TO
100.) LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI
The only reason I'm a bit skeptical of just how good a player LeSean McCoy is is that in his Falcon days, Michael Vick always had the ability to make the whole running operation around him better. That said, McCoy was so dangerous last year as a threat running and receiving, getting better in basically every category from 2010. Has a lot of Westbrook in him.
99.) Tramon Williams, CB, GB
Williams had a great year, no doubt, but he gets burned a little too much. He was matched up against the top receiver in most games, and both Johnny Knox and Hines Ward (who Williams primarily covered) had pretty big games. Tramon Williams also benefits from having great players around him and a great pass rush. He's a little overrated in my book.
98.) Lofa Tatupu, MLB, SEA
Lofa Tatupu was about the only Seahawk defensive player in the back-seven worth a damn in 2010. He's been a stable reliable and smart nervous center of the Seahawks 4-3 defense for years now. He seems to get lost a lot since he's playing in the great white North, but Tatupu has been one of the best MLBs in the NFL since he entered the league in 2005.
97.) Carl Nicks, G, NO
Carl Nicks makes up one of the Saints two dominant guards and he's probably the better run blocker of the two. Nicks was a little flag happy in 2010, but he's still the Saints most reliable blocker. With all the turmoil at the running back position for the Saints in 2010, he had a great year opening holes from everyone from Julius Jones and Chris Ivory to Pierre Thomas.
96.) Jon Beason, MLB, CAR
The reason why Beason has lost some of his luster is he played 2010 out of position at RLB and away from the MLB position he manned brilliantly from 2007-2009. I'm not sure if that is the future plan for Beason, but he did play pretty well in that position although he was less active in pass coverage which he was pretty good at in the past.
95.) Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
Mike Wallace had a quietly amazing season, with over 20 yards per reception and 10 tds. After Ben Roethlisberger came back from suspension, Mike Wallace's game rose higher and stayed crazily consistent with never having a really bad game. Wallace had a disappointing Super Bowl but there's a really bright future for the man tabbed to replace Santonio Holmes.
94.) Kevin Williams, DT, MIN
The Williams Wall is basically about to be torn down, but Kevin is still hanging on to the top 100. He had probably his worst season of his career, which is the main reason for his precipitous drop from #18 to #94. It's crazy to think that Kevin Williams is a man who had seasons of 11.5, 8.5 and 6 sacks at DT and last year he had 1. He still has the ability though, and is still in his prime.
93.) Justin Smith, DE, SF
I was initially skeptical of his ability to play in a 3-4 when he was signed by the 49ers in Free Agency, but he's arguably been better in San Francisco than he was in his pro bowl career in Cincinnati. I will say that he doesn't seem to be as interested in stopping the run as much as he did in the past, which led to a fall of the whole 49ers run defense on that side.
92.) Jonathan Vilma, MLB, NO
Vilma had a great year in 2009 and I definitely underranked him. He had an average year in 2010, and to make up, I'm probably overranking him. Despite having a 11-5 record and probably a better overall defense in 2010, the Saints had a lot of individual defensive players play worse. Vilma was one of those. He was better blitzing in 2010 but struggled at times in coverage.
91.) Jerraud Powers, CB, IND
Jerraud Powers had a great year in 2010. He's the Colts best corner at both man and zone, especially man, which is what the Colts run more and more often every year. He's extremely quick at reacting to routes, and although he has a tendency to drop interceptions, he really plays well on the ball. One problem is that he, like every Colt, has a problem staying healthy.
90.) Dan Koppen, C, NE
Dan Koppen was dominated by BJ Raji, but then also dominated Casey Hampton and whoever the Jets threw at him. He was one of the only o-lineman for the Pats to play well in the divisional round loss. Dan Koppen is getting a bit old, and he's more inconsistent now, but he's still one of the league's better centers.
89.) Terrence Knighton, DT, JAX
In his second year in the NFL, Terrance Knighton was a beast. He collapsed the pocket about as well as most of the premier NFL DTs. Knighton wasn't great in run support, but he's one of the more consistent interior pass rushers in the NFL. The Jaguars have a nice set of young defenders and Knighton is the best of the bunch.
88.) Joe Flacco, QB, BAL
Joe Flacco's year was strikingly similar to his 2009 year. How close were the two years? He threw just ten fewers times and gained nine more yards. His completion percentage went down by just .5%. His yards per attempt went up by .2. The big difference was the Joe Flacco got a lot better at throwing TDs and fewer INTs. Flacco is a QB on the rise. That said, my opinion of whether he or Matt Ryan is the better player changes just about every week.
