It’s almost an excuse to troll at this point, but we watch and react and argue over it anyway. The NFL Network began its annual post-draft Top 100 Players show Wednesday night. The network lets the NFL players vote and sometimes it’s just as telling and silly as letting fans vote. Each week I’ll take a look at the list and give my impression on how the players did in rating their peers.
100. Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders
This is an excellent spot for Carr, who makes his debut on the annual poll. He’s entering his third year and has proven that he just might be the best quarterback out of his draft class. The Raiders have every reason to believe they’ll contend for the AFC west in 2016 and Carr is the biggest reason why. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, if you don’t have a quarterback, you don’t have anything. The Raiders, for the first time in over a decade, have a quarterback. Last year: Not on the list
99. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints
Jordan opened up his segment claiming that he was the best player in the league. If not the best, than in the top five he said. It had to be a smack in the face to see his fellow players had put him at No. 99. But, hey, at least he’s on the list. Jordan is an elite pass-rusher and has reason to believe in himself. He can play inside and outside and can dominate a game from the trenches. Last year: Not on the list
98. Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins
We get our first insult on the list. Landry is way better than the No. 98 player. At this point, he’s probably one of the Top 10 wideouts in the NFL and the only thing that’s held him back has been coaching. Now that Adam Gase is in Miami, that’s all going to change. Landry will not be in this half of the Top 100 list again and even if his fellow players don’t know it, I guarantee every fantasy football player does. Last year: Not on the list
97. Richie Incognito, OG, Buffalo Bills
Oh man. Incognito came back to the NFL, was on his best behavior and actually got to live up to his God-given talents. His peers recognized it and put him on the list. Back when he was with the Rams he was such a tool that head coach Steve Spagnuolo cut him during the regular season. He started a whole bullying in the NFL debate in Miami. Now he’s just a complete madman on the field. But legally. Last year: Not on the list
96. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
See now? Here we have our first problem. Does Watkins deserve to be on the list? Sure. Does he deserve to be ahead of Jarvis Landry? Not on this planet. Watkins finally had his breakout season after being overshadowed by every receiver drafted with him. He’s a great talent and an asset to the Bills, but he’s yet to be worth anything close to what they gave up (two No. 1 picks) to get him. Last year: Not on the list
95. Mike Daniels, DE/DT, Green Bay Packers
Six players in and we have the first guy that probably shouldn’t be anywhere near this list. Daniels is a decent player, but he’s not elite by any measure. Not by stats or performance. Maybe in a pie-eating contest. He’s a decent player that deserves to be the NFL. He doesn’t deserve to be on this list. Last year: Not on the list
94. Gary Barnidge, TE, Cleveland Browns
A break-out season nets Barnridge a much-deserved spot on the Top 100. This is probably where he should be too. He was the best player on Cleveland’s offense last year and was a big part of my own personal fantasy football league championship run. It took him eight years to get here, but he should have a good five years ahead of him …and probably many appearances on this list. Last year: Not on the list
93. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Maclin is our first player on this list that makes a repeat appearance. It also happens to be 32 spots lower than he ranked last year even though he had no drop-off from his 2014-15 season at all. He missed one game this season or he would have put up nearly the exact same numbers. As it is, Maclin is an elite talent that still isn’t getting the recognition he deserves. Last year: 61
92. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
What the ever-loving hell? No. 92? Really? I don’t care how injured he was last year, Luck is one of the 10 best players in the NFL. When 25 of the 32 NFL teams would trade any player on their roster for you, if not multiple players, then you’re a pretty valuable player. There’s no reason to see Luck on this list until the final couple of episodes. Last year: 7
91. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce wasn’t just outstanding last season, he was a break-out star. This is a good spot for him as he makes his list debut. If he continues the dominance he displayed last year, he won’t be in the 90s ever again. He’s one of the best offensive weapons in the league and probably the scariest match-up on the Chiefs’ roster. Last year: Not on the list
