1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 121-140 141-160 161-180 181-200

With 10 days left until the regular season opener, this 10-part series counts down the top-200 players in the NFL. 200 might sounds like a lot, but with 53 players on 32 teams’ rosters, that’s 1696 players. Count guys on the practice squad, guys on the PUP or the IR, and guys who are free agents, but still on teams’ radar. That’s probably 2000 players. These guys are the top 10%. Positional value doesn’t matter because if it did, this list would be too quarterback heavy.

161. S Kam Chancellor (Seattle)

Drafted in the 5th round in 2011, 3 rounds after Taylor Mays, Chancellor has become the safety that Taylor Mays was supposed to be, an extra linebacker as a box safety that holds up in coverage when necessary. He plays 54.4% of his snaps within 8 yards of the line of scrimmage, 7th most in the NFL. He complements teammate Earl Thomas, a talented deep safety, very well. He’s one of the better safeties in the NFL and received a 4-year, 28 million dollar extension this off-season.

162. DE Desmond Bryant (Cleveland)

Desmond Bryant might be best known for his hilarious mug shot after an off-season arrest this year, but in spite of that, he was deserving of the 5-year 34 million dollar deal he received from the Browns as a free agent. He’s been a very talented rotational player at both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Raiders over the past 2 seasons and excelled in half a season as the starter at defensive tackle after Richard Seymour got hurt last year. Now he moves to 5-technique defensive end in Cleveland 3-4 defense, which might be his best position. At 6-6 300, he has the size to set the edge against the run, but he also has the ability as a pass rusher to excel in that aspect when necessary.

163. OT Branden Albert (Kansas City)

Drafted 15^th overall by the Chiefs in 2008, Albert was converted from guard to left tackle in the NFL, a rare move considering it’s usually the other way around. Albert expectedly struggled early in his career, but has come around as a solid left tackle over the past 3 seasons. Back problems cost him some time last season and scared the Chiefs off of giving him a long-term deal, but he was still too valuable for the Chiefs to let go so they franchise tagged him. If he can show he’s healthy, someone will play him big money next off-season, even going into his age 30 season.

164. G Louis Vasquez (Denver)

A bright spot on an otherwise horrific San Diego offensive line, Vasquez took over as a starter at right guard for the Chargers as a 3^rd round rookie in 2009 and never looked back, providing above average guard play in all 4 seasons. The Chargers’ offensive line could be even worse this season now that he’s gone, as free agency’s #2 guard (after Andy Levitre) signed a 4 year, 23.5 million dollar deal with division rival Denver, a sneaky smart deal by the Broncos.

165. WR Danny Amendola (New England)

Danny Amendola comes to New England to replace Wes Welker as the featured slot receiver of the Patriots’ offense. The Patriots agreed to terms with Amendola even before Welker signed with the Broncos and was their off-season priority all along, which suggests that Bill Belichick believes Amendola is a younger upgrade over an aging Welker. Amendola might not be as good as Welker was right away, but he’s 4 years younger so it was a smart move for the future and with Welker going into his age 32 season, I don’t know that I wouldn’t rather have Amendola over Welker this season. Whether or not he stays healthy is going to be the key, but Amendola has 100 more receptions in just 10 more games than Welker did upon arrival in New England.

166. TE Dwayne Allen (Indianapolis)

The 2^nd tight end the Colts drafted in 2012, Dwayne Allen was a revelation as a rookie. He wasn’t a big time receiver, catching 45 passes for 521 yards and 3 touchdowns, but he excelled as a blocker and those receiving numbers weren’t bad for a rookie at all. Pep Hamilton replaces Bruce Arians as offensive coordinator and will implement a more tight end focused offense that should allow Allen to shine and improve on his receiving totals. Going into his 2^nd year in the league, the 3^rd rounder out of Clemson looks like the next Heath Miller, who has long gone underrated as one of the best all-around tight ends in the game.

167. OT Orlando Franklin (Denver)

Orlando Franklin didn’t play great as a 2^nd round rookie in 2011, but Tim Tebow holding the ball significantly longer than any quarterback in the NFL had a lot to do with it. Peyton Manning came in this season and shaved about a second off the average time that the offensive line needed to block and it made Franklin’s job a lot easier. He’s probably somewhere in between how he looked in 2011 and how he looked last season, but he’s still a very talented player in his own right and, going into just his 3^rd year in the league, Franklin looks like one of the better young right tackles in the game.

