Tuesday, May 29, 2018

NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018: 50-41

The countdown of the NFL's Top 100 Player of 2018 continued on NFL Network last night with the players ranked 50-41.

50. DeShaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans
49. Darius Slay, CB, Detroit Lions
48. Cameron Heyward, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
47. Ryan Shazier, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
46. Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings
45. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
44. David DeCastro, G, Pittsburgh Steelers
43. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
42. Earl Thomas, S, Seattle Seahawks
41. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

This week's Top 100 had a strong Pittsburgh Steelers feel to it.

Half of this block of ten made the list for the first time.

DeShaun Watson
Darius Slay
Ryan Shazier
Mark Ingram
Keenan Allen

Apparently Watson made quite an impression on his peers in seven games and six starts. He was brilliant in that short time but it was still a bit of a surprise that he landed in the top half of the Top 100 Players of 2018.

Slay has been one of the best corners and one of the Top 100 players for a while. It's great to finally see him "officially" recognized as such.

Allen would've made the list two years ago if injuries hadn't kept him on the sidelines.

I hope that Ryan Shazier can fight his way back on to the football field.

Harrison Smith brought the Minnesota Vikings representation in the Top 100 to five:
Kirk Cousins
Linval Joseph
Strefon Diggs
Xavier Rhodes
Harrison Smith

Smith at #46 was a jump for last year's #74 but it still felt low. As fellow Vikings safety Jayron Kearse said:
"Where's the 45 better than this guy."

Defensive end Everson Griffen will join those five soon. Receiver Adam Thielen should be among the Top 100. If he does show it's higher than I expected.

It's funny to see the Packers players come in for the commentary in pairs. Running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams have been a team as have safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett. It looks like this was the last thing Burnett and Clinton-Dix did as a team. Burnett is with the Steelers now.

Packers defensive end Mike Daniels is still a solo act. He should be. His commentary is great and often hilarious.

Next week: 40-31!

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