The third episode of NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2016 aired on Wednesday and it was a great one. It was a great one due to the appearance of the first two Minnesota Vikings players. Yes! Here are the players that ranked 80-71.
80. Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
79. Ryan Kalil, C, Carolina Panthers
78. Chris Ivory, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
77. Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins
76. Linval Joseph, DT, Minnesota Vikings
75. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
74. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos
73. Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings
72. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks
71. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals
The only knock on Linval Joseph's 2015 season was the foot injury that kept him out of four games. When he was on the field he was dominant. He'd been a solid starter with great potential for most of his first five years in the league. He was great in his sixth. Harrison Smith was deserving of notice before this year. He should soar up this list in coming years. He's simply one of the best safeties in the league.
The only complaint that I have with Joseph's and Smith's presence on this list was the commentary provided for them. The comments from the players are the best part of this program. It usually comes from opponents. Except for some nice words from Kyle Long on dealing with Joseph on the field all comments for the two Vikings players came from their teammates. Hearing Capatin Munnerlyn, Xavier Rhodes, Andrew Sendejo, Teddy Bridgewater, and Stefon Diggs talk about Joseph and Smith was great but I'd like to have heard from their opponents.
The Vikings had a single player on the Top 100 Players of 2015 list last year. They have already doubled that total. Going into the Top 100 Players of 2016 I figured that five Vikings had a legitimate shot at being included. Linebacker Anthony Barr, Joseph, Smith, defensive end Everson Griffen, and running back Adrian Peterson. It's already been revealed that Barr just missed it at #101. If he can stay healthy he'll be a future fixture. If Griffen is to make it he'll have to be revealed soon as I seriously doubt that he makes the Top 50. Peterson shouldn't appear until the very last episode.
Some in the media have bitched about Jamaal Charles' "disrespectful" showing at #75. Especially coming on the heels of his #12 ranking last year. Charles dropped from 12 to 75 because he was injured during the 2015 NFL season. A torn ACL is never a good thing for a running back. The fact that Charles is still ranked in the top 75 is a sign of the respect that the players have for him.
This is an interesting group of 10. Chris Ivory is a violent runner that strikes fear in defenders tasked with getting him to the ground. He takes that tough running from the Jets to Jaguars this year. He joins Jordan Reed, Linval Joseph, Harrison Smith, and Doug Baldwin as Top 100 deserving first-timers. Baldwin has complained often about the lack of respect that comes his way. He's getting some respect now and he deserves it. He was terrific last year.
Next up: 70-61. Training camp is right around the corner.
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