JKFOOTBALL Top 100 Players for 2024: 80-61

 As I said in our last release, it wouldn't be long until the next batch of players on our annual JKFOOTBALL Top 100 would be released, and here it is! After many big names were released in players 100-81, just get ready for more of the best today. Lets get into it!

80. Jevon Holland, Safety, Miami Dolphins | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 74 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT (returned for a TD), 4 pass deflections (limited to 12 games played, injury)

It gives me great pleasure to kick off this next set of players on the big list with Jevon Holland. Holland has been an exceptional player for each of his first three seasons, yet finally, he makes his long-awaited debut on the list. Holland has been just on the outside looking in the past two years, but no longer! No longer is Holland just that young safety with real upside but not established amongst the best of the best. He is officially a top 3-4 safety in all of football, at just the age of 24! Holland is a stat-sheet-stuffer, and more than just that. Some players put up good numbers, but their impact is not always actually felt to the magnitude of those numbers, that is not the case with Jevon Holland. The young safety is always around the football, making plays in all levels of the field and all phases of the game. He is a great tackler, has exceptional ball-skills and coverage ability, and makes plays when his team needs him. He reminds me a lot of a younger Derwin James. After multiple years of being snubbed from my list, Holland now debuts at #80 heading into 2024! 

79. Nick Chubb, Running Back, Cleveland Browns | LAST YEAR: #31

2023 stats: N/A (just 2 games played, injury)

The 28 year old RB who has long been one of the best backs in football sustained one of the more gruesome injuries we've ever seen during a week 3 game against the Steelers this season. Two games into the season he was doing what we all know Nick Chubb to do, grind out yards and get stronger as the games go on. Chubb was likely on pace for another amazing season which would likely garner All-Pro recognition and potentially another rushing title. Now, the leg injury he sustained puts a lot of things in doubt. At 28 years old, Chubb is entering the back end of his prime, and now coming off of this big injury, who can be sure he will be the same beast we all have known him to be. I wanted to put him much higher on this list, heck he was #31 last season, but the injury and age really does concern me, leading to his sizable drop to #79 on this list. I am part of the group that believes Chubb will bounce back and be his old self this season, but there is no guarantee, hence his position on the list. Lets hope he is back to running down-hill, through people, and taking on one of the biggest workloads in the sport again. If he stays healthy and is back to his old ways, he has a big-time chance to lead the league in rushing once again, and be a prime candidate for Offensive Player of the Year status. Lets hope he is back within the top 30-35 after his 2024 season.

78. Jordan Love, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 4,159 yards, 32 TDs, 11 INTs passing | 50 carries for 247 yards, 4 TDs rushing

Have the Packers really done it again?! No matter who is running the show in the front office for Green Bay, they all have seemed to share a similar philosophy over the past couple decades: draft a young, promising signal caller early even while your star is in their prime. Every time it raises eyebrows, yet it is on the verge of working for the third straight time. Jordan Love served his time on the bench for a couple of years, waiting in the wings and learning behind Aaron Rodgers, but when Rodgers was traded, it was officially time for the Love era in Green Bay, and boy is it looking like the start of something great. Love came onto the scene hot, stringing together multiple great games to begin the year before slumping mid-way through, showing accuracy and decision-making issues that had many worried about the future of the Packers. However, Love figured it out, and in a big way down the stretch, playing inspired, clean football and helping the Packers sneak into the playoffs as a 7 seed. Love really made a name for himself when he starred in a shocking, blowout round 1 upset over the no. 2 seeded Dallas Cowboys, and then he followed it up with another great game, nearly knocking off the favorite 49ers. Following the season, it is clear that the Packers have their franchise quarterback. Love's 32 passing TDs were good for SECOND MOST in the NFL in just his first season, and his 4100 passing yards were 7th as well. With another off-season behind him and a continuously improving Packer roster, big things could be in store in 2024. Jordan Love cashes in on an exceptional first season as a starter by making his T-100 debut at #78! 

77. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Rusher, New York Giants | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 50 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections

We all knew the Giants got a good one when they drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux 5th overall in the draft two years ago, but I am not sure how many people thought he would be this good this fast. After a rookie season with a lot of growing pains and not much production, Kayvon Thibodeaux simply just BURST onto the scene in his sophomore campaign, posting a whopping 11.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles as the Giants top defensive weapon. Thibodeaux is so powerful yet so athletic and juiced up. He is kind of the whole package in terms of what teams look for in a young edge rusher, and it has already turned into elite level production this early on in his career. KT is just going to get better in his third season, so barring injury, I could easily see 14+ sacks and 3+ forced fumbles for the new face of the Giants' defense. Watch out TJ Watt and Myles Garrett, there is a new edge rusher bursting onto the scene right in front of our eyes. 

76. DJ Moore, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 96 receptions for 1,364 yards, 8 TDs receiving

After a one year hiatus from the list, DJ Moore is back with a vengeance in 2024, checking in at #76! DJ Moore has always been an impressive player to me, and many others in his young career. He produced despite whoever was under center in Carolina, and proved that to be correct again in 2023, playing with Justin Fields who is not the best thrower of the football. Moore is the definition of a deep threat, but was also utilized a lot near the line of scrimmage this year, which proved to be another calling card for him, as he is so good at breaking tackles with the ball in his hands. If 96 catches for nearly 1400 yards and 8 scores isn't good enough for you, just wait for 2024. The Bears are one of the most improved teams in the NFL over this off-season, adding a potential superstar rookie QB with Caleb Williams along with future Hall of Fame wideout Keenan Allen, and also another top 10 pick rookie receiver in Rome Odunze. All of these things bode well for Moore's projections to have an elite season. A true thrower of the football he can play with, and two elite level wideouts to take some attention off of him. DJ Moore could be in for the best season of his young career in 2024, and he returns to the list at the high ranking of #76!

75. Kyren Williams, Running Back, Los Angeles Rams | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 228 carries for 1,144 yards, 12 TDs rushing | 32 receptions for 206 yards, 3 TDs rec. (limited to 12 games played, injury)

The Rams did it again. Another late round player who was seemingly a nobody bursting onto the scene like no other in 2023. Kyren Williams was their 5th round pick in 2022, but had just 35 carries in his rookie year in a backup role. With personnel changes in 2023, Williams got the chance to be the week 1 starter for LA at the RB position, and he never looked back. In just 12 games, Kyren Williams ran for well over 1,000 yards and a whopping 12 TDs. If he had played the full season, there was a real chance he would have led the league in rushing, given he was 3rd while still missing 5 games. Williams had FIVE multi-TD games, including capping the regular season off with a 3 TD performance against the Giants. He doesn't seem flashy, but man does he get the job done. He is exceptional at breaking tackles and finding lanes to run in and has defenses looking very susceptible any given Sunday. Williams did sustain an injury this off-season, but feels likely to return in time for week 1. In 2024 I expect more of Williams' elite tackle-breaking and ball carrier vision, and his knack for punching it in inside of the 5 yard line. What a find by the Rams, as he makes his T-100 debut at #75! 

74. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 72 receptions for 1,250 yards, 5 TDs receiving

Amari Cooper was a household name quickly after being drafted with the 4th overall pick in the 2015 draft to the Raiders. His career started off hot with back to back 1,000 yard seasons, but then he was plagued with injuries eventually shipped off to Dallas. In Dallas he was very good, but no longer was talked about as much as he had been, and then he was shipped eventually to Cleveland, where no one really ever talks about him. Well, he deserves his recognition once again as a solidified top 100 NFL player who is now coming off of back to back elite seasons in Cleveland, no matter who is throwing him the football. Cooper is one of the craftiest, skilled wideouts in the game, not necessarily the flashiest, but he does everything the right way and most important, just gets open. Even playing between an injured Deshaun Watson and a very old Joe Flacco in 2023, Cooper was awesome. He had a game for the ages with Flacco, racking up 265 yards and 2 scores on 11 catches to close out the regular season. Games like that show us just how good Amari Cooper is, and how he deserves to be talked about much more than he does. After admittedly snubbing him last year, Cooper returns to the Top 100 inside of the top 75! 

