NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2014

[Malkavian Raven]

NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2014:

 

Players 100 - 91

100: Matthew Stafford, QB (Detroit Lions) -

(No. 76 in 2013, Debuted at No. 41 in 2012)

 

99: Cameron Jordan, DE (New Orleans Saints) +

(List Debut)

 

98: Jason Witten, TE (Dallas Cowboys) -

(No. 41 in 2013, No. 75 in 2012, Debuted at No. 36 in 2011)

 

97: Louis Vasquez, OG (Denver Broncos) +

(List Debut)

 

96: Daryl Washington, LB (Arizona Cardinals) -

(Debuted at No. 94 in 2013)

 

95: Brent Grimes, CB (Miami Dolphins) +

(List Debut)

 

94: Sheldon Richardson, DT (New York Jets) +

(List Debut)

 

93: Ryan Kalil, C (Carolina Panthers) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Debuted at No. 99 in 2012)

 

92: Eric Weddle, S (San Diego Chargers) +

(List Debut)

 

91: Matt Forte, RB (Chicago Bears) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Debuted at No. 33 in 2012)

 

Players 90 - 81

90: Eddie Lacy, RB (Green Bay Packers) +

(List Debut)

 

89: Charles Clay, TE (Miami Dolphins) +

(List Debut)

 

88: Evan Mathis, OG (Philadelphia Eagles) +

(List Debut)

 

87: DeMarco Murray, RB (Dallas Cowboys) +

(List Debut)

 

86: Duane Brown, OT (Houston Texans) -

(Debuted at No. 48 in 2013)

 

85: Reggie Bush, RB (Detroit Lions) +

(List Debut)

 

84: Kiko Alonso, LB (Buffalo Bills) +

(List Debut)

 

83: Jordy Nelson, WR (Green Bay Packers) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Debuted at No. 80 in 2012)

 

82: T.J. Ward, S (Cleveland Browns) +

(List Debut)

 

81: Colin Kaepernick, QB (San Francisco 49ers) =

(Debuted at No. 81 in 2013)

 

Players 80-71

80: Pierre Garcon, WR (Washington Redskins) +

(List Debut)

 

79: Aqib Talib, CB (Denver Broncos) +

(List Debut)

 

78: Tyron Smith, OT (Dallas Cowboys) +

(List Debut)

 

77: Clay Matthews, LB (Green Bay Packers) -

(No. 31 in 2013, No. 27 in 2012, Debuted at No. 19 in 2011)

 

76: Von Miller, LB (Denver Broncos) -

(No. 09 in 2013, Debuted at No. 52 in 2012)

 

75: Joe Staley, OT (San Francisco 49ers) +

(No. 78 in 2013, Debuted at No. 67 in 2012)

 

74: Tim Jennings, CB (Chicago Bears) -

(Debuted at No. 69 in 2013)

 

73: Wes Welker, WR (Denver Broncos) -

(No. 44 in 2013, No. 23 in 2012, Debuted at No. 50 in 2011)

 

72: Antrel Rolle, S (New York Giants) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 68 in 2011)

 

71: Tony Romo, QB (Dallas Cowboys) +

(Missed the list in 2013, No. 91 in 2012, Debuted at No. 72 in 2011)

 

Players 70-61

70: Nick Foles, QB (Philadelphia Eagles) +

(List Debut)

 

69: Justin Smith, DE (San Francisco 49ers) -

(No. 29 in 2013, Debuted at No. 17 in 2012)

 

68: Jared Allen, DE (Chicago Bears) -

(No. 60 in 2013, No. 13 in 2012, Debuted at No. 80 in 2011)

 

67: Jason Peters, OT (Philadelphia Eagles) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Debuted at No. 42 in 2012)

 

66: Cameron Wake, DE (Miami Dolphins) +

(No. 89 in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 63 in 2011)

 

65: Kam Chancellor, S (Seattle Seahawks) +

(List Debut)

 

64: Derrick Johnson, LB (Kansas City Chiefs) -

(No. 59 in 2013, Debuted at No. 78 in 2012)

