JKFOOTBALL Top 100 Players for 2022: 100-81

 It's that time of year! After debuting last off-season, my top 100 players for the upcoming season list returns for its second annual year! Over the next few days/weeks, I'll be revealing in parts the list of the top 100 players in my eyes for the upcoming season. This is not just a reflection of how good a player was in 2021 but also how I think them and their team might do in 2022. There are bound to be some pretty big snubs. Today we reveal the first 20 players (100-81)! In addition to talking about the player and showing their stats from 2021, I will also write if they were on the list or not last year and where they might have been on the list (to show movement year to year)! If they have an N/A it means they were not on the list last season. Remember, no upcoming rookies on this list either! Here we go!

100. Evan McPherson, Kicker, Cincinnati Bengals | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 28/33 FGs (85%), 46/48 XPs, 58 LONG | 14/14 on FGs in playoffs (including 2 game winning kicks)

To kick off this list, we enlisted a kicker to do so. All jokes aside, Evan McPherson may have just had the greatest season ever for a rookie kicker. Rookie kickers have long been scrutinized due to their historic struggles making the jump from college to the pros. McPherson did not exhibit a single ounce of that throughout this elite rookie season. Just like QB Joe Burrow who was always cool and in his bag, so was McPherson. The fourth round pick from Florida was unreal. In the regular season, he rarely missed. 28/33 is top tier for a rookie. Where McPherson made the name for himself and was so abnormally good that he warranted a spot on the elite club of the top 100 was the playoffs. Every single play is crucial in the post-season, and that gets multiplied by 10 when you are a kicker. This ROOKIE kicker was just lights out. He did not miss a SINGLE kick in the post-season (14/14) en route to helping guide the Bengals back to the Super Bowl. In fact, the game came down to his leg in both the Divisional round and the AFC title game and McPherson famously said "looks like we are going to the Super Bowl" before coming on to hit the kick to send the Chiefs home. McPherson had the most FGs in a single playoff without a miss in NFL history! Ultimately the Bengals came up just short in the big game, but they have a kicker who quite literally could be on pace to become the best kicker ever. Not bad for a rookie kicker.

99. Cordarrelle Patterson, Running Back/Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons 
| LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 153 attempts for 618 yards, 6 TDs rushing | 52 receptions for 548 yards, 5 TDs receiving 

One of the most unlikely and unforeseen breakout developments of the 2021 season was none other than career journeyman Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson was a first round pick in 2013 to the Vikings on the idea that he could be a versatile weapon in the NFL. A position-less player that could move all around the offense. There are few players in the NFL who can really do it and the ones that can are usually some of the best offensive assets in the entire sport. Patterson fizzled out in Minnesota and then Oakland and then New England and then even Chicago. He simply just didn't have what it took to be anything in the NFL. Then he landed in Atlanta in the 2020 off-season. New HC Arthur Smith came from Tennessee in which he coordinated an offense with so many elite talents and really got the most out of his players. He wanted to give Patterson one final shot in Atlanta. It's safe to say it paid off. Patterson caught fire during his first season for the Falcons. Smith was able to play him primarily at RB but also in the slot and outside at receiver. The offense began to run THROUGH Patterson who became the ultimate weapon. He could go for 50 receiving yards and 50 rush yards in a game plus two scores. He ultimately combined for over 1,100 yards and 10 scores during his age 30 season in Atlanta. He simply finally found his spot and an offensive coach who could use him to his strengths. Patterson re-signed with Atlanta and will likely be an All-NFL level chess piece again in 2022. One of the most fun players to watch in football right now!

98. Jordyn Brooks, Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 184 total tackles, 1 sack, 5 pass deflections, 12 stuffs

When the Seahawks stood their ground and made a selection in the first round of the 2020 draft, it was quite shocking. What was even more shocking is when they seemingly "reached" on the lesser known Jordyn Brooks instead of the hot name Patrick Queen at LB. Two years later, they are already seeing the dividends pay off by going with their gut. Jordyn Brooks has slowly but very surely been developing into one of the best LBs in the game. After an up and down rookie year where he was playing behind Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright, Brooks stepped into a profound role in 2021 with Wright in Vegas and he made a bigger jump than anyone could have anticipated. Brooks became one of the premier tacklers in the whole league. Brooks was second in the entire NFL in total tackles with a whopping 184! That is a staggering total. With those 184 tackles and 12 run stuffs, you could see every game how gifted of a run defender he was. The second the ball was handed off Brooks would swarm into the backfield instantly for a tackle or an assisted one. Speedy and instinctive in the run game are Brooks' two defining traits. Heading into year 3, Brooks could be in for his best season yet. He is now THE man in the middle of that 'Hawks defense with longtime great Bobby Wagner headed off to LA. We know the tackles will be there and the run defense, but if he can become a more serviceable coverage guy, the sky is truly the limit for him! I can't wait to watch him play this season and see just how high he can rise on this list a year from now!

