NFL's Top 100 Players

Just as they've done every year since 2011, NFL Network recently revealed the Top 100 Players of NFL for the the coming season. Unlike the previous eight years of revealing the chosen players over 11 weeks, the players were revealed daily over 11 days. It seems to play better this way. While I find the list and the episodes very entertaining there's really no reason to spend nearly three months with the reveals. This list is more interesting than most because it's chosen by the players. They so rarely get a say in such matters. The best part of the list and the episodes is the commentary from the players. It's informative and always entertaining to hear what the players have to say about their peers. Former Pittsburgh Steelers corner Ike Taylor was a personal favorite from the early days of the series. Some of my favorites from recent years are Mike Daniels, Von Miller, and Luke Kuechly. Shining this year are newcomers Phillip Lindsay, Robert Woods, Jamal Adams, Kahlil McKenzie, and Derwin James. One of the commentary curiosities is the dual presence of Green Bay Packers running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. I'm still not quite sure why they appear together as only one of them typically does the talking. The full 100 player list can be found on NFL.com but here's the Top 10 Players as voted by the players.

10. Von Miller
  9. Julio Jones
  8. Aaron Rodgers
  7. Antonio Brown
  6. Tom Brady
  5. Todd Gurley
  4. Patrick Mahomes
  3. Khalil Mack
  2. Drew Brees
  1. Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald joins J.J. Watt (2015) as the only defensive players to top the NFL's Top 100.

Some Top 100 nuggets.

Previous #1s.

2011: Tom Brady
2012: Aaron Rodgers
2013: Adrian Peterson
2014: Peyton Manning
2015: J.J. Watt
2016: Cam Newton
2017: Ton Brady
2018: Tom Brady
2019: Aaron Donald

Minnesota Vikings players on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2019:

83. Harrison Smith
78. Kirk Cousins
73. Stefon Diggs
57. Danielle Hunter
31. Adam Thielen

Harrison Smith, Stefon Diggs, and Danielle Hunter are much too low. But that's just me.

Cal players on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2019:

94. Mitchell Schwartz
41. Cameron Jordan
38. Keenan Allen
32. Jared Goff
  8. Aaron Rodgers

I could've sworn that I heard the show's narrator state that Cal had six players on the Top 100 list, ranking third most among colleges. I can't find that sixth player.

The lack of respect for Mitchell Schwartz is astonishing. He's been named All-Pro three times (one first team, two second team) yet he's never been to the Pro Bowl. The respect from his peers is nearly as disappointing. He's the best right tackle in the league and he only rates #94. Someday he'll get the respect that he deserves.

Rookies on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2019:

82. Bradley Chubb
74. Leighton Vander Esch
68. Phillip Lindsay
50. Baker Mayfield
31. Derwin James
26. Darius Leondard
16. Saquon Barkley

That's a lot of rookies. One, Phillip Lindsay, was an undrafted rookie.

By teams:
1. 8 players-Dallas Cowboys
2. 6 players-Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers
3. 5 players-Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers
4. 4 players-Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
5. 3 players-Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

Another fun NFL's Top 100 Players is in the books. I've always found this series to be a fun, entertaining intro into a new season. I think the switch to banging out the episodes in just over a week was a positive change. The only thing that would make the whole thing better is more Vikings players. But that's up to them.