Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season

This list isn’t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. It factors in talent, previous production, and the potential for regression via age or injuries. Every position entered the selection process with an equal value. I did this to prevent positional bias, which usually favors quarterbacks and wide receivers. Instead, players received ranks based on how they compared to peers at their positions. Several quarterbacks still ended up in the top ten, and a few incoming stud rookies make appearances.

The top 200 includes some speculation because it ultimately includes projections, such as free agents landing with competent teams or players recovering from injuries. However, the rankings heavily favor players with multiple seasons of high-level production and efficiency. Perceived talent broke any ties between players in the evaluation process.

Injuries played a somewhat inconsistent role in the rankings. Players with lengthy injury histories suffered significant drops, but sometimes the combination of incredible talent and injury issues produced questionable results. Calculating a player’s deserved ranking while taking into account age and missed time was by far the least precise part of this process.

Keep in mind that this list is subjective and reflects the opinions of one writer. For more context, check out the 2020 top 100 rankings.

All passer rating data for defenders and wide receivers and basic stat lines come from Pro Football Reference. The data on sacks and penalties for offensive linemen comes from Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Notable omissions: Cam Akers, Kevin Byard, Frank Clark, La’el Collins, Landon Collins, Brandin Cooks, Travis Etienne, Antonio Gibson, Melvin Gordon, Rob Gronkowski, Trey Hendrickson, Hunter Henry, Tee Higgins, Austin Hooper, Eddie Jackson, Byron Jones, Jarvis Landry, Mike McGlinchey, Morgan Moses, Haason Reddick, Penei Sewell, Darius Slay, Courtland Sutton, Olivier Vernon, Robert Woods

200. Kyle Van Noy, LB Miami Dolphins

Last year’s rank: Unranked

While Van Noy isn’t a superstar, he plays a crucial role in Miami’s 3-4 scheme. Lining up as an outside linebacker, Van Noy excels in most facets of the game. He can provide pressure off the edge, get downhill in the running game, and provide solid snaps in coverage. The 29-year-old is just a well-rounded player.

199. Brandon Brooks, G Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Brooks suffered a torn Achilles last June, which led to him missing the entire 2020 season. The 31-year-old made three consecutive Pro Bowls, and PFF selected him as a First-Team All-Pro in 2019. With over a year to recover, Brooks could return to his elite form.

198. Calais Campbell, DT Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: 59

Campbell made his sixth Pro Bowl in 2020 despite having his least productive season since his rookie year. The 34-year-old also made the jump to defensive tackle and missed four games, which sapped his usual production. With a year in Baltimore under his belt, Campbell could see his numbers rebound.

197. Joe Mixon, RB Cincinnati Bengals

Last year’s rank: 79

The 24-year-old Oklahoma product missed Cincinnati’s final ten games in 2020. Mixon struggled in his six appearances, only averaging over 3.7 yards per carry once. The former college standout produced 2,305 rushing yards while averaging 76.8 yards per game between 2018 and 2019. A clean bill of health and some new additions to the offensive line could revive Mixon’s production.

196. Zach Ertz, TE Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: 64

Age and injuries finally caught up with Ertz in 2020. Poor quarterback play didn’t help either. In 11 games, Ertz produced 335 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 86 receptions, 914 yards, and five touchdowns over the previous five seasons. Ertz is only 30 years old and could have a few Pro Bowl years left.

195. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE Miami Dolphins

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After two ten-sack seasons at Oklahoma State, the Cleveland Browns selected Ogbah 32nd overall in 2016. The Nigerian defensive end didn’t stick in Cleveland, but he’s gradually become more productive. Ogbah recorded 42 tackles, nine sacks, 36 pressures, and three forced fumbles this past season.

194. Najee Harris, RB Alabama Crimson Tide*

Last year’s rank: College

Harris is the best running back in the 2021 NFL Draft, narrowly edging out Clemson’s Travis Etienne. With several backs from the 2020 class performing well this past season, it isn’t a stretch to bet on Harris carving out a quality role as a rookie.

193. Kyle Pitts, TE Florida Gators*

Last year’s rank: College

Depending on how quickly quarterbacks fly off the board, Pitts could go as a top ten pick in the upcoming draft. Eric Ebron and T.J. Hockenson are the only tight ends from the past decade to go in the first ten picks. Both made Pro Bowls in recent years. Pitts’ production relies heavily on where he lands, but the 20-year-old has an All-Pro ceiling.

192. Ndamukong Suh, DT Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

According to Pro Football Reference, in 2020 Suh played the fewest snaps of his career since the website began tracking snap counts in 2012. However, the 34-year-old stepped up in Vita Vea’s prolonged absence. He battled for 44 tackles, six sacks, and 29 pressures. In the Super Bowl, Suh recorded 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hits in 48 snaps.

191. Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU Tigers*

Last year’s rank: College

While DeVonta Smith almost cracked this list, Chase always had a spot. The former Tiger is bigger and stronger than Smith, even if he sat out this past season. LSU has a history of producing Pro Bowl receivers. Chase should add his name to the mix over the next several years.

190. Jaylon Smith, LB Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: 75

Smith missed his rookie season with an injury he suffered at Notre Dame but made a remarkable recovery. In his three seasons as a full-time starter, Smith has 417 tackles, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. After making the Pro Bowl in 2019, Smith suffered several setbacks, especially in the passing game. Teams targeted him this past season.

189. Zach Cunningham, LB Houston Texans

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Cunningham led the NFL with 164 tackles this past year, including a league-leading 106 solo tackles. Since entering the league in 2017, the Vanderbilt product has 503 tackles and 6.5 sacks. However, Cunningham struggles in pass coverage. Pro Football Reference claims he allowed a 126.0 passer rating when targeted in 2020.

188. Dexter Lawrence, DE/DT New York Giants

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Lawrence plays a key role along New York’s formidable defensive line. After a strong rookie campaign, the Clemson product set career-highs with 53 tackles, four sacks, and 16 pressures. While he lines up as a defensive end, Lawrence plays more like a 3-4 run-stopping defensive tackle. He’s an unheralded hero playing in the country’s largest market.

187. Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson Tigers*

Last year’s rank: College

The NFL Draft is one giant lottery where general managers and scouts make educated guesses about the futures of young men. This educated guess puts Lawrence just outside the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL for the 2021 season. The presumed first overall pick has a non-throwing shoulder injury he’s having surgery for but should return in time for camp.

186. Ryan Kelly, C Indianapolis Colts

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After missing significant time during his second and third seasons, Kelly started 31 of Indianapolis’ previous 32 games. He’s made the last two Pro Bowls after cementing himself as one of the NFL’s most recognizable centers. The Associated Press (AP) rewarded Kelly with a Second-Team All-Pro bid this past year.

185. Joe Haden, CB Pittsburgh Steelers 

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Haden experienced a significant resurgence after arriving in Pittsburgh. He made the Pro Bowl in 2019, only allowing a 66.5 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Reference. The 31-year-old experienced some regression in 2020 but still made his presence felt with two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and a defensive touchdown.

184. Dallas Goedert, TE Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: 83

If the Eagles move on from Zach Ertz this offseason, it’s because they have a lot of faith in Goedert. The South Dakota State product is a sturdy run-blocker and creates mismatches across the field. Goedert’s statistical production declined from 2019 to 2020 as Philadelphia’s offense and Carson Wentz crumbled. Quarterback play could continue affecting his career trajectory in 2021.

183. David Montgomery, RB Chicago Bears

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After a disappointing rookie campaign, Montgomery rebounded with a strong sophomore performance. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry on his way to 1,070 rushing yards. Montgomery finished the season with 1,508 yards from scrimmage and ten total touchdowns. The 23-year-old could see even more action in 2021 as Chicago desperately searches for a franchise quarterback.

182. Noah Fant, TE Denver Broncos

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Despite playing with Kendall Hinton and Drew Lock throwing him the ball, Fant had a fantastic second season. The former 20th overall pick caught 62 passes for 673 yards and three touchdowns. If the Broncos ever figure out their quarterback situation, Fant could make the Pro Bowl.

181. Micah Hyde, S Buffalo Bills

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Hyde’s past three seasons didn’t approached his Pro Bowl campaign in 2017. However, the 30-year-old is still one of the NFL’s best safeties. He and Jordan Poyer form an elite duo that helped propel Buffalo to the Conference Championship game. Hyde finished 2020 with 70 tackles, one interception, and five passes defensed.

180. Malcolm Jenkins, S New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Jenkins is the elder statesman in New Orleans’ secondary. After not intercepting a pass in 2019, the 33-year-old rebounded this past season. He picked off three passes while also tallying 91 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and ten passes defensed. Even in the late stages of his career, Jenkins is a versatile defensive back capable of lining up in multiple positions and playing over 1,000 snaps.

179. Lane Johnson, OT Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: 60

Between 2017 and 2019, Johnson made three consecutive Pro Bowls. He also earned a First-Team All-Pro selection from the AP in 2017. Unfortunately, the former fourth overall pick’s best days are behind him. Johnson missed nine games in 2020 and four games the previous year. His compounded injuries and Philadelphia’s current state make an All-Pro run in 2021 highly unlikely.

178. Quandre Diggs, S Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: Unranked

In his first full year with the Seahawks, Diggs had one of his career’s best seasons. The former sixth-round pick recorded 64 tackles, five interceptions, and ten passes defensed. Unfortunately, Diggs and Seattle’s entire secondary struggled in pass coverage, giving up too many big plays.

