JKNFLFOOTBALL Top 100 Players for 2023: 30-21

 After a small buffer, we are back and really ready to get into the thick of things here as we get my players 30-21 for the upcoming season! No more waiting, here we go. 

30. Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers | LAST YEAR: #59 |

2022 stats: 244 carries for 1,139 yards, 8 TDs receiving | 85 receptions for 741 yards, 5 TDs receiving

A year ago things were looking pretty uncertain for the former First-Team All-Pro back. Christian McCaffrey set the NFL world on fire during that 2019 campaign but then played just a total of 10 games the following two seasons. 59 was even somewhat generous last season as a projection for an injury-prone, overused back. I'm glad I even had him inside my top 100, because 2022 was an insane bounceback for the superstar back. CMC was off to a solid start even playing for the middling Panthers, but a mid-season traded to the Super Bowl contending 49ers seemed to rejuvenate McCaffrey in a whole new way. McCaffrey finished the season with just shy of 2,000 all-purpose offensive yards and 13 scores, looking like the best player in the world at times. He is such an elite weapon any way you slice it on offense. He can be a slot receiver, a through the tackles runner, an outside zone demon, and he can even throw it at times (throwing a TD in a game on a trick play). The 27 year old back is in for another elite season should he stay as healthy as he did in 2022. This new-aged, Kyle Shannahan offense is perfect for him, and he should be a top 3 back in the league once again in 2023!

29. Quinnen Williams, Defensive Tackle, New York Jets | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2022 stats: 55 total tackles, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections

The 25 year old Quinnen Williams has always been a plus player for the Jets, but until 2022, he hadn't truly lived up to the hype of being the 3rd overall pick in the draft back in 2019. Williams exploded in 2022, piling up a whopping 12 sacks (2nd most for DTs and 11th most in all of football). That number is staggering for a DT, and there are only a handful of guys that can put up that many from that position in the history of the NFL. This guy has his fingerprints all over pretty much every defensive play. He eats blocks and collapses the pocket better than pretty much anyone in the league. Williams made First-Team All Pro for the first time in his young career and earned a mega-extension this off-season as well, which is well deserved. After a few iffy years to start his career, Quinnen Williams explodes onto the scene, making his top 100 debut at #29!

28. Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Denver Broncos | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2022 stats: 60 total tackles, 2 INTs, 10 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble

In my 'just missed' section a year ago, Patrick Surtain II lived up to his well known family name and exploded in 2022. The second year corner must have put in serious work in the off-season, because he went on and established himself as an easy top 5 CB going into his third pro season. The 23 year old former top 10 pick was absolutely shutdown this season, marking up against some of the best receivers in the game and not allowing sh*t. The advanced stats love this guy, and for good reason. QBs simply stopped throwing it in his direction. The Broncos clearly have their shutdown CB1 of the next decade, and he is going to be a big part in bringing the no fly zone back to Denver. From N/A to 28, not bad at all.

27. Tariq Woolen, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2022 stats: 63 total tackles, 6 INTs, 16 pass deflections, 1 defensive TD

Seattle has done it again. GM John Schneider, known for his elite work at finding superstar talent late in the draft has their next Richard Sherman. Tariq Woolen absolutely dominated the pre-draft process like many expected, there are few physical specimens quite the same as him on the planet. 6'4 and a 4.2 forty time. You just don't see that. Seattle was willing to take a flier on the small school prospect who has barely played corner for two full years (former WR) and it paid off instantly. Woolen won a starting CB job in training camp for the Seahawks and never looked back, leading the NFL in interceptions as a rookie with 6 along with a whopping 16 pass deflections. Woolen made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and finished as a DROY finalist. It is crazy to think of the rookie season for the ages he had and the fact that he really is so new to the CB position. This guy is just scratching the surface of what he can become, and he enters my top 100 as a rookie inside of the top 30!!

26. Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers | LAST YEAR: #18 |

2022 stats: 4,739 yards, 25 TDs, 10 INTs passing

Another year, another top 100 for the young signal caller. Justin Herbert continues to shine early on in his career and has already clearly established himself as one of the game's few elite passers. Herbert continues to put up stellar numbers, especially in the yardage department. After passing the 5,000 yard mark in 2021, Herbert ranked second in the NFL (only behind MVP Mahomes) this year with another whopping 4,700 yards. A 4700 yard/25 TD/10 INT season might be the best year of some QBs' careers, this was actually probably the worst statistical season of Herbert's career, which really is a testament to the guy. I only move him down 8 spots this year because three years in, we are still yet to see that playoff success from him that we have seen from some of the other elite young QBs in the game. Herbert made the playoffs for the first time in his career in 2022 (which is certainly a step in the right direction), but he and his Chargers blew a massive lead in the game and ended up losing to the worse overall Jaguars. I know Herbert has it in him, but until we see some more playoff success coupled with his unreal numbers and game, I'm not sure he will rise higher than his #18 mark a year ago, or his #26 mark from this season. 

