NFL Player Rankings

Most people that know me know that I am a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan, and a huge fan of football in general. And a few weeks ago, I had a heated debate with a friend on who the best Running Back in the NFL is. So that has gotten me to make a post on who I think is the best at each position in the NFL. It will also be interesting to see how this last changes over the years. This will obviously take some time, as I don't think I'll get it all finished in one night or two. But I should be finished within 2 weeks.


Quarterback

1. Peyton Manning, IND: Well, quarterbacks are pretty easy to determine a top 5. 99% of people will have the same 3 people in the top 3, just in different orders. For me, #1 goes to Peyton Manning. He might be the most consistent QB in NFL history, and studies more film and prepares for the game better than any other QB. It's like he knows exactly what the defense is going to do every play. If you watch him play a game, you'll see why he is #1 on my list.

2. Tom Brady, NE: To be honest, you can argue for Brady to be #1 or #2, it's really more of a personal preference. Even people that hate Brady can't put him any lower than #3. Maybe it's because I hate the Patriots, maybe it's because I hate Brady, or maybe it's just because I think Manning puts in more preparation time. Who knows, but I have Brady at #2 because I have Manning at #1.

3. Drew Brees, NO: Brees rounds out the top 3 elite quarterbacks in this league. He's always been one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and with the recent Superbowl win, he won't have to face any questions about getting a ring. If you took Manning or Brady off their teams and replaced them with Brees, the offense wouldn't miss a beat. He had major elbow surgery after the 2005 season and since then all he has done since then has gotten better every single season since.

4. Phillip Rivers, SD: Rivers was drafted in 2004, didn't take the field until 2006 when the Chargers released Drew Brees, and Rivers stepped in and played like he never missed a game. He isn't the flashiest quarterback, but he makes the plays and gets the job done. He has also increased his yardage the past 3 years, decreased his interceptions the past 3 years, and has posted back to back 100+ passer ratings. He isn't in the same class as the top 3, but he is the best of the rest.

5. Aaron Rodgers, GB: Rodgers is in the same exact boat as Rivers. Drafted in 2005, sat behind Brett Favre for 3 years, then stepped in and played as if it was his team the entire time. But Rodgers has had the "luxury" of playing behind a terrible offensive line until this year. Had 50 sacks last year, but still managed almost a 65% completion percentage and over 4,400 yards. He also adds another dimension as he is one of the more agile quarterbacks in the league, rushing for over 500 yards and 9 TDs the past 2 years combined.




Running Back

1. Adrian Peterson, MIN: Adrian Peterson ran for almost 4,500 yards his first 3 seasons, and 40 touchdowns. And he may be having his best season yet. While he may be one of the worst at pass protection, there is no doubt I think he is the best at pure running. He is one of the strongest and fastest running backs in the NFL, and above all else, may have cut back on his fumbling problems. While the season is young, he hasn't fumbled through 4 games yet after fumbling 19 times his first 3 years. I believe he not only rushes for over 2,000 yards this season, but will break the single season rushing record.

2. Steven Jackson, STL: I'm sure most will be surprised that Chris Johnson isn't here, but I believe Jackson is one of the hardest working running backs in the NFL and even though he is on a terrible team he still gets the job done year after year. People forget about Jackson because the Rams have been absolutely terrible these past few years, and Jackson has missed 9 games over the last 3 years due to an injury, and yet still manages respectable numbers ever year. People also forget that before the Rams dropped to the bottom of the league that Jackson had over 2,300 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. I believe Sam Bradford will extremely help that offense and in a year or two Steven Jackson will again be a household name.

3. DeAngelo Williams, CAR: This may be the most surprising ranking you will read, but I believe it is a correct ranking. There is no doubt that the Panthers suck right now, and the defense can still put 8 men in the box to stop the running game. But it hasn't stopped Williams. The Panthers quarterbacks have combined for like 3 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, leaving Williams with just 68 carries through 5 games, but he is on pace for over 1,000 yards and already has 4 runs of over 20 yards, which is tied for 4th in the league. Just 2 years ago he ran for 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns! Oh, and in case your forgot, Jonathan Stewart is there taking away carries from him. If the panthers can find a passing game, then Williams can continue putting up numbers like he did 2 years ago, when people had him as one of the best in the game.

4. Chris Johnson, TEN: I know what your thinking. Finally, we see Chris Johnson, why wasn't he 1st or 2nd? Well, unlike most people, I haven't hopped on the bandwagon of putting him as the greatest running back of all time. Yes, he ran for 2,000 yards, yes he broke the single season yards from scrimmage record, and yes he may be the most dynamic player in the game. But yes, he also ran more time than any other running back last year. In my eyes he is a complete hit or miss running back. When he hits it's an 80 yard touchdown. When he misses, it's a loss. Through 5 games, Johnson has 113 carries. 13 times he has lost yardage on the play. That's 11.5% of the time. To put into perspective, Thomas Jones has carried the ball 60 times and lost yardage just 3 times (Chiefs have 24th ranked offense at this moment). Sometimes it's not about the yardage you gain, but it's the yardage you don't lose.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ: This was a tough pick for me. Any 1 of 5 guys could have gone here, but I decided to go with LT. People get caught up in his terrible season last year where he was hurt, and forget about everything he did before that. He spoiled fans with his 1,800 yard, 28 TD performance in 2006, because when he only ran for 1,100 yards and 11 TDs it was considered a terrible year for him. He is one of the best at picking up the blitz, and is having one of his best statistical starts of his career. If Shonne Greene wasn't on the Jets, I think LT would come very close to 2,000 yards. Last year he had 3 runs over 20 yards the entire season (223 carries). This year, he already has 4 in just 76 carries. He is proving that if your a running back and you turn 30, your career isn't over yet.




