25. Derrick Henry
Henry is approaching the age where running backs tend to fall off the proverbial cliff. Let’s be real about one thing: The Florida native is a physical freak. He’s essentially a fridge on wheels out there when defenders bounce off of him. However, Henry has been nicked up recently with some injuries. As he approaches age 29, we have to wonder if the preexisting tread on those tires have been worn out a bit too thin. It’s about the only thing keeping him from being higher up this list.
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24. Jonathan Taylor
Taylor looks primed to be the top running back in the NFL at this point. While not the physical freak Henry is, Taylor is no slouch. He’s a virtual bowling ball at 5-foot-10 and nearly 230 pounds. Using terrific vision, better-than-you-think quickness, and legit deep-field speed, Taylor reeled off a 18-touchdown/1,800-yard season a year ago behind a very good Colts’ offensive line. At only 23 years of age, there’s a scenario in which he’s the cream of the crop at the position for the foreseeable future. Taylor has already notched a combined 32 TDs over the first two years of his career.
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23. Tyreek Hill
It will be quite fascinating to see how Tyreek Hill adapts to life outside of Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes widely is known to have one of the league’s strongest arms — which paired terrifically with Hill and his ability to literally outrun all defenses. Hill would gobble up big chunk plays with regularity. Now, he’ll be in a new system with a quarterback (Tua Tagovailoa) possessing — shall we say — maybe 50-percent of Mahomes’ arm strength. We could see a scenario in which Hill will be utilized similarly to how Deebo Samuel is used in the Bay Area. Swing passes, screens, reverses — and even the occasional toss out of the backfield. While his numbers might dip from the days in Kansas City, Hill will still put up stats. He’s too good not to.
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22. Jaire Alexander
Statistically speaking (when using high-level metrics), Alexander graded as the best corner in football during the 2020 season. Alexander is cat-quick in coverage — which enables him to break on the ball exceptionally well (accounting for a combined 17 pass break-ups/interceptions in 2020). The fluid nature of his athleticism also enables Alexander to flip his hips and track in coverage quite well. While injuries derailed his 2021 season, there’s real reason to think Alexander could one day become the No. 1 DB in the NFL.
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21. Travis Kelce
Kelce still remains as the premier player at the TE spot. We have to applaud him for his ability to stay healthy. Kelce has missed only seven games dating back to 2014 (a total of 127 possible game appearances). It’s quite impressive considering Kelce’s responsibility in venturing over the heart of the field to make catches (where linebackers and safeties are lurking). Kelce’s mammoth hands have accounted for 57 career touchdowns. Whenever Patrick Mahomes is looking to move the chains, he’ll often target his most reliable guy. More often than not, that player is Kelce.
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20. Budda Baker
The Seattle native looks to be shot out of a cannon when on the field. There’s a lot to like about Baker’s game — especially as it pertains to versatility. He loves to roam around the back-end as a playmaker — whether in coverage or in run support. While not an overly big player, Baker makes up for his lack of size with physicality, brains, and fantastic instincts. It’s a shame Baker is somewhat wasting his talents in Arizona. If he were in a larger market, the casual fan would really see how good Baker is.
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19. Tristan Wirfs
Wirfs had the reputation as a freak athlete coming out of Iowa (we all saw the video of him jumping out of the pool). When he was picked to protect Tom Brady, Wirfs succeeded at a very high clip. All of the tools are there for him to eventually become a Hall of Famer. We don’t make that claim lightly — though in this case we’ve seen enough of Wirfs to realize what a special talent he is. The right tackle is blessed with high-end lateral quickness. Wirfs also has the natural strength and bend to last a very long time in this league. Once Trent Williams hangs up his cleats, Wirfs likely will be the top tackle in the NFL.
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18. Joe Burrow
We saw Joey Big Arm take the Bengals from a laughing stock to the Super Bowl in just a short amount of time. We aren’t talking about a franchise with a few down years — or one which had fallen recently on tough time. This is the Bengals — a historically awful franchise. Burrow’s moxie is undeniable. Teammates love playing with him/for him. There’s also an innate skill-set which uplifts both his play and the ability of those around him. Burrow can make all the throws — especially in the biggest of moments. Without a doubt, the Ohio native will one day be among the best quarterbacks in the league.
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17. Derwin James
James had the reputation coming out of Florida State as being the archetype modern-day NFL defender. He was the guy who could be lined up as defensive end in obvious passing downs, as an outside linebacker in coverage, as a deep safety, and even as a slot corner when defending bigger receivers or tight ends. James continues to operate as such in the NFL at an extremely high level. He’s almost akin to a praying mantis with a gigantic wingspan and a massive, angular frame. James is undoubtedly one of the more unique players in the game today.