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168. TE Martellus Bennett (Chicago)

Strictly a punishing run blocker behind Jason Witten on the depth chart for the first 4 seasons of his career in Dallas, the 2^nd round pick Bennett broke out as a pass catcher in his first year as a starter with the Giants in 2011, catching 55 passes for 625 yards and 5 touchdowns, while remaining a tough run blocker. One of the best all-around tight ends in the game, Bennett got a deserved 4 year, 20.4 million dollar deal from the Bears in free agency this off-season.

169. OLB Ryan Kerrigan (Washington)

When top pass rusher Brian Orakpo went down for the season last year, it was up to 2^nd year player Ryan Kerrigan to carry the load as a pass rusher and that he did. The 2011 1^st round pick is now going into his 3^rd year in the league and could have his most productive season yet with Orakpo back to take some of the pressure of off him. Orakpo and Kerrigan could be a very scary pass rush duo.

170. WR Wes Welker (Denver)

No wide receiver has ever left Tom Brady and had anywhere near the kind of production he had in New England. Fortunately, Wes Welker was smart and left to go play with the next best thing in Peyton Manning. He’ll catch fewer balls this season with a more diverse receiving corps around him. Even he admits that if he’s catching 112 passes (what he averaged per year in New England) the Broncos are in trouble. However, he is still one of the best slot receivers in the game, along with Danny Amendola. I’ve ranked both very close together for that reason, giving Amendola the slight edge as Welker goes into his age 32 season.

171. DE Lamarr Houston (Oakland)

Lamarr Houston is an unorthodox 4-3 defensive end, as he has the build of a 5-technique 3-4 end or a 3-technique 4-3 defensive tackle at 6-3 305. However, Houston makes it work. Obviously, at his size, he’s a monster against the run, but he’s an adequate pass rusher as well. He’s reportedly slimmed down to around 290 to add some quickness this season, but he should still remain a versatile defensive lineman. One of the Raiders’ few bright spots, Houston, a 2010 2^nd round pick, is a free agent next off-season and could cash in with a deal similar to former teammate Desmond Bryant, a similar player who signed a 5-year, 34 million dollar deal with the Browns. The Raiders will be flush with cap space for the first time in seemingly forever and with little talent, expect them to make the biggest push to bring him back.

172. DT Jurrell Casey (Tennessee)

A 3^rd round pick of the Titans in 2011, Casey excelled as a situational player as a rookie, but broke out as a starting defensive tackle in 2012, excelling as a run stopper while also offering some production as a pass rusher. Only going into his 3^rd year in the league, Casey could continue to get better and he’s one of the best young defensive tackles in the game.

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173. OT Anthony Davis (San Francisco)

A 1^st round pick in 2010, Anthony Davis looked like a bust for the first 2 years of his career. Overweight and out of shape, the lead footed Davis struggled mightily in pass protection and wasn’t the run blocker he was supposed to be either. There were rumors he could be headed to guard. Instead, Davis got himself into shape, won the right tackle job and was one of the best right tackles in the game this season. I’ll have to see it again, but he has first round talent and could see his career follow the trajectory of Andre Smith, a similar player drafted a year earlier. Like Smith, he could be the best right tackle in the game if he wants to.

174. CB Sam Shields (Green Bay)

A converted receiver, Shields burst onto the scene as an undrafted rookie for the eventual Super Bowl winning Packers in 2010, earning a significant role down the stretch and making several big plays on the Packers’ run. Shields struggled a bit in 2011 and looked on his way towards falling out of the top-3 cornerbacks in Green Bay going into 2012, but he managed to bounce back, securing a starting job in place of Charles Woodson, who had converted to safety. Though he missed 6 games with injury, Shields was a shutdown cornerback when in the lineup and if he plays all or most of the Packers’ games this season, he could have his best season yet. That would be a valuable thing for him in a contract year.

175. G Harvey Dahl (St. Louis)

A consistently solid guard for years in Atlanta, Dahl signed a 4 year, 16 million dollar contract with the Rams two off-seasons ago and has continued where he left off in Atlanta. He’s going into his age 32 season, so that could be a concern, but he should remain an above average starter for a couple more seasons. Undrafted in 2005, Dahl has made 73 starts in his career.

