Top 10

The NFL Network just finished revealing it's Top 100 players for 2012. This is, at least, the second year that they have put this list together. I find the lists interesting as they are voted by the players. Despite including Tim Tebow at #95, the players really do know best who among them is the best.

Here's the Top 10 for 2012

10. Patrick Willis
9. Haloti Ngata
8. Adrian Peterson
7. Larry Fitzgerald
6. DeMarcus Ware
5. Darrelle Revis
4. Tom Brady
3. Calvin Johnson
2. Drew Brees
1. Aaron Rodgers

Congratulations to former Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his #1 spot. Much deserved. The NFL is a passing league these days. It's no surprise that the players place quarterbacks in three of the top four spots. The media and fans would likely have those three in the top three. If Peyton Manning hadn't missed an entire season he'd make it four. It was nice to see four defensive players in the top 10 with pass rushers Jared Allen and Terrell Suggs just outside. It's a little reassuring to see that people, players included, still view defense as part of the game.

One thing about the top 10 that leaped out at me but I've yet to see mentioned at all is the impressive representation of the draft class of 2007. Four players from that incredible class grace the top of the list, Patrick Willis, Adrian Peterson, Darrelle Revis and Calvin Johnson. A fifth, Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas, was at #82. All four of the players in the top 10 are on pace to be in the discussion for best in league history at their respective positions. Perhaps this draft class would gather more attention if it had that great franchise quarterback mixed in somewhere. Unfortunately, the top pick of that draft turned into one of the greatest "busts" in history, Jamarcus Russell. Maybe that ruined things for everyone. The 2007 draft should get much more attention than it does. Maybe this top 10 will help.

Congratulations to all the players chosen, Tebow too. Next year, Percy Harvin needs to be included. Should've been this year.