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16. Fred Warner
Warner is the heartbeat of SF’s defense. He flies off the screen whenever you’re watching a 49ers’ game. We often hear about the term ‘playing like your hair is on fire’. In this case, it’s apt with Warner — who flies sideline-to-sideline when making plays. Aside from being a tackling machine, Warner is also adept at creating big momentum plays (whether tackles-for-loss or turnovers). There’s a real sense of athleticism with the way he operates. Assuming he stays healthy, you likely will see Warner in Canton one day.
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15. Deebo Samuel
Speaking of elite players, Deebo Samuel has taken his game to another level. San Francisco loves utilizing him in a myriad of different ways — whether in the slot, on the perimeter, or even out of the backfield. Samuel is built like a running back, yet is smooth enough to operate as a receiver at a very high level. Simply put, he’s one of the most electric skill players in the game today. There is still some discord over his contract situation. However, it appears as if the 49ers are trying to make it work somehow rather than dealing him elsewhere.
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14. Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett was selected No. 1 Overall for one reason: To get after opposing quarterbacks. So far, so good for the Texas A&M product. Garrett has racked up 58.5 sacks in just five years of NFL service. He’s coming off a career-high 16.0 sacks in 2021. As he approaches his 27th birthday, the sky truly is the limit for Garrett. He was once a player solely reliant upon power and speed. Now, Garrett has learned to be a far more technical player. It’s scary to think he still has another level he can get to. Offensive tackles all over the league should be shuddering at that possibility.
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13. Quenton Nelson
It’s traditionally been difficult in grading offensive linemen for the fact they don’t offer the same sorts of tangible stats that other positions emit. More in-depth grading scales have been implemented as it pertains to this position. Since he entered the league out of Notre Dame, Nelson has largely been the best interior lineman in the league. The New Jersey native is tough as nails — though also wickedly powerful and shockingly quick for a man weighing over 330 pounds. When we think of the ‘dancing bear’ comparison to offensive linemen here, it’s actually an accurate description when speaking about Nelson.
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12. Justin Herbert
It hasn’t taken long for Justin Herbert to ascend the ranks of the elite quarterbacks in the league. In just two seasons, the former Oregon passer has put his stamp on the league. As a rookie, Herbert broke Baker Mayfield’s record for passing touchdown from a first-year player (31) en route to winning Rookie of the Year honors. In Year 2, Herbert was even better as he threw for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns. His arm is among the best in the league, and he’s completely unafraid to throw the ball into the tightest of windows. Though his Chargers ultimately came up short, Herbert’s performance against the Raiders in Week 18 was a sight to behold. He converted fourth down after fourth down in what was an epic showing. The 24-year-old will be a top-10 player soon enough.
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11. Jalen Ramsey
The league’s best corner for the last several years. Jalen Ramsey has cemented that notion during his time in Los Angeles. He’s been named first-team All-Pro in each of his two full seasons with the club. In 2021, Ramsey shut down one side of the field as the Rams marched their way to a Super Bowl victory. No defensive back in the league can match Ramsey’s skill-set. He has excellent size at 6-foot-1, great speed, deft coverage skills, and supreme confidence. It doesn’t matter what receiver is lining up on the other side of the field, Ramsey has a chance to shut that player down.
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10. Micah Parsons
Who would have thought in just one year Micah Parsons would be considered a top-10 player? It goes to show just how special his rookie campaign truly was. Coming out of Penn State, Parsons was seen as an athletic linebacker who could potentially make an impact in the league. Instead, Parsons showed his uncanny ability to rush the passer and change the tide of a game with his blistering speed. He thrived as an off-ball backer, but truly showcased his skill-set as an edge rusher where he notched 13.0 sacks in 16 games. Though he had to settle for second place in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, Parsons was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned first-team All-Pro honors.
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9. Tom Brady
Tom Brady continues to beat up on ‘Father Time’. The 44-year-old ageless wonder led the league in completions (485), yardage (5,316), and touchdowns (43) — thus earning a second-place finish in MVP voting behind Aaron Rodgers. What Brady has done during his time in the league will never be matched. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has set the standard for quarterbacking in the NFL, and easily cemented himself as the greatest to ever play the position. Somehow, he keeps on producing at a high level despite his advanced age. How long can he keep this up for?