176. S Ryan Clark (Pittsburgh)

Usually players get worse as they age, but Ryan Clark seems to just be getting better. He had arguably the best season of his career last season, despite being in his age 33 season. He was one of the best and most underrated safeties in the league. Still, everyone ages sometime and he’s going into his age 34 contract year. The Steelers drafted his replacement in the 4^th round during the 2013 NFL Draft so this could be his last year with the Steelers and he’s mentioned he might retire if the Steelers don’t re-sign him. Still, he could still have a very good season in 2013, even if this ends up being his final year.

177. OT Jordan Gross (Carolina)

Jordan Gross is another player who could be in his final year, but he’s still very good at his position. A 1^st round pick in 2003, Gross has started 151 games for the Panthers, primarily on the blindside, and doesn’t really seem to be slowing down. He’s heading into his age 33 season, which also happens to be a contract year and he’s mentioned he wants to retire a Panther and may just hang them up if they don’t bring him back. With no internal replacement and an overall weak offensive line, it’s hard to imagine them just letting him walk this off-season.

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178. C Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh)

A 3-time Pro-Bowler and All-Pro in his first 3 years in the league, Pouncey didn’t really come close to deserving either of those honors until this season, but centers are really tough to evaluate unless you watch their every snap. This season, the former 1^st round pick had the best season of his career and he has all the ability and potential to continue doing that and more going forward.

179. DE Brian Robison (Minnesota)

Minnesota’s “other” defensive end, Brian Robison broke out this season, opposite Jared Allen. Allen taking away attention from the offensive line really helps Robison, but he’s a good pass rusher in his own right. Unfortunately, he broke out really late in his career, as he’ll be a free agent going into his age 31 season next off-season. We’ll see what kind of market greets him, but he could be seen as an aging system player, much like Israel Idonije, a talented pass rusher in his own right, was this off-season. He might not get a significant payday in his career.

180. WR Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh)

During the middle of Mike Wallace’s holdout last off-season, the Steelers signed Antonio Brown to a 5-year 42.5 million dollar deal. It was a surprising move, as Brown had only played 2 years in the league and was under team control for two more seasons (though he was going to be a restricted free agent the following off-season), but the deal was much more reasonable than anything Wallace was demanding (and eventually got from Miami). The Steelers were in a tough cap spot and were unlikely to be able to re-sign both long-term, so they jumped at the opportunity to sign Brown and simultaneously send a message to Wallace that he wasn’t getting what he wanted so he might as well just show up. Brown isn’t the speedster Wallace is, but he’s not a one trick pony like Wallace either. He’s a much more refined route runner and a better fit for Todd Haley’s offense. I think they made the right move.

Go on to 181-200

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1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 121-140 141-160 161-180 181-200

With 10 days left until the regular season opener, this 10-part series counts down the top-200 players in the NFL. 200 might sounds like a lot, but with 53 players on 32 teams’ rosters, that’s 1696 players. Count guys on the practice squad, guys on the PUP or the IR, and guys who are free agents, but still on teams’ radar. That’s probably 2000 players. These guys are the top 10%. Positional value doesn’t matter because if it did, this list would be too quarterback heavy.

181. CB Brandon Carr (Dallas)

A dominant #2 cornerback for a few seasons in Kansas City opposite Brandon Flowers, the Cowboys took a big chance that Carr could excel without Flowers to take away opponent’s #1 receivers, giving him a 5-year, 50.1 million dollar deal usually reserved for proven #1 cornerbacks last off-season. Carr didn’t live up to that deal in his first season in Dallas, but he still played well and proved to be an asset. Best case scenario for the Cowboys is that 2012 1st round pick Morris Claiborne could develop into a #1 cornerback and allow Carr to serve the role he did in Kansas City.

182. WR Hakeem Nicks (NY Giants)

After averaging over 1000 yards per year in his first 3 seasons in the league, since being taken in the 1^st round by the Giants in 2009, Hakeem Nicks was limited to 53 catches for 692 yards and 3 touchdowns on 100 targets last year by injuries. He’s now missed 9 games in 4 seasons with injuries, while being limited in many others, and has never played a full 16 game season. He’ll have to prove himself all over again this season, as he’s going into his contract year without a new deal. His next deal might come elsewhere as the Giants already made a big financial commitment to Victor Cruz this off-season and have Rueben Randle waiting in the wings.