87.) Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC
Dwayne Bowe overall had a monster season, one worthy of a spot much higher on the list, but like many players on KC, he had a tendency to beef up those numbers against the weaker teams. He had a three-game stretch against DEN-ARZ-SEA where he had 32 catches for 465 yards and 7 tds. His games against the better defenses were not near anything that good.
86.) Robert Gallery, G, OAK
Robert Gallery has publicly said he intends to leave Oakland. If he does, he's leaving out on top. Gallery has played each of the last four seasons at LG and in those seasons the Raiders have been among the better running teams in the league. He's always gotten a bad rap since he was supposed to be the next great LT, but he's been great since switching inside.
85.) Devin McCourty, CB, NE
What a rookie year. Devin McCourty was great in man coverage as a rookie, locking down some of the better receivers in the NFL. There were notable times where he was beaten, but that is to be expected from a rookie who will undoubtedly improve. Devin McCourty was a great find by the Patriots and has really shored up a transient position for them at corner.
84.) Arian Foster, RB, HOU
Arian Foster had, how should I say this, a big year in 2010. Foster was incredible, leading the league with 1616 yards and adding over 600 more receiving. Why I don't have him any higher is that I've been burned by trusting running backs coached by Gary Kubiak. Steve Slaton had a massive rookie season and now he's basically as NFL relevant as Mike Anderson or any Kubiak running back in Denver.
83.) Eric Winston, T, HOU
Winston's play is probably just a big a reason for the Texans great running game as Foster. He's one of the best RTs in the game, and he's the best blocker the Texans have. The Texans love running right, right over Winston. What makes him even better than his 2009 self is that Winston got better as a pass blocker in 2010.
82.) Eli Manning, QB, NYG
Eli Manning did have a ton of interceptions in 2010, but so many of them were due to passes that hit off the hands of his receivers. That was a legitimate concern for Eli. Apart from those plays, Eli had a great year, with 31 tds over 4000 yards and a career high completion percentage. Manning is making great music with Nicks, Smith and Manningham.
81.) Dallas Clark, TE, IND
In a year where the Colts pass blocking probably hit their all time low, Clark was even more important when he played. Dallas did a great job of being the perfect safety valve for Manning. His injury was extremely flukey so there shouldn't be any lingering effects in 2011. Dallas Clark was on pace for a huge year before he got hurt anyway.
80.) Jerod Mayo, MLB, NE
Jerod Mayo had a bit of a sophomore slump in 2009 but he returned to being an exceptional player for the Patriots in 2010. He was one of the surest tacklers in the NFL, missing just a couple of tackles when he got to the player. The problem was that he isn't the cerebral player that the Patriots linebackers of old were.
79.) Vincent Jackson, WR, SD
Vincent Jackson barely played because of a prolonged holdout, but when he came back, although he wasn't targeted like he was in years prior, Jackson was still one of the NFL's best deep threats. Unlike other players that played few games, since Jackson's wasn't due to injury, he should be fine to have another great year in 2011.
78.) Tamba Hali, OLB, KC
Hali had a monster year with 14.5 sacks, but hidden behind those glittering numbers was the fact that he was worse against the run and very Brian Orakpo-ey in that he played for sacks much more than he tried to hold his run responsibilities. For years Tamba Hali was the only pass rusher worth a damn in KC. That's changing a bit, but he's getting better than ever.
77.) Jay Ratliff, NT, DAL
Jay Ratliff was still a pass rushing force in 2010 but he became very inconsistent in games and took a step back at stopping the run. Ratliff made a pro bowl in 2010 but that's probably just because he wears the star on his helmet. The Cowboys really need Ratliff to return to his true form that he displayed often in 2009.
76.) Austin Collie, WR, IND
This is my second ranking that is probably Colts biased (this and Tryon at #200 - I have full confidence that Jerraud Powers is that good). Austin Collie was a machine in 2010 before his concussions. In nine games, Collie had 58 catches, 650 yards and 8 tds. My guess is the Colts don't want Manning throwing near 700 times in 2010 so his aggregate numbers may drop, but if he stays healthy, he will become the most explosive slot receiver in the NFL.
