of the selections to date.
100-91
100. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
99. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
98. Brandon Brooks, G, Philadelphia Eagles
97. Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
96. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
95. Frank Clark, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
94. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles
93. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
92. Darius Slay, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
91. Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David returns to the Top 100 after missing out the previous four seasons, kicking off the list. David is a force in the interior of the Tampa Bay defense, which has vastly improved over the course of the past two seasons. David cracked the Top Five in Touchdown Wire’s countdown of the game’s best off-ball linebackers.
In just his first season as a starter, Darren Waller produced at a high level for the now-Las Vegas Raiders. Waller led the team in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,145). He is a true mismatch type of player, with the athleticism to run away from linebackers but the size to create space against defensive backs. With the addition of Henry Ruggs III this off-season, Waller might find even more space to operate in 2020.
The Philadelphia Eagles got some difficult news in the past few weeks when Brandon Brooks suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him for the entire 2020 campaign. Brooks is one of the game’s best interior offensive linemen, and the team was forced to bring back Jason Peters and move him to guard to replace Brooks on the inside. His combination of power and technique make Brooks one of the league’s best guards.
Hybrid defenders are all the rage in today’s NFL, particularly at the safety spot. Budda Baker is a player in such a mold, who led the NFL in solo tackles last season with 104. Baker has the ability to play free safety, box safety and even as a slot cornerback, and that versatility makes him a special player for the Arizona Cardinals.
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson cracks the Top 100 for the first time in his short career. Carson notched his second 1,000-plus season last year, and also contributed to the Seattle passing game. Carson set career high marks in targets (47), receptions (37), yards (266) and first downs receiving (10). His growing ability to contribute in both the passing and the running game marks his entry into the Top 100.
Sure Frank Clark might have dropped some spots in this year’s version, falling 11 spots from the 2019 edition of the Top 100, but you can be sure the pass rusher would gladly take such a fall in exchange for a Super Bowl ring. Clark was impressive during Kansas City’s run to a title, tallying five sacks during the post-season.
The Philadelphia Eagles are the first team to see two of their players crack the NFL Network’s Top 100, as center Jason Kelce joins guard Brandon Brooks. Kelce has been a mainstay in the heart of the Eagles’ offensive line for years, and shows both the processing speed as well as the technique you need to dominate in the interior. Oh, and he gives a great rally speech…
Allen Robinson cracking a list like this is not a surprise to us here at Touchdown Wire. Robinson produced at a high level in 2019, leading the Chicago Bears in yards and touchdowns, despite seeing inconsistent play from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. His traits as a receiver saw him land in our Top 11 outside wideouts, and if the Bears can get improved QB play in 2020, Robinson might climb even higher in the season ahead.
Darius Slay made the NFL Network’s Top 100 for the third-straight year, and he is poised to make it yet again after this upcoming season. Slay moved to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, and playing under Jim Schwartz he will be in a scheme very conducive to what he does best. Schwartz often tasks his defenders with playing off coverage, which taps into Slay’s ability to decipher a route and close on the football. This could be a great landing spot for him.
Grady Jarrett makes his debut on the Top 100 after a season where he set a career-high number in sacks with 7.5. He is the kind of dominating interior presence that defensive coordinators covet, and his ability inside landed him in our list of the Top 11 interior defensive linemen. Jarrett has the power to speed ability that you see from edge rushers, but he does that on the inside.
90-81
90. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
89. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
88. Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys
87. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
86. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens
85. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
84. Cameron Heyward, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
83. Erik Kendricks, LB, Minnesota Vikings
82. Ryan Ramczyk, OT, New Orleans Saints
81. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
After a successful rookie season, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray debuts on this list at the 90th spot. Murray faced questions about his size and schematic background during his draft process, but showed the ability to make anticipation throws from the pocket as a rookie, exceeding the expectations many had in place for him. With the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, Murray is in position to make that year two quarterback leap we have seen from other passers, like Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Lamar Jackson.
The inclusion of Josh Allen on this list did catch some by surprise. Allen remains a polarizing figure, with believers in the Buffalo area but doubters still in place in national media circles. His selection speaks to how his peers view him in the league, and with the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, Allen could be in position to deliver on a big year in 2020.
Cameron Heyward checking in at 84 seems a bit low, as does Eric Kendricks a few spots above him. Both players are crucial to what their defenses do on a game-to-game basis, and both received a lot of love from Touchdown Wire in our Top 11 position rankings. Heyward checked in as our third-ranked interior defensive lineman, and Kendricks ranked as our third-ranked off-ball linebacker.
Kudos to DK Metcalf for landing on this list after a great rookie year. Metcalf faced criticism during his draft process for a poor three-cone time, which led some to question his transition to the NFL. But the Seattle Seahawks rookie got on the same page with Russell Wilson quickly, and has become an impact player along the boundary for that offense.
80-71
80. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
79. Calais Campbell, DE, Baltimore Ravens
78. Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys
77. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
76. Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints
75. Earl Thomas, FS, Baltimore Ravens
74. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Baltimore Ravens
73. Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
72. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
71. Jurrell Casey, DE, Tennessee Titans
The depth of the Baltimore Ravens’ on both sides of the football is showcased in this next group of players. Earl Thomas, the tremendous free safety, might not be the same player he was while with the Legion of Boom – and for many the lasting image of this season was a stiff-arm at the hands of Derrick Henry – but he remains one of the game’s best safeties. It was perhaps that stiff-arm that led the Ravens to acquire Calais Campbell this off-season, as a means of stopping Henry should the teams meet again in the post-season. Then there is Ronnie Stanley, who checks in at 74 despite being Touchdown Wire’s top offensive tackle in the league.
The name that generated the most buzz out of this group was wide receiver Keenan Allen. The Chargers wideout took to social media in the wake of this announcement, stating that he was the best WR in the AFC West and questioning the inclusion of Tyreek Hill, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin above him.