97. DJ Reader, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 43 total tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFLs, 7 QB hits

This is why the NFL cannot be purely based upon stats. One of the best players in the entire NFL playoffs last season was none other than DJ Reader, the little known run-stuffing DT that anchors the Bengals' defensive line. If you are a stats merchant, you will see Reader's regular season stats and recognize that they are quite good for a run-stuffing DT in the NFL. But he's so much better than those numbers. Reader absolutely MADE that Bengal defense tick during the post-season especially. Teams would not run the ball on them like they would other teams and it gave Cinncy a major advantage. Reader eats up blocks for breakfast but also routinely crashes into the backfield for a stuff. This season he also took a step forward in pass rushing from the interior, becoming a threat to account for in that aspect as well. While the Bengals offense is what gets all the credit for their magical post-season run, the defense did the dirty-work  and no one did more of that than Reader who was one of the overall MVPs of the 2022 playoffs. I expect even ANOTHER jump in 2022 for Reader as the Bengals look to return to the Super Bowl. 

96. Corey Linsley, Center, Los Angeles Chargers | LAST YEAR: #57 |

2021 stats: 1076 snaps played, 6 penalties, 0 sacks allowed, 85.7 PFF grade

The first player to crack the list for the second straight year! Corey Linsley continues to prove why he is one of the few Centers considered elite in the NFL. After a breakout 2020 season with Green Bay in which he made First Team All-Pro in Green Bay, he signed a mega-deal to become the protector of young stud QB Justin Herbert in LA. While Linsley got all of the hype in 2020, I personally think he had an even better season in 2021 than in '20. In over 1000 snaps of offense, Linsley did not allow a SINGULAR sack on Justin Herbert. While the Chargers came up just short of making the playoffs, their offense was miles better this year than the year before it. Herbert was getting sacked on every other play before Linsley came to town and then suddenly he threw for 38 TDs once Corey arrived. While Linsley finds himself falling over 30 spots, it is not based on him doing any worse, it's just the players around him did better. Linsley should remain a top 100 NFL player and top 10-15 overall offensive lineman in all of football in 2022.

95. Justin Tucker, Kicker, Baltimore Ravens | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 35/37 FGs (95%), 32/32 XPs, 6/6 from 50+ yards, 66 LONG (NFL record)

Looking back and realizing Justin Tucker was not in my top 100 for 2021 feels illegal. That is why I played it safe going into 2022 with not one but TWO kickers cracking the top 100. While I can see how some might not have wanted McPherson on the top 100, Tucker is on here no question. It's been known for a long time now that Justin Tucker is probably the best kicker in NFL history, but this season confirmed it all the more. Week 3 of the season. Ravens down 2 points to the winless Lions with three seconds to go. The Ravens offense got the ball into "field goal range" aka 66 yards out (which has never been done before). Justin Tucker lined up the kick and HIT IT. From 66 yards out. The NFL record. Was there ever a doubt that Tucker would be the one to break the previously standing 63 yard FG record?! Not really. Tucker hitting that field goal of all field goals was just the cherry on top to an already Hall of Fame level kicking career. There is no better kicker in NFL history. There just isn't. He's missed just 4 career extra points. He rarely ever misses from 50+. He's clutch. I mean it's hard to put it into words. He's just simply the best kicker ever and will continue to be in 2022. I feel like he deserves top 30 recognition but I can't bring myself to put a kicker that high. He's that good, and everyone knows it though.

94. Brian Burns, Edge Rusher, Carolina Panthers | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 50 total tackles, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections

Undoubtedly one of the best young edge rushers in the NFL, Brian Burns feels like he is on the verge of a complete breakout. After completing his first 3 NFL seasons, Burns has record 7.5, 9, and then 9 sacks again. He is one of the more physically imposing and gifted rushers in the sport at just age 24 and again, feels like he's on the verge of becoming a 15+ sack guy. Burns was barely left off the top 100 a season ago but it feels like it is time for him to enter it in anticipation for what he may do in 2022. He is already an all-around D-lineman. While many might just credit him as a good rusher, he is one of the fewer and fewer that also is very very good in run defense. Carolina is not going to be good in 2022, but Burns will be. He will be the lone bright spot on a porous defense. 

93. Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams | LAST YEAR: #15 |

2021 stats: 170 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 5 pass deflections

Aging is not for the faint of heart they say. After cracking the top 15 a year ago, Wagner slides all the way to 93 heading into 2022. For the first time in his long and illustrious career, Wagner will not be seen in his classic blue and green next season. He will now don the blue and gold of the LA Rams as he signed with them following his un-ceremonious release from Seattle. While Wagner didn't regress as much as it might seem from this much of a fall in the ranks, he definitely has lost a step. He is still the elite, All-World tackler he's always been. He's also still a great run defender from the LB spot, but his pass coverage has dropped mightily. Once a great zone coverage LB, Wagner is now somewhat of a liability in that aspect of his game. With so much star power on that LA defense around him, I'm sure Wagner will succeed as this will be the least pressure on him than there really has been in years. The future Hall of Famer is still an easy top 100 player in the league in my eyes.

92. Wyatt Teller, Offensive Guard, Cleveland Browns | LAST YEAR: #71 |

2021 stats: 1107 snaps played, 11 penalties, 4 sacks allowed, 84.9 PFF grade

After bursting onto the scene in 2020 and receiving All-Pro honors in 2020, Wyatt Teller debuted on my top 100 at 71. After a second consecutive great season blocking for the Browns, Teller returns to the list, but falls a bit due to an array of things. Teller was a nobody in Buffalo, but since his trade to Cleveland, he's been one of the best lineman in all of football. Teller plays with such consistency. The Browns know he's going to be healthy to play and they know that he is going to anchor their stout running game while also providing above average pass blocking. Teller's life gets a little easier with superstar QB Deshaun Watson entering the fold in 2022. That should only make his numbers even better as he goes for a third straight elite season at guard in 2022. 

91. Kevin Byard, Safety, Tennessee Titans | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 88 total tackles, 5 INTs, 13 pass deflections, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles

Since entering the NFL in 2016, Kevin Byard has routinely been amongst the most underrated players in the entire league. While he wasn't much his rookie year, from his Sophomore season to this point, Byard has been an unquestionable top 10 safety in the game. We've known for some time now that the Titans have a great offense. What we didn't know was how great their defense was. The Titan defense was playing like one of the very best in the league down the stretch last season and a huge portion of the honor has to go to Kevin Byard. Byard is a straight up ball-hawk. He's picked off 23 passes in his pro career (5 this past season). Byard creates turnovers and plus opportunities for Derrick Henry and the offense. He also batted 13 passes this season which is amongst the very most of all safeties in the league. Byard is an elite zone coverage ball hawking safety that has been the catalyst for transformation of this Tennessee defense. Give him his damn flowers. After I snubbed him last season, Byard checks in at 91 heading into 2022.

90. Matt Judon, Edge Rusher, New England Patriots | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 60 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection

After an underwhelming 2020 campaign, Matt Judon hit free agency with little momentum. However, Bill Belichick did what he does best in terms of seeing talent even in the rough, and he signed Judon to a sizable contract to come over to New England and be their top edge rusher. It's safe to say he did that in 2021. Judon doubled his sack total during his first year in New England going from 6 sacks to 12.5. There was a stretch about halfway through the year where Judon looked like the BEST edge rusher in football. Not even joking. He was piling up sacks like it was no one's business, which is exactly what he was paid to come and do for the Pats. Entering his age 29/30 season with the Patriots in 2022, under the same defensive scheme Judon should be poised to have another elite pass rushing season. The Patriots had the best overall defense in football in 2021 and Judon was a MAJOR reason as to why. If he has another 12+ sack season, he will likely enter the top 50 at this time next off-season...