 

63: DeSean Jackson, WR (Washington Redskins) +

(Missed the list in 2013, No. 71 in 2012, Debuted at No. 29 in 2011)

 

62: Marcell Dareus, DT (Buffalo Bills) +

(List Debut)

 

61: Troy Polamalu, S (Pittsburgh Steelers) +

(No. 91 in 2013, No. 19 in 2012, Debuted at No. 6 in 2011)

 

Players 60-51

60: Trent Williams, OT (Washington Redskins) +

(Debuted at No. 99 in 2013)

 

59: DeAndre Levy, LB (Detroit Lions) +

(List Debut)

 

58: Joe Flacco, QB (Baltimore Ravens) -

(No. 19 in 2013, No. 74 in 2012, Debuted at No. 90 in 2011)

 

57: Justin Houston, LB (Kansas City Chief) -

(Debuted at No. 49 in 2013)

 

56: DeMarcus Ware, LB (Denver Broncos) -

(No. 12 in 2013, No. 6 in 2012, Debuted at No. 12 in 2011)

 

55: Marshal Yanda, OG (Baltimore Ravens) +

(List Debut)

 

54: Alshon Jeffery, WR (Chicago Bears) +

(List Debut)

 

53: Greg Hardy, DE (Caroline Panthers) +

(List Debut)

 

52: Vontaze Burfict, LB (Cincinnati Bengals) +

(List Debut)

 

51: Vernon Davis, TE (San Francisco 49ers) -

(No. 38 in 2013, No. 43 in 2012, Debuted at No. 88 in 2011)

 

Players 50-41

50: Eric Berry, S (Kansas City Chiefs) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 93 in 2011)

 

49: Demaryius Thomas, WR (Denver Broncos) +

(Debuted at No. 68 in 2013)

 

48: Geno Atkins, DT (Cincinnati Bengals) -

(Debuted at No. 36 in 2013)

 

47: NaVarro Bowman, LB (San Francisco 49ers) -

(No. 37 in 2013, Debuted at No. 85 in 2012)

 

46: Frank Gore, RB (San Francisco 49ers) -

(No. 32 in 2013, No. 28 in 2012, Debuted at No. 94 in 2011)

 

45: Haloti Ngata, DT (Baltimore Ravens) -

(No. 42 in 2013, No. 9 in 2012, Debuted at No. 17 in 2011)

 

44: Vincent Jackson, WR (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) +

(Debuted at No. 52 in 2013)

 

43: Tamba Hali, LB (Kansas City Chiefs) +

(Missed the list in 2013, No. 34 in 2012, Debut at No. 64 in 2011)

 

42: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE (New York Jets) +

(List Debut)

 

41: Rob Gronkowski, TE (New England Patriots) -

(No. 25 in 2013, Debuted at No. 21 in 2012)

 

Players 40-31

40: Ndamukong Suh, DT (Detroit Lions) =

(No. 40 in 2013, No. 38 in 2012, Debuted at No. 51 in 2011)

 

39: Joe Haden, CB (Cleveland Browns) +

(List Debut)

 

38: Larry Fitzgerald, WR (Arizona Cardinals) -

(No. 22 in 2013, No. 7 in 2012, Debuted at No. 14 in 2011)

 

37: Darrelle Revis, CB (New England Patriots) +

(No. 67 in 2013, No. 5 in 2012, Debuted at No. 8 in 2011)

 

36: Brandon Marshall, WR (Chicago Bears) -

(No. 27 in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 61 in 2011)

 

35: Lavonte David, LB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) +

(List Debut)

 

34: Philip Rivers, QB (San Diego) +

(Missed the list in 2013, No. 61 in 2012, Debuted at No. 26 in 2011)

 

33: Aldon Smith, LB (San Francisco 49ers) -

(Debuted at No. 7 in 2013)

 

32: Kyle Williams, DT (Buffalo Bills) +

(List Debut)

 

31: Ben Roethlisberger, QB (Pittsburgh Steelers) +

(No. 61 in 2013, No. 30 in 2012, Debuted at No. 41 in 2011)

