NFL Network continued it's countdown of the best players in the league entering the 2017 season. Last night's episode revealed the players ranked 50-41.
50. Marcus Mariota, QB
49. Jadeveon Clowney, DE
48. Jordy Nelson, WR
47. Trent Williams, T
46. Michael Bennett, DE
45. Larry Fitzgerald, WR
44. Cam Newton, QB
43. Marshall Yanda, G
42. Jarvis Landry, WR
41. Devonta Freeman, RB
Quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be forever compared/linked since they were taken #2 and #1 respectively in the 2015 NFL Draft. Since Winston made his appearance last week at #57 Mariota gets the edge on this list. Both have been great in their first two years in the league. I'd have Winston ahead of Mariota at this point simply because he's been able to start every game. Mariota has 27 starts. Durability has been the only significant issue in his first two years.
No matter how high Michael Bennett is ranked it always feels too low. The same is true of Marshall Yanda.
The other quarterback on this week's group of ten players took quite a tumble. Cam Newton took home the prestigious #1 spot on this list last year. He fell 43 spots as his team fell from the Super Bowl to 6-10.
It's great to see some old pass-catchers like Jordy Nelson and Larry Fitzgerald keeping pace with youngsters like Jarvis Landry.
Speaking of the youngsters, only two players from this group made the list for the first time. Marcus Mariota and Jadeveon Clowney look like they'll be making this list an annual thing. Clowney finally arrived as he took over the front of the Houston Texans' defense in J.J. Watt's absence. Watt's back. Individually, Clowney and Watt are a handful for offenses. Together, they'll be a nightmare.
Next week, 40-31. It's getting exciting.
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