89. Demario Davis, Linebacker, New Orleans Saints | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 105 total tackles, 3 sacks, 7 pass deflections

I'm not quite sure how/why Demario Davis was not in my top 100 a year ago heading into 2021, but he is not getting brutally snubbed for the second straight season. Davis has been one of the very best linebackers in football for multiple years now. Ever since he left the Jets and headed to the Big Easy, he has been a different animal. Davis is an extension of the defensive coaching staff in the middle of the New Orleans defense. He calls out plays and assignments and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Along with his outstanding football IQ is his ability to genuinely take over a game. During a close, defensive Monday Night football game with Seattle, Davis racked up 10 tackles, 2 sacks, and the game-sealing pass breakup. There are few MLBs who have the ability to actually takeover a game like he can. Despite entering his age 33 season, Davis is set to be one of the very best inside linebackers in the game again in 2022 for a Saints team back to contending. 

88. DJ Moore, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 93 receptions for 1,157 yards, 4 TDs receiving

There are about 15 or so receivers that many consider very good to elite in NFL circles. DJ Moore feels like he is routinely left out of that group in my opinion. Why? He puts up very similar elite yardage totals as the rest (1,100+ in each of the last 3 seasons). He is a great route runner and open field player. Oh yeah, it's because the Panthers are always terrible and never have a steady QB that Moore is able to create a consistent rapport with. All of the other said to be top tier wideouts have their signature QB that they are known to be paired with. Moore does not. Throughout his 4 year career he has caught balls from the likes of a washed Cam Newton, Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker, and a couple other no name backups. He has NEVER had an elite QB, or even one that is really above average. Yet somehow he never fails to produce. Moore has become one of the best deep threats in football and is going to put up numbers no matter who is throwing him the ball. That is the sign of an elite receiver. Can a guy like Odell Beckham or even Allen Robinson say the same?

87. Jason Kelce, Center, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 993 snaps played, 4 penalties, 1 sack allowed, 84.4 PFF grade

Even though he's 35 years old, Jason Kelce continues to play like he's in his mid twenties. The future Hall of Fame center is poised for another elite season on the interior of Philly's O-line as they look to be major contenders following a great off-season. There are few offensive lineman that can play into their mid to late 30s and produce as if it's any other year. Kelce is one of them. He anchors one of the best offensive lines in football and has done so for his entire career. In 2021, during his age 33/34 season, Kelce allowed just a singular sack in almost 1000 downs. To make it even more impressive, he did this with inconsistent QB Jalen Hurts under center who had the tendency to hold onto the ball for too long. Kelce is great in both run and pass blocking and I expect him to be among the best of the best interior lineman once again in 2022.

86. Ryan Ramcyzk, Offensive Tackle, New Orleans Saints | LAST YEAR: #98 |

2021 stats: 653 snaps played, 0 penalties, 2 sacks allowed, 84.1 PFF grade

Our first riser from last year's list! Ryan Ramcyzk who is one of the best OTs in the NFL rose 13 spots from 98 last year to 86 going into 2022! As you can tell by his 2021 stats alone, this guy can protect! While he missed a bit of time, when he was on the field there was no denying the 28 year old pillar. Ramcyzk was so disciplined as well, which is rare from OTs, earning 0 penalties all year long! As I mentioned earlier, the Saints are going to be back to contention this season and Ryan Ramcyzk's health is going to go a long way towards if they are successful or not. His pass blocking for Winston on the perimeter is crucial to the success of this high powered offense. Ramcyzk comes in at 86 going into 2022.

85. Von Miller, Edge Rusher, Buffalo Bills | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 50 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble | 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble in PLAYOFFS

While Von Miller is an unquestioned future hall of famer and has been one of the best edge rushers in the NFL for 10 years now, 2020 was a bit of a down year for him. While he still had 9 sacks, he did not seem like he was the same player he once was. This continued into the beginning of 2021 as well as Miller had only 4 sacks through 7 games with Denver. Then at the deadline, everything changed. Miller was shipped to the Rams for a second round pick with a title on the mind of both parties involved. It's safe to say that worked out. Miller turned it right back on in LA and was a force playing on the same DL as Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd. Miller added 5.5 sacks down the stretch and then turned it up even higher in the playoffs as he notched 4 more and a forced fumble en route to winning his second career Super Bowl! Following the storybook season, Miller signed a MEGA-DEAL with Buffalo to finally give them a pass rush. I can't warrant such a big deal for a player of Miller's age (33-yrs old) but I will say that the deal should work out well in the short term. It is clear as day that Von still possesses what it takes to get home in the NFL as he looks to push the Bills over the hump. Could Miller win a third Super Bowl with a third different team in 2022? His play will go a long way towards deciding the answer to that...

