Top 100 players entering the NFL's 100th season: 75-51
Ahead of the NFL's 100th season, theScore ranked the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our football editors. Players who are set to miss significant time due to either injury or suspension were not considered.
100-76 I 75-51 I 50-26 I 25-11 I 10-1
75. Desmond King
CB, Chargers
King, a slot specialist, had the league's best burn rate - how often a receiver gets more than five yards of separation down the field - a season ago. He also had a punt return touchdown.
74. Lane Johnson
RT, Eagles
In two playoff outings last season, Johnson tamed two of the NFL's best pass-rushers - Khalil Mack and Cameron Jordan - keeping both without a sack. He's in the discussion for the best right tackle in the sport.
73. DeForest Buckner
DE, 49ers
The 49ers struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks last year, but Buckner managed to do so consistently. The Oregon product put up 12 sacks, more than his combined output from the previous two seasons.
72. Ben Roethlisberger
QB, Steelers
Though ugly and untimely turnovers doomed him at times over the last few years, Roethlisberger still produces as an elite-level quarterback. The gunslinger led the NFL in passing last season with 5,129 yards.
71. Danielle Hunter
DE, Vikings
Hunter accrued 40 career sacks through four seasons, and he's still only 24 years old. He's taken over from Everson Griffen as the Vikings' No. 1 pass-rusher and should be a Defensive Player of the Year contender in 2019.
70. Dee Ford
DE, 49ers
Ford broke out in a contract year, earning a lucrative deal from the 49ers. He played solid run defense while accumulating a career-high 13 sacks and leading all edge defenders with 77 total pressures.
69. Byron Jones
CB, Cowboys
After finally moving full-time to his natural position, Jones unsurprisingly shined at cornerback in 2018. The former first-round pick possesses elite athletic traits and consistently makes pass attempts in his coverage a nightmare for opposing offenses.
68. Trey Flowers
DE, Lions
Perennially underrated, Flowers is among the league's most versatile edge rushers. The new Lions defender helped the Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl by amassing 7.5 sacks and starring in run defense.
67. Mitchell Schwartz
RT, Chiefs
Schwartz's dominance as a pass-blocker allows the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes to take as many downfield shots as their hearts desire. He's one of the most valuable offensive linemen in the league.
66. Deshaun Watson
QB, Texans
Despite being the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, Watson took a giant step forward in 2018. Displaying poise and awareness beyond his years, the former first-rounder ranked second among quarterbacks with an 88.2 passer rating under pressure.
65. Le'Veon Bell
RB, Jets
Bell may have sat out the 2018 season, but we shouldn't remove Bell from the list of top-tier running backs just yet. There are few players as patient, shifty, and versatile as the three-time Pro Bowler.
64. Chandler Jones
LB, Cardinals
Who boasts the most sacks since 2015? Aaron Donald? Khalil Mack? Nope. Jones' 53.5 sacks are three more than the second-placed Donald; it's time his reputation matched his production.
63. T.Y. Hilton
WR, Colts
Hilton might be without his best friend, but the underrated wideout averaged a career-high 16.9 yards per catch with new Colts starter Jacoby Brissett during the 2017 season, and he's now in a far more creative offense.
62. Kevin Byard
S, Titans
There's a reason why Byard received a hefty raise this offseason. The 2017 first-team All-Pro is one of the game's premier center fielders, accumulating 12 interceptions over the last two campaigns.
61. Darius Slay
CB, Lions
Slay has been one of the NFL's top cover cornerbacks over the last few years, and he produced another strong season in 2018. The Lions defender ranked fourth in pass breakups (17) and allowed just 52.3 percent of his targets to be caught.
60. Harrison Smith
S, Vikings
Smith is the energy-setter for a talented Vikings defense, and the unit wouldn't be anywhere near as intimidating without his ability to play both the strong and free safety positions at an elite level.
59. Geno Atkins
DT, Bengals
The 31-year-old Atkins isn't the force of nature he was earlier in his career, but he still racked up 10 sacks from the defensive tackle spot, the third most of his career.
58. Trent Williams
LT, Redskins
The Redskins' unwillingness to trade the disgruntled Williams has led to an ugly standoff between player and team, but it also speaks volumes about how good the left tackle is even at 31 years old.
57. Zach Ertz
TE, Eagles
Ertz proved he's as sure-handed as they come after a monster 2018 campaign, during which he caught 74.4 percent of his 156 targets. He's built a strong case to be considered the NFL's best tight end.
56. Christian McCaffrey
RB, Panthers
Any doubts about McCaffrey's ability to be an every-down back were put to rest in 2018. The former Stanford standout trailed only Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley in total scrimmage yards, and he looked a threat to score on every touch.
55. Brandon Graham
DE, Eagles
Graham's sack numbers - 13.5 over the past two years - don't jump off the screen, but the defensive end is one of the vital pieces of Philly's stingy defense thanks to his elite run-defense skills.
54. Deion Jones
LB, Falcons
The ultra-athletic Jones is the prototype for a modern inside linebacker. His coverage skills are almost unrivaled, and Atlanta's defense fell apart when he was hurt in 2018.
53. Mike Evans
WR, Buccaneers
Often overlooked in conversations about the league's best receivers, the 6-foot-5 Evans is primed for a huge year in new head coach Bruce Arians' ultra-aggressive, star-making scheme.
52. Darius Leonard
LB, Colts
Not just a tackling machine, Leonard burst onto the scene as a rookie due to his ability to make plays all over the field. He'll be a cornerstone of Indy's post-Luck era.
51. A.J. Green
WR, Bengals
Green's recent slate of injuries has caused some to forget that few receivers can rival his ball skills, body control, and ability to win downfield. If the Bengals are as bad as some predict, the receiver deserves a trade to a contender.