With the beginning of the preseason schedule upon us, it’s time to take a final look at the summer of fun we had with the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2016 as voted on by the players and point out, specifically, where they screwed up, or who they need to add to the list next season. In case you need a refresher on this year’s Top 100 list, the NFL Network is showing the whole thing in a marathon Sunday.
I’ve already covered the AFC players left off the list and specifically focused on the egregious number of former and current Los Angeles/St.Louis Rams that didn’t make it. Now it’s time to give the rest of the NFC a little attention, because otherwise how would you know who any of these guys are other than their riches, weekly performances and multimillion-dollar endorsement deals?
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
2015: 66.3 completion percentage, 4.591 yards, 21 touchdowns, 16 touchdowns
Regardless of how the Falcons have fared in the standings over the last couple of years, Ryan remains one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. While you might be able to make the argument that he’s behind the other quarterbacks already on the list, you can’t make the argument that he shouldn’t be on it. The general managers of about 24 teams would trade any player on their roster for Ryan today. Trust me. The fact is, if the list was honest, no quarterback of Ryan’s stature or better would be ranked anywhere below the Top 50.
Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
2015: 54 catches, 807 yards, four touchdowns, 14.9 yards per catch
Jeffery missed almost half the season last year and still put up those numbers. The Top 100 usually still recognizes players like Jeffery, just placing them up in the 90s or 80s. For some reason Jeffrey missed the list, even though when he played he was the top-rated wide receiver in the league by Pro Football Focus.
Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2015: 74 catches, 1,206 yards, three touchdowns
How does Sammy Watkins make the list and Mike Evans miss it? They were taken in the exact same draft and Evans has outperformed Watkins across the board. Evans had 12 touchdown catches as rookie and last year, playing with a rookie quarterback, had one of the highest yardage totals in the league and averaged 16.3 yards per catch.
DeSean Jackson, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
2015: 30 catches, 538 yards, four touchdowns
Of all the players that were left off the list, no one was more pissed off about it than Jackson. Jackson, like Jeffery, was limited by injuries all last season and only played in 10 games. He’s already embarrassing Josh Norman and other Redskins’ defensive backs in camp, so as long as he stays healthy, he should be back in the Top 100 in 2017.
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions
2015: 67.2 completion percentage, 4,262 yards, 32 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Stafford’s absence from the list is just as puzzling as Ryan’s. Just like Ryan, about 24 NFL teams would let the Lions take their pick of players on their roster in a straight up trade for Stafford today. Most of those would let the Lions pick two and call it an even deal. A franchise quarterback is the most valuable player on a team, in the NFL and in all of professional sports. The Top 100 list should take that into account.
Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
2015: 85 catches, 997 yards, eight touchdowns
Matthews is the first player I’ve mentioned so far with a legitimate argument to be left off the Top 100 list, but just for 2016. Matthews continues to improve every season and now, entering his third and first with a real coach, his numbers should soar, regardless of who is throwing the ball for the Eagles.
Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks
2015: 114 tackles, 0.5 sacks, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns
You’d think playing on the Seahawks defense would help keep Wagner on this list, but evidently the guy doesn’t run his mouth enough. He is, unquestionably, one of their Top Four defensive players and I’d take him over Michael Bennett any day of the week. He’s probably the third best middle linebacker in football right now. Show him some love, players.
