Steven Cheah's NFL Top 100 Players in 2022: #11 - #40
Continuing my week-long series of the NFL's Top 100 Players for the upcoming season. I have vetted this complete list with a couple people inside the league with different teams whose jobs it is to evaluate players, so I think this is a pretty good water mark for how the league stacks these their Top 100.
#1-#10 will come out tomorrow, but if you missed it, check out:
Note - This list is exempt of any Rookies and other Players that played zero games in 2021 due to either injury or suspensions.
40) CB JC Jackson - Los Angeles Chargers (2021 Rank: NR)
If we're talking JC Jackson, we have to start with ball production, which is outstanding. He led the league with 23 passes defensed in 2021 in addition to being 2nd in the league in interceptions with 8. Phenomenal numbers, but the guy isn't just a stat stuffer, he plays with elite technique and despite being 6'1" 198 lbs., he can choke you out at the line.
39) DT Jonathan Allen - Washington Commanders (2021 Rank: NR)
The former 1st Rounder has really come into his own of late. He's got a combination of freakish strength and good technique which earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl this year. His 9.0 sacks and 16 QB knockdowns were both career highs. He is the anchor of a very talented front four in Washington.
38) OG Zack Martin - Dallas Cowboys (2021 Rank: 44)
After finishing his 8th season, Martin just earned his 7th Pro Bowl and 5th 1st Team All-Pro. The guy is the actual engine of the Cowboys Offensive Line. While guys like Quenton Nelson or Wyatt Teller may garner more headlines for massive pancakes, Martin is the best Guard in football.
37) CB Xavien Howard - Miami Dolphins (2021 Rank: 25)
Xavien Howard had a down year, there is no getting around that. Coming off an insane 10 INTs 20 PBUs season in 2020, he finished 2021 with 5 INTs and 16 PBUs, which are also insane numbers. Howard has the instincts you'd want in a Cornerback mixed with the athleticism to actually carry out all of that football intelligence.
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36) RB Derrick Henry - Tennessee Titans (2021 Rank: 7)
Derrick Henry only averaged 6.6 less rushing yards per game in 2021 than he did in his Offensive Player of the Year campaign in 2020. But unfortunately, he succumb to the injury bug and missed 9 games due to a foot injury. He returned for the playoffs, but didn't seem to have the same pop. When he is on the field he is an absolute game changer as evident by his #7 overall ranking last year. If he can stay healthy this season, he'll be back there on next year's list. But based on his age (28) and career carries (over 1,400), that is no lock.
35) LB Fred Warner - San Francisco 49ers (2021 Rank: 23)
This guy is dripping with instincts and he's got the athleticism to make things happen. Warner is an elite coverage Linebacker, but can also dole out the big hits. In the play below, he reads and reacts so quickly and winds up getting a critical TFL on a 3rd down. And this is just one of many plays I could have shown.
34) EDGE Matt Judon - New England Patriots (2021 Rank: NR)
Before T.J. Watt ended up breaking the single season sack record, I was lobbying for Matt Judon for Defensive Player of the Year for a bit. The guy was incredible in his first year in Foxboro nothing a career high 12.5 sacks. He's got a great get-off and underrated power combined with good technique. He can just straight up splatter guys.
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33) QB Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens (2021 Rank: 24)
He didn't win MVP again, but he is still a terrific player. The play below is the perfect example of what Defensive Coordinators have to game plan for. Lamar drops back, everything is going great, rush is starting to get home, eligible Receivers are covered, and he just scoots away and makes a play. What can you really do??
32) TE George Kittle - San Francisco 49ers (2021 Rank: 20)
George Kittle is the heartbeat of the 49ers and one of the toughest guys in the league. He is an elite blocker at the position and can be used a lot as that which is why his numbers aren't always best in class. But as a Receiver, he's a nightmare too, because when he gets the ball in his hands, he is hell on wheels trying to bring down.
31) WR Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings (2021 Rank: 52)
Justin Jefferson is a technician. His release and footwork are just incredible. He does have average size for the position, but he can go get balls with his athleticism. With just two years in the NFL he's already over 3,000 receiving yards and has 17 TDs. How much higher can he climb??
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30) DT Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs (2021 Rank: 21)
When Patrick Mahomes new contract came out, it was revealed that he took less so the team could sign Jones, who was also due for a new deal. That was a great decision as Jones is an elite player at his position. A position which changed last year with him playing some Defensive End. But wherever you stuck him, he would be sure to make plays as he finished with 9.0 sacks and made his third straight Pro Bowl.
29) OT Rashawn Slater - Los Angeles Chargers (2021 Rank: NR)
This guy was a rookie last year and he is already one of the best Offensive Tackles in football. While he isn't a 'body beautiful' type guy, he just has incredible footwork, strength, and technique so that he's able to handle even the most advanced rushers.
28) EDGE Maxx Crosby - Las Vegas Raiders (2021 Rank: NR)
Maxx Crosby is one of my favorite players to watch. He is just so frisky! He finished the year with only 8.0 sacks, but he led the league in QB Knockdowns with 19. The point is, Crosby was always a disruptive force on the D-Line. The guy is fast too…
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And when I say fast I mean FAST!
27) QB Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys (2021 Rank: 74)
Dak came into the year with questions about his shoulder and if he'd be able to play and perform at a winning level. All he did was throw for 4,449 yards 37 TDs and 10 INTs with 69% accuracy. Pretty good and I think his arrow is still pointing up.
26) DT Jeffery Simmons - Tennessee Titans (2021 Rank: NR)
This man is a menace. Titans GM Jon Robinson took a gamble on drafting an injured player in Round 1 in 2020, but it has really paid off with Simmons. An absolute force against the run while also registering a career high 8.5 sacks in 2021 netted him his first of likely many Pro Bowl appearances.