 

Players 30-21

30: Andrew Luck, QB (Indianapolis Colts) -

(Debuted at No. 23 in 2013)

 

29: Mario Williams, DE (Buffalo Bills) +

(No. 72 in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 71 in 2011)

 

28: Gerald McCoy, DT (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) +

(Debuted at No. 92 in 2013)

 

27: Patrick Willis, LB (San Francisco 49ers) -

(No. 10 in 2013, No. 10 in 2012, Debuted at No. 23 in 2011)

 

26: Terrell Suggs, LB (Baltimore Ravens) +

(No. 56 in 2013, No. 11 in 2012, Debuted at No. 40 in 2011)

 

25: Dez Bryant, WR (Dalls Cowboys) +

(Debuted at No. 35 in 2013)

 

24: Cam Newton, QB (Carolina Panthers) +

(No. 46 in 2013, Debuted at No. 40 in 2012)

 

23: Antonio Brown, WR (Pittsburgh Steelers) +

(List Debut)

 

22: Patrick Peterson, CB (Arizona Cardinals) +

(No. 33 in 2013, Debuted at No. 55 in 2012)

 

21: Andrew Johnson, WR (Houston Texans) -

(No. 14 in 2013, No. 15 in 2012, Debuted at No. 7 in 2011)

 

Players 20-11

20: Russell Wilson, QB (Seattle Seahawks) +

(Debuted at No. 51 in 2013)

 

19: Robert Mathis, LB (Indianapolis Colts) +

(No. 74 in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 44 in 2011)

 

18: Joe Thomas, OT (Cleveland Browns) +

(No. 28 in 2013, No. 82 in 2012, Debuted at No. 43 in 2011)

 

17: Earl Thomas, S (Seattle Seahawks) +

(No. 66 in 2013, Debuted at No. 66 in 2012)

 

16: Josh Gordon, WR (Cleveland Browns) +

(List Debut)

 

15: Luke Kuechly, LB (Carolina Panthers) +

(Debuted at No. 79 in 2013)

 

14: Marshawn Lynch, RB (Seattle Seahawks) +

(No. 24 in 2013, Debuted at No. 94 in 2012)

 

13: Robert Quinn, DE (St. Louis Rams) +

(List Debut)

 

12: J.J. Watt, DE (Houston Texans) -

(Debuted at No. 5 in 2013)

 

11: Aaron Rodgers, QB (Green Bay Packers) -

(No. 6 in 2013, No. 1 in 2012, Debuted at No. 11 in 2011)

 

Players 10-1

10: Jimmy Graham, TE (New Orlean Saints) +

(Missed the list in 2013, Debuted at No. 14 in 2012)

 

9: A.J. Green, WR (Cincinnati Bengals) +

(No. 16 in 2013, Debuted at No. 77 in 2012)

 

8: Jamaal Charles, RB (Kansas City Chiefs) +

(No. 20 in 2013, Missed the list in 2012, Debuted at No. 33 in 2011)

 

7: Richard Sherman, CB (Seattle Seahawks) +

(Debuted at No. 50 in 2013)

 

6: Drew Brees, QB (New Orleans Saints) +

(No. 11 in 2013, No. 2 in 2012, Debuted at No. 9)

 

5: LeSean McCoy, RB (Philadelphia Eagles) +

(No. 45 in 2013, Debuted at No. 18 in 2012)

 

4: Adrian Peterson, RB (Minnesota Vikings) -

(No. 1 in 2013, No. 8 in 2012, Debuted at No. 3 in 2011)

 

3: Tom Brady, QB (New England Patriots) +

(No. 4 in 2013, No. 4 in 2012, Debuted at No. 1 in 2011)

 

2: Calvin Johnson, WR (Detroit Lions) +

(No. 3 in 2013, No. 3 in 2012, Debuted at No. 27 in 2011)

 

1: Peyton Manning, QB (Denver Broncos) +

(No. 2 in 2013, No. 50 in 2012, Debuted at No. 2 in 2011)

 

