With the 2022 NFL campaign almost here, it was time to take a look at the top players in the league. Ranking NFL players in any position can be controversial. It only gets tougher when you expand that to every player in the NFL.
Every player on this list is unquestionably talented. A lot of players didn’t make the cut, but were close. If they play well in the upcoming campaign, they could easily be on this list next year.
Let’s count down the top-100 players in the NFL. Here are players 80-71:
#80. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
All 9 of Harold Landry’s regular season sacks:
All 9 of Harold Landry’s regular season sacks: https://t.co/nZNUqetFpk
He has the ability to stress tackles with his burst off the ball, dip underneath their reach and flatten the arc. That along with being able to hit those quick counters makes him really tough to handle once you get to those longer downs.
#78. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea and Tryon on this sack, that’s some power
Vita Vea and Tryon on this sack, that’s some powerhttps://t.co/Ci8TyoIP4q
He’s the rock that has led this team to a top-three ranking against the run for three straight years. If you leave him soloed up in passing situations, he will ride the guy in front of him into the quarterback’s lap. In the last NFL campaign, his four sacks and five tackles for loss were career-highs. But those numbers will never be able to measure the impact he has on that group. He also recorded another 12 quarterback hits.
#77. Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
Creed Humphrey blocked two men — at the same time — with one friggin arm.
Creed Humphrey blocked two men — at the same time — with one friggin arm. https://t.co/Nxio13CymY
With just one sack and eight total pressures surrendered on an absurd 754 pass-blocking snaps, he finished behind only Rodney Hudson (who missed five games) in terms of the lowest pressure percentage responsible for (1.33%). He was also outstanding at climbing up to the second level and getting hands on people in the screen game. Not to mention, being tied for the second-best run block win rate for centers (72%) in the NFL, based on ESPN’s metrics.
#76. Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys
Every career touchdown catch by Keenan Allen. Stud.
Every career touchdown catch by Keenan Allen. Stud. https://t.co/fPZgBTrL1u
This is even more impressive considering his struggles with injuries early on in his career. Across that stretch (missing only three combined games), he’s hauled in 519 of his 748 targets for over 5,900 yards and 32 touchdowns. He does operate mostly out of the slot and Mike Williams is more of a vertical/ball-winning type for that team. But Allen is so good at finding voids in zone coverage and because of his unique step-sequencing as a route-runner, nobody in the NFL covers this guy one-on-one.
#74. Roquan Smith, Chicago Bears
BOOM! This Roquan Smith highlight package should get you going in the right direction on this Hump Day.
@NFL
BOOM! This Roquan Smith highlight package should get you going in the right direction on this Hump Day. 🎥: @NFL https://t.co/4Mx8aI4LM2
Smith surrendered a solid 4.4 yards per target and created pressure on almost exactly a quarter of his blitzes since 2020. His ability to see things before they happen and get there in time makes him one of the biggest screen-killers and best pursuit defenders in the NFL today.
#73. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
Terry McLaurin’s rookie season highlight reel is
Terry McLaurin’s rookie season highlight reel is 🔥 https://t.co/watHgXSJSb
He’s been one of the most effective deep threats in the league, with at least 15 receptions of 20+ yards. 63.5% of his catches have resulted in first downs and he’s done it with very little around him that would scare defenses. This is why he accounted for 41.8% of Washington’s total air yardage last season.
, with 30 of those for loss, seven sacks, three interceptions (one returned to the house) and ten more PBUs. Looking at how Pro Football Focus assesses his play, they say the tape doesn’t match those, but their grading for linebackers seems faulty at best.</p>
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@NFL 
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