Wide Receivers

1. Andre Johnson, HOU: 75.5 - Number of yards Jerry Rice averaged per game. 78.8 - Number of yards Andre Johnson averages per game. 5.1 - Number of catches Jerry Rice averaged per game. 5.8 - Number of catches per game Andre Johnson averages. Need I go on? It should also be noted that Johnson was on a start up team with a terrible offensive line that never gave David Carr a chance, not to mention he has also had Sage Rosenfels as a quarterback throwing to him. Jerry Rice had who? Steve Young throwing to him? Is he any good? Needless to say, Andre Johnson is an incredible talent and may give Jerry Rice a run for his records.

2. Calvin Johnson, DET: When healthy he may be better than Andre Johnson, but injuries have plagued him for his first few years. With that said he has also played through some tough injuries, and it would be a great matchup to see him go against Darelle Revis. He is in a terrible situation and has been the spotlight of defenses, but if the Lions can get any kind of consistency, Calvin Johnson will put up numbers like you've never seen before. If you ever watch him play you'll understand why I have him as the #2 overall WR.

3. Reggie Wayne, IND: Shadowed behind Marvin Harrison for the majority of his career, many wondered if Wayne was just a product of being left in 1 on 1 coverage. So when Harrison left all Reggie Wayne did was grab 145 balls for almost 1,900 yards and 12 TDs in 22 games. He is one of the best all around receivers in the game. He doesn't excel in any category, but has speed to burn most defensive backs, has the agility and awareness to run exact routes, and has even made some nice 1 handed catches over the course of his career.

4. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI: One of the most athletically gifted athletes in the game today. He is probably one of the few guys in the league that could actually hike the ball himself and throw it to himself to make plays. His current quarterback situation is absolutely terrible, and that's what moves him down my list. My top 2 receivers have proved they can perform with any quarterback throwing them the ball, Larry Fitzgerald is having trouble, not to mention is also now the sole center of attention for the defenses since Boldin got traded. He'll need to step his game up a little if he is to be continued to be called one of the elite receivers in this league.

5. Anquan Boldin, BAL: A former teammate of Fitzgerald, Boldin might be the toughest receiver in the NFL. A couple years ago he got destroyed on a play, had to have screws put in his face and some serious surgery, and game back less than a month later. He set all kinds of records in his first few years, and while his production has declined these past few years, but with a new scene in Baltimore, his production is up and his chemistry with Joe Flacco will only get stronger. I believe when his career is over, he will be known as one of the best receivers to ever play the game.




Offensive Linemen

I debated on what to do here. Go by each position, LT, LG, C, RG, and RT, or just do an overall top 5. Well for now, I have decided to do a top 5 of each position, but will hold off on the descriptions as these aren't the glamor positions that people like to read. I do however plan on getting back to them at a later date.

Left Tackle

1. Joe Thomas, CLE
2. Jake Long, MIA
3. Ryan Clady, DEN
4. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, NYJ
5. Michael Oher, BAL

Left Guard

1. Steve Hutchinson, MIN
2. Logan Mankins, NE
3. Alan Faneca, ARI
4. Ben Grubbs, BAL
5. Kris Dielman, SD

Center

1. Nick Mangold, NYJ
2. Jeff Saturday, IND
3. Shaun O'hara, NYG
4. Jason Brown, STL
5. Matt Birk, BAL

Right Guard

1. Jahri Evans, NO
2. Chris Snee, NYG
3. Davin Joseph, TB
4. Leonard Davis, DAL
5. Brandon Moore, NYJ

Right Tackle

1. Jeff Otah, CAR
2. Jared Gaither, BAL
3. Damen Woody, NYJ
4. Jon Stinchcomb, NO
5. David Stewart, TEN



Fullback

1. Leonard Weaver, PHI
2. Le'Ron McClain, BAL
3. Tony Richardson, NYJ
4. Lawrence Vickers, CLE
5. Madison Hedgecock, NYG



Tight End

1. Antonio Gates, SD
2. Dallas Clark, IND
3. Jermichael Finley, GB
4. Brent Celek, PHI
5. Vernon Davis, SF






Right Defensive End (Lined Up Across Left Tackle)

1. Dwight Freeny, IND
2. Jared Allen, MIN
3. Trent Cole, PHI
4. Osi Umenyiora, NYG
5. Mario Williams, HOU

Left Defensive End (Lined Up Across Right Tackle)

1. Robert Mathis, IND
2. Julius Peppers, CHI
3. Justin Tuck, NYG
4. Ray Edwards, MIN
5. Chris Clemons, SEA

Defensive Tackle

1. Kevin Williams, MIN
2. Ndamukong Suh, DET
3. Kris Jenkins, NYJ
4. Shuan Rodgers, CLE
5. Vince Wilfork, NE

Outside Linebacker

1. Demarcus Ware, DAL
2. Clay Matthews, GB
3. James Harrison, PIT
4. Elvis Dumervil, DEN
5. Calvin Pace, NYJ

Middle Linebacker

1. Patrick Willis, SF
2. Jon Beason, CAR
3. Ray Lewis, BAL
4. DeMeco Ryans, HOU
5. Brian Urlacher, CHI

Cornerback

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, OAK
2. Darrelle Revis, NYJ
3. Asante Samuel, PHI
4. Antonio Cromartie, NYJ
5. Champ Bailey, DEN

Free Safety

1. Ed Reed, BAL
2. Darren Sharper, NO
3. Antrel Rolle, NYG
4. Nick Collins, GB
5. Brian Dawkins, DEN

Strong Safety

1. Troy Polamalu, PIT
2. Bob Sanders, IND
3. Kenny Phillips, NYG
4. Atari Bigby, GB
5. Donte Whitner, BUF