On Monday, the NFL concluded their “Top 100 Players list of 2017,” unveiling Tom Brady as the holder of the No. 1 spot — but we already knew he was going to be there.
Like any topic in sports, there’s always room for debate and the “Top 100” is no different. Given that there are 1,696 players in the NFL, there were bound to be some players who had an impressive 2016 season but for some reason didn’t make the cut.
It’s worth mentioning that the “Top 100” is not your traditional ranking. Instead of media, coaches or fans deciding, it’s actually the players who decide who make the list.
With that in mind, here are our five biggest snubs.
Eric Weddle, S, Baltimore Ravens
Essentially a linebacker in the secondary, Weddle can make plays in the box or stop receivers on wide routes. He had a career-high in assisted tackles (41) and the second most interceptions he’s ever had in a season (four). Maybe it was the Ravens’ final defensive play of the season against the Steelers that gave the four-time pro bowler the boot.
Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears
This year’s running backs on the “Top 100” and their ranking: Adrian Peterson (No. 98, who’s season was limited to just three games due to a knee injury), Legarrette Blount (No. 80), Jay Ajayi (No. 69), Devonta Freeman (No. 41), DeMarco Murray (No. 33), LeSean McCoy (No. 27), David Johnson (No. 12), Le’Veon Bell (No. 9) and Ezekiel Elliot (No. 7). Aside from Elliott, Howard’s 1,313 rushing yards were more than any other player on this list, good for second-most in the league behind Elliot. Not to mention his 252 touches were less than all of them outside of McCoy (234) and Freeman (227), which means he got fewer chances yet produced more.
Alex Mack, C, Atlanta Falcons
The “Top 100” list has existed since 2011, and somehow the four-time pro-bowler and two-time all-pro was once again left off. In Mack’s first year with the Falcons, Atlanta’s 540 total points were the seventh most in NFL history (tied with the 2000 Rams). Matt Ryan certainly didn’t mind having Mack block for him. With his new centre, the 2016 MVP averaged 9.26 passing yards per attempt — the highest YPA average ever by a quarterback.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
It may not have been as flashy as Odell Beckham Jr.’s 2014 campaign, but Thomas had a severely underrated rookie year. Racking up 1,137 receiving yards in 2016, Thomas gave New Orleans the confidence to deal their No. 1 receiver in Brandin Cooks.
Deion Jones, MLB, Atlanta Falcons
It’s players like Jones that make football so exciting. A do-it-all linebacker, the then-rookie meshed with Dan Quinn’s defensive system. Jones led the NFC champions with 108 combined tackles and three interceptions, and chipped in two defensive touchdowns for good measure. However, not recording a sack may have damaged his chances of making the list.
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