We’re five episodes into the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2016 series and officially at the halfway mark. Let’s get to it.
No. 60. Reggie Nelson, Safety, Oakland Raiders
How the Bengals let Nelson go after the last few years he’s had is a mystery that may never be solved. Whatever the case, the Raiders now have one of the best safeties in the game that has only gotten better every year he’s been in the league. Last year Nelson had 77 tackles, two fumble recoveries and eight interceptions. Last year: Not on the list
No. 59. Michael Bennett, Defensive End, Seattle Seahawks
I have never understood why Michael Bennett is regarded so highly and coming off a career year where he posted double-digit sacks (10) for the first time in eight seasons, I still don’t. He’s a decent NFL player. But No. 59? Ridiculous. Frankly, No. 90 last year was ridiculous. On any other defense he’s invisible. Last year: No. 90
No. 58. Kawann Short, Defensive Tackle, Carolina Panthers
A monster. He’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, but he looks so much bigger than that on the field. Last year he was completely unstoppable with 55 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four passes defended and 11 sacks. From the defensive tackle position at the three technique. No. 58 is too low. How many tackles do they have ahead of him? Last year: Not on the list
No. 57. Clay Matthews, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
Clay Matthews is an NFL star and maybe one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers of all time. So that just shows how talented he really is that the Packers had to play him at inside linebacker so much last season. His sack totals were down because of that (and only that), but his tackles and everything else were the same. Last year: No. 51
No. 56. Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
That’s quite a debut for Bortles on the list, especially with his fellow players voting for him. Bortles is the big reason to like the Jaguars this season and the future. He threw for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns with just 18 picks last season. He still needs to get his completion percentage up (he’s been at 59 percent his first two seasons), but goof things are happening in Jacksonville and Bortles is driving the bus. Last year: Not on the list
No. 55. Eric Berry, Safety, Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry came back from cancer, by God, and re-took his spot as one of the best safeties in the NFL. Berry is probably second only to Peyton Manning in my neck of the woods in Tennessee as far as all-time favorite Tennessee Volunteers go. It didn’t hurt that both his younger brothers are at Tennessee too. Last year: Not on the list
No. 54. Thomas Davis, Linebacker, Carolina Panthers
Thomas Davis is a warrior and that may not be strong enough a word to describe him. The fact that this is his first Top 100 appearance is ridiculous. He’s topped 100 tackles for four consecutive seasons with the Panthers, but what everyone will remember is how he broke his arm in the NFC Championship, had surgery and still played in the Super Bowl. Last year: Not on the list
No. 53. Lavonte David, Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If anything this list is undervaluing linebackers. David may be the best all-around outside linebacker in the league and he’s probably been since his rookie season. He’s never posted fewer than 139 tackles, and that was his rookie year. He’s never had fewer than 85 solo tackles and that was last season. Last year: No. 56
No. 52. Chris Harris Jr., Cornerback, Denver Broncos
Two seasons, 35 games, that’s how long a stretch Harris went without giving up a touchdown pass. That’s how good he is and this is the first time he’s on the list? If it’s because the interception totals are low (he averages about two a year), there’s a reason for that. People don’t throw his way. Last year: Not on the list
No. 51. Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
Bryant drops simply because he barely played. He got hurt twice and still isn’t completely healthy, but the players know. Sometimes they overrate guys (like Michael Bennett), but Bryant is probably one of the five best wide receivers in the NFL. Last year: No. 15
