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| Mark Lomoglio // Associated Press |
Now that I got you with the clickbaity headline, this is actually a quick study I just completed based off the NFL Network's Top 100 Players series. For those unfamiliar with the series, the NFL polls its players to vote for the best of their peers each year, and those votes get compiled into a list of the league's 100 best.
My study merely took those lists and combined them to make one big list of the 100 best players over the 11-year history of the NFL Top 100 program. I may or may not do more with it, but for now here are the 100 best NFL players of the last 11 years:
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England/Tampa Bay (NFL Top 100 peak: 1, 2021 rank: 7, All-time through 2020: 1)
The only player to top the NFL's players list multiple times, Brady has earned top honors three times. He's also been a top-20 player for every year of the Top 100's history. It's no surprise TB12 tops this list too, and it will be a long time before he's dethroned.
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay (Peak: 1, 2021: 3, Through 2020: 2)
This year's reigning NFL MVP is another pass-thrower who has been dominant for the duration of the Top 100. A three-time MVP and member of the 2010's All-Decade team, Rodgers has nonetheless only topped the player list once.
3. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans (Peak: 2, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 3)
Brees is the top player on the all-time list no longer playing in the NFL. Having just retired, the league's all-time passing leader will undoubtedly remain one of the top players in Top 100 history for years to come.
4. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle (Peak: 2, 2021: 12, Through 2020: 5)
It doesn't seem that Wilson has been playing long enough to be one of the five best players of the last 11 years. Sure enough, after his rookie season the third-round pick debuted at number 51 on the 2013 edition of the Top 100 and has been climbing on the overall list ever since.
5. Von Miller, LB, Denver (Peak: 2, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 4)
The Super Bowl 50 MVP has been a consistent force in his nine NFL seasons. 2021 was the first year of his entire career he missed the Top 100 list, thanks to a leg injury that caused him to miss the entire 2020 season.
6. J.J. Watt, DE, Houston/Arizona (Peak: 1, 2021: 66, Through 2020: 8)
I affectionately refer to the first defensive player to be voted number one on the Top 100 as "J.J. Watt-a-stud." The future Hall of Famer's position on the yearly list has dropped in each of the past two years; perhaps a change of scenery will revitalize his career a while longer.
7. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona (Peak: 7, 2021: NR; Through 2020: 6)
Larry Legend is one of the greatest players in NFL history. He's still a free agent heading into the 2021 season; if it ends up that he already played his last football game, it was a fantastic career for a fantastic football player and human being.
8. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh (Peak: 18, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 7)
Big Ben's truly elite days were already behind him when the NFL started polling players for their best players each year, but the Steel City stalwart earned enough votes to make the list in each of the Top 100's first nine years.
9. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta/Tennessee (Peak: 3, 2021: 29, Through 2020: 13)
Julio's career has had its bumps since he burst onto the scene as a rookie. His solid production caught the eye of my hometown team, who traded for him in the offseason. The Titans (and I) can only hope he keeps climbing up this list during this next chapter of his career.
10. Khalil Mack, DE/LB, Las Vegas/Chicago (Peak: 3, 2021: 23, Through 2020: 17)
One of the most shocking football transactions of the past decade was when the Raiders traded Mack to Chicago in 2018. Regardless of what jersey he's wearing or where he lines up, it's taken the exceptionally talented edge rusher just six years on the Top 100 to crack the top 10 players ever.
11. Aaron Donald, DT, LA Rams (Peak: 1, 2021: 2, Through 2020: 19)
Another dominant defender who still has plenty of time left in his career, A.D. has been a top-three finisher in each of the Top 100's last three years.
12. Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona/Minnesota (Peak: 18, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 9)
The top defensive back of the last 11 years, Peterson has missed out on the Top 100 each of the last two years. Like Watt, perhaps a change of scenery will give this eight-time Pro Bowler a fresh boost.
13. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England/Tampa Bay (Peak: 9, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 10)
I've often considered Gronk overrated, but this is based on NFL players' opinions, not mine. Brady's favorite pass catcher's last Top 100 appearance was in 2018, but their chemistry lives on.
14. Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh/3 others (Peak: 2, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 11)
A.B.'s fall from grace was as sudden and dramatic as his rise to dominance. After five straight years among the NFL's 10 best, he fell from number seven to off the Top 100 completely in 2020.
15. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati/Arizona (Peak: 9, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 12)
Georgia product Green's position on the Top 100 ranged from 9 to 77 and everywhere in between over an eight-year span on the list.
16. Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina (Peak: 7, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 14)
Kuechly's sudden retirement in 2020 ended a short but exceptional NFL career. 2012's defensive rookie of the year was a mainstay on the Top 100 every year he was eligible for the list.
17. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota/4 others (Peak: 1, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 15)
Three-time rushing champ and 2012 MVP Peterson is still the NFL's active rushing leader as he has yet to officially retire.
18. Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle/San Francisco (Peak: 7, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 16)
Sherman's prime is likely past, but he's not done yet. After missing the Top 100 in 2019, he reached number 28 in 2020. He was off again this year, but I wouldn't count out this dynamic corner.
19. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia/Buffalo/2 others (Peak: 5, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 18)
Like his All-2010s teammate A.P., Shady is still without a team heading into 2021. McCoy was a seven-time honoree on the Top 100 list.
20. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina/New England (Peak: 1, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 20)
There's no telling what Cam's future in the NFL looks like. His past looked like a really good rookie season in 2011, a dominant 2015, and several other great but not necessarily elite years.
21. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit (Peak: 2, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 21)
Just how dominant was Megatron? Already retired long enough to be inducted into Canton, Johnson is still one of the top 25 players in the history of this list despite only being on it five times.
22. Joe Thomas, OT, Cleveland (Peak: 18, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 22)
Despite his retirement following the 2017 season, perhaps the best player in the history of the New Browns (the franchise that originated in 1999) is still the greatest o-lineman of the last 11 years.
23. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit/Miami/LA Rams/Tampa (Peak: 24, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 23)
Often criticized and occasionally fined for overaggressive play, particularly earlier in his career, Suh appeared near the middle of the players' list for each of its first eight seasons.
24. Philip Rivers, QB, LA Chargers/Indianapolis (Peak: 17, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 24)
Another eight-time Top 100 honoree, Rivers' performance on the field was often praised alongside his entertaining "mic'd up" moments. His 2019 appearance on the list was his last, but also his best.
25. Darrelle Revis, CB, NY Jets/Tampa/N.E./K.C. (Peak: 5, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 25)
Darrelle was in the peak of his "Revis Island" era when the first Top 100 list debuted. He made the list each of the next five seasons while bouncing between teams.
26. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston/Arizona (Peak: 8, 2021: 8, Through 2020: 34)
D-Hop has been a top-20 presence on the Top 100 every year since 2016.
27. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis/Denver (Peak: 1, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 26)
Reaching his peak following his 2013 MVP season, the Sheriff was a top-five finisher four times.
28. Earl Thomas, S, Seattle/Baltimore (Peak: 17, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 27)
An establishing member of the Legion of Boom, Thomas is a no-brainer for this list's top safety.
29. Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle (Peak: 13, 2021: 25, Through 2020: 36)
In a 2021 preseason game, Seattle's TV crew suggested Wagner should start going by "Bob." I concur.
30. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City (Peak: 5, 2021: 5, Through 2020: 40)
Kelce has climbed up the Top 100 each of the last six years, peaking at number five this season.
31. DeMarcus Ware, LB, Dallas/Denver (Peak: 6, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 28)
A six-time Top 100 member before hanging it up, Ware's likely Canton induction will come in 2022.
32. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland/NY Giants (Peak: 8, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 29)
Though he hasn't made a Pro Bowl roster since 2016, 2021 was OBJ's first year not among the Top 100.
33. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis (Peak: 7, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 30)
Luck's short but spectacular career featured six years on the list.
34. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City (Peak: 15, 2021: 15, Through 2020: 47)
Like a certain Texan coming later, Hill's peers don't seem to mind that he's a serial abuser off the field.
35. Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas (Peak: 18, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 31)
Smith had a seven-year Top 100 run from 2014 to 2020, and is still under contract for three more years.
36. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay/LA Rams (Peak: 19, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 32)
Clay's peak came in the first Top 100, but he stayed on the list six total seasons.
37. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City/2 others (Peak: 8, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 33)
Charles was voted among the Top 100 NFL players for just five seasons, but was top-20 three times.
38. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta (Peak: 10, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 35)
Matty Ice is the lowest-ranked MVP in the history of the Top 100, reaching number 10 going into 2017.
39. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston/2 others (Peak: 7, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 37)
Houston's all-time leading receiver was in the latter half of his career when the Top 100 began.
40. Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco (Peak: 10, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 38)
Willis is another player whose highly impactful career was cut short thanks to retiring unexpectedly.
41. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh/2 others (Peak: 5, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 39)
After consecutive top-10 placements, Bell sat out the entire 2018 season and hasn't made the cut since.
42. Trent Williams, OT, Washington/San Francisco (Peak: 42, 2021: 42, Through 2020: 50)
Missing 2019, Williams had the best Top 100 placement his career after a 2020 rebirth with the 49ers.
43. Todd Gurley, RB, LA Rams/Atlanta (Peak: 5, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 41)
Gurley's production has waned in the past two years, but his 2017 and 2018 were certainly impressive.
44. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas/Baltimore (Peak: 15, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 42)
Dez missed 2018 and 2019, but unlike Williams a new home didn't give him a fresh spark last year.
45. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans (Peak: 14, 2021: 14, Through 2020: 61)
Kamara has been a top-20 presence in three of the four Top 100 appearances in his young career.
46. Haloti Ngata, DL, Baltimore/Detroit/Philadelphia (Peak: 9, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 43)
No one plugged up the middle of the defensive line like Ngata in the first half of the 2010's.
47. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville/LA Rams (Peak: 13, 2021: 13, Through 2020: 63)
Barring a trade, the Rams get at least three more years with the league's current best cornerback.
48. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas (Peak: 7, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 44)
2020 was Zeke's lowest-producing season to date, and the players left him off the Top 100 this year.
49. Brandon Marshall, WR, 6 teams (Peak: 25, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 45)
Marshall was a very good receiver, but will likely be remembered more for his mental health efforts.
50. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City (Peak: 1, 2021: 1, Through 2020: 77)
This year's number one player has needed just three top-five finishes to crack the all-time top 50.
51. Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore/Arizona/Kansas City (Peak: 11, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 46)
52. Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia (Peak: 28, 2021: 63, Through 2020: 57)
53. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati (Peak: 29, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 48)
54. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo/Seattle/Las Vegas (Peak: 9, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 49)
55. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans (Peak: 23, 2021: 46, Through 2020: 65)
56. Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City (Peak: 26, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 51)
57. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay (Peak: 29, 2021: 48, Through 2020: 66)
58. Gerald McCoy, DT, Tampa Bay/Carolina/2 others (Peak: 28, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 52)
59. Arian Foster, RB, Houston/Miami (Peak: 8, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 53)
60. Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston (Peak: 18, 2021: 18, Through 2020: 86)
61. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore/Houston/NY Jets (Peak: 5, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 54)
62. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay (Peak: 6, 2021: 6, Through 2020: 99)
63. Jimmy Graham, TE, 4 teams (Peak: 10, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 55)
64. Kam Chancellor, S, Seattle (Peak: 32, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 56)
65. Joey Bosa, DE, LA Chargers (Peak: 32, 2021: 32, Through 2020: 83)
66. Julius Peppers, DE/LB, Chicago/Green Bay/Carolina (Peak: 10, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 58)
67. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans (Peak: 5, 2021: 72, Through 2020: 73)
68. Chandler Jones, DL/LB, New England/Arizona (Peak: 15, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 59)
69. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh (Peak: 6, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 60)
70. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit/LA Rams (Peak: 31, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 62)
71. Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England/Buffalo (Peak: 9, 2021: 47, Through 2020: 94)
72. Jadeveon Clowney, LB/DE, 4 teams (Peak: 32, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 64)
73. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay (Peak: 35, 2021: 43, Through 2020: NR)
74. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco (Peak: 7, 2021: 50, Through 2020: 97)
75. Wes Welker, WR, New England/Denver/3 others (Peak: 23, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 67)
76. Cameron Wake, LB/DE, Miami/Tennessee (Peak: 39, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 68)
77. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore (Peak: 13, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 69)
78. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina (Peak: 6, 2021: NR, Through 2020: NR)
79. Tamba Hali, DE/LB, Kansas Ctiy (Peak: 34, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 70)
80. Jamal Adams, S, NY Jets/Seattle (Peak: 27, 2021: 31, Through 2020: NR)
81. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona/Jacksonville/Baltimore (Peak: 14, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 71)
82. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver/2 others (Peak: 20, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 72)
83. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco/4 others (Peak: 28, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 74)
84. Charles Woodson, DB, Green Bay/Las Vegas (Peak: 16, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 75)
85. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota/Buffalo (Peak: 11, 2021: 11, Through 2020: NR)
86. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/LB, NY Giants/Tampa Bay (Peak: 24, 2021: 59, Through 2020: NR)
87. Aqib Talib, CB, Denver/LA Rams/2 others (Peak: 34, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 76)
88. Eric Berry, S, Kansas City (Peak: 13, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 78)
89. Keenan Allen, WR, LA Chargers (Peak: 38, 2021: 55, Through 2020: NR)
90. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia/Washington/2 others (Peak: 29, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 79)
91. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee (Peak: 4, 2021: 4, Through 2020: NR)
92. Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis (Peak: 26, 2021: 37, Through 2020: NR)
93. Mario Williams, DE/LB, Houston/Buffalo/Miami (Peak: 29, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 80)
94. Marshal Yanda, G, Baltimore (Peak: 37, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 81)
95. Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco/Cincinnati (Peak: 17, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 82)
96. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco/2 others (Peak: 37, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 84)
97. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota/Chicago/2 others (Peak: 13, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 85)
98. Eli Manning, QB, NY Giants (Peak: 31, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 87)
99. Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City (Peak: 34, 2021: 34, Through 2020: NR)
100. DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas/Philadelphia/Tennessee (Peak: 4, 2021: NR, Through 2020: 88)
Top 100 players through last year falling off the list this year: Ray Lewis, Jordy Nelson, Roddy White, Marcus Peters, NaVorro Bowman, Jarvis Landry, Joe Flacco, Robert Mathis, and Harrison Smith.
If you got this far, thanks for reading! Let me know if you enjoyed this and/or how I can improve this little project.
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