84. Jamal Adams, Safety, Seattle Seahawks | LAST YEAR: #27 |

2021 stats: 87 total tackles, 2 INTs, 5 pass deflections

The Seahawks went all-in on a Super Bowl push in the 2020 off-season by acquiring Jamal Adams for a hefty price. While the all-in effort did not pay off in 2020, Adams played very very well and was an All-Pro second teamer after breaking the single season record for sacks by a DB with 9.5. 2021 was quite a different year for Prez. Adams was not sent blitzing as much and as a result he went from an NFL record 9.5 sacks to 0 in the span of one year. While he was not utilized as a free-flowing rusher as much, he was a lot more useful in coverage as he picked off two passes and broke up 5. He dealt with some injury so was not always on the field. 2022 is full of promise for the highest paid safety in football. The Seahawks are shifting from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 and Adams is expected to be able to play a more balanced role as he had previously played polar opposite roles in the two seasons prior. While Adams is a pretty over-hated NFL player right now, I'm anticipating a great 2022 season in which he regains respect. For now the fall from 27 to 84 may seem like a lot, but at this time next year, I could see him back inside the top 30-40.

83. Jordan Poyer, Safety, Buffalo Bills | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 93 total tackles, 3 sacks, 5 INTs, 9 pass deflections

When talking about the best safeties in football, a name that is rarely brought up is Jordan Poyer. That should change after the season he just had. In a breakout 2021 campaign, Jordan Poyer was everywhere for the Bills' top 3 ranked defense. He racked up over 90 tackles and 3 sacks as a box player and then poured in an All-NFL worthy 5 picks and 9 pass deflections in a center fielder role. Poyer was probably the best player on that great Bill defense and was selected to NFL's First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his long career. Heading into 2022, there is no reason to believe Poyer should do anything less than what he just accomplished. Buffalo has added nicely to their defense which should only help him. After playing like one of the top 3 safeties in football in 2021, Poyer easily cracks the list at 83 going into 2022.

82. Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Cleveland Browns | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2021 stats: 43 total tackles, 3 INTs, 10 pass deflections, 0.5 sacks

It is so hard ranking the top 100 players in football. Picking the 100 best isn't bad, but when you have to sit down and rank them, that is the tough part. Ward at 82 is one of those that almost feels wrong. Do not get me wrong, Denzel Ward is one of the best CBs in the entire NFL and he's just entering his prime. The contract extension he signed this off-season which makes him the highest paid CB in NFL history should reflect that. Stats are never a true indication of how good a CB is, and that is what we have here with Ward (even though his stats are quite solid as well). Ward was shutdown once again in 2021. He picked off 3 passes and broke up 10. Ward is such an asset on that stacked Browns defense. He is one of the fastest CBs in the NFL and can run with any wideout. His instincts and ball skills as a CB are also top of the line which makes his package as a player so great and so rare. I feel bad putting Ward down at 82 as I could see a case for him within the top 50, but this is just how I have things shaking out at this current moment heading into next season. I hope he proves me super wrong and is inside that top 20-30 range when we make the list again next season. For now, 82 ain't bad at all anyway. 

81. Derek Carr, Quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders | LAST YEAR: #94 |

2021 stats: 4,804 yards, 23 TDs, 14 INTs passing 

The first QB of our top 100! Derek Carr who debuted on the list last season at 94 has risen a solid 13 spots since! When I added Carr to the list last off-season, it was a projection for how I believed he would fare in 2021. It is safe to say I saw it coming. Off-season after off-season there seemed to be doubt in Vegas that Carr was truly the franchise guy. There is no longer any doubt after the season Carr just had and specifically the final stretch he played which saw him lead the Raiders to the post-season on an unlikely late season push. TD:INT ratio wise, Carr was nothing INSANE, but his 4800 yards passing were 5th most in the league and he also was the unquestioned leader of this gritty Raider team. This team dealt with so much pain early in the season including the bizarre divorce with HC Jon Gruden and the tragic release of WR Henry Ruggs as well. Through it all, Carr led this team with his cannon arm and great decision making to the post-season, including a week 18 OT win over the Chargers to seal it. Derek Carr has the 'IT' factor that so many QBs in the league do not have. Going into 2022, Carr is set to take even another step. They have a new, offensive minded HC in Josh McDaniels which can only benefit Carr as well as the addition of All-Pro WR Davante Adams (who was Carr's top receiver in college). The offense has top 5 potential and Carr is set to go crazy in 2022!

The top 100 will continue within the next few days when we will release players 80-61...