75.) Donald Penn, T, KC
In his 4th season, Donald Penn's play really took off as he was one of the most underratedly good pass blockers in the NFL. Josh Freeman's blind side was ably protected all year by Penn who if he has a weakness is that he doesn't have the quickest of feet of all the LTs. Donald Penn can also improve his run blocking. I'm sure he will since he's improved every year of his career.
74.) Adrian Wilson, S, ARZ
Wilson is firmly in the downside of his career but he's still one of the best SS in the NFL. Adrian Wilson played more in the box to help stop the continuous bleeding that was the Cardinals run defense, but he wasn't the same in coverage. He's not as active blitzing as he used to be either. His amount of diverse skills has probably lessened, but the one's he still has are top notch.
73.) Antoine Winfield, CB, MIN
Antoine Winfield led the NFL in fewest yards allowed per pass. He was second in the NFL in Football Outsiders' success rate for corner backs. Some of this is skewed (particularly the first stat) by the fact that he plays in a cover-2 scheme, but Winfield had an awesome year in 2010. The Vikings still have a really talented defense that should help Christian Ponder or whoever is the QB in 2011.
72.) Darren McFadden, RB, OAK
Darren McFadden is a bust no more, and he turned from a bust to a pro bowler in one year. McFadden was one of the best two-way RBs in the NFL in 2010 and now that Michael Bush is probably gone, he'll have the backfield to himself. His downhill running style was basically unstoppable and he's just 24. Scary times ahead for McFadden.
71.) DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI
Scary times ahead for DeSean Jackson as well. I didn't do the research, but I doubt there has been anyone with over 100 yards and fewer than 50 receptions in a long, long time. What DeSean Jackson did was special in 2010. He still can be erased if you keep him from beating you deep and his short routes are not great, but he's the best deep threat in the NFL.
70.) Michael Vick, QB, PHI
Late in the season, Vick became a bit like the old Vick but in my opinion that is primarily because the Eagles' pass blocking became a lot worse late in the season. He still was more composed and cerebral at QB than he has ever been. Vick was also a lot more protective of the ball. He reminds me a lot of a younger Donovan McNabb, and as Eagles fans' should know, that is pretty good.
69.) Jabari Greer, CB, NO
Jabari Greer was about as good in 2010 as he was in 2009. Greer held down some of the better WRs in the NFL in man coverage last year, like Roddy White in both Atlanta games and Mike Wallace against the Steelers. Greer was quite a bit healthier in 2010 than he was in 2009 also. Greer is the spearhead of a good young secondary.
68.) Ryan Clady, T, DEN
Clady was awesome again in Denver. His run blocking was a bit worse but he was a rock in pass blocking. I remember his game against Dwight Freeney where he got little help and controlled him well. Clady is one of the few offensive players in Denver that they can truly build around, but his value as a LT will be cut if they start Tebow.
67.) Reggie Wayne, WR, IND
Forget the aggregate numbers like 111 catches and 1355 yards, Wayne was not the same guy in 2010. He had some dominant games but against the premier corners he was pretty well matched play for play. Reggie Wayne still has some years left but the days of him being a dynamic deep threat are probably done.
66.) Chris Snee, G, NYG
His play isn't where it was a couple years ago when he was a surefire all-pro, but he's still the best OG for the Giants and a sturdy foundation for their offensive line, one that has opened holes for a top-5 running game going on four years now. Chris Snee is also one of the better pass blocking interior lineman in the league.
65.) Chad Greenway, OLB, MIN
Chad Greenway was a beast in 2010, with over 100 tackles playing on the outside and 28 "defeats" as FootballOutsiders tracked. Greenway has always quietly been a great blitzer. He's not used often in that defense, but the Vikings blitz more than most Tampa-2 teams, and Greenway's used more than most. He's still young enough to have many more good years.
64.) Lance Briggs, OLB, CHI
Briggs had the same amount of defeats as that linebacker in Minnesota. What made Briggs truly great was the fact that he was great in pass coverage in 2010. Lance Briggs also had a great year at run support with a stop rate of 85% as calculated by Football Outsiders. Briggs was a monster in 2010, and he's 31, so there should be a couple of good years left in him.
63.) Robert Mathis, DE, IND
Robert Mathis definitely benefits from Dwight Freeney being consistently double teamed, but he was great in 2010, with 11 sacks and countless more pressures. Mathis also was among the leaders at the DE position in tackles for loss. Mathis also has become really good at stopping the run.
