NFL Top 100: 90-81

NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2016 continued on Wednesday with the reveal of the players ranked from 90-81. As has been said here many times this is a fun list. It's the player's list and that makes it fun. Others don't see it that way. The overriding reaction to each week's installment is criticism. That really shouldn't be a surprise as every ranking no matter what's being ranked is a magnet for criticism. This is simply a fun list and the best thing about it is the players talking about their peers. The commentary is terrific. Even if the players aren't talking about the players that the vigilant critics prefer. Besides, all the NFL really cares about is the fact that people are talking about the rankings, the program, and ultimately their product. Even if they are bitching about it.

Here are the players ranked 90-81.

90. Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets
89. Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
88. Cameron Heyward, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
87. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
86. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
85. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins
84. Tamba Hali, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
83. Telvin Smith, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
82. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans
81. Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

First of all, it looks very, very strange to see "RB, New York Jets" follow Matt Forte.

Tops among this week's criticism was actually a ranking from last week. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck at 92. There was some criticism simmering last week but it didn't start to boil until until a couple quarterbacks popped up this week. The appearance of Cousins and Smith seemed to magnify Luck's suspicious spot at 92. People tend to forget that these annual player lists are based on the previous season with an eye to the next. Luck only played in seven games last season due to injuries. He also struggled in those seven games mostly due to those injuries. The fact that he's even on this list at all is a testament to how highly his peers think about him. Adrian Peterson dropped about 60 spots on the 2015 list after missing nearly all of the 2014 season.

It's just a list of players.

Prompted by the presence of two members of the Jacksonville Jaguars in this group of ten, it was mentioned that five Jaguars made the list this year. That's a very surprising number. Jacksonville is a team that appears to be on the rise. An already promising offense was boosted by a draft class filled with defensive players with great potential. They are a team to watch but they haven't done anything yet. They were 5-11 as recently as last season. The surprising Jaguars presence on this list was highlighted by Allen Hurns at 89. He's a fine player but he's the #2 receiver on his own team to Allen Robinson. That fact alone makes his presence at 89 surprising. It's made silly by the presence of more accomplished receivers like Sammy Watkins, Jarvis Landry, and Jeremy Maclin among the players ranked 100-91.

Still, it's just a list of players. Presented with entertaining commentary. It's fun and I look forward to seeing the reveal of players ranked 80-71 this Wednesday.