30. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
29. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
28. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona Cardinals
27. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
26. Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
25. Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets
24. Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
23. Joe Thomas, T, Cleveland Browns
22. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
21. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The highlight of this week's episode is that Joe Thomas spoke. He's been one of the best, if not the best, tackles in the league from the moment that he first stepped onto an NFL field in 2007. In all that time I'm not sure if I've ever heard him speak. He spoke of the football skills of Geno Atkins when the Bengals terrific defensive tackle was revealed at #29. Thomas was wired for sound when he was revealed at #23. Joe Thomas speaks!
I like this group of ten as it includes some of my favorite football players in the league. Geno Atkins, Tyrann Mathieu, Larry Fitzgerald, Justin Houston, and Brandon Marshall, in particular. Marshall is much easier to appreciate with the Jets than he ever was with the Chicago Bears.
This was Tyrann Mathieu's first appearance on the Top 100. It won't be his last. If he can avoid injuries he'll be a Top-15 staple for years. He's a special football player.
Larry Fitzgerald is simply a pass-catching tutorial. Any kid with dreams of catching footballs in the NFL has to watch Fitzgerald doing just that.
Justin Houston is a pass rushing nightmare for offenses. He also drops back in coverage more often than most pass rushing linebackers. That makes one wonder if he could hit 25-30 sacks if he was set loose on quarterbacks more often.
Just when you think that Darrelle Revis is about to start losing a step or losing something in coverage he does out and shuts down receivers. He's still the standard.
Joe Thomas speaks! He's also a beast of a blocker.
Todd Gurley was great as a rookie. Decent size, decent power, fast, explosive. If he can stay healthy he should be a dynamite back for the rest of the decade. Hopefully longer. I just don't like seeing a rookie propped up this high. But, this is the player's list and that's where they have him.
The Steelers has some unbelievable offensive talent. Even without receiver Martavis Bryant due to his off-the-field stupidity. Ben Roethlisberger will still have an excessive number of offensive weapons. When talk drifts to the elite throwers in the league some combination of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees is most often mentioned. Roethlisberger is often an afterthought. It's a puzzle. Only Brady has more Super Bowl wins and appearances. Roehlisberger is one of the best.
Another week. Another ten. Next week: 20-11.
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