177. Matt Ioannidis, DE/DT Washington Football Team

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Ioannidis missed most of the 2020 season because of a torn bicep. He only appeared in three games a year after setting multiple career-highs. In 2019, Ioannidis recorded 64 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 35 pressures. He might not have the same starting role on Washington’s loaded front next year because of recent additions, but Ioannidis is exceptionally talented and underrated.

176. Logan Thomas, TE Washington Football Team

Last year’s rank: Unranked

It took Thomas a long time to reach this point. Originally a quarterback at Virginia Tech, Thomas went to the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth-round nearly seven years ago. He never caught on in the desert and spent time with five different teams before landing in Washington. Thomas set career-highs with 72 receptions, 670 yards, and six touchdowns this past season.

175. Matt Judon, OLB Baltimore Ravens (FA)

Last year’s rank: 90

A former fifth-round pick, Judon made each of the past two Pro Bowls. He has 30.5 sacks and 50 tackles for loss over the past four seasons to go along with three consecutive seasons with over 30 pressures. While Judon is productive as a pass rusher, he doesn’t crack the NFL’s elite ranks.

174. Mekhi Becton, OT New York Jets

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Becton entered the NFL to an array of criticism about his lack of refinement at left tackle. While the 364 lb. giant didn’t make the Pro Bowl, Becton dispelled the idea that he couldn’t stick with elite competitors. The Louisville product missed two games, leading to him only playing 691 offensive snaps as a rookie.

173. D.J. Moore, WR Carolina Panthers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Moore was quietly one of the NFL’s most productive wide receivers over the past two seasons. He averaged 78.9 yards per game during that time on his way to 153 receptions, 2,368 yards, and eight touchdowns. Moore hasn’t made a Pro Bowl yet, but he’s producing at a high level with average quarterback play.

172. Tyler Lockett, WR Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Lockett made the Pro Bowl during his rookie season as a return man. The Seahawks have since removed the 28-year-old from special teams so he can focus on what matters, catching passes from Russell Wilson. Lockett has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and he made 239 receptions for 3,076 yards and 28 touchdowns over the past three years while catching 76.6% of his targets.

171. Ezekiel Elliott, RB Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: 31

The former Ohio State star dominated during his first four seasons in the NFL, averaging 96.5 yards per game and ten rushing touchdowns per season. Things went downhill in 2020. A combination of poor offensive line play and quarterback struggles contributed to Elliott’s decline. He averaged 4.0 yards per carry and 65.3 rushing yards per game, leading to a career-low 979 rushing yards.

170. Miles Sanders, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Sanders wasn’t as productive as Ezekiel Elliott this past season, but the second-year Penn State back was more efficient. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 5.5 yards per touch despite playing behind a poor offensive line and with a combustible quarterback. Sanders deserves a heavier workload in 2021. The 23-year-old has Pro Bowl potential.

169. Brandon Linder, C Jacksonville Jaguars

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Injuries remain a constant concern with Linder. The 29-year-old missed seven games this past year, contributing to Jacksonville’s misery. Linder’s only 16-game season since entering the NFL in 2014 as a third-round pick came in 2019, and he’s missed 17 games over the past four years. When Linder is healthy, he’s one of Jacksonville’s lone bright spots.

168. Anthony Harris, S Minnesota Vikings (FA)

Last year’s rank: 61

Harris didn’t have a good 2020 campaign. After tying for the NFL-lead with six interceptions in 2019 and earning a First-Team All-Pro selection from PFF, Harris didn’t intercept a pass in 2020. He finished the season with 104 tackles and seven passes defensed while allowing a 118.1 passer rating when targeted. Harris played at an elite level in 2018 and 2019. He can still get back to that point.

167. Andrew Whitworth, OT Los Angeles Rams

Last year’s rank: Unranked

No one, especially not the Bengals, expected Whitworth to play well for this long. If they had, Cincinnati would’ve never let the LSU product walk away in 2017. At 39 years old, Whitworth is well past his prime. He only played in nine games this past season, but Whitworth dominated in those performances. He can still have a star season.

166. Baker Mayfield, QB Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The former Heisman Trophy winner opened 2020 by throwing ten touchdowns and six interceptions in Cleveland’s first six matchups. Mayfield corrected himself in Week 7 and played at a high level for the final ten games. He finished the year with a 95.9 passer rating, 26 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. The Browns finally made the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

165. Marshon Lattimore, CB New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Lattimore has a career game every time he goes against Mike Evans and the Buccaneers. Unfortunately, the three-time Pro Bowler doesn’t have sustained success against other opponents. The NFC South features plenty of star receivers, but that doesn’t excuse Lattimore allowing seven touchdowns and a 94.5 passer rating when targeted in 2020.

164. James Robinson, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

Last year’s rank: Unranked

An undrafted free agent from Illinois State, Robinson took the NFL by storm the same way Phillip Lindsay did a few years ago. Robinson ran for 1,070 yards in 14 games, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. The 22-year-old amassed 1,414 yards from scrimmage and is one of Jacksonville’s only building blocks currently under contract.

163. Akiem Hicks, DT Chicago Bears

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Hicks was a Pro Bowl-caliber player during his 2016-18 run. It’s no surprise that Chicago’s defense also peaked during those seasons. Unfortunately, injuries, old age, and a depleted supporting cast have taken a toll on Hicks. He finished 2020 with 49 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 29 pressures.

162. Yannick Ngakoue, DE/OLB Baltimore Ravens (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Ngakoue had an odd 2020. The Jaguars traded him to Minnesota before the season, but the Vikings sent him to Baltimore after a few games. The result was Ngakoue playing fewer than 700 defensive snaps for the first time in his career. The former Pro Bowler hasn’t lived up to his promising 2017 production over the past several years.

161. Joe Thuney, G New England Patriots (FA)

Last year’s rank: 68

New England franchise tagged Thuney last year, putting the organization in a tough place this offseason. In 2020, Thuney started 16 games for the fifth consecutive season and played at a high level. The Patriots don’t have a habit of keeping players like Thuney around, which could lead to one of the NFL’s better guards hitting the open market.

160. Bryce Callahan, CB Denver Broncos

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Callahan made a name for himself as a slot corner on the Bears. However, the 29-year-old took his game to another level this past season as the former undrafted free agent began seeing more time as an outside corner. Callahan held quarterbacks to a 47.8 passer rating when targeted.

159. Josh Allen, DE Jacksonville Jaguars

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After a Pro Bowl rookie season, Allen missed half of Jacksonville’s games in 2020. The former seventh overall pick wasn’t having a great season before getting injured either. The departures of Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue might’ve exposed some chinks in Allen’s game. The Jaguars hope he rounds back into form this coming season.

158. Leighton Vander Esch, LB Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: 48

Vander Esch’s potential is enticing, but he hasn’t played at one hundred percent since his rookie year. The Boise State product took the league by storm in 2018, along with Darius Leonard. Vander Esch made the Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All-Pro selections from the AP and PFF. He’s played 19 games over the past two years and hasn’t approached his 2018 form.

157. Kareem Hunt, RB Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Hunt is more than good enough to serve as a bell cow back on another team. Everyone saw his Pro Bowl performances in Kansas City. While playing alongside Nick Chubb limits Hunt’s production, it also gives him a chance to extend his career. Hunt started five games this past season, producing 1,145 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns.

156. Jake Matthews, OT Atlanta Falcons

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Since entering the NFL as the sixth overall pick in 2014, Matthews has only missed one start. While he made the Pro Bowl in 2018, Matthews hasn’t consistently received attention for performing at an elite level. PFF claims the 29-year-old only surrendered three sacks and three penalties in 2020 while playing 1,113 snaps.

155. David DeCastro, G Pittsburgh Steelers

Last year’s rank: 85

Once one of the NFL’s top three guards, DeCastro’s prime ended quickly. While he’s still an above-average starter, the 31-year-old no longer hears his name in All-Pro discussions. However, DeCastro still made his sixth Pro Bowl this past season. PFF credits the Stanford product with only allowing two sacks on 2,456 pass-blocking snaps over the past four years.

154. J.K. Dobbins, RB Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Baltimore made a long-term commitment to Dobbins by releasing Mark Ingram earlier this year. Dobbins steps into Baltimore’s starting role after averaging 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie. The electric Ohio State product ran for 805 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie despite only getting 134 carries.

153. Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

In 2020, Pierre-Paul made the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2012. The former All-Pro recorded 55 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 22 pressures, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions. He also played a prominent role in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl run, amassing 13 tackles and two sacks in the playoffs. Since joining the Buccaneers in 2018, Pierre-Paul has 30.5 sacks.

152. Odell Beckham, WR Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: 97

Beckham only played seven games this past season, marking his latest injury-shortened campaign. The 28-year-old is a cultural icon, but he hasn’t played like a Pro Bowler since 2018 and hasn’t put together a Pro Bowl season since 2016. After three outstanding seasons to open his career, Beckham hasn’t consistently performed at an elite level.

151. Brian Burns, DE Carolina Panthers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The Panthers found a franchise defensive end when they selected Burns with the 16th pick in 2019. He made significant strides between his rookie season and 2020. Burns racked up 58 tackles, nine sacks, 37 pressures, and three forced fumbles. He should continue progressing as Matt Rhule builds Carolina’s defense.

