Photo Credit: Oregon Live
1. 50% of the weight: "The Eye Test" - my own personal assessment of the player's talent, productivity and overall impact on winning. This has to come first, otherwise it wouldn't be my list.
2. 20%: Stats. The raw numbers.
3. 10%: Impact on winning in pressure situations and most importantly, the playoffs.
4. 10%: The experts over at Pro Football Focus really know their stuff; they examine every single play of the NFL season, and I trust their detailed analyses. I'm giving 10% of the weight to their 2019 Top 101 NFL Players.
5. 10%: Recent Pro Bowl selections. Thanks to the coaches, players and fans to their contributions, here.
89. Frank Clark, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 sacks in the playoffs
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes. A starter.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
Frankie turned it up a notch in the playoffs, wreaking havoc against the Texans with three sacks, then following up with sacks vs. both the Titans and 49ers. His eight sacks during the regular season were decent, but he earned his big money when it mattered the most. He's always been known as a ferocious pass rusher who likes to talk smack and back it up.
88. DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts
-Key 2019 Stat: 7.5 sacks/4 fumble recoveries
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-Pro Football Focus: #82 overall player
Colts GM Chris Ballard (2018 NFL Executive of the Year) ain't messin' around this offseason. He's added Philip Rivers, Trey Burton, Xavier Rhodes and of course Buckner, which means the Colts are in all-out, win-now mode. And lemme tell ya...D-Buck will certainly help ya win now. He gets a shocking amount of pressure from the defensive interior, and he has a real nose for loose footballs. He's a high-effort, high-character teammate. D-Buck will be sorely missed by the 49ers' defense - they may actually take a step back defensively this season.
87. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
-Key 2019 Stat: 10 receiving TDs (2nd-most in NFL)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #66 overall player
Andrews exploded onto the scene in '19 and established himself as Lamar Jackson's favorite target; particularly in the redzone. Don't get me wrong...I loved having him in my auction fantasy league for $1, but I'm not blown away by the guy when I watch him play. He had seven drops last season - third-most at his position - so that's what caught my negative attention. Yet and still, he was extremely productive and I'd draft him again in a heartbeat. Jackson is expected to lean on him again this year.
86. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
-Key 2019 Stat: 100 receptions for 1,117 yards
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
Fun fact...I was just playing around on Pro Football Reference, perusing some of Edelman's career stats, and...he's never been selected to a Pro Bowl? That seems entirely unfair. Here's a winner. A guy who impacts winning from the regular season all the way to the bitter end of the playoffs. His 1,442 playoff receiving yards are second all time (Jerry Rice is first, of course). At this point, you could go either way with him - if you put him in your top 50, I wouldn't argue...but if you dropped him out of the top 100 without Tom Brady, I couldn't really say much, either. I think we have to be fair, and wait and see how he performs without TB12.
85. Joe Haden, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 INTs (2nd-most in NFL)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
There was a time when he was considered second-best to Darrelle Revis. Those good ole days are gone, but Haden still makes ridiculous plays on the ball. He's a super-smart, cagey veteran whose five picks were tied with studs Marcus Peters and (teammate) Minkah Fitzpatrick, and more than stars Richard Sherman and Harrison Smith. When healthy, Haden is still an impact playmaker at his position.
84. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans
-Key 2019 Stat: 1,051 yards and 8 TDs
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No. Was still in college.
-Pro Football Focus: #78 overall
With the exception of a couple of streak plays that broke loose, rookie A.J. Brown was basically invisible with Marcus Mariota under center for the Titans. Enter Ryan Tannehill (No. 92 on my list, see the last installment), and Brown became one of the most productive all-around receivers in the NFL. But Tannehill doesn't deserve all the credit...they needed one another. No one from the trio of Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe and Adam Humphries was going to breakout for Tannehill. A.J. has the strength and skillset, and he stepped forward at exactly the right time to become a legitimate force in this league.
83. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 INTs (tied for 2nd-best)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes. A starter.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #94 overall
For a while the storyline was...we gotta break Minkah out of the football hell that is the Miami Dolphins' franchise! But I dunno about that, anymore. I'm kind of curious to see how the Dolphins' improving D would have looked with Minkah, Kyle Van Noy, Shaq Lawson and Xavien Howard together. Anyway, I digress. As you can see, Minkah has one of the best on-field reputations in the game (Pro Bowl starter). He makes incredibly athletic plays on the ball, with crazy hangtime and receiver-like hands. He's just one of those guys who jumps off the screen at ya. The Steelers are awfully happy they pulled that trade off.
82. Bobby Wagner, MLB, Seattle Seahawks
-Key 2019 Stat: 159 tackles (most in the game)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes. A starter.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
Does this guy ever get old? He's a savage. Just absolutely relentless, week in and week out. Pro Football Focus doesn't even mention tackles...but I think they are pretty important, no? Somebody has to end the play. Wagner is just one of those old-school vets who is all over the field. He uses his smarts in combination with his never-quit disposition. He's a five-time Pro Bowler for good reason.
81. Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 INTs (tied for 2nd-best)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #84 overall
A true Belichick disciple. Another coach out on the field. You know Devin, by now...he sees all the angles. He's lurking in the distance, just waiting to make his break on the ball...and he knows exactly what's coming. Here is a veteran who finishes close games. Many of his interceptions come when it matters the most. This is easily one of the most consistent players in the NFL. And ya gotta love consistency.
80. Justin Houston, Edge, Indianapolis Colts
-Key 2019 Stat: 11 sacks
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #101 overall
The guy has had an outstanding NFL career (six seasons of at least nine sacks). Sure, he's gettin' up there in age, but I think the homefield turf helped his speed this past season. He's back on the horse. Back in the discussion with the best pass rushers in the game. I'd take him on my team any day of the week.