Counts by Position

QB: 14

RB: 9

FB: 0

TE: 5

WR: 15

OG: 3

OT: 6

C: 1

 

DT: 6

DE: 9

LB: 17

CB: 7

S: 7

 

KR/PR: 0

K: 0

P: 0

 

Counts by Team

49ers: 8

Bears: 5

Bengals: 3

Bills: 3

Broncos: 7

Browns: 4

Buccaneers: 3

Cardinals: 3

Chargers: 2

Chiefs: 5

Colts: 2

Cowboys: 5

Dolphins: 3

Eagles: 4

Falcons: 0

Giants: 1

Jaguars: 0

Jets: 2

Lions: 5

Packers: 4

Panthers: 4

Patriots: 3

Raiders: 0

Rams: 1

Ravens: 4

Redskins: 3

Saints: 3

Seahawks: 5

Steelers: 3

Texans: 3

Titans: 0

Vikings: 1

[Inqui]

No way Yanda makes it after that OL performance (imo this this isn't about who's the best, but more who's seen as the best. Wouldn't surprise me to see Peterson as the #2 or 3 RB despite being #1 overall last year iirc). I think they'll leave Pitta out too, sadly.

 

Ravens I think will be there:

Joe (25)

Suggs and Haloti (both around 50)

Dumervil (60 or 70)

Steve Smith (75)

Ray (eh, Ozzie knows....)

 

Top offensive player will be Peyton or Rodgers. Probably Manning (bleh).

Top defensive player will be JJ Swatt, but I think Sherman will give him a run for his money.

Biggest fall goes to Arian Foster. Maybe Ed Reed.

Biggest rise Luke Kuechly.

 

Now watch this entire post get demolished during the first unveiling.

[K-Dog]

Ummmmmm Rice wont make it.

Flacco 75 or less.

 

I mean it was a pretty bad year all around.

Sizzle makes it. Yanda maybe.

I dont see any Ravens top 25.

 

Number one just might be Peyton.

[allblackraven]

They will have only Sizzle somewhere in a bottom half and Jimmy Smith @99 on that list. Maybe, just maybe, Flacco makes it, too.

[Inqui]

They will have only Sizzle somewhere in a bottom half and Jimmy Smith @99 on that list. Maybe, just maybe, Flacco makes it, too.

Forgot about Jimmy. Was trying to think of Ravens who hadn't made it and he never clicked in my mind. Love to see Tucker in there, but no way that happens.

 

I could see Rice being in the MJD kinda spot last year (98) off reputation. Ed was at 18 last year.

[allblackraven]

Forgot about Jimmy. Was trying to think of Ravens who hadn't made it and he never clicked in my mind. Love to see Tucker in there, but no way that happens.

 

I could see Rice being in the MJD kinda spot last year (98) off reputation. Ed was at 18 last year.

I thought about Tucker, too. Don't see them putting a kicker on the list any time soon. Perhaps when he has 3 perfect seasons in a row?

[Inqui]

I thought about Tucker, too. Don't see them putting a kicker on the list any time soon. Perhaps when he has 3 perfect seasons in a row?

That might be a while off, as he missed one against the Patriots (to be fair, everyone had a bad game. Even the water boys were probably off their game). Agree about not putting a kicker on though. Imagine if Blair Walsh had displaced Pitta last year.

[hawkprey]

I think Suggs and Flacco make the list, with Suggs around 50th and Flacco around 80th. Overall I think we'll be one of the 5 most under-represented teams (fewest to make it / worst combined ranking). Actually, there's a chance Flacco doesn't make it at all.

 

Other predictions: Number 1 will be Peyton. Richard Sherman will make the top 10. Alshon Jeffery will make the top 30. The NFC will have 60+ representatives (which is actually a very large disparity).

[allblackraven]

That might be a while off, as he missed one against the Patriots (to be fair, everyone had a bad game. Even the water boys were probably off their game). Agree about not putting a kicker on though. Imagine if Blair Walsh had displaced Pitta last year.

I don't enjoy being reminded of that particular game.