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8. Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp broke out in a big way in ’21. With a new quarterback in town, Kupp grew accustomed to running routes and catching passes from the gunslinging Matthew Stafford. The pair developed immense chemistry on the field as Stafford leaned on Kupp from the get-go. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 scores.
While he may not be quite as dynamic as some of the other receivers in the league, Kupp is the best at what he does. Nobody runs better short-to-intermediate routes than LA’s No. 1 target. He gets open with ease and is elite after the catch. If Kupp was able to put up these numbers in just his first year with Stafford, defenses should be worried about what he can do in Year 2.
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7. Davante Adams
The most complete wideout in the league is headed to Las Vegas. Davante Adams has earned back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods, and is the best all-around pass catcher the NFL today. There’s nothing he can’t do. Need somebody to run a go-route and high-point a pass over his defender? Adams has it covered. Need somebody to run a route over the middle and haul in a target through traffic? Davante can do that for you. Need somebody to catch a screen pass, make a few people miss, and take it to the house? We saw Adams do that plenty of times in Green Bay. Reunited with his old college quarterback and arguably the best group of skill players he’s ever been alongside, Adams should feast with the Raiders.
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6. TJ Watt
TJ Watt just had a season for the books. After finishing third and second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in ’19 and ’20, Watt finally earned his first DPOY with a historic campaign. The relentless pass rusher finished the year with 22.5 sacks, tied for the highest total since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. Even more impressive, Watt didn’t even need the extra game to accomplish the feat. He played in only 15 games in ’21 (one fewer than Michael Strahan participated in during his record-setting campaign back in 2001). Watt has established himself as the top edge rusher in the league, and has been named first-team All-Pro three consecutive times.
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5. Josh Allen
Josh Allen is the prime example of how to develop a quarterback. After an uneven start to his career, Allen exploded in 2020 while exhibiting a combination of power and athleticism which is unequaled in the league today. We all knew about Allen’s raw arm strength, but it took until Year 3 for him to finally use that ability in a constructive way. This was on full display in Allen’s most recent outing — the iconic playoff battle against the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen’s Bills ultimately came up short, but the 26-year-old QB put the league on notice with his individual performance. The Bills will be a force to be reckoned with in ’22, and that’s because of Allen’s brilliance as both a runner and passer.
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4. Trent Williams
At 33 years old and after 12 years in the league, Trent Williams is finally beginning to get the recognition he so rightfully deserves. Since joining the 49ers two seasons ago, Williams has been the best tackle in football. He earned first-team All-Pro in ’21, and was dominant force for one of the best offensive lines in football. It should be noted Williams dealt with a bevy of injuries during the latter part of his Washington tenure. He seems to have bounced back quite nicely. Last season, Pro Football Focus gave Williams a 96.9 grade for his performance — five points higher than any offensive lineman since 2020.
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3. Aaron Rodgers
The back-to-back MVP is arguably the most gifted passer the league has ever seen. After relatively down years in ’18 and ’19, Rodgers has lit the league ablaze in each of the last two seasons. Over his last 32 regular season games, Rodgers has thrown 85 touchdown passes to just nine interceptions. He holds the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in league history (4.83). To put Rodgers’ ability to take care of the ball in perspective, he is one of just eight players to have thrown for over 400 touchdowns in a career — and is the only member of that club to have done it while throwing fewer than 200 interceptions. Rodgers has thrown 93 picks in his career. Just remarkable stuff, and the 38-year-old doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
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2. Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald didn’t need a Super Bowl ring to cement himself as one of the greatest defenders of all-time, but it certainly doesn’t hurt his case. Donald has been the league’s most feared defender for a half-decade. He has completely revolutionized the defensive tackle position, and is a game-breaking force all by himself. Offenses have no choice but to send double (sometimes, triple) teams his way, and those don’t even do a great job of slowing Donald down. Though he reportedly contemplated retirement following the Rams’ big win, the 30-year-old Donald is still at the peak of his powers and seemingly can continue to dominate the league for years to come.
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1. Patrick Mahomes
Gifted with one of the strongest arms in the league, there is no throw that Mahomes is incapable of making. He’s not just a big arm though; Mahomes has exhibited great touch and accuracy. Most impressively, Mahomes has been excellent at completing passes from outside of the pocket and on the run. In four full seasons as a starter, Mahomes has reached at least the AFC Championship Game every year (and has made it to two Super Bowls). With a Super Bowl MVP and regular season MVP already in tow, there’s no telling how much more hardware he will acquire before it’s all said and done. Mahomes is the present and the future.
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