183. CB Cortland Finnegan (St. Louis)

An up and down cornerback in his career in Tennessee, Cortland Finnegan turned a fantastic contract year into a 5-year, 50 million dollar deal with old Head Coach Jeff Fisher and the St. Louis Rams last off-season, but didn’t live up to it in his first season with the team. He could bounce back in his 2^nd year with the team, at only 29 years of age, but it’s tough to know what you’re getting from him. Still an elite slot cornerback, Finnegan is an inconsistent player on the outside because of his lack of size.

184. OT David Stewart (Tennessee)

Quietly doing his job well for years, David Stewart has been an above average right tackle, making 104 starts, since taking over in 2006. There was some concern about a fractured leg this off-season for the soon-to-be 31 year old and the Titans had interest in some insurance at one point, but Stewart looks good to go this season and should remain an above average right tackle.

185. OLB Bruce Carter (Dallas)

A budding star 3-down linebacker, Bruce Carter has played well thus far in his career, since being drafted in the 2^nd round in 2011, despite being miscast as a 3-4 inside linebacker. Now going into his 3^rd year in the league, the Cowboys have switched up the defensive scheme to a 4-3 and have brought in Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator, who has plans of making Carter his Derrick Brooks and highlighting his rare ability in space. The only thing holding him back is injuries, as he dropped to the 2^nd round because of a torn ACL suffered late in his final season at North Carolina and he missed the final month of the season last year with a dislocated elbow.

186. S Dashon Goldson (Tampa Bay)

Goldson became one of the NFL’s highest paid safeties this off-season anyway you look at it, as he signed a 5-year, 41.5 million dollar deal with 22 million guaranteed with the Buccaneers this off-season, but he’s not that caliber of player. 2 off-seasons ago, Goldson had trouble finding work out of the lockout and settled for a cheap one year deal with the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh and Vic Fangio got the most out of him and he was helped by a strong front seven that made him look better than he was. He had 7 interceptions in 2011, but was one of the most frequently torched safeties in coverage and, while he improved in 2012, despite intercepting just 3 passes, he’s not the type of player who deserves the money he received this off-season.

187. RB Arian Foster (Houston)

Overrated by many because of fantasy football, Arian Foster has seen his YPC drop from 4.9 to 4.4 to 4.1 over the past 3 seasons as his blocking has gone from elite to above average to average. He’s also coming off a rough season as a pass catcher and pass protector. Now with 1115 touches in his past 3 seasons, his body seems to be breaking down somewhat so the arrow is trending even further down. His biggest asset is his ability as a goal line back.

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188. WR Eric Decker (Denver)

As so many receivers do, Eric Decker had a breakout 3^rd season in the league in 2012, catching 85 passes for 1064 yards and 13 touchdowns. Of course, an upgrade from Kyle Orton/Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning definitely helped, but Decker proved to be an above average receiver in his own right. He’ll see less production this season with Wes Welker stealing some of his underneath targets and the Broncos will have a very interesting decision to make on him as he goes into a contract year this off-season.

189. OT William Beatty (NY Giants)

A 2^nd round pick of the Giants in 2009, William Beatty barely played a full season’s worth of snaps in his first 3 years in the league because of injury, but he played in 15 of 16 games in 2012 and was one of the best left tackles in the league, just in time for his contract year. He was given a 5-year, 38.75 million dollar deal by the Giants this off-season, a deal that could prove to be a good value if he can stay healthy and play like he did in 2012, but the Giants might have overpaid based on one good year.

190. G Chris Snee (NY Giants)

Chris Snee has been the rock of the Giants’ offensive line since being drafted in the 2^nd round in 2004, starting 138 games and routinely providing above average play, with the exception of 2011, when he struggled through an elbow injury. He’s 31 now, but he should continue to be an above average starter for the Giants for at least a couple more seasons.

191. S Earl Thomas (Seattle)

Frequently mentioned as one of the top safeties in the NFL, Earl Thomas is in that 2^nd tier for me because of his tendency to take bad routes to the ball and miss too many tackles (29 in the past 2 seasons), but you can’t deny his deep coverage abilities are a big part of why the Seahawks have such a strong secondary.