25) LB Darius Leonard - Indianapolis Colts (2021 Rank: 72)
The Maniac! Another one of my favorite guys in the league just took his game to another level in 2021 leading the league with 8 forced fumbles. In addition to his insane tackle numbers, the guy is punching the ball out too! I'm looking forward to continuing to watch him grow in this new Colts defense which will be without Matt Eberflus.
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24) OT Tristan Wirfs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021 Rank: 62)
Tristan Wirfs is just a wall on Tom Brady's right side. He's listed at 6'5" 320 lbs., but recently said that he was playing around 345 lbs. which is insane size. But in addition to that freakish size and strength, he's got great technique which makes him so hard to get around. He ended up getting hurt on the first series of the Playoffs vs. Philadelphia and the drop-off was palpable. He is their most consistent performer on the O-Line and his return to health will be imperative for the Buccaneers success.
23) EDGE Joey Bosa - Los Angeles Chargers (2021 Rank: 35)
The Big Bear is going to be eating a lot this season, opposite Khalil Mack in a pass rush created in Madden. He is very strong and plays with heavy hands, which is a deadly combination with his technique. He could be even higher next year.
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PSA: Do not try and block him with a Fullback
22) WR Stefon Diggs - Buffalo Bills (2021 Rank: 12)
The top pass catcher for the AFC's top scoring offense, Stefon Diggs is a crafty route runner with an excellent release. He had a lot of top Cornerbacks running in circles last season.
21) QB Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers (2021 Rank: 84)
At 6'6" 237 lbs. with a rocket arm and wheels he is built like a create-a-player in Madden. He looked like it on the field a lot in his first two years with 69 TDs to just 25 INTs. The Chargers are going all-in with Herbert still on his rookie deal with the signings of Khalil Mack and JC Jackson, so the aggressive, Brandon Staley-led Chargers have a legit shot to hoist a trophy this season.
20) TE Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs (2021 Rank: 5)
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Kelce didn't put up the best in class stats for the Tight End position, but he did finish with 92 grabs for 1,125 yards and 9 TDs which is absolutely nothing to sneeze at. He did just takeover games, like this Thursday Night affair against the Chargers. Not to mention that shootout vs. the Bills in the Divisional Round. With Tyreek Hill now in Miami, this leaves more room for Kelce to put up mind blowing numbers. I'm buying more of his stock, which is already very high going into 2022.
19) WR Davante Adams - Las Vegas Raiders (2021 Rank: 9)
Adams got out of Green Bay and reunites with his old college teammate Derek Carr. Adams was arguably the top WR in football the past few years, can he move from an MVP in Aaron Rodgers to Carr and see little to no drop-off? What we do know is those two have chemistry already…
18) EDGE Nick Bosa - San Francisco 49ers (2021 Rank: 29)
The knock on Nick Bosa has always been durability. After playing just two games in 2020, Bosa played all 17 and put up 15.5 sacks and 21 TFLs. He is a game wrecker off the edge and is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
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17) WR Deebo Samuel - San Francisco 49ers (2021 Rank: NR)
We're assuming he stays on the 49ers because that is the best case for Deebo situation-wise. It's a run-first offense that caters to his exact skill set. Kyle Shanahan & co. really used him perfectly last year as Deebo can be a tough run-after-catch Receiver, but also run the ball out of the backfield. He finished with 77 grabs for 1,405 receiving yards while running it at a 6.2 yards per carry clip on 59 carries. He also knows how to put it in the paint with 14 total TDs.
16) QB Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams (2021 Rank: 67)
Hard to deny the guy's greatness with a ring on his finger. Matthew Stafford was all potential with last year's ranking, but being married to Sean McVay and that offense was the perfect fit for the original no-look QB.
And when he actually is looking at his target…good luck!
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15) RB Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts (2021 Rank: 88)
Taylor rushed for 1,811 yards at a 5.5 yards per carry clip. He was also a scoring machine with 18 TDs. His size, strength, and breakaway speed make him so dangerous. He's so young, I'm expecting him to continue to climb.
14) WR Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals (2021 Rank: NR)
So I think the Bengals made the right move to go with Ja'Marr Chase over Penei Sewell. Chase put on a rookie season the likes of which we've never seen before. 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs. He also put up another 25 catches for 368 yards and 1 TD in that magical playoff run. He's Joe Burrow's guy so there is no reason to think he won't continue to be a monster for years to come.
13) CB Jalen Ramsey - Los Angeles Rams (2021 Rank: 16)
Ramsey made his 2nd straight 1st Team All-Pro for the Rams out at Corner. That team has built their foundation around Ramsey and Aaron Donald and it obviously paid off a few months ago with a Super Bowl Championship. Ramsey can do it all at Corner and regularly takes out his assignment, no matter how good they are.
He's also got pretty good ball skills are you can see here…
12) QB Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals (2021 Rank: NR)
Going into the year Joe Burrow's knee was a topic of concern. After that incredible year which led to a Super Bowl appearance, nobody is questioning Joe Cool anymore. He finished 2021 with 4,611 yards passing with 34 TDs to just 14 INTs. He showed up when it counted in the Playoffs and Joey B is a guy I wouldn't want to be against anytime in the near future.
11) WR Tyreek Hill - Miami Dolphins (2021 Rank: 14)
I know he's not with Patrick Mahomes anymore, but he is just a gamechanging Receiver. And no matter what team he suits up for, his speed and elusiveness travel. I am interested to see what this Dolphins offense looks like with two undersized speedsters in Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but I do know that Hill is going to draw a lot of attention. And based on previous history, he'll still put up big numbers.
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