 

Maybe our boy Hauschka has a chance? Seahawks will get lot of love on top 100.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Yeah, I don't think Rice will be #13 this year...

[ravensdfan]

Everyone had a pretty bad year last season - Flacco might not make it at all, Rice either.

 

Suggs is a possibility.

 

hmm....probably not many and can't even be mad about it after the showing we gave last season.

[berad]

JT Swag Money gonna make it?

 

I'll be bold and say yes.

[PolishRifle]

Justin Tucker, Daryl Smith and Jimmy Smith are the only ones I can think of, who really stood out last season. Jimmy and Daryl are sort of underrated under-the-radar-guys, so I can only see Tuck making it and he's a kicker, so who knows, if anyone makes it at all?

 

Daryl Smith probably deserves it more than anyone else, though. Wow, how lucky are we to have him.

[BirdWatcher]

I think it depends on whether they are basing it on 2013 stats or on what they expect to happen in 2014.

[Malkavian Raven]

I think it depends on whether they are basing it on 2013 stats or on what they expect to happen in 2014.

 

I think a lot of it, I'd say in the 80% range, based on what they did the prior year.  Of the remaining 20%, I'd say at least 10% of that is based on their entire body of work, their entire career.  Only 10% of it is based off what they expect to see this season.

 

If that is the case, then Suggs, Rice, Ngata and Flacco will be the only ones making the list.  Maybe Torrey, maybe Dumervil, maybe Webb.

 

I just hope I don't sit through all ten episodes only to see all the Ravens players in the first episode or two.

[BmoreBird22]

I think it depends on whether they are basing it on 2013 stats or on what they expect to happen in 2014.

It's supposed to be based on who they think will be the best in the upcoming, but they factor in the previous year way more

[Malkavian Raven]

Updating live (100-91).

[Malkavian Raven]

100 thru 91 are in.

 

7 of the next 10 are new to the list...

 

2 of the next 10 are rookies...

 

Your predictions?... GO!

[redrum52]

The only Ravens I can see making this list are Tucker, Jimmy, Yanda and Monroe. Anyone mentioning Flacco, Rice or Suggs are crazy. Flacco had his worst year statistically, Rice was awful and Suggs went MIA mid way through. The most deserving player is probably Tucker.

Just read something. I always forget if this is for next season or going off last year.

[Malkavian Raven]

The only Ravens I can see making this list are Tucker, Jimmy, Yanda and Monroe. Anyone mentioning Flacco, Rice or Suggs are crazy. Flacco had his worst year statistically, Rice was awful and Suggs went MIA mid way through. The most deserving player is probably Tucker.

Just read something. I always forget if this is for next season or going off last year.

 

Neither a kicker, nor a punter has ever made the list.

 

Now, while I will agree Jimmy really gained a lot of ground last year, I think if he has a year like last year he would make the list, but this year - nah.

 

Yanda and Monroe have always been snubbed.

 

I think we may see Rice and/or Flacco and/or Suggs and/or Dumervil and/or Torrey in the next 40, but I do not see any Ravens in the Top 50.

[T3hRaven]

Neither a kicker, nor a punter has ever made the list.

 

Now, while I will agree Jimmy really gained a lot of ground last year, I think if he has a year like last year he would make the list, but this year - nah.

 

Yanda and Monroe have always been snubbed.

 

I think we may see Rice and/or Flacco and/or Suggs and/or Dumervil and/or Torrey in the next 40, but I do not see any Ravens in the Top 50.

 

In that case, I wouldn't be surprised if no Ravens made the list.  Suggs disappeared in the second half of the season, Dumervil got hurt, and Flacco was pretty bad (although much of that was not his fault).  Rice was arguably the worst starting back in the league last year and everyone else does not view Jimmy Smith the way Ravens fans do.  The best shot to make it is Torrey purely from a numbers standpoint.

[Malkavian Raven]

In that case, I wouldn't be surprised if no Ravens made the list.  Suggs disappeared in the second half of the season, Dumervil got hurt, and Flacco was pretty bad (although much of that was not his fault).  Rice was arguably the worst starting back in the league last year and everyone else does not view Jimmy Smith the way Ravens fans do.  The best shot to make it is Torrey purely from a numbers standpoint.