150. Laremy Tunsil, OT Houston Texans

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The Texans went all-in on a deal for Tunsil two years ago, believing they could land Deshaun Watson’s blindside protector for the next decade. While Tunsil made the last two Pro Bowls, he’s still a far cry from the NFL’s elite left tackles and hasn’t played an entire 16-game season in his five-year career.

149. Montez Sweat, DE Washington Football Team

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The Mississippi State product had a decent rookie season before kicking things up a notch in 2020. Sweat finished the year with 45 tackles, nine sacks, 31 pressures, two forced fumbles, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Chase Young captures headlines, but Sweat is a budding star in his own right.

148. Rodney Hudson, C Las Vegas Raiders

Last year’s rank: 84

As Alex Mack declines and Maurkice Pouncey enters retirement, Hudson remains one of the few elite holdovers at center from the past decade. An AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2019, Hudson is one of the five best players at his position. According to PFF, the 31-year-old only committed one foul and allowed one sack on 1,082 snaps this past season.

147. Jeremy Chinn, LB Carolina Panthers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

A linebacker-safety hybrid coming out of Southern Illinois, Chinn allowed a 115.5 passer rating and six touchdowns when targeted in 2020. While he got picked on in pass coverage, Chinn was all over the field for Carolina. He recorded 117 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and two defensive touchdowns.

146. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Edwards-Helaire missed three games during his rookie season, but the LSU product still made an impact. He averaged 4.4 yards per rush and finished the year with 1,100 yards from scrimmage. Kansas City’s pass-heavy offense often masks Edwards-Helaire’s true potential. When the offense ran through him in Week 6, the 21-year-old ran for 161 yards on 26 carries.

145. Jonathan Taylor, RB Indianapolis Colts

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Except for a 100-yard game in Week 2, Taylor struggled early in his rookie season. The Wisconsin product only had 428 rushing yards in his first nine games. However, Taylor figured things out down the stretch. He wrapped up the year with 741 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in his final six games. Taylor finished 2020 with 1,468 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns.

144. Mike Gesicki, TE Miami Dolphins

Last year’s rank: Unranked

If the Dolphins pair Gesicki with a stable quarterback, he’ll have a Pro Bowl season. The 25-year-old caught 53 passes for 703 yards and six touchdowns in 2020, building on a promising 2019 campaign. Between Gesicki and DeVante Parker, the Dolphins have two viable receiving threats to carry their offense.

143. Adam Thielen, WR Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Thielen doesn’t have the same explosiveness as Odell Beckham, but he’s produced at a higher level over the past four seasons. While playing second fiddle to Justin Jefferson, Thielen caught 74 passes for 925 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s averaged 70.0 receiving yards per game and nearly 1,000 yards per year since 2017.

142. Blake Martinez, LB New York Giants

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Martinez filled the stat sheet in Green Bay, but Packers fans were happy when he left for New York. The former fourth-round pick struggled mightily during his four-year stint in Titletown. Luckily, the 27-year-old flipped that narrative on its head in 2020, allowing a significantly lower passer rating when targeted and giving up zero touchdowns. Martinez has 594 tackles and 12 sacks over the past four years.

141. CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: Unranked

During his five games with Dak Prescott, Lamb averaged 86.6 yards per game. That dropped to 45.6 yards per game with Andy Dalton and Ben DiNucci under center. Despite below-average quarterback play, Lamb finished his rookie season with 74 receptions for 935 yards and five touchdowns. The 21-year-old Oklahoma product is a Pro Bowler in the making.

140. Kenny Clark, NT Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: 88

Most analysts view Clark as one of the NFL’s best nose tackles. Unfortunately, the former Pro Bowler experienced a significant drop in production this past season. He missed three games while watching his sack, tackle, and tackle for loss averages all decline from previous years. Clark is still only 25 years old.

139. Myles Jack, LB Jacksonville Jaguars

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Jaylon Smith and Jack entered the NFL at the same time. While Smith momentarily surpassed Jack, the UCLA product retook his superior positioning this past year. In 14 games, Jack recorded 118 tackles, a sack, and an interception. More importantly, Jack outperformed players like Zach Cunningham and Smith in pass coverage.

138. Jeffery Simmons, DT Tennessee Titans

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After playing in an abbreviated rookie campaign, Simmons assumed the mantle of Tennessee’s best defender. The 23-year-old defensive tackle recorded 49 tackles, three sacks, and 21 pressures in 15 appearances. Mike Vrabel hopes Simmons develops into a Pro Bowler shortly.

137. Derek Carr, QB Las Vegas Raiders

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Some Raiders fans blame Carr for their team’s endless mediocrity. While the 29-year-old hasn’t lived up to the MVP potential he flashed in 2016, Carr is still one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks. Over the past two seasons, he’s completed 68.8% of his passes for 8,157 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Carr has a 101.1 passer rating during that time.

136. Cooper Kupp, WR Los Angeles Rams

Last year’s rank: 77

Kupp flashed Pro Bowl potential in an injury-shortened 2018 season before catching 94 passes for 1,161 yards and ten touchdowns in 2019. He came back to Earth a little this past year, making 92 receptions for 974 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Matthew Stafford’s arrival should bolster the 27-year-old’s production.

135. Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta Falcons

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Ryan led the NFL in pass attempts (407) and completions (626) this past season. The former MVP is one of Atlanta’s only bright spots. Behind a patchwork offensive line and with no running game or defense to speak of, Ryan can’t restore Atlanta’s winning ways. However, he can still complete 65.0% of his throws for 4,581 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

134. Amari Cooper, WR Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Battling with poor quarterback play for most of 2020, Cooper still hauled in 92 passes for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns. Dallas fed Cooper on a lot of shorter routes to compensate for the quarterback situation. Cooper has 449 receptions, 6,211 yards, and five 1,000-yard seasons in his six-year career.

133. J.C. Jackson, CB New England Patriots (RFA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

With Stephon Gilmore regressing and only playing in 11 games, Jackson meant a lot to New England’s defense. After cutting his teeth as a slot corner, Jackson saw more time outside in 2020. He intercepted nine passes and defended 14 more. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent only allowed a 66.5 passer rating when targeted.

132. David Onyemata, DT New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Onyemata joined the Saints as a fourth-round pick in 2016. He hit his stride in 2020, amassing 44 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 24 pressures, and an interception. New Orleans’ defense finished among the top five teams in points, passing yards, and rushing yards allowed per game. Onyemata is quietly becoming one of the league’s best defensive tackles.

131. Tremaine Edmunds, LB Buffalo Bills

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Coverage remains a significant issue for the next generation of linebackers. Pro Football Reference saddles Edmunds with having allowed four touchdowns and a 114.3 passer rating in 2020. The 22-year-old still has plenty of time to figure things out and bring that component of his game up to match his other Pro Bowl traits. Edmunds’ 2019 season remains his best year.

130. Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Football Team

Last year’s rank: Unranked

McLaurin built on a strong rookie season in 2020, but Washington manufactured more touches for its top receiver because of shaky quarterback play. While McLaurin has a Pro Bowl ceiling, he’s limited by Alex Smith and Washington’s developing offense. The Ohio State product still made 87 receptions for 1,118 yards and four touchdowns in 2020.

129. J.C. Tretter, C Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Tretter isn’t the best player on Cleveland’s revamped offensive line, but he’s at the heart of the unit’s success. The former fourth-round pick hasn’t missed a start since arriving in Cleveland four years ago. PFF credits Tretter with only allowing one sack in 2020 and five sacks since joining the Browns.

128. Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Murray is an electrifying 23-year-old, but the Pro Bowler looked lost in several games this season. His height became an issue against well-coached defensive fronts too. While Murray still gets credit for producing 3,971 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, he’s got a long way to go before becoming elite. Murray also ran for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns.

127. Bradley Chubb, OLB Denver Broncos

Last year’s rank: Unranked

While Chubb didn’t top his outstanding rookie season, the former fifth overall pick made the Pro Bowl in 2020. After only appearing in four games in 2019, Chubb bounced back with 42 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 34 pressures. The 24-year-old could see his numbers take another jump when Von Miller returns in 2021.

126. Mark Andrews, TE Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: 86

Andrews played 58% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps in 2020, marking a significant jump from 41% in 2019. However, the Oklahoma product was more effective two years ago. Andrews missed the Pro Bowl this past season, posting 58 receptions, 701 yards, and seven touchdowns. The decline coincided with Lamar Jackson suffering a statistical drop-off.

125. Joe Burrow, QB Cincinnati Bengals

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Burrow had a decent rookie season but only posted one performance with a passer rating over 110.0. The former Heisman Trophy winner’s supporting cast didn’t do him any favors. Burrow’s ranking remains questionable. He only ranked 28th in depth-adjusted accuracy as a rookie per QB Data Mine. That places Burrow below Nick Foles, Mitchell Trubisky, and Carson Wentz.

124. Kirk Cousins, QB Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: Unranked

While Cousins isn’t an elite quarterback, he’s certainly above average. After tossing 11 touchdowns and ten interceptions in Minnesota’s first six games of 2020, Cousins threw 24 touchdowns and three picks the rest of the way. Since arriving in Minnesota in 2018, the 32-year-old has completed 69.0% of his passes for 12,166 yards, 91 touchdowns, 29 interceptions, and a 103.6 passer rating.