62.) Jason Witten, TE, DAL
Witten was still elite at run blocking in 2010 and improved his red zone presence, but Witten, and this has been true since 2009, is nowhere near as explosive. His yards per reception has dropped for four straight years down to 10.7 in an offense where the total offenses number is a lot higher. Jason Witten is still relatively young so he could turn it around, but it looks like he's peaked.
61.) Jared Allen, DE, MIN
Jared Allen had three great seasons coming into 2010. That's why his 11 sack season didn't seem that impressive (that and the fact that many of those sacks came late in the season after the Vikings were essentially eliminated). Allen was still among the league leaders in hurries, but was just a half step slow early in the year. He got that half step back and looks good getting forward.
60.) Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
We don't here those stories about Matt Schaub being injury prone anymore, do we? Schaub played a full season again and had another huge year. Schaub's completion percentage went down, but he cut down his mistakes. Schaub was also great late in games. His problem was that his defense usually played worse, blowing the leads Schaub gave them.
59.) Ray Lewis, MLB, BAL
In terms of their importance to their team, Ray Lewis is a top-10 player. In terms of the greatest active players, he's probably either 2 or 3 (depending on how you feel about him vs. Brady). That said, he wasn't the same in 2010. The players around him played better (there are three more Ravens defenders higher on the list). His emotional leadership will never be questioned, but he is no longer an all-pro caliber player.
58.) Charles Woodson, CB, GB
He still is an all-pro caliber player. His coverage skills aren't where they used to, but he's become about the most versatile corner in the NFL. He plays almost exclusively over the slot in 3-WR situations. He's great in run support and a really effective blitzer. He's basically Troy Polamalu as a corner. Charles Woodson might be a hall of famer one day, and although some of his best seasons were in Green Bay, it would be just another Raider D-Back to make the hall.
57.) Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG
Beast. That's all this guy is. He had 79 catches, 1050 yards and 11 tds; and he missed three games. Hakeem Nicks also rarely dropped passes and ran great routes. The best part is that he's only a second year player. The Giants searched for a Plaxico replacement. They got him, and he might be even better.
56.) Devin Hester, KR/WR, CHI
I really struggled about where to put him, but then I remembered. He's easily the greatest return man in the history of the league coming off one of his best years. Yes, he's just another guy at WR, but he just put up 17.1 yards per punt return. That is insane. He's now the all-time leader in return TDs. That merits a high, high spot. Plus, he maybe the greatest "X-Factor" in sports. He can change any game.
55.) Logan Mankins, G, NE
Here are the stats: Mankins played 8 games in the regular season. In those games, the Patriots went 8-0 and scored over 30 points in every game. Mankins made the Patriots o-line absolutely dominant late in the season. He didn't have a great game in the playoffs (which is becoming a trend with him) but that can't discount his amazing run blocking in the regular season.
54.) Casey Hampton, NT, PIT
Casey Hampton was the biggest snub on the 2010 list, and he responded by playing great. He was double teamed like every snap, and although his stats don't look great he was one of the best lineman at sucking up two blockers. Hampton was also one of the few noses who got the better of Nick Mangold all season.
53.) Jamaal Charles, RB, KC
He was amazing, I just want to see what he does when he's the feature back. Michael Turner is a different type of runner and he wasn't used as much, but he had around a 6 ypc in San Diego and although he is a very good player, those numbers went down when he was the every down back. Jamaal Charles is putting up numbers that no one has really put up in his short career. His 1467 yards on just 230 carries is insane. If he can do this consistently, he'll be one of the greatest running backs of all time, and that is why I'm skeptical.
52.) Vernon Davis, TE, SF
His 13 tds in 2009 was probably a fluke, but even his 2010, which is about what he really is, was damn good. He still was a great target in the red zone, and became much more explosive. When Vernon was drafted he was supposed to be a deep threat playing tight end. He finally became that, averaging 16.3 yards per catch from the tight end position.
51.) Jahri Evans, G, NO
He is simply the best pass blocking guard in the NFL. Jahri Evans is a rock at guard and allows Brees, who because of his height needs good interior line blocking, to step up into a clean pocket time after time. 2006 was notable for the Saints as Sean Payton, Drew Brees and Marques Colston's first year. It was also Jahri Evans first year, and his importance is close to the other three.
Next up, numbers 50-26.
