For the first time in the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2017 countdown, we finally land in a nest of returners. The top of the list has been populated with newcomers almost exclusively, but here, as we approach the half-way point, we finally see some familiar names start to pop up.
We still have a nice dusting of new faces. I expect that to change as we hit the middle part of the list.
80. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Last year: Not Ranked
2016: 299 carries, 1,161 yards, 18 touchdowns, seven catches, 38 yards
Blount has had an interesting career. His rookie year he rushed for 1,007 yards and averaged five yards a carry for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then never really sniffed that mark again until seven years later. He was a short-yardage force of nature last season, scoring a league-leading 18 touchdowns. He probably deserves to be in this list, but 80 is a little high.
79. Sean Lee, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Last year: Not Ranked
2016: 145 tackles, one fumble recovery, one pass defended
For the first time in his career as a starting linebacker in the NFL, Sean Lee played two full seasons back-to-back. This production level is why the Cowboys never gave up on their oft-injured linebacker and probably more than enough reason to be hopeful taking Jaylon Smith in the second round of last year’s draft will pay off.
78. Brian Orakpo, LB, Tennessee Titans
Last year: Not Ranked
2016: 46 tackles, 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble, four passes defensed
Orakpo is another guy that’s been hidden from the league on shitty teams. First, it was the Washington Redskins and for the last two seasons it’s been the Tennessee Titans. Orakpo had great seasons in Washington and they had a playoff season in there. It’s just that those events never synced up. Orakpo was injured in the 2012 playoff season and only played two games. Injuries would wrap up his time in Washington, with just one full season (2013) played before he landed with the Titans in 2015.
77. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Safety, Green Bay Packers
Last year: Not Ranked
2016:79 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, seven passes defended, five interceptions
Clinton-Dix has started all but six games for the Packers in his three-year career, but seen action in all of them. He’s a playmaking, center-field style safety, which I’ve loved since Ronnie Lott roamed the defensive backfield of the San Francisco 49ers back in the 1980s. On an aging Packers’ defense, Clinton-Dix will be a cornerstone player for years to come. Ranking wise, this is probably about right for him at this moment. There’s nowhere to go but up.
76. Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs
Last year: No. 26
2016: 21 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, one pass defended
Justin Houston, when healthy, is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league. But he wasn’t healthy last season. He just played in five games and, granted, he was excellent in those five games, but he probably shouldn’t be on the list this season. Now, if he plays a full 16 games in 2017, he’ll be a Top 20 player on next year’s rankings.
75. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans
Last year: No. 82
2016: 65 catches, 800 yards, seven touchdowns, two rushes, 11 yards
Everything Walker does in the league must drive 49er fans nuts. They wasted him on their roster from 2006-2012. The minute he leaves for the Titans, he’s one of the best, most productive offensive weapon tight ends in the league. As good as these numbers are, they took a hit because Marcus Mariota went down with a broken leg late in the season. Last year Walker caught 94 passes for 1,088 yards and six TDs with a healthy franchise quarterback.
74. Harrison Smith, Safety, Minnesota Vikings
Last year: No. 73
2016: 91 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended
Smith is parked here in the upper 70s for the second straight season. I’m surprised he’s this high on the list, as this was such a low-end year for him in pass coverage. It was almost like the Vikings were using him as a second strong safety for a lot of the season. He’s a Top 100 player, but after last season, I probably would have put him in the 90s.
73. Philip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Last year: No. 46
2016: 60.4 completion percentage, 4,386 yards, 33 touchdowns, 21 interceptions
This is way too low a ranking for Rivers, who continues to plod away at an underapprieciated career. He’s been saddled with some of the shittiest coaches in the league for years and ownership that seems content to piss off all their star players and run them out of town. This 33 TD season for Rivers? It’s his fifth with over 30 touchdowns. He’s never once completed lews than 60.2 percent of his passes as a starter. Rivers stuck it out with the Chargers and they rewarded him with the worst head coaching hire of the offseason, Anthony Lynn. When his career wraps up, Rivers will be one of the great lost and forgotten players of this era.
72. Taylor Lewan, OT, Tennessee Titans
Last year: Not Ranked
Lewan has blasted out on the scene as one of the top left tackles in the league over the last couple of seasons. Considering he was the third tackle taken in the 2014 NFL draft, behind Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews, it shows you exactly why I don’t take NFL scouting that seriously. Robinson is fighting for his career with the Rams after being moved to right tackle and Matthews is an average left tackle, at best, so far.
71. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
Last year: No. 87
2016: 98 catches, 1,106 yards, three touchdowns, 12 rushes, 57 yards
I’m actually surprised at Edelman’s touchdown totals here, especially with the yardage he was able to put up in 2016. This was just his second 1,000-yard season, but his production has always been as a go-to, slot receiver so raw yardage never mattered. I really think this is too low for Edelman, who remains New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s favorite non-Gronkowski target. He’s not a big-play guy and he’s not exciting, but he’s consistent and his freakshow catch in the Super Bowl is probably the reason they won the game.
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