123. Marcus Peters, CB Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: 49

Peters is building a legacy of being one of the most unpredictable corners year-to-year in history. After a disappointing 2018 season with Los Angeles, Peters was a First-Team All-Pro in 2019. While his 2020 performance wasn’t as bad as his stint with the Rams, Peters still missed the Pro Bowl. He finished the year with four interceptions, nine passes defensed, and four forced fumbles.

122. Taylor Decker, OT Detroit Lions

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Taylor isn’t an All-Pro, and he probably won’t become one in the near future. However, the 27-year-old is still an above-average left tackle. PFF credits Decker with only allowing two sacks on 1,048 snaps this past season. While the Lions are in total rebuild mode, at least they don’t have to worry about protecting Jared Goff’s blindside.

121. Matthew Stafford, QB Los Angeles Rams

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Stafford labored in one of the NFL’s least-talented offenses this past year. With Kenny Golladay sidelined and D’Andre Swift struggling to establish himself, Stafford battled through aches and pains for three fourth-quarter comebacks. He should experience a statistical leap in Sean McVay’s system.

120. Richard Sherman, CB San Francisco 49ers (FA)

Last year’s rank: 36

The injury bug bit Sherman again in 2020. He only appeared in five games for the 49ers, recording 18 tackles and one interception. However, organizations remain hopeful that the 32-year-old can turn back the clock to 2019, when he was a Second-Team All-Pro for the AP and a First-Team All-Pro for PFF. The 49ers wouldn’t have gone 13-3 and made the Super Bowl without Sherman.

119. Josh Jacobs, RB Las Vegas Raiders

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Jacobs failed to reach some of the averages from his rookie season that had people calling foul when Kyler Murray won Offensive Rookie of the Year. Jacobs went from averaging 4.8 yards per carry and 88.5 per game to only 3.9 per carry and 71.0 per outing. He still finished 2020 with 1,303 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns, but the efficiency wasn’t there.

118. Darnell Savage, S Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Green Bay has one of the NFL’s best secondaries. While Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos play their roles perfectly, Savage is a rising star. The 23-year-old only allowed a 67.3 passer rating when targeted in 2020. He also made 75 tackles, hauled in four interceptions, and defended 12 passes.

117. Kenny Golladay, WR Detroit Lions (FA)

Last year’s rank: 95

Golladay missed most of the 2020 season, and he’ll probably never play for Detroit again. The 27-year-old made the Pro Bowl in 2019 when he led the NFL with 11 receiving touchdowns. Touchdowns usually don’t translate year-to-year, but Golladay scored in each of his first two appearances in 2020. The 6-4 receiver is one of the NFL’s best red zone and vertical threats.

116. Kareem Jackson, S Denver Broncos

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Everyone knows who Justin Simmons is, but his running mate is also impressive. Jackson started his NFL career as a cornerback before successfully transitioning to safety with Denver. The Alabama product’s background as a corner makes him one of the game’s best coverage strong safeties. He’s also a fearless tackler with terrific versatility.

115. Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Herbert silenced doubters during his rookie season, taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Oregon product took the reins in Week 2 and never gave them back to Tyrod Taylor. Herbert completed 66.6% of his passes for 4,336 yards, ten interceptions, and a rookie record 31 touchdowns. Assuming he continues growing, Herbert could rank among the league’s top ten quarterbacks next season.

114. T.J. Hockenson, TE Detroit Lions

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The Lions drafted each of the only two tight ends taken in the top ten selections this past decade. Eric Ebron was the first, but he didn’t pan out. Hockenson is already off to a better start, making 67 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns in his second season. The Pro Bowl tight end remains a pillar of stability in Detroit’s crumbling complex.

113. Braden Smith, OT Indianapolis Colts

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Ryan Kelly and Quenton Nelson aren’t the only stud offensive linemen in Indianapolis. Smith is one of the game’s premier right tackles. Originally a guard at Auburn, Smith has gotten better each year he’s been in the NFL. PFF claims the 24-year-old didn’t allow a single sack during his 937 snaps this past season.

112. Denzel Ward, CB Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The former fourth overall pick made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and hasn’t topped that standout season yet. He rebounded in 2020 following a down campaign in 2019, but Ward remains slightly disappointing considering he has All-Pro potential. The 23-year-old hasn’t played more than 13 games in a season yet, and injuries remain an issue. Ward intercepted two passes and defensed 18 more in 2020.

111. Chris Godwin, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FA)

Last year’s rank: 43

Godwin’s production suffered a meteoric hit in 2020. He went from earning Second-Team All-Pro honors from the AP to recording just 840 yards in 12 games. Godwin still averaged 70.0 yards per game, but that marked a significant decline from 95.2 in 2019. Tom Brady’s tendency to spread the ball around and favor shorter passes could continue shorting Godwin’s production if he returns to Tampa Bay in 2021.

110. Taylor Moton, OT Carolina Panthers (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Another member of the rising class of young tackles, Moton hasn’t missed a start during the past three years. The 26-year-old became a full-time starter in 2018, and he’s improved each season. PFF tagged Moton with allowing three sacks during his 1,032 snaps, but that’s not terrible considering he faced the monsters from New Orleans and Tampa Bay twice each.

109. J.J. Watt, DE Free Agent

Last year’s rank: 21

Houston recently released Watt, freeing up $17.5 million in cap space. Watt departs the organization that drafted him as the most accomplished Texan of all-time. While he only recorded five sacks in 2020, Watt didn’t miss a start and played 1,013 defensive snaps. The 31-year-old also produced 52 tackles, 29 pressures, two forced fumbles, an interception, seven passes defensed, and a defensive touchdown.

Watt maintains his value by being highly disruptive at the point of attack. He had 14 tackles for loss in 2020, which matched Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald’s total. Even if he’s primarily a run defender moving forward, Watt is still one of the league’s ten best defensive ends.

108. Derwin James, S Los Angeles Chargers

Last year’s rank: 17

Injuries have derailed one of the league’s most promising young careers. James was a First-Team All-Pro for the AP during his rookie season, but he only played in five games in 2019 and missed all of 2020. When healthy, James is arguably the most dynamic defensive back in the NFL. Hopefully, his career doesn’t take the Bob Sanders route.

107. Marcus Williams, S New Orleans Saints (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The classic midfield free safety, Williams hits free agency after another highly productive season. The 24-year-old amassed 59 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defensed in 14 games. While Williams is a borderline Pro Bowler, his style isn’t dynamic enough to break into the league’s elite safeties.

106. Aaron Jones, RB Green Bay Packers (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Running backs don’t have long shelf lives, which is why the Packers probably won’t re-sign Jones this offseason. However, the 26-year-old is one of the game’s most efficient players. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2020 on his way to 1,104 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 14 games. Jones has 3,017 yards from scrimmage and 30 total touchdowns over the past two seasons.

105. Jonathan Allen, DT Washington Football Team

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Allen often gets overlooked because of Montez Sweat and Chase Young, but the former 17th overall pick is a budding star. The Alabama product kicked inside this past season and finally hit his stride. He battled for 63 tackles, 24 pressures, and two sacks. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Washington’s defense relies heavily on Allen’s interior presence.

104. Jason Kelce, C Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: 51

Between 2017 and 2019, Kelce established the best three-year run by a center during the past decade. The former sixth-round pick earned First-Team All-Pro selections from the AP and PFF all three seasons. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old failed to repeat as an All-Pro in 2020. According to PFF, Kelce surrendered a career-high four sacks.

103. Chase Young, DE Washington Football Team

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Young had an up and down rookie season but still finished the year with a Pro Bowl appearance and the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Young’s fantastic combination of athleticism and power makes him a nightmare for offenses. The Ohio State product recorded ten tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 24 pressures, four forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown in 2020.

102. Brandon Graham, DE Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: Unranked

At 32 years old, Graham made his first Pro Bowl this past season. The former first-round pick only missed one start in the last five years. Graham hasn’t ever posted double-digit sacks, but his impact is immense. Terrific against the run and as a pure pass rusher, Graham and Fletcher Cox are the defensive pillars holding up Philadelphia’s crumbling regime.

101. John Johnson III, S Los Angeles Rams (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Johnson quietly put together an elite season last year, earning a Second-Team All-Pro selection from PFF. The 25-year-old allowed a 71.9 passer rating in coverage and didn’t give up a touchdown. He recorded 105 tackles, an interception, and eight passes defensed. Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams got a lot of credit, but Johnson played a significant role in Los Angeles’ elite secondary.

100. Orlando Brown Jr., OT Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Brown moved to left tackle for Baltimore when All-Pro Ronnie Stanley went down early in the year. He recently requested a trade, hoping to increase his value for a second contract by playing left tackle in 2021. Brown has gotten better each year that he’s been in the NFL, which could lead to a massive contract extension.

99. Jordan Poyer, S Buffalo Bills

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Poyer has only missed one start since arriving in Buffalo four years ago. The former seventh-round pick had his best season in 2017, but 2020 was also a noteworthy performance. Poyer amassed 124 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and five passes defensed. While neither he nor Micah Hyde is an All-Pro, they’re one of the NFL’s best safety duos.

98. Michael Onwenu, G/OT New England Patriots

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Onwenu is one of three Patriots offensive linemen that appear on this list, and David Andrews might have a case for being the fourth. Onwenu started all 16 games for the Patriots this season despite being a rookie sixth-round pick. According to PFF, the Michigan product only committed one penalty and allowed three sacks.