 

I find it hard to gauge this list at this moment.  One, it's only the first ten picks.  Two, as everyone has always said, it's usually based on their body work throughout their career more than what they think they're going to do this season.  If this was based solely on last year's performances - agreed, Torrey MAYBE.

[T3hRaven]

I find it hard to gauge this list at this moment.  One, it's only the first ten picks.  Two, as everyone has always said, it's usually based on their body work throughout their career more than what they think they're going to do this season.  If this was based solely on last year's performances - agreed, Torrey MAYBE.

 

That is true, and it's also a popularity contest.  The list is nonsense so I don't really pay attention to it anyway.

[Malkavian Raven]

That is true, and it's also a popularity contest.  The list is nonsense so I don't really pay attention to it anyway.

 

Again, too early to tell, but thus far - I can't really argue with the list at this point.  That's really the reason I'm watching, to wait to see if it's going to be another train wreck like the past few years.

 

When a guy like Yanda, or Kevin Williams (DT, Vikings) or Andrew Whitworth (OT, Bengals) and Lawrence Timmons (ILB, Steelers) are excluded, year... after year... after year... but guys like Kaepernick break in at #81... hard to take it seriously.

 

Ah well, gives me something to do until the start of the season.

[Malkavian Raven]

Players 90 - 81 have been revealed.

 

No Ravens... yet.  Lots of first timers, nice to see Evan Mathis on there; I had him on my 'snub list' from the 2013 list.  Also, Kiko Alonso, while not on the list, not surprised to see him make it either.  And then there's Kaepernick - not moving, but still there... which really makes doubt we're going to see Flacco on the list this year.

[berad]

Players 90 - 81 have been revealed.

No Ravens... yet. Lots of first timers, nice to see Evan Mathis on there; I had him on my 'snub list' from the 2013 list. Also, Kiko Alonso, while not on the list, not surprised to see him make it either. And then there's Kaepernick - not moving, but still there... which really makes doubt we're going to see Flacco on the list this year.

I'm not so sure. Kaepernick didn't set the world on fire last year either and in one of the previews, they flashed through some of the ballots and I saw Flacco at #4.

Not sure if that was a current and/or legit ballot, though.

[Malkavian Raven]

I'm not so sure. Kaepernick didn't set the world on fire last year either and in one of the previews, they flashed through some of the ballots and I saw Flacco at #4.

Not sure if that was a current and/or legit ballot, though.

 

Doubtful it was legit.  Flacco debuted on the list in '11 at No. 90, then moved up the list '12 at No. 74.  Then, even after his MONSTER run in the playoffs, he appeared at No. 19 in '13.

 

So, I'll retract my earlier statements and say that if Flacco hasn't appeared on the list by No. 40 - he isn't going to.

[berad]

Doubtful it was legit.  Flacco debuted on the list in '11 at No. 90, then moved up the list '12 at No. 74.  Then, even after his MONSTER run in the playoffs, he appeared at No. 19 in '13.

 

So, I'll retract my earlier statements and say that if Flacco hasn't appeared on the list by No. 40 - he isn't going to.

 

Agree with your statement but it was a single ballot out of many. Could have been Sizzle's lol.

[K-Dog]

Thanks for posting the results Panda.

I am fine with where Kap ended up. Other than that I have no opinion thus far...

[Malkavian Raven]

Agree with your statement but it was a single ballot out of many. Could have been Sizzle's lol.

 

If it was Sizzle, then Koch or Tucker would've been #1.

 

Thanks for posting the results Panda.

I am fine with where Kap ended up. Other than that I have no opinion thus far...

 

You're welcome, K-Dog.  I actually enjoy watching this countdown.  I wonder if Jaws is going to do his QB list again this year.

 

I'm fine with Kap is, surprised he wasn't higher actually.  I just didn't think Flacco was going to make the list but going back and looking at his past rankings, I'll give him until 40.