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192. QB Robert Griffin (Washington)

He’d be higher on this list if I were more confident in his ability to stay healthy long term. Griffin looks ready to return for week 1 from a torn ACL suffered in January in a playoff loss to the Seahawks. He’s also had concussions and previous knee injuries and his frame and style of play make him a constant injury risk. Still, he was the rightful Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. Unlike Russell Wilson, his team built their offense around him and relied on him to carry them into the playoffs, with poor defense behind him, and he was significantly more accurate and careful with the ball than Andrew Luck.

193. OT Jake Long (St. Louis)

A one time, he probably would have been top-20 on this list as one of, if not the best left tackle in the game, but injuries have led to declining play from him over the past 2 seasons, to the point where he was an average player in 2012. The Rams look a risk on his upside, giving him a 4-year, 34 million dollar deal this off-season after an extensive medical exam and it could pay off. He could also be off this list entirely next season.

194. OT Tyson Clabo (Miami)

A consistently top level right tackle with the Falcons, the aging Clabo was cut this off-season, owed 4.5 million going into his age 32 season. He remains on the market for a bit, but signed a 1-year, 3.5 million dollar deal with the Dolphins that should prove to be a steal. He’s getting older, but he should still remain an above average right tackle and I think the Falcons will really miss him.

195. WR DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia)

A one trick speedster who might have peaked too early, Jackson averaged over 1000 receiving yards in his first 3 seasons in the league and looked on his way towards becoming a top level receiver, but he hasn’t been over that 1000 mark in the 2 seasons since. Defenses have caught onto him and he hasn’t really been able to adjust. He’s coming off an injury plagued season in which he missed 5 games, but he was actually on a 1000 yard pace before getting hurt and with Chip Kelly coming in and Jeremy Maclin out with injury, things are looking up for Jackson.

196. S Rahim Moore (Denver)

Best known for the Mile High Mistake that led to an eventual Broncos win in the post-season last year, Moore played one of the single worst snaps by any safety in the NFL last season at the worst time. However, that doesn’t erase what he did the rest of the year, when he started all 16 games and showed himself to be one of the better safeties in the league in the regular season. Assuming he can put that mistake behind him, the 2011 2^nd round pick could have his best season as a pro in 2013.

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197. TE Brandon Myers (NY Giants)

Billed as a blocking type and little else going into last season, the Raiders, desperate for talent, made him their starting tight end and he impressed in his first year as a starter. He got very little separation, but showed himself to be a great possession receiver, catching 79 of 101 targets for 804 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ironically enough, he struggled as a blocker, due to a lingering shoulder injury, but that seems to be behind him. He signed with the Giants this off-season, where tight ends are required to be able to block, and he gets to work with legendary tight ends coach Michael Pope. Eli Manning loves throwing to tight ends so Myers could be a trusty possession receiver behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

198. C Scott Wells (St. Louis)

An excellent center in Green Bay, Wells cashed in with a 4-year, 24 million dollar deal that was one of the biggest for a center in NFL history, signing with the Rams. However, numerous injuries caused him to miss about half the season and made him ineffective when he did play. Now going into his age 32 season, his best days could be behind him, but he could also have a bounce back season.

199. RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville)

After 1084 touches in 3 seasons from 2009-2011, Maurice Jones-Drew predictably suffered a Lisfranc injury early in 2012. Now going into his age 28 season, MJD is still feeling the effects of that injury, even after off-season surgery, and it’s possible he’ll never be the same back. Still, he could have somewhat of a bounce back season, which would be big for him as he’s in a contract year and will need to convince a team to take a chance on him this off-season, something plenty of other aged backs have had trouble doing lately.

200. WR Pierre Garcon (Washington)

Garcon got a 5 year, 42.5 million dollar contract from the Redskins as a free agent last off-season. However, he did that without making a Pro-Bowl or even having a 1000 yard season. The Redskins took a major chance giving Garcon that kind of money, banking on his natural athleticism and skill set allowing him to break out as the X receiver in Mike Shanahan’s offense. He definitely flashed in his first year with the team, averaging 2.94 yards per route run, 2nd in the NFL among eligible wide receivers behind Andre Johnson. However, injuries limited him to just 215 routes run (less than half of his team’s total). They seem to be behind him for the most part now so he has immense upside as Robert Griffin’s #1 receiver.

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