97. Dak Prescott, QB Dallas Cowboys (FA)

Last year’s rank: 92

The Cowboys aren’t any closer to signing Prescott to a long-term extension, but the organization should lock him up in the coming months. The former Pro Bowler only appeared in five games this past season, but he averaged a career-high 371.2 yards per game. That translates to 5,939 yards during a 16-game season. Prescott has a career 97.3 passer rating and only one season with a rating below 96.0.

96. James Bradberry, CB New York Giants

Last year’s rank: Unranked

If the NFL had a most improved player award, Bradberry might’ve won it. The 27-year-old had a breakout season in his first year with the Giants. PFF awarded Bradberry with a Second-Team All-Pro nomination, and he made the Pro Bowl. The former second-round pick recorded three interceptions, 18 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles in 2020.

95. Fletcher Cox, DT Philadelphia Eagles

Last year’s rank: 33

Once one of the three or four best defensive tackles in the NFL, Cox hasn’t made an All-Pro team since 2018. That year was the high-water mark of his career. Cox amassed 12 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and 45 pressures. In comparison, the 30-year-old only has 14 tackles for loss, ten sacks, and 43 pressures over the past two seasons. While Cox’s numbers are declining, he’s still one of the league’s most impactful defenders.

94. Keenan Allen, WR Los Angeles Chargers

Last year’s rank: 71

Allen is one of the league’s most consistent wide receivers. He’s made each of the last four Pro Bowls and was a PFF Second-Team All-Pro in 2017 and 2018. As the Chargers incorporated Justin Herbert into their offense, Allen’s yards per reception dipped below ten. However, he still averaged 70.9 yards per game and scored a career-high eight touchdowns.

93. Shaquille Mason, G New England Patriots

Last year’s rank: Unranked

If the Patriots feel comfortable letting Joe Thuney walk in free agency, it’s because they already have a better guard on the roster. Mason is under contract for three more years and coming off yet another stellar season. In his 13 appearances, Mason posted an 85.4 PFF grade, and the website credits him with only allowing seven sacks over the past four years.

92. Mike Evans, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: 40

Similar to Chris Godwin, Evans saw his numbers take a hit when Tom Brady arrived. Tampa Bay spreads the ball around more with Brady, and the offense doesn’t push the ball downfield as often. Evans’ average depth of target dropped from 15.1 yards to 12.1 while working with Brady. Buccaneers quarterbacks posted a 126.0 passer rating when targeting the seven-year veteran.

91. Quinnen Williams, DT New York Jets

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After a decent rookie campaign, Williams took the next step in his development. The former third overall pick put together a Pro Bowl-caliber performance in 2020, recording 55 tackles, seven sacks, 20 pressures, and two forced fumbles. With a better supporting cast, Williams could blossom into a perennial Pro Bowler.

90. Marlon Humphrey, CB Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: 69

The AP selected Humphrey as a First-Team All-Pro in 2019, but the 24-year-old didn’t receive the same award in 2020. Despite recording 82 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, 11 passes defensed, and a league-leading eight forced fumbles, Humphrey arguably had his worst season since 2017. According to Pro Football Reference, the Alabama product allowed an 84.3 passer rating when targeted.

89. Demario Davis, LB New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: 62

Davis remains one of the NFL’s overlooked gems. The former third-round pick was a First-Team All-Pro in 2019, and the AP nominated him for a Second-Team spot in 2020. Davis dominated in pass coverage two years ago, only allowing a 75.8 passer rating when targeted. He couldn’t match that production this past year.

88. Marcus Maye, S New York Jets (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

With Jamal Adams heading to Seattle, Maye saw his role diversify significantly. The Florida product lined up all over the place for New York, authoring a borderline Pro Bowl performance. When targeted, Pro Football Reference claims Maye only allowed an 80.4 passer rating. He finished the season with 88 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and 11 passes defensed.

87. Budda Baker, S Arizona Cardinals

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The AP selected Baker as a First-Team All-Pro this past season, representing a significantly different view of the young safety’s play than PFF. While Baker produced 118 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions in 2020, he allowed a 115.0 passer rating and gave up five touchdowns per Pro Football Reference.

86. DeMarcus Lawrence, DE Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: Unranked

There’s a wide gap between the public’s perception of Lawrence and his actual value. The former Pro Bowler only recorded 6.5 sacks in 2020, but he was a Second-Team All-Pro for PFF. While he’s still a threat as a rusher, Lawrence plays a massive role in the running game. In some instances, run-stopping ends carry more value than pure edge rushers.

85. Saquon Barkley, RB New York Giants

Last year’s rank: 28

Barkley recently turned 24 years old, and the Giants hope he can play at an elite level for most of the 2020s. Unfortunately, injuries robbed Barkley of 14 games this past season. He also missed three weeks in 2019. Barkley is one of the NFL’s most physically gifted players, but he needs to avoid the injury bug and get back to his 2018 form. As a rookie, the Penn State star led the league in yards from scrimmage.

84. Lamar Jackson, QB Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: 7

A year after winning the league MVP, Jackson struggled to replicate his dominant performance. The dual-threat quarterback still posted a 99.3 passer rating and 73.7 QBR, which ranked eleventh and seventh in the NFL respectively. Jackson also tallied 3,762 total yards and 33 total touchdowns. However, it’s hard to remain elite in the league while throwing for under 200 yards per game.

Pro Football Reference’s advanced passing stats revealed that Ravens receivers dropped more of Jackson’s passes in 2020 than in 2019. The 24-year-old quarterback even had fewer bad throws in 2020 than his MVP season. The biggest difference for Jackson between the two years was that he faced 102 pressures in 2020 compared to only 75 in 2019.

83. Allen Robinson, WR Chicago Bears (FA)

Last year’s rank: 82

Robinson once posted a 1,400-yard season with Blake Bortles at quarterback. Since arriving in Chicago three years ago, he’s performed at an elite level. Despite a down 2018 campaign, Robinson has 255 receptions, 3,151 yards, and 17 touchdowns while with the Bears. He’s arguably a top ten wide receiver.

82. Frank Ragnow, C Detroit Lions

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Detroit made the right decision taking Ragnow 20th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Arkansas product battled through injuries this past season, appearing in 14 games. He was a Second-Team All-Pro for both the AP and PFF. According to PFF, Ragnow only committed three penalties and didn’t allow a sack in 2020.

81. Calvin Ridley, WR Atlanta Falcons

Last year’s rank: Unranked

With Julio Jones battling injuries, Ridley made a significant leap in 2020. He was a PFF Second-Team All-Pro and led the star-studded NFC South with 1,374 receiving yards. It took three years, but Ridley is finally performing like a top ten wide receiver. He’ll try to remain consistent as Jones reprises his role in 2021.

80. A.J. Brown, WR Tennessee Titans

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Brown attacks defenders like a running back, tossing smaller defensive backs left and right. Pro Football Reference credits him with 13 broken tackles in 2020. Quarterbacks had a 127.6 passer rating when targeting Brown in 2019 and a 126.1 rating when going his way this past season. The Ole Miss product was a PFF Second-Team All-Pro in 2020.

79. Shaquil Barrett, OLB Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FA)

Last year’s rank: 67

Barrett cemented himself as a Tampa Bay icon with his recent playoff heroics. In the team’s final two playoff games, he recorded four sacks and eight quarterback hits. That timely production combined with his 30 tackles for loss, 27.5 sacks, 93 pressures, and eight forced fumbles over the past two years make Barrett an offense’s nightmare.

78. Vita Vea, NT Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Vea suffered an ankle fracture in Week 5, leading to the standout nose tackle missing most of Tampa Bay’s games. Luckily, he returned soon enough to participate in the team’s final two playoff games. When healthy, Vea is the NFL’s premier nose tackle. At 347 lbs., the 26-year-old has 5.1 40-yard dash speed and an incredible motor.

77. Terron Armstead, OT New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: Unranked

In 2020, Armstead made his third consecutive Pro Bowl. The 29-year-old left tackle hasn’t played in a full 16-game season during his career, but Armstead is still one of the best players at his position. An AP and PFF Second-Team All-Pro in 2018, Armstead continues battling with other elite blindside protectors for accolades.

76. Cameron Jordan, DE New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: 42

This past season, Jordan posted his worst PFF grade since 2015. Despite the noticeable dip in production, Jordan is still an elite edge rusher. Since 2017 he has 48 sacks and 90 quarterback hits. The 31-year-old also has 118 pressures since Pro Football Reference began tracking the stat in 2018. Jordan’s presence created a lot of free rushes for teammate Trey Hendrickson this past season.

75. Tre’Davious White, CB Buffalo Bills

Last year’s rank: 34

White failed to repeat as an AP First-Team All-Pro this past year. He still received Second-Team honors, but that decision was questionable in light of his significant drop in production. White went from allowing a 43.3 passer rating when targeted in 2019 to allowing a 79.9 rating last year. The 26-year-old also had three fewer interceptions and six fewer passes defensed.

74. Eric Kendricks, LB Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: 53

Kendricks only played in 11 games this past season, which prevented him from repeating as a First-Team All-Pro. However, the 28-year-old still received Second-Team All-Pro honors from PFF. Pro Football Reference credits Kendricks with only allowing a 59.4 passer rating when targeted. He finished the year with 107 tackles and three interceptions.