73. Zack Martin, Offensive Guard, Dallas Cowboys | LAST YEAR: #32

2023 stats: 908 snaps played, 3 penalties, 4 sacks allowed, 69.8 PFF grade

The 33-year old Cowboy guard just keeps on churning out Top 100 level seasons, and returns to the list yet again, though falling more than 40 spots. This is pretty much just one of those instances where a guy falls on the list not necessarily due to production, but just because of how good the other Top 100 players are. There is an argument for Martin to be near the top 30 again. Martin just remains a symbol of consistency in Dallas, routinely being arguably the best guard in the sport. His blocking numbers may not jump out at anyone, but they do not tell the full story. If you truly dive into the advanced blocking metrics, Martin is near the top in most. He provides run and pass protection at a high level well into his 30s and is a major reason Dak Prescott enjoyed an MVP-like stretch during this season at times. Sure, it may not seem like it, but Zack Martin has been one of the best players in the entire NFL for years, and he likely will remain that way for even longer.

72. Khalil Mack, Edge Rusher, Los Angeles Chargers | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 74 total tackles, 17 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 10 pass deflections

A third-straight timeless wonder checks into the list. The 33-year-old pass rush turned back the clock this past season, seemingly turning into his mid-20s version of himself and turning in the best season of his storied career. Mack exploded for 17 sacks (4th in the league) and 5 forced fumbles (3rd in the league). He probably would have had my vote for Defensive Player of the Year if I had a say. Mack hadn't had even double digit sacks since 2018, almost 6 seasons ago. His resurrection almost came out of nowhere, but now we know even at the age of 33, he still has juice left in the tank. I also have to mention his SIX sack game against the Raiders earlier in the season which is downright mental, coming one shy of the single game record of 7. I don't know where this burst came from, but as of now, it appears Khalil Mack is BACK, and he checks into the top 75 and will stay here or higher until proven otherwise.

71. Haason Reddick, Edge Rusher, New York Jets | LAST YEAR: #56

2023 stats: 38 total tackles, 11 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Following a breakout, 16 sack season with the Eagles in 2022, Reddick, while still elite, took a slight step back this past season (along with his whole Eagle team). 11 sacks is still very good, but he was not the game-wrecker every given Sunday like he had been the year before. Following the season, he was shipped to the Jets in a trade where he will look to return to full dominance in his age 29 season playing on one of the most vaunted defenses in all of football. I am expecting a big year from him, as we all know he has it in him, he's still in his prime, and he has arguably the best supporting cast around him that he's had of his entire career. I think Robert Saleh is about to get a big year out of Reddick, and he could rise again on the list next year as he looks to make it more than 3 straight years of checking into the big list!

70. Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 108 receptions for 1,243 yards, 7 TDs receiving

Yet another ageless vet checking into the list. For the first time in his 10+ year career, we will not see Keenan Allen in the blue and yellow of the Chargers. Allen was shipped to the Bears in a trade this season and will be WR1B to the 1A of DJ Moore who was mentioned earlier in this Top 100 article. While he is 32 and that is usually when even the best of the best in terms of receivers slow down, I don't think Allen will yet. His game is unique where it is not necessarily his speed that makes him good or to get open, but his route running savyness. In a new offense with a potentially gamechanger at the QB position, along with Moore and potential rookie sensation wideout Rome Odunze, Allen is set up for major success, despite his age. I am so excited to see Allen in an offense with these guys and just how good he might be. After an injury-riddled 2022 left him off this list last year, it is great to see him back and better than ever ahead of the 2024 season! 

69. Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | LAST YEAR: #73

2023 stats: 79 receptions for 1,255 yards, 13 TDs receiving

It feels like we are on a roll of timeless wonders on this list right now. Another year, another Mike Evans Top 100 appearance / 1,000 yard season. I feel like a broken record writing about Evans yet another year, but he really is just the definition of consistency in the NFL. He remains NEVER having a season under 1,000 yards. He has now made it 10/10 in terms of seasons played and seasons where he had at least 1,000 yards receiving. Evans is right there with Jerry Rice in terms of 1,000 yard season records, and he became the first player in NFL history to have at least 1,000 yards every year for their first 10 seasons. Not only did he have 1,000 yards this past season, he actually crushed that by nearly 300 yards along with having the MOST receiving TDs in the league. His chemistry with breakout QB Baker Mayfield was awesome, and it really helped lead the Bucs to the brink of an unlikely NFC Championship game appearance even in the post Tom Brady Tampa Bay era. No matter who is throwing the ball or what the situation is, you can bet on Mike Evans putting up 1,000 yards. I will not leave Evans off the Top 100 until he doesn't get an 1,000 yard season, which feels like it may NEVER happen!

68. Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Baltimore Ravens | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 81 total tackles, 4 INTs, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 13 pass deflections

One of the 2023-24 season's biggest breakout stars makes his top 100 debut inside the top 70! The 23 year old chess-piece had a promising rookie season in Baltimore after being selected 14th overall in the 2022 draft, but fully realized his potential this past season, in which he broke out into a full-fledged superstar. Hamilton was always hailed as someone with immense upside to be the next versatile weapon in the league on defense, and he showed us why in 2023. Hamilton was EVERYWHERE on that loaded Raven defense, making plays at all three levels and became someone that opposing OCs needed to account for on every play. He did it all. 80+ tackles, 4 picks, 3 sacks, 13 breakups. The 6'4, 220-pounder is so fast for his size, and his size in turn makes him so hard to scheme for as well. He was a First-Team All Pro and Pro Bowler in just his second season, at 23 years old, and has shown us he is going to be an All-NFL player for years to come, and this is just him scratching the surface. A year from now I could totally see him within the top 30! He feels like the next great Raven safety, which is pretty high praise.

67. Talanoa Hufanga, Safety, San Francisco 49ers | LAST YEAR: #75

2023 stats: 52 total tackles, 3 INTs, 3 pass deflections (limited to 10 games, injury)

Just one slot ahead of Kyle Hamilton is another one of the league's up and coming superstar young safeties. Talanoa Hufanga broke out big-time a year ago, and then was in the midst of following it up again when he suffered a season-ending injury and missed the end of the 2023 season. While Hufanga is not as physically imposing as Hamilton, he is just as skilled. Hufanga is such an instinctive player who is really tough to account for when throwing on the vaunted 49er defense. He is a huge piece of their defense, and was a major loss for them when he went down. He is one of those guys who is always in the right place at the right time, and is only getting better at just age 24. While his season was cut short, he still rises 8 slots as I project him to have another All-Pro type season with full health in 2024 as a leader of the feared 49er D. Back-to-back Top 100 finishes for the young stud safety!

66. Lane Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles | LAST YEAR: #23

2023 stats: 981 snaps played, 4 penalties, 3 sacks allowed, 80.9 PFF grade

A perennial member of this list makes his return. Lane Johnson, entering his age 34 season has long been one of the very best offensive tackles in all of football, and I see no reason why he wouldn't remain that way again in 2024. He is coming off of yet another elite season as one of the anchors of the vaunted Philly OL as he made another All-Pro team. Johnson did fall nearly 45 spots on this year's list, but not because of really a noticeable drop his play, but just other players in the league rising. It is so hard to pick the best 100 players, let alone rank them, that sometimes a lot of guys on this list really could be interchangeable. The Eagles look to have a bounceback 2024 campaign, and Johnson will be a big piece in that happening as always!

65. Tristan Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | LAST YEAR: #52

2023 stats: 1,099 snaps played, 6 penalties, 5 sacks allowed, 81.1 PFF grade

While Wirfs is only 25, he is becoming in some ways the next sort of Lane Johnson. Ever since being drafted early by the Buccaneers a few years ago, Wirfs has been one of the best OTs in all of football. Every year you are getting the same elite results with this guy, and his consistency feels like it will continue throughout a 10-15 year career, just like Lane Johnson. The Buccaneers enjoyed a revitalized season under QB Baker Mayfield, and one of the main reasons that Mayfield was able to have so much success was Wirfs anchoring his line. Mayfield finally had the time to process and make all the accurate throws in the world due to the elite protection by Wirfs and co. Wirfs is also a great run blocker, arguably better in that facet of his game than pass protection, and is now on the verge of signing a mega-deal to remain in Tampa for a long time. Another year, another Tristan Wirfs Top 75 ranking!

