The NFL Network has picked their list of the top 100 players as the 2022 season draws closer, but back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers was only able to take third place.
Topping the list in first place was a familiar name in Tom Brady with the legendary quarterback chosen by the players as the best in the league for the fourth time since 2011. The NFL’s oldest active player needs no introduction as he posted career-high numbers in completions, passing yards as well as tossing 43 touchdowns to just six interceptions in what was his 22nd year in the league.
The 45-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers star had an eventful offseason, however, as he announced his retirement before quickly unretiring soon after. He will go into the upcoming season aiming to add to his bumper list of achievements and accolades, most notably his record seven Super Bowl titles, but he remains a player who continues to compete at a high level.
Brady’s Bucs reached the NFC Divisional round in last year’s postseason until they were eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams. Aaron Donald, the defensive tackle who starred in that Rams team, was the man to take second place in the top 100 list.
He is regarded by many as the greatest defensive player of his generation and stands as the highest-rated defender on the list for the fifth year in a row.
Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback, took third place despite winning the last two MVP awards with some hallmark play. He led Green Bay to their third consecutive 13-win season and the 38-year-old was especially great in comebacks during the season. He has been a mainstay in the top 20 of the top 100 since it began.
Completing the top five was Donald’s Rams teammate Cooper Kupp - who also picked up the Super Bowl MVP - in fourth while Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor took fifth place.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the reigning Super Bowl champions had the most players to feature on the list, with the Rams having three players in the top 100. They will be looking to have another season to remember after clinching a nail-biting 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in last season’s showpiece event.
Three players on the list had changed teams during the offseason with Davante Adams - placed seventh - moving from the Packers to the Raiders. Tyreek Hill, who was in at 15th place, moved to Miami from Kansas City while 20th-placed J.C Jackson moved from New England to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The NFC also has the most players in the top 10 of the list, although the AFC takes over with the top 20. Meanwhile some of the notable players who were placed outside the top 20 included the Comeback Player of the Year Joe Burrow, who took 21st place, and Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase who took 24th.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was only good enough for 27th place on the list to complete the trio of representatives for the Super Bowl champions.