73. Darren Waller, TE Las Vegas Raiders

Last year’s rank: 72

Outside of Travis Kelce and George Kittle, Waller is the NFL’s most dominant tight end. He has 197 receptions, 2,341 yards, and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons. A PFF Second-Team All-Pro in 2020, Waller is easily Las Vegas’ best player. Quarterbacks posted a 108.4 passer rating when targeting him in 2019 and a 110.0 rating this past season.

72. Tristan Wirfs, OT Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Wirfs was one of the top-five rookies from the 2020 NFL Draft. The 13th overall pick didn’t waste any time cementing himself as one of the game’s best right tackles. He started all 16 games with the Buccaneers, only committing three penalties and allowing one sack. PFF selected him as a Second-Team All-Pro.

71. Grady Jarrett, DT Atlanta Falcons

Last year’s rank: 76

After earning Second-Team All-Pro honors from both the AP and PFF last year, Jarrett struggled to anchor Atlanta’s below-average defense. The Clemson product still tallied 52 tackles, four sacks, and 30 pressures, but the Falcons are hoping for more from the 27-year-old in future seasons.

70. Von Miller, OLB Denver Broncos

Last year’s rank: 27

While Miller was still a Pro Bowl pass rusher the last time fans saw him in action, it’s hard to say what he’ll look like in 2021. Broncos fans remain hopeful, considering Miller amassed ten tackles for loss, eight sacks, and 37 pressures in 2019. The future Hall of Famer suffered a season-ending tendon injury before he could see action in 2020.

69. Leonard Williams, DT New York Giants (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Williams remains one of the most unpredictable players in the NFL. After sinking to generating only half a sack in 2019, he rebounded with a career-high 11.5-sack performance in 2020. The former sixth overall pick also contributed 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 42 pressures along New York’s dominant defensive line.

68. Darious Williams, CB Los Angeles Rams

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Williams emerged as a superstar for the Rams this past season. The former undrafted free agent played in every game, earning ten starts. He intercepted four passes and defensed 14 more while allowing a completion percentage below 55.0% and a 61.1 passer rating when targeted. PFF gave him a Second-Team All-Pro selection as a defensive back.

67. Adrian Amos, S Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

When fans talk about the best NFL safeties, Amos’ name rarely comes up. The former fifth-round pick deserves a place among the pantheon of great current safeties. He was a PFF First-Team All-Pro in 2017 and 2020 for a reason. Amos produced across the board this past season, tallying 83 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and nine passes defensed.

66. Danielle Hunter, DE Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: 55

Hunter entered 2020 to high expectations following back-to-back years with 14.5 sacks and at least 70 tackles. Unfortunately, the former All-Pro underwent season-ending neck surgery before the regular season began. Hunter compiled 36 tackles for loss, 29 sacks, and 74 pressures between 2018 and 2019.

65. Joel Bitonio, G Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: 91

After slaving in the trenches for many forgotten Browns seasons, the media is giving Bitonio the credit he deserves. The 29-year-old made each of the last three Pro Bowls and was an AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 for the third consecutive year. PFF claims Bitonio only allowed one sack and committed three penalties this past season.

64. Duane Brown, OT Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Age is only a number for Brown. The 35-year-old hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2017, but that’s a poor showing of his dominance. This past season, Brown received an 87.3 PFF grade, his highest since 2012. The 26th overall pick from 2008 only allowed two sacks during the season.

63. Chandler Jones, OLB Arizona Cardinals

Last year’s rank: 15

A bicep injury that required season-ending surgery limited Jones to five games in 2020. He got off to an incredibly slow start to the year, but the injury might explain his lack of production. In Jones’ previous four seasons with the Cardinals, he amassed 67 tackles for loss, 60 sacks, and 17 forced fumbles. The AP selected Jones as a First-Team All-Pro in 2017 and 2019.

62. D.J. Humphries, OT Arizona Cardinals

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Raise your hand if you expected an elite year from Humphries in 2020. Anyone that just did is a liar. The former 24th overall pick rebounded from the worst year of his career by only allowing three sacks in over 1,100 offensive snaps. Humphries received an 88.3 grade from PFF, placing him among the NFL’s best tackles.

61. Za’Darius Smith, OLB Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: 52

After leaving Baltimore, Smith blossomed into one of the league’s best pass rushers. Since arriving in Green Bay two years ago, he has 29 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, and 89 pressures. Smith was a First-Team All-Pro for PFF in 2019 and a Second-Team All-Pro for the AP in 2020. The former fourth-round pick’s star shines even brighter with the number of elite outside linebackers dwindling.

60. Jamal Adams, S Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: 12

Adams only played 12 games in his first season with the Seahawks, limiting the understanding of how he’ll perform there in the future. While the former sixth overall pick was clearly the best safety in 2019, he took a massive step back in 2020. Taking more snaps near the line of scrimmage, Adams recorded 11 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 26 pressures.

However, he failed to intercept a pass and only had three passes defensed. Part of Adams’ appeal in New York was his versatility and ability to play well in coverage. Unfortunately, he allowed a 104.7 passer rating when targeted in 2020, and quarterbacks completed 77.8% of their pass attempts against him.

59. Harrison Smith, S Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: 37

Last season, fans didn’t vote Smith to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2014. It’s a shame because the 32-year-old veteran is one of the most intelligent safeties in the game. He tied his career-high with five interceptions in 2020 and also tallied ten passes defensed and 89 tackles. Smith hasn’t allowed a passer rating over 72.0 when targeted in the past three seasons.

58. D.K. Metcalf, WR Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: Unranked

In 2020, Metcalf capitalized on the promise he showed as a rookie. The Ole Miss product made 83 receptions for 1,303 yards and ten touchdowns. The AP rewarded him with a Second-Team All-Pro selection. While Russell Wilson still targeted Tyler Lockett more (132 to 129 times), it’s clear that the star quarterback views his 23-year-old receiver as an elite playmaker.

57. Mitchell Schwartz, OT Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: 35

Schwartz missed Kansas City’s final ten games during the regular season and all of the playoffs, which contributed to the team’s downfall against Tampa Bay. Before 2020, Schwartz hadn’t missed an AP All-Pro team since 2015. PFF even viewed him as the NFL’s top offensive tackle entering the season.

56. Ryan Tannehill, QB Tennessee Titans

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Tannehill proved that 2019 wasn’t just a flash in the pan. The former eighth overall pick had a fantastic year in Tennessee, completing 65.5% of his passes for 3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. Tannehill also posted a 106.5 passer rating and career-high 78.3 QBR as Tennessee made the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2007-08.

55. Brandon Scherff, G Washington Football Team (FA)

Last year’s rank: 87

Scherff took the next step in his career this past season, earning a First-Team All-Pro nod from the AP. Injuries are a huge concern with the 29-year-old, considering he hasn’t played 14 games in a season since 2017. However, a healthy Scherff is a premier guard in a league where games are decided in the trenches.

54. Devin White, LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

White is an athletic, explosive playmaker for the Buccaneers that fits their scheme perfectly. In 15 games this past season, he recorded 140 tackles, nine sacks, and 20 pressures. The AP had White as a Second-Team All-Pro, but PFF didn’t because he’s a liability in pass coverage right now. Quarterbacks completed 83.3% of their passes for a 109.6 rating when targeting White in 2020.

53. Roquan Smith, LB Chicago Bears

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Smith was also an AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2020. The former eighth overall pick played over 1,000 defensive snaps for the first time in his young career, amassing 139 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and seven passes defensed. The most significant difference between Smith and Devin White is that the Georgia product has already developed in coverage.

After struggling in pass defense early in his career, Smith only allowed a 59.6 passer rating for under 300 yards and zero touchdowns despite being targeted 79 times. Pro Football Reference shows that Smith has made significant strides in coverage each year.

52. Justin Simmons, S Denver Broncos (FA)

Last year’s rank: 63

Simmons emerged as an elite safety in 2019 before earning his first Pro Bowl appearance this past season. Over the past two years, Simmons has 189 tackles, nine interceptions, and 24 passes defensed. However, he performed significantly worse in pass coverage in 2020 than his standout 2019 campaign.

51. Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Anquan Boldin set the rookie receiving yards record back in 2003. Almost two decades later, Jefferson shattered the mark with a 1,400-yard season. It turns out the Bills and Vikings both won when they agreed to a trade Stefon Diggs last March. Jefferson’s full stat line included 88 receptions and seven touchdowns. He was a Second-Team All-Pro for the AP and PFF.

50. Dalvin Cook, RB Minnesota Vikings

Last year’s rank: 73

After finally shaking the injury bug, Cook proved he’s still the same player that captivated scouts at Florida State. The 25-year-old made his second consecutive Pro Bowl, producing 1,557 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in only 14 games. Over the past two seasons, Cook has 3,572 yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns.

49. Ali Marpet, G Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Can someone explain why Marpet played his college ball at Hobart? Despite his humble college destination, Marpet is finally emerging as one of the NFL’s elite guards. PFF selected him as a First-Team All-Pro following a year where Marpet committed three fouls and allowed zero sacks in 13 games.

48. Garett Bolles, OT Denver Broncos

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Bolles entered 2020 battling for his NFL future. The Broncos declined his fifth-year option last offseason following three years of subpar play. Then the season came along, and Bolles made one of the biggest leaps by a left tackle in recent history. While he still committed seven penalties, PFF has him down as not allowing a sack all year. Bolles was a Second-Team All-Pro for the AP and PFF.

