There’s nothing that sports fans love to do more than debate which players are better than others. And the NFL has an annual event that allows football fans the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Every year, the NFL asks a group of its players to vote on which players are the league’s best. And every year, the list that results from these votes — the NFL’s Top 100 — causes a stir. There are always some surprises, some snubs and some downright head-scratchers.
But because the NFL Top 100 is voted on by players, it’s hard to get too angry about it. After all, the guys voting are the same guys going up against the ranked players on a weekly basis.
Still, the list draws big reactions from NFL fans and players alike. Fans have fun (or get angry) debating the list while players generally express gratitude when they’re named to it. Of course, not all are happy. Some feel disrespected by their ranking if it’s too low while others get upset if they don’t make the list at all.
The league has released the names of 90 of the players in the Top 100. Here’s a look at the players ranked Nos. 11-100 and who will likely be included in the top 10.
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NFL Top 100 list
So far, the NFL has revealed the names of the players ranked 11-100 on the 2021 list. The top 10 players on the list will be announced during a two-hour special Saturday, Aug. 28 (4-6 p.m. ET).
Of last year’s top 10 players, six have already been ranked. Lamar Jackson finished 24th in 2021 after finishing No. 1 overall in 2020. Russell Wilson dropped 10 spots from No. 2 to No. 12. Michael Thomas, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Stephon Gilmore all fell out of the top 40. Thomas’ fall from No. 5 overall to No. 72 was the largest of the group.
Among the notable players who have not yet been ranked: Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Bills QB Josh Allen, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Titans running back Derrick Henry. They will almost certainly be featured in the top 10.
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- Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
- Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
- Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams
- Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
- Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
- Myles Garrett, DE, Browns
- Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins
- Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans
- Budda Baker, S, Cardinals
- Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
- Fred Warner, LB, 49ers
- DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
- Khalil Mack, OLB, Bears
- Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
- Bobby Wagner, LB, Seahawks
- Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
- DeForest Buckner, DT, Colts
- Devin White, LB, Buccaneers
- Julio Jones, WR, Titans
- Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
- Jamal Adams, S, Seahawks
- Joey Bosa, DE, Chargers
- Quenton Nelson, G, Colts
- Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
- Darren Waller, TE, Raiders
- David Bakhtiari, OT, Packers
- Darius Leonard, LB, Colts
- Marlon Humphrey, CB, Ravens
- Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
- Bradley Chubb, OLB, Broncos
- Jaire Alexander, CB, Packers
- Trent Williams, OT, 49ers
- Lavonte David, OLB, Buccaneers
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
- Justin Simmons, S, Broncos
- Cameron Jordan, DE, Saints
- Stephon Gilmore, CB, Patriots
- Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
- J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots
- George Kittle, TE, 49ers
- Za’Darius Smith, OLB, Packers
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Steelers
- Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
- Grady Jarrett, DT, Falcons
- Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
- Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
- Cameron Heyward, DT, Steelers
- Tyrann Mathieu, S, Chiefs
- Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, Buccaneers
- Corey Linsley, C, Chargers
- Chase Young, DE, Washington
- A.J. Brown, WR, Titans
- Fletcher Cox, DT, Eagles
- Demario Davis, OLB, Saints
- Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons
- J.J. Watt, DE, Cardinals
- K.J. Wright, OLB, Free agent
- Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
- Ryan Kelly, C, Colts
- Eric Kendricks, LB, Vikings
- Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
- Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
- Trey Hendrickson, DE, Bengals
- James Bradberry, CB, Giants
- Laremy Tunsil, OT, Texans
- Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
- Quandre Diggs, S, Seahawks
- Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Titans
- Terron Armstead, OT, Saints
- Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
- Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
- Garett Bolles, OT, Broncos
- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
- Leonard Williams, DE, Giants
- Zack Martin, G, Cowboys
- Marshon Lattimore, CB, Saints
- Allen Robinson, WR, Bears
- Shaquil Barrett, OLB, Buccaneers
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Buccaneers
- Jesse Bates, S, Bengals
- Corey Davis, WR, Jets
- Jason Kelce, C, Eagles
- T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions
- Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
- Tre’Davious White, CB, Bills
- Cole Beasley, WR, Bills
- Kyle Juszczyk, FB, 49ers
- Brandon Scherff, G, Washington
- Brandon Graham, DE, Eagles
- James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
The Buccaneers have the most players on the list to date with seven. They’re almost certain to add an eighth when Brady’s placement is revealed Saturday.
The Jaguars came close to having no players on the list. James Robinson barely made the cut at No. 100 overall.
Deshaun Watson’s inclusion on the list created an uncomfortable moment for the NFL. Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct and sexual assault in 22 civil lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints. The league released an awkward video honoring his placement on the list.
Only one current free agent is included in the Top 100: linebacker K.J. Wright, who spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Seahawks. Wright, 32, had 86 tackles, two sacks and 10 pass defenses last year for Seattle.