64. Trey Hendrickson, Edge Rusher, Cincinnati Bengals | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 43 total tackles, 17.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections

Trey Hendrickson made his Top 100 debut two seasons ago, following his inaugural season with the Bengals in which he posted 14 sacks. The next year he was still very good, but just missed my list with 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Then, this past season he broke out for the best season of his productive career, exploding for 17.5 sacks (tied for 2nd most in football) and another 3 forced fumbles. This guy just knows how to get to the QB. He has 60 career sacks and doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. The 29 year old edge rusher has been the best player on an ever-improving Bengal defense, and has given them better results than anyone since maybe a prime Carlos Dunlap or Geno Atkins, two Bengal legends. Hendrickson is so big and powerful he simply overwhelms opposing O-lineman. With Joe Burrow back healthy leading this offense, and Hendrickson leading the defense, expect the Bengals to get back to their winning ways in 2024! 

63. Quinnen Williams, Defensive Tackle, New York Jets | LAST YEAR: #29

2023 stats: 62 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 3 pass deflections

Even though his sack numbers weren't quite the same as his 12 sack explosion one year prior, Quinnen Williams was every bit as dominant for the Jets this past season as he's ever been. Williams has always been an elite run stuffer, which he continued this year, but the icing on the cake for this guy is how he is one of very few game-breaking elite interior pass rushers. 5.5 sacks IS an elite total for any defensive tackle, as it is much harder to get home to the QB from the inside spot. The 305 pounder has so much power, yet so much finesse, which makes him just impossible to block. Teams routinely double team him, which is a testament to his skill. Williams was a Pro Bowler again for the second time in his career this past season, and continues to live up to the massive deal the Jets rewarded him with. At 26 years old, Williams is in the midst of his prime and could once again be a focal point of an elite Jets defense, on a team that finally has real playoff aspirations with Aaron Rodgers finally set to be at the helm of this offense!

62. Tyler Smith, Offensive Guard, Dallas Cowboys | LAST YEAR: N/A

2023 stats: 942 snaps played, 13 penalties, 1 sack allowed, 72.9 PFF grade

In his second pro season, Tyler Smith officially arrived. The swing tackle/guard for Dallas really found his spot playing primarily on the inside, and was awesome for the Cowboys. At just 23 years old, it already looks like the 'Boys might have found their next franchise elite guard. Smith allowed just 1 sack in nearly 1,000 snaps, along with being one of the best pure run blockers in all of football. Dak Prescott was able to enjoy an MVP type season with the aid of Smith (and Zack Martin who was mentioned earlier) blocking for him. Smith made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his young career AND was a First-Team All-Pro, pretty good stuff for such a young player. People gave the Cowboys some heat for drafting him early two years ago, coming from a smaller school and not a skill position type player, but he has already proved his worth and looks like a budding superstar on the line. The one thing holding him back from being a Top 30-ish player is the penalty numbers. 13 is a ton, it was the most in the league for a Guard and he will have to get that down, but I'm sure he will in time. Young OL tend to have holding problems early in their careers and get it down eventually as they fully adjust to the speed of the NFL game. If penalties are the only real negative to the game of a 23 year old, it is a bright future on the horizon! Tyler Smith makes his Top 100 debut at #62! 

61. Mark Andrews, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens | LAST YEAR: #64

2023 stats: 45 receptions for 544 yards, 6 TDs receiving (limited to 10 games played, injury)

Mark Andrews checks back into the Top 100 at 61, rising 3 spots from last year. Andrews is still trying to match his insane 2021 season in which he totaled over 100 catches for nearly 1,400 yards and 9 scores, but he has had fair reason as to why he hasn't since. 2022 was a down year for the Ravens with a lot of QB injury plaguing the team, and then Andrews himself missed 7 games with injury in 2023, limiting his statline to only 540 yards and 6 scores, which by the way, are great numbers for the average Tight End. The thing is, Andrews is NOT your average TE. He is one of the few ELITE TEs in our game. Andrews has long been the top receiving threat in Baltimore, and should be again this year with full health. Even when he is injured or in a down year, this 60s range is about where he always will be (floor). When the Ravens are healthy and he is healthy, he will produce so well that he will be in the 40 or even better range. We all know how good he is as a receiving threat, and so while it has been two years since his 1,400 yard outburst, if things work out in 2024, he will be near that again, hence his great ranking at 61!

The Top 100 will continue soon!