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Top 100 NFL players: No influence here, other than scouts, film
By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior NFL Columnist
This list of the top 100 players in the NFL isn't the same as some of the others you will see.
You won't see a kneel-down-and-pray quarterback who plays like a fullback on this list in an attempt to draw in eyeballs. lol
You won't see some pet-project guard who, through television broadcast reviews and number crunching, some say had his best season.
Nope, this is my list. It's based on eyes (mine), ears (listening to scouts) and hours of watching tape.
If you're looking for conventional lists, look elsewhere. You won't find Tim Tebow, nor would you find him in my list of the top 300 players in the NFL. You also won't like where some of the perceived stars are placed and, yes, I still think Troy Polamalu is overrated.
This is a list based on actual football evaluation heading into the 2012 season. Injured stars who are out for the season -- or likely out for the season -- won't be on this list. That means Eagles tackle Jason Peters and Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, two sure top-20 players, aren't included.
So dig in and enjoy. And compare it to those other lists out there and get as fired up as you want.
It's just an opinion. So don't beat me up too badly.
Hear that, Maurice Jones-Drew?
Pete Prisco's Top 100 Players
1 Aaron Rodgers QB
Green Bay He was special in 2011, winning league MVP honors and there's no reason to think he will slow down.
2 Tom Brady QB
New England There are no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Just keep him away from the New York Giants.
3 DeMarcus Ware OLB
Dallas This explosive rusher has to be accounted for on every play. He missed out on the sack record, but not by much.
4 Calvin Johnson WR
Detroit He is so good he sometimes commands triple coverage.
5 Darrelle Revis CB
N.Y. Jets His ability to line up in man coverage against the league's best receivers really sets him apart from most of the other corners.
6 Drew Brees QB
New Orleans He broke Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season, a mark that he's threatened before. He also threw 46 touchdown passes.
7 Jason Pierre-Paul DE
N.Y. Giants It's hard to believe he's just scratching the surface on what he can do. He's already one of the best edge rushers in the game.
8 Julius Peppers DE
Chicago He didn't have huge sack numbers for the Bears, but he was a force last season. He had one of his best all-round seasons.
9 Larry Fitzgerald WR
Arizona He once again put up big numbers, despite little help on the other side and so-so quarterback play.
10 Rob Gronkowski TE
New England He emerged as the league's best tight end in 2011 and there's no reason why he can't be even better. He's too fast for linebackers and too strong for safeties.
11Jared Allen DE
Minnesota He led the NFL in sacks with 21 1/2, bouncing back from a so-so 2010 season.
12 Andre Johnson WR
Houston He was limited to eight starts because of injuries, which limited his numbers, but he's still one of the league's best.
13 Patrick Willis LB
San Francisco This tackling machine is the best inside/middle linebacker in the game. He is also good against the pass.
14 Justin Smith DE
San Francisco He is an all-day battle for whoever is lined up across from him. Smith can rush the passer and he's good against the run.
15 Eli Manning QB
N.Y. Giants Two Super Bowl titles in five years has established him as one of the top passers in the league. It isn't always pretty, but he finds a way in the clutch.
16 Ben Roethlisberger QB
Pittsburgh He suffered through injury issues again in 2011, which hurt his ability to play the way he usually does. When healthy, this two-time Super Bowl winner is especially good in crunch time.
17 Carl Nicks G
Tampa Bay This mauler in the run game is as good as it gets at opening holes. He's also improved as a pass protector. The one knock is that he sometimes get too aggressive.
18 Mario Williams DE
Buffalo He missed most of last season for the Texans with a torn pectoral muscle, but there's a reason the Bills paid him a mega-contract in free agency. Being back to his down-end spot in the 4-3 will help too.
19 Maurice Jones-Drew RB
Jacksonville He led the league in rushing for a team that couldn't throw the football. He was a one-man band.
20 Philip Rivers QB
San Diego He threw for 4,624 yards and 27 touchdown passes for a team that was battered by injuries. He carried the Chargers all season long.
21 Jimmy Graham TE
New Orleans He had his breakout season in a 2011, a big, fast pass-catching tight end who has only scratched his potential.
22 Duane Brown OT
Houston He was one of the better left tackles in the league in 2012 after a slow start to his career. He didn't give up a sack.
23 Joe Thomas OT
Cleveland He remains rock solid as the left tackle for the Browns.
24 Geno Atkins DT
Cincinnati He was a dominant inside player last season, beating up on good guards at times. He has the quickness to get a pass rush, but he's strong enough to hold up against the run.
25 Haloti Ngata DT
Baltimore He is a top player, but he didn't play as well