47. Stephon Gilmore, CB New England Patriots

Last year’s rank: 9

Gilmore only played 11 games in 2020 after starting 32 consecutive contests with the Patriots. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year couldn’t match his historic 2019 season, only recording one interception and three passes defensed. Gilmore received a 61.0 grade from PFF, marking his lowest since 2013.

The Patriots might trade Gilmore during the upcoming offseason. At 30 years old, the star is fighting an uphill battle to regain his All-Pro form. He amassed eight interceptions, 40 passes defensed, and two defensive touchdowns between 2018 and 2019. If he rounds back into shape, Gilmore could be a top-three corner once again.

46. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Pittsburgh Steelers

Last year’s rank: 47

Pittsburgh did the right thing trading for Fitzpatrick in 2019. He’s earned back-to-back AP First-Team All-Pro selections and only recently turned 24 years old. Fitzpatrick hasn’t missed a game over the past two seasons, and he has nine interceptions, 20 passes defensed, and three defensive touchdowns during that time.

45. Corey Linsley, C Green Bay Packers (FA)

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Linsley emerged as the NFL’s best center in 2020. The former fifth-round pick hits free agency at the perfect time, and he could become the league’s highest-paid center. In his 13 appearances, Linsley only allowed one sack and did not commit a penalty. He was a First-Team All-Pro across the board.

44. Chris Jones, DT Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: 50

Arguably the second-best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the NFL behind Aaron Donald, Jones earned Second-Team All-Pro honors from the AP in 2020. He amassed 7.5 sacks and 44 pressures during the regular season. The biggest knock against Jones is his lack of involvement against the run. Outside of 2018, he’s never recorded 40 tackles or ten tackles for loss in a season.

43. Jessie Bates III, S Cincinnati Bengals

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Bates was the best safety in the NFL last season. He was an AP Second-Team All-Pro and a PFF First-Teamer for amassing 109 tackles, three interceptions, and 15 passes defensed. The 23-year-old only allowed a 70.7 passer rating when targeted, and quarterbacks completed fewer than 50.0% of their throws when looking his way.

42. Alvin Kamara, RB New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: 65

Before Drew Brees missed time in the middle of the season, Karama looked like a legitimate Offensive Player of the Year candidate. As it is, the 25-year-old hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl since arriving in the NFL and was an AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2020. Karama produced 1,688 yards from scrimmage and a league-leading 21 total touchdowns this past season.

41. Jack Conklin, OT Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: Unranked

While Conklin still hasn’t made a Pro Bowl, he earned his second career First-Team All-Pro selection from both the AP and PFF in 2020. After regressing following a dominant rookie season in Tennessee, Conklin joined Cleveland as the final missing piece for a dominant offensive line.

40. Tyrann Mathieu, S Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: 38

The former LSU star is the top-ranking safety in a stacked safety group entering the 2021 season. The best defensive player on Kansas City’s defense, Mathieu earned his second consecutive AP First-Team All-Pro selection in 2020. Over the past two years, the 28-year-old has 137 tackles, ten interceptions, and 21 passes defensed. Mathieu hasn’t allowed a passer rating over 61.0 when targeted since 2018.

39. Darius Leonard, LB Indianapolis Colts

Last year’s rank: 16

Leonard is one of the most gifted players in the NFL. His nickname, the Maniac, is extremely fitting, considering he’s amassed 416 tackles, 15 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and seven interceptions in his first three seasons. The strongest criticism against Leonard is his occasional struggles in coverage, but those don’t hamper the AP three-time All-Pro’s value.

38. Lavonte David, LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FA)

Last year’s rank: 39

Tampa Bay needs to do everything to bring David back for 2021. The perennially underrated linebacker is one of the best coverage players at his position. David was an AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 after recording 117 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception, and six passes defensed and captaining Tampa Bay’s defense to a Super Bowl title.

37. Cameron Heyward, DT Pittsburgh Steelers

Last year’s rank: 32

Since 2017, Heyward has been the NFL’s second-best defensive tackle. He received First-Team All-Pro selections from the AP in 2017 and 2019 before earning a Second-Team spot this past season. Heyward only registered four sacks in 2020, but he had 31 pressures. Playing alongside three other qualified pass rushers limited Heyward’s sack total.

36. Ronnie Stanley, OT Baltimore Ravens

Last year’s rank: 45

A year after earning First-Team All-Pro honors across the board, Stanley only played in six games before suffering a severe ankle injury. Stanley hasn’t started a full 16-game season in his career, but he was PFF’s Pass Blocker of the Year for 2019. If he gets back to one hundred percent, the former sixth overall pick could be the league’s best left tackle in the 2020s.

35. Nick Chubb, RB Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: 30

Even though he missed four games, Chubb made his second consecutive Pro Bowl. He averaged a career-high 5.6 yards per carry behind an elite offensive line while still rushing for 88.9 yards per game. Injuries are always a concern for young running backs, but Chubb already has 3,557 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns through three seasons.

34. Ryan Ramczyk, OT New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: 26

Ramczyk came back down to Earth in 2020 after an outstanding 2019 campaign where he was a First-Team All-Pro across the board and PFF’s Run Blocker of the Year. He still earned a Second-Team All-Pro nod from the AP this past season. Jack Conklin, Ramczyk, and Mitchell Schwartz are heads and shoulders ahead of the league’s other right tackles.

33. Michael Thomas, WR New Orleans Saints

Last year’s rank: 10

Thomas won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019. With three consecutive Pro Bowls and back-to-back First-Team All-Pro selections from the AP and PFF, Thomas entered 2020 to high expectations. Injuries derailed his season, limiting the Ohio State product to seven appearances and career-lows with 62.6 yards per game and 5.7 receptions per game.

32. Bobby Wagner, LB Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: 11

Even at 30 years old, Wagner is one of the league’s best off-ball linebackers. In 2020, the former second-round selection earned his fifth consecutive and sixth overall selection by the AP as a First-Team All-Pro. Wagner racked up 138 tackles, three sacks, and eight passes defensed. While he’s seen better days in coverage, Wagner can still stick with pass-catchers.

31. Tyreek Hill, WR Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: 41

Hill hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl in his career, and the former fifth-round pick recently made the AP First-Team as a wide receiver for the second time. Since the start of 2017, Hill has averaged 1,199.5 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns per year, along with 82.7 yards per game. He led the NFL in yards per touch (14.0) this past season and scored 17 total touchdowns.

30. DeAndre Hopkins, WR Arizona Cardinals

Last year’s rank: 14

Switching teams in the offseason did not affect Hopkins’ production. The superstar receiver meshed well with Kyler Murray, making 115 receptions for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns. Hopkins wasn’t able to extend his AP First-Team All-Pro streak to four consecutive seasons, but he still received a Second-Team spot.

29. Wyatt Teller, G Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Joel Bitonio is the longest-tenured member of Cleveland’s offensive line, but he wasn’t the team’s best guard in 2020. That honor belongs to Teller, who rose above his status as a 2018 fifth-round pick. The former Bill only played 11 games this past season but still earned First-Team All-Pro honors from PFF and Second-Team honors from the AP.

28. Julio Jones, WR Atlanta Falcons

Last year’s rank: 4

Jones only played nine games in 2020, but the 32-year-old still averaged 85.7 yards per game and over 15 yards per reception. While his age and mounting injuries are an issue, Jones is still one of the NFL’s biggest game-changers. Pro Football Reference credits quarterbacks with a 126.5 passer rating when targeting Jones in 2020.

27. Fred Warner, LB San Francisco 49ers

Last year’s rank: 94

After two seasons of decent production, Warner earned First-Team All-Pro honors across the board in 2020. The ultra-athletic BYU product starred in the passing game, only allowing a 69.7 passer rating when targeted. Warner’s success against the pass separates him from other off-ball linebackers. He finished the year with 125 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defensed.

26. DeForest Buckner, DT Indianapolis Colts

Last year’s rank: 57

Buckner arguably had his best season in 2018, but 2020 came close to topping it. The AP voted Buckner as a First-Team All-Pro as the former seventh overall pick anchored Indianapolis’ defense. The 26-year-old recorded 58 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 31 pressures. If Buckner continues playing at this level, he could put together an intriguing Hall of Fame case.

25. Xavien Howard, CB Miami Dolphins

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Howard was a First-Team All-Pro this past season because he led the NFL in interceptions for the second time in three years. His 20 passes defensed also set the bar for other defensive backs. After five bad games in 2019, Howard rebounded by allowing a 48.3 passer rating when targeted in 2020.

24. David Bakhtiari, OT Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: 58

Since Joe Thomas retired, Bakhtiari has been the best left tackle in the NFL. Even though he missed four games in 2020, the 29-year-old was an AP First-Team All-Pro. Bakhtiari hasn’t missed an All-Pro team since 2015, and he’s arguably the best pass-blocking tackle in the NFL.

23. Jalen Ramsey, CB Los Angeles Rams

Last year’s rank: 66

Ramsey made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl this past season and finally got back onto the All-Pro team. The former Jaguar was an AP First-Teamer after he headlined Los Angeles’ dominant secondary. Ramsey only intercepted one pass, but the 26-year-old was stingy in coverage, allowing a 68.1 passer rating when targeted.

22. Khalil Mack, OLB Chicago Bears

Last year’s rank: 22

From a macro perspective, Mack hasn’t recorded ten sacks in a season since 2018 despite not missing a game. The former Defensive Player of the Year has 17.5 sacks and 76 pressures over the past two years. However, Mack was still an AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and a PFF First-Teamer because of his many pass rush wins and impact in the running game.