25. Maxx Crosby, Edge Rusher, Las Vegas Raiders | LAST YEAR: #23 |

2022 stats: 89 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections

We've all known that Maxx Crosby is a dawg for years, but for as sure of a thing he has always been since bursting onto the scene a few years back as a late round pick, this was his best season to date. Crosby finished 8th in the NFL with his 12.5 sacks and notched an elite 3 forced fumbles on top of that. The advanced stats also prove that Crosby creates more pressure than pretty much anyone in football as he notched 47 pressures which was second most in the league only behind the DPOY. Crosby's play and nasty demeanor might make him the most feared player in the sport, they call him Mad Maxx for a reason! Back-to-back years inside the top 25 for Crosby.

24. Jason Kelce, Center, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: #87 |

2022 stats:  1,149 snaps played, 8 penalties, 0 sacks allowed, 88.3 PFF grade

These Kelce brothers really just do not regress. I was dumb to think that Jason Kelce might have lost a step heading into this season, as I ranked him at #87 going into the year. Kelce only then went on to have one of the best seasons of his decorated (future Hall of Fame) career. He played the second most snaps of any center in the league and allowed 0 sacks the entire way. His 88.3 PFF grade is easily one of the highest of any player at any position in the game. The Eagles ran their way through the regular season and NFC playoffs behind a stout run game which was the league's best, and that was anchored by the man in the middle which is none other than Kelce. While Jalen Hurts might get the MVP votes and recognition, it is Kelce who might be the most vital piece of the offense. In 2023, Kelce and the Eagles will look to seek revenge on younger brother Travis' Chiefs. What a rise for a 35 year old, going from 87 all the way back up to 24!

23. Lane Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: N/A |

2022 stats: 972 snaps played, 6 penalties, 0 sacks allowed, 83.2 PFF grade

This goes to show how damn unfair this Eagle OL was this past year. Back-to-back linemates in the top 25 AND the fact that FOUR out of the 5 starters from that OL from last season are in my top 100. Think about that for a second. As great as this OL was, Johnson was the best player on it. While Kelce might be the anchor of this group, Johnson is the crucial piece in the passing game alone. He protected Jalen Hurts' blindside all year long, allowing 0 sacks at the arguable hardest position in the sport. I am somehow so dumb that I did not include him on my list last season, when he has been a top 3 OT for years now. Either way, it makes it all the more impressive that a 33 year old could convince me to have him go from unranked to #23 in one season at this stage of his career. Johnson received the second First Team All-Pro nod of his future HOF career and the first in over 5 years for that matter. Johnson has proved he still has a lot left in the tank and I will never undervalue him again.

22. Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Las Vegas Raiders | LAST YEAR: #11 |

2022 stats: 100 receptions for 1,516 yards, 14 TDs receiving

I guess this goes to show how top heavy the amount of superstars there are in football right now. Davante Adams continues to one up his seasons for the ages, and I actually had him drop 11 spots this year. Adams headed out West to Vegas for his first season without Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball, and he just picked up like he never left. Adams caught triple digit passes for over 1500 yards and 14 scores! His instant chemistry with Derek Carr was impressive (picking right back up from where they left things years ago as Fresno State). For a long time I used to believe that Adams might be a product of the Rodgers/LaFleur system, but he continues to prove to me he is just one of the best damn receivers of the decade. Adams received his third career First Team All-Pro selection and led the NFL in receiving TDs for the second time in his career as well. His 1500 yards were third most in the sport. With Derek Carr gone to New Orleans now, I slightly downgrade Adams this year as he will be catching balls from the worst QB he's had in years. He has clearly proven it does not matter who is throwing him the ball, so we will see if I look dumb a year from now for moving this stud down a slight bit. Still, another year, another easy top 25 for Adams.

21. Stefon Diggs, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills | LAST YEAR: #24 |

2022 stats: 108 receptions for 1,429 yards, 11 TDs receiving

Every single year, Stefon Diggs rises. Since Diggs has joined Josh Allen and the Bills, there has been no stopping this guy. Probably the smoothest, most fluid route runner in the game, Diggs is incredibly light on his feet and seems to always have slithered his way open deep down the field where his massive armed QB floats it into his outstretched arms. Diggs recorded his third straight 100 catch season, all of which have been with Buffalo, and there is no reason to believe he won't do it again. The stats may slightly favor Davante Adams, but from the eyetest and in terms of what it contributes to winning, I take Diggs just barely. Diggs made Second Team All-Pro for his insane season and will look to build on it for another huge 2023 campaign. He could be even higher in 2023 if history continues to repeat.

The list will continue very shortly as we have reached the TOP TWENTY!