As they do every year, the NFL Network is rolling out their countdown of the Top 100 players in the league, as voted on by the players themselves. On Sunday night, the league unveiled the first 30 players, and here is a running tally of the selections to date.
100-91
100. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
99. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
98. Brandon Brooks, G, Philadelphia Eagles
97. Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
96. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
95. Frank Clark, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
94. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles
93. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
92. Darius Slay, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
91. Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David returns to the Top 100 after missing out the previous four seasons, kicking off the list. David is a force in the interior of the Tampa Bay defense, which has vastly improved over the course of the past two seasons. David cracked the Top Five in Touchdown Wire’s countdown of the game’s best off-ball linebackers.
In just his first season as a starter, Darren Waller produced at a high level for the now-Las Vegas Raiders. Waller led the team in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,145). He is a true mismatch type of player, with the athleticism to run away from linebackers but the size to create space against defensive backs. With the addition of Henry Ruggs III this off-season, Waller might find even more space to operate in 2020.
The Philadelphia Eagles got some difficult news in the past few weeks when Brandon Brooks suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him for the entire 2020 campaign. Brooks is one of the game’s best interior offensive linemen, and the team was forced to bring back Jason Peters and move him to guard to replace Brooks on the inside. His combination of power and technique make Brooks one of the league’s best guards.
Hybrid defenders are all the rage in today’s NFL, particularly at the safety spot. Budda Baker is a player in such a mold, who led the NFL in solo tackles last season with 104. Baker has the ability to play free safety, box safety and even as a slot cornerback, and that versatility makes him a special player for the Arizona Cardinals.
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson cracks the Top 100 for the first time in his short career. Carson notched his second 1,000-plus season last year, and also contributed to the Seattle passing game. Carson set career high marks in targets (47), receptions (37), yards (266) and first downs receiving (10). His growing ability to contribute in both the passing and the running game marks his entry into the Top 100.
Sure Frank Clark might have dropped some spots in this year’s version, falling 11 spots from the 2019 edition of the Top 100, but you can be sure the pass rusher would gladly take such a fall in exchange for a Super Bowl ring. Clark was impressive during Kansas City’s run to a title, tallying five sacks during the post-season.
The Philadelphia Eagles are the first team to see two of their players crack the NFL Network’s Top 100, as center Jason Kelce joins guard Brandon Brooks. Kelce has been a mainstay in the heart of the Eagles’ offensive line for years, and shows both the processing speed as well as the technique you need to dominate in the interior. Oh, and he gives a great rally speech…
Allen Robinson cracking a list like this is not a surprise to us here at Touchdown Wire. Robinson produced at a high level in 2019, leading the Chicago Bears in yards and touchdowns, despite seeing inconsistent play from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. His traits as a receiver saw him land in our Top 11 outside wideouts, and if the Bears can get improved QB play in 2020, Robinson might climb even higher in the season ahead.
Darius Slay made the NFL Network’s Top 100 for the third-straight year, and he is poised to make it yet again after this upcoming season. Slay moved to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, and playing under Jim Schwartz he will be in a scheme very conducive to what he does best. Schwartz often tasks his defenders with playing off coverage, which taps into Slay’s ability to decipher a route and close on the football. This could be a great landing spot for him.
Grady Jarrett makes his debut on the Top 100 after a season where he set a career-high number in sacks with 7.5. He is the kind of dominating interior presence that defensive coordinators covet, and his ability inside landed him in our list of the Top 11 interior defensive linemen. Jarrett has the power to speed ability that you see from edge rushers, but he does that on the inside.