21. Nick Bosa, DE San Francisco 49ers

Last year’s rank: 54

Bosa tearing his ACL in Week 2 killed San Francisco’s chances of repeating as NFC champions. The Ohio State product dazzled during his rookie season, amassing 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and 45 pressures. Bosa is part of a young wave of pass rushers taking the NFL by storm, and he might be the best when all is said and done.

20. Joey Bosa, DE Los Angeles Chargers

Last year’s rank: 44

Bosa might be the NFL’s best defensive end if not for the endless onslaught of injuries he suffers. The 25-year-old only played in 12 games in 2020, marking his third injury-shortened season in five years. However, Bosa still amassed 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 45 pressures during that limited playing time. Pro Football Reference claims he only played 549 defensive snaps.

19. Christian McCaffrey, RB Carolina Panthers

Last year’s rank: 8

After playing in the season’s first two weeks, McCaffrey didn’t play until Week 9. His comeback was short-lived, and the All-Pro didn’t see action again. McCaffrey is a year removed from leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns. Assuming he can stay healthy, which is a big question mark for feature backs, McCaffrey should have a Pro Bowl season in 2021.

18. Jaire Alexander, CB Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Alexander earned the highest grade from PFF among all corners this past season with a 90.5. The 24-year-old from Louisville terrorized quarterbacks all season, only allowing a 67.4 passer rating when targeted. Alexander only gave up 9.1 yards per completion and 375 total yards per Pro Football Reference. In comparison, Xavien Howard allowed 13.8 yards per completion and 719 total yards.

17. Russell Wilson, QB Seattle Seahawks

Last year’s rank: 3

The 32-year-old quarterback put together half of an MVP season before throwing seven interceptions and only 14 touchdowns in Seattle’s final nine games. Despite the cold stretch, Wilson was still one of the league’s best quarterbacks last season. He set career-highs by completing 68.8% of his passes for 40 touchdowns and a 73.5 QBR.

16. Quenton Nelson, G Indianapolis Colts

Last year’s rank: 5

Nelson already has half of a Hall of Fame resume. In 2020, Notre Dame product made the third consecutive AP All-Pro First-Team to open his career. Nelson hasn’t missed a game since arriving in Indianapolis in 2018. While he committed nine penalties this past season, the 24-year-old only allowed one sack. He’s allowed three sacks during his career.

15. Stefon Diggs, WR Buffalo Bills

Last year’s rank: Unranked

After five seasons in Minnesota, Diggs put together an incredible run with Buffalo. He led the NFL with 127 receptions and 1,535 receiving yards, qualifying him for First-Team All-Pro selections from the AP and PFF. Diggs’ arrival played a prominent role in Josh Allen’s development. Passers posted a 115.4 rating when targeting Diggs.

14. Trent Williams, OT San Francisco 49ers (FA)

Last year’s rank: 99

Following a long and heated dispute with Washington, Williams sat out the entire 2019 season. Eventually, San Francisco traded a fifth-round pick for the aging left tackle, which proved to be a steal. Williams was PFF’s First-Team All-Pro left tackle for 2020 because of how he excelled in San Francisco’s ground attack. The eight-time Pro Bowler hits free agency this spring.

13. Zack Martin, G Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s rank: 13

In 2020, Martin missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his seven-year career, which is insane because he absolutely deserved a spot. Injuries limited Martin to only ten starts, but he was still a force of nature along the line, earning a 91.3 PFF grade while only allowing one sack. He even flashed unique versatility by playing some snaps at tackle.

12. Josh Allen, QB Buffalo Bills

Last year’s rank: Unranked

Allen broke out in 2020, generating one of the largest jumps between seasons in NFL history. The 24-year-old completed 69.2% of his throws for 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Allen posted a 107.2 passer rating and also ran for eight touchdowns. He carried the Buffalo to an AFC Conference Championship Game appearance.

11. Davante Adams, WR Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: 56

Adams made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl this past season and received First-Team All-Pro nods from the AP and PFF. The former second-round pick set career-highs with 115 receptions and a league-leading 18 receiving touchdowns. While he hasn’t played all 16 games since 2016, Adams exited 2020 as the NFL’s top wide receiver.

10. George Kittle, TE San Francisco 49ers

Last year’s rank: 6

Injuries limited Kittle to eight games in 2020, but he still had what would’ve been a career-year for most tight ends. The fourth-year Iowa product made 48 receptions for 634 yards (79.3 yards per game) and two touchdowns. Kittle is the best blocking superstar tight end in the NFL, fitting into the Rob Gronkowski mold slightly. He has 221 receptions and 3,063 yards over the past three seasons.

9. Myles Garrett, DE Cleveland Browns

Last year’s rank: 25

A brush with COVID-19 limited Garrett to 14 games, which is a shame because he was on a roll before missing time. The fourth-year pro finally reached the heights everyone expected he would. Garrett tallied ten tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 32 pressures, and four forced fumbles on his way to a First-Team All-Pro selection from the AP.

8. Deshaun Watson, QB Houston Texans

Last year’s rank: 29

The Texans are in a standoff with their star quarterback about his future. Houston desperately doesn’t want to lose Watson, who just had an elite season. With a struggling supporting cast, the Clemson product set career-highs by completing 70.2% of his attempts for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. Watson’s seven interceptions and 112.4 passer rating were also career bests.

7. Travis Kelce, TE Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: 24

Kelce set the single-season mark for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,416. He finished second in the NFL in receiving yards, and the former third-round pick did it all in 15 games. Throw in 105 receptions, 11 touchdowns, and a 119.8 passer rating when targeted, and Kelce might’ve had the best season by a tight end in league history. He topped off the year with 31 receptions, 360 yards, and three touchdowns in three playoff games.

6. T.J. Watt, OLB Pittsburgh Steelers

Last year’s rank: 19

The younger Watt finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting after leading the NFL in sacks (15) and tackles for loss (23). Pro Football Reference also credits him with a league-leading 61 pressures. Second place had 45. Watt has back-to-back First-Team All-Pro selections from the AP and PFF. He amassed 37 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, 120 pressures, and ten forced fumbles during that time.

5. Tom Brady, QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year’s rank: 18

The greatest of all-time has to hit a wall eventually, and his 2020 season shared some similarities with Peyton Manning’s final Pro Bowl campaign. However, it’s utterly foolish to bet against Brady when he’s up against the clock. The 43-year-old posted a 92.6 PFF grade this past season as he passed for 4,633 yards, 40 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 102.2 rating.

Brady and the Buccaneers stumbled out of the gate, but he eventually got a grip of Bruce Arians’ offense as the two men got used to each other. On their way to winning a Lombardi at home, the Buccaneers defeated two of the four teams they lost to during the regular season in dominant fashion.

4. Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee Titans

Last year’s rank: 46

Occasionally, players arrive in professional sports that are just physically built differently than their peers. Henry falls into that group. The Alabama product won the triple crown (rushes, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns) in back-to-back seasons as he powered Tennessee to the playoffs twice. The 6-3, 247 lb. giant was an AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2019, and he made the First-Team for 2020.

Since going 99 yards to the house against Jacksonville in Week 13 of 2018, Henry has been unstoppable. He’s run for 3,567 yards and 33 touchdowns over the past two seasons, averaging 115.1 yards per game. The 2020 Offensive Player of the Year fights an uphill battle in a league dominated by the air attack, but Henry is an irreplicable, incomprehensible force.

3. Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers

Last year’s rank: 23

Rodgers is a bad man. The Packers drafted his supposed successor in Jordan Love last year, and the 37-year-old responded by thrashing the rest of the NFL. Rodgers led the NFL with 48 passing touchdowns, a 121.5 passer rating, and by completing 70.7% of his passes. He only threw five interceptions, extending his streak of single-digit interceptions to ten seasons, and won the league MVP.

The playoffs ended poorly for Green Bay. Rodgers and company got sent home in the Conference Championship following a 13-3 season for the second consecutive year. The last thing Rodgers needs is more motivation. If Green Bay upgrades his supporting cast, Rodgers could retain his crown in 2021. Packers pass-catchers dropped 27 balls this past year.

2. Patrick Mahomes, QB Kansas City Chiefs

Last year’s rank: 1

Mahomes and the Chiefs played with fire throughout the regular season, winning eight games by eight points or less. The 25-year-old ketchup fanatic almost won the MVP for a second time, but some late-season struggles hamstrung his candidacy. Mahomes still set career-highs by completing 66.3% of his passes and averaging 316.0 yards per game.

After throwing 38 touchdowns and only six interceptions in the regular season, Mahomes battled through turf toe to get Kansas City back to the Super Bowl. It didn’t go well. However, the former tenth overall pick has his team set to compete for rings for years to come.

1. Aaron Donald, DT Los Angeles Rams

Last year’s rank: 2

In a split decision, Donald won his third Defensive Player of the Year award following the 2020 season. He joins Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only men to have ever done so. Consistently facing and beating double teams, Donald amassed 14 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 45 pressures, and four forced fumbles in his sixth career 16-game season.

Donald hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl since entering the NFL in 2014. He’s been a PFF First-Team All-Pro every year and hasn’t missed an AP First-Team since 2015. In just seven seasons, the undersized defensive tackle from Pittsburgh has 131 tackles for loss and 85.5 sacks. At this rate, Donald has a chance of becoming one of the ten best defensive players of all-time.