NFL Network's countdown of the best players in the league continued last night with those ranked from 30-21.
30. Earl Thomas, S
29. Mike Evans, WR
28. Landon Collins, S
27. LeSean McCoy, RB
26. Travis Kelce, TE
25. Joe Thomas, T
24. Russell Wilson. QB
23. Rob Gronkowski, TE
22. Ben Roethlisberger, QB
21. Richard Sherman, CB
There's no real surprises in this group. That should be expected with the list hitting the better of the best.
Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans returned to the Top 100 after missing it last year. New York Giants safety Landon Collins is the only newbie. He emerged as a game-changer in his second year in the league. For some reason it feels like he's been in the league for more than two years. His pick-6 in London against the Los Angeles Rams was one of the best runs of 2016. Unless his second-year success gets to head Collins should get used to being a part of this list.
Travis Kelce and LeSean McCoy made big leaps from last year to this year. Kelce jumped 65 spots from 91 to 26. McCoy has been all over the list in his career. From #5 in 2014 to #69 last year to #27 this year. Injuries have been a big reason for the movement.
If there's a surprise in this group it might be Russell Wilson at #24. He fought through nagging injuries through most, if not all, of the season. As a result, his play in the first several games was very un-Wilson-like.
Joe Thomas, Rob Gronkowski, Ben Roethlisberger, and Richard Sherman usually make their annual appearance on the list in this range, or higher. No matter where Thomas is ranked it always feels too low.
Next week: the first half of the Top 20.
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