Here's a look at this week's reveal of the NFL Network's NFL's Top 100 Players of 2016. Players ranked 50-41.
50. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
49. Fletcher Cox, DL, Philadelphia Eagles
48. Chandler Jones, DE, now Arizona Cardinals
47. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
46. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
45. Trent Williams, T, Washington Redskins
44. Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
43. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions
42. Tyron Smith, T, Dallas Cowboys
41. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
This is a good group. As you'd expect from the first ten players of the Top 50.
Devonta Freeman's presence at #50 is a bit of a surprise. He was terrific in his first year as the Falcons top runner. He just has to do it again and keep doing it.
Fletcher Cox is a beast. I wouldn't have been surprised if he popped up in the Top 30. The same is true for Chandler Jones. One of the biggest surprises of this offseason for me was the New England Patriots trade of Jones to the Cardinals. He's one of the most versatile, complete defensive ends in the game. I guess that the Patriots didn't want to commit to a big, second contract. The Cardinals added an excellent football player to an already strong defense.
Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will be forever linked to that draft day trade that brought them to their respective teams. It's only fitting that they are so close here.
Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, and, yet to be revealed, Joe Thomas are the premier tackles in the league. It wouldn't be unexpected to see Williams and/or Smith revealed two, or even three, weeks from now.
Tyler Eifert and Ezekiel Ansah should be Top 100 mainstays for years. Eifert just has to stay healthy. Ansah just has to learn his craft. He's only been playing football for a few years and he's a nightmare for offensive lines. Imagine what he'll be when he better understands what he's doing.
Le'Veon Bell would be in the Top 10 if not for the knee injury that cut short his 2015 season.
Pro Football Talk did their usual belly-aching over the Top 100 list. Who cares if the polling is unscientific? Who cares if not every player turns in their list of top players. No ranking is going to be accurate because all "best of..." rankings are based on opinions. No ranking of the best football players in the league is going to fly with everyone. This ranking is based on the opinions of the players that actually play the game. That is unique. No matter how unscientific it might be. It's meant to be fun. And, it is. It's fun to watch profiles of and peer commentary on 100 of the best players in the league. No matter the order in which they are viewed. I'm already looking forward next week's reveal of the players ranked 40-31.
It's looking a little bleak for Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen. He's one of the best 100 players in my book and I was thinking that he'd make his debut on the list this year. The list is still fun even if Griffen isn't on it.
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