Tune in next time for the 70s!
Part 1, Players 90-100
Part 3, Players 70-79
89. Frank Clark, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 sacks in the playoffs
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes. A starter.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
Frankie turned it up a notch in the playoffs, wreaking havoc against the Texans with three sacks, then following up with sacks vs. both the Titans and 49ers. His eight sacks during the regular season were decent, but he earned his big money when it mattered the most. He's always been known as a ferocious pass rusher who likes to talk smack and back it up.
88. DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts
-Key 2019 Stat: 7.5 sacks/4 fumble recoveries
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-Pro Football Focus: #82 overall player
Colts GM Chris Ballard (2018 NFL Executive of the Year) ain't messin' around this offseason. He's added Philip Rivers, Trey Burton, Xavier Rhodes and of course Buckner, which means the Colts are in all-out, win-now mode. And lemme tell ya...D-Buck will certainly help ya win now. He gets a shocking amount of pressure from the defensive interior, and he has a real nose for loose footballs. He's a high-effort, high-character teammate. D-Buck will be sorely missed by the 49ers' defense - they may actually take a step back defensively this season.
87. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
-Key 2019 Stat: 10 receiving TDs (2nd-most in NFL)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #66 overall player
Andrews exploded onto the scene in '19 and established himself as Lamar Jackson's favorite target; particularly in the redzone. Don't get me wrong...I loved having him in my auction fantasy league for $1, but I'm not blown away by the guy when I watch him play. He had seven drops last season - third-most at his position - so that's what caught my negative attention. Yet and still, he was extremely productive and I'd draft him again in a heartbeat. Jackson is expected to lean on him again this year.
86. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
-Key 2019 Stat: 100 receptions for 1,117 yards
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
Fun fact...I was just playing around on Pro Football Reference, perusing some of Edelman's career stats, and...he's never been selected to a Pro Bowl? That seems entirely unfair. Here's a winner. A guy who impacts winning from the regular season all the way to the bitter end of the playoffs. His 1,442 playoff receiving yards are second all time (Jerry Rice is first, of course). At this point, you could go either way with him - if you put him in your top 50, I wouldn't argue...but if you dropped him out of the top 100 without Tom Brady, I couldn't really say much, either. I think we have to be fair, and wait and see how he performs without TB12.
85. Joe Haden, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 INTs (2nd-most in NFL)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
There was a time when he was considered second-best to Darrelle Revis. Those good ole days are gone, but Haden still makes ridiculous plays on the ball. He's a super-smart, cagey veteran whose five picks were tied with studs Marcus Peters and (teammate) Minkah Fitzpatrick, and more than stars Richard Sherman and Harrison Smith. When healthy, Haden is still an impact playmaker at his position.
84. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans
-Key 2019 Stat: 1,051 yards and 8 TDs
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No. Was still in college.
-Pro Football Focus: #78 overall
With the exception of a couple of streak plays that broke loose, rookie A.J. Brown was basically invisible with Marcus Mariota under center for the Titans. Enter Ryan Tannehill (No. 92 on my list, see the last installment), and Brown became one of the most productive all-around receivers in the NFL. But Tannehill doesn't deserve all the credit...they needed one another. No one from the trio of Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe and Adam Humphries was going to breakout for Tannehill. A.J. has the strength and skillset, and he stepped forward at exactly the right time to become a legitimate force in this league.
83. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 INTs (tied for 2nd-best)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes. A starter.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #94 overall
For a while the storyline was...we gotta break Minkah out of the football hell that is the Miami Dolphins' franchise! But I dunno about that, anymore. I'm kind of curious to see how the Dolphins' improving D would have looked with Minkah, Kyle Van Noy, Shaq Lawson and Xavien Howard together. Anyway, I digress. As you can see, Minkah has one of the best on-field reputations in the game (Pro Bowl starter). He makes incredibly athletic plays on the ball, with crazy hangtime and receiver-like hands. He's just one of those guys who jumps off the screen at ya. The Steelers are awfully happy they pulled that trade off.
82. Bobby Wagner, MLB, Seattle Seahawks
-Key 2019 Stat: 159 tackles (most in the game)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? Yes. A starter.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? Yes.
-Pro Football Focus: Unranked
Does this guy ever get old? He's a savage. Just absolutely relentless, week in and week out. Pro Football Focus doesn't even mention tackles...but I think they are pretty important, no? Somebody has to end the play. Wagner is just one of those old-school vets who is all over the field. He uses his smarts in combination with his never-quit disposition. He's a five-time Pro Bowler for good reason.
81. Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
-Key 2019 Stat: 5 INTs (tied for 2nd-best)
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #84 overall
A true Belichick disciple. Another coach out on the field. You know Devin, by now...he sees all the angles. He's lurking in the distance, just waiting to make his break on the ball...and he knows exactly what's coming. Here is a veteran who finishes close games. Many of his interceptions come when it matters the most. This is easily one of the most consistent players in the NFL. And ya gotta love consistency.
80. Justin Houston, Edge, Indianapolis Colts
-Key 2019 Stat: 11 sacks
-2019/20 Pro Bowler? No.
-2018/19 Pro Bowler? No.
-Pro Football Focus: #101 overall
The guy has had an outstanding NFL career (six seasons of at least nine sacks). Sure, he's gettin' up there in age, but I think the homefield turf helped his speed this past season. He's back on the horse. Back in the discussion with the best pass rushers in the game. I'd take him on my team any day of the week.
Tune in next time for the 70s!
Part 1, Players 90-100
Part 3, Players 70-79
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