Tag: Top 100 NFL players.

Commanders DT Jonathan Allen ranked among the NFL’s top 100 players for 3rd straight year

Jonathan Allen is once again ranked as one of the NFL’s top 100 players.

The 2023 NFL season was a frustrating one for Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. After a midseason loss to the New York Giants that began the derailment of a once-promising season, the usually reserved team captain went off in the locker room, frustrated with the team’s constant losing.

Later in the year, Allen again became frustrated, even hinting that he considered playing elsewhere. Overall, it was a tough season for Allen. But it wasn’t just Allen who struggled; the entire team struggled, which explained the 4-13 record.

After making the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022, Allen did not make it last season, and his numbers were down. Regardless, he was still viewed as one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles.

The NFL continued its reveal of the league’s top 100 players for 2024 on Thursday, revealing players 51-60. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was ranked No. 59, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin was ranked No. 97.

Allen comes in at No. 54.

Allen earned his third consecutive appearance on this list after recording 5.5 sacks and 19 QB hits, bringing his career total for the former up to 39. Though that’s a bit of a down year for him, he’s also valued by his team and fellow players for his leadership and intangibles, evidenced by the seven-year vet being retained by Dan Quinn to help lead the Commanders into a new era while other pieces were parted with.

Allen is rejuvenated under new head coach Dan Quinn. He and Daron Payne, who also had a down year in 2023, could be in store for a career year under Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The dangerous interior duo will get plenty of opportunities to rush opposing quarterbacks in 2024.

No Commanders make Prisco’s top 100 NFL players list

Two Washington players just missed the cut.

When you don’t win in the NFL, individual players, even great ones, fly under the radar. There is no more prominent team sport than football and the NFL.

The Washington Commanders went 4-13 last season. None of their players were selected for the Pro Bowl Games, whereas a seven-win Washington team sent five players to the Pro Bowl games one year before.

The Commanders made more changes than any other team in the NFL this offseason. They made front-office changes, coaching changes and new GM Adam Peters turned over half of the roster. It was a reset the Washington roster badly needed.

So, it’s no surprise that as we head into the 2024 NFL season, Washington’s players aren’t receiving national praise.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports recently named his top 100 NFL players for 2024, and he included no Commanders on the list. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen were included in the honorable mention category.

McLaurin and Allen were routinely included on almost every top 100 list over the past few seasons. Daron Payne was included at times, too. But, if we base this list off last season, no Commanders deserve to be on the top 100 list. McLaurin went over 1,000 yards — barely — and Allen had his worst season. Neither was bad, but they didn’t play up to their previous high standards, something each would acknowledge.

Former Washington defensive end Montez Sweat did crack the list at No. 73 after missing these types of lists over the years. Sweat did set a career-high in sacks last season.

It’s a new season. And you can bet that McLaurin, Allen, or any other Washington player doesn’t care about top 100 lists. Both players have spoken about a renewed energy since Dan Quinn and his staff took over this offseason.

If Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels becomes the player many believe, he’ll be a constant presence on these lists for years to come.

Commanders land 3 players on ESPN’s top 100 players list

Which three Washington players made ESPN’s top 100 players list?

The Washington Commanders may not be a popular choice to make noise in the NFC in 2023, but it’s not because the team lacks talent.

ESPN recently predicted its top 100 players for the 2023 NFL season, and three Commanders made the list.

First on the list was star wide receiver Terry McLaurin at No. 36:

McLaurin established himself as a top-10 receiver in 2022, ranking 10th in receiving yards (1,191) and sixth in yards per catch (15.5). He ranks 13th in receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2019, despite playing with 10 different starting quarterbacks. McLaurin did a lot of his damage in the second half of games last season when Washington needed him most: He was third in the NFL with 737 yards in the second half, and he caught three of his five touchdown passes and 43 of his 77 receptions after halftime.

Signature stat: McLaurin is the first Washington player to record three consecutive seasons with 75 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards.

Next was defensive tackle Jonathan Allen at No. 64:

Signature stat: Allen applied the first pressure on 29 plays as tackle in 2022 — which tied for sixth most in the NFL.

Finally, at No. 70, Allen’s longtime partner in crime, Daron Payne, finally receives the respect he deserves:

Signature stat: Payne had 11.5 sacks last season, twice as many as any other season in his career.

All worthy choices here. Remember, this is a projection for 2023. Defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young and wide receiver Jahan Dotson could all be candidates for these types of lists by the end of the season if they have the type of year many believe they can.

Terry McLaurin named to NFL’s top 100 for the first time

It’s about time.

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The recognition keeps coming in for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

On Monday, McLaurin was named to the NFL Network’s top 100 players list, coming in at No. 94. It’s his first time on the list.

McLaurin signed a three-year extension last summer, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers at the time. He would catch 77 passes for 1,191 yards and five touchdowns.

In four NFL seasons — playing with 10 different starting quarterbacks — McLaurin has 299 receptions, 4,281 yards and 21 touchdowns. Imagine McLaurin’s numbers with stable quarterback play.

This offseason, McLaurin routinely ranked among the NFL’s top 10 wide receivers, with some having him as the best wide receiver in the NFC East, ahead of Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown.

McLaurin is set to catch passes from quarterback Sam Howell in 2023. If their Week 18 connection is a preview of the future, McLaurin could be making more big plays down the field this season.

Commanders land 2 players on CBS Sports’ top 100 NFL players

Surprisingly, no Jonathan Allen.

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The Washington Commanders have done a solid job of building the roster over the last several seasons. What Washington has lacked has been stability at the quarterback position. In Ron Rivera’s three seasons as head coach, Washington has played 10 quarterbacks. The Commanders’ issues under center pre-date Rivera’s time in Washington.

The problem for the Commanders is when you lack consistent quarterback play, you have no shot at winning big in the NFL. That type of instability overshadows what has become a solid roster.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports recently named his top 100 NFL players for 2023. He included two Commanders on the list, but surprisingly, neither were Jonathan Allen or Daron Payne.

The first Washington player on Prisco’s top 100 is wide receiver Terry McLaurin:

Can you imagine how good his numbers would be if he played with good quarterbacks the past four seasons? All he does is produce for an offense that has been greatly limited by its quarterback play.

This is 100% fact regarding McLaurin. Imagine if he played a consistent quarterback. He’d be an All-Pro.

The next Commanders on Prisco’s top 100 was safety Kamren Curl at No. 85.

Who? Pay attention. This kid has developed into one of the best young safeties in the game. He’s good in both the run and against the pass.

It’s good to see Curl finally receive some respect. Curl is entering a contract season and is a player the Commanders want to retain but must wait on new ownership to take over. Curl’s impact was felt in four of the five games he missed in 2022.

McLaurin and Curl belong on this list. But it doesn’t feel right that neither Allen nor Payne made the list. Allen is often ranked in every top 100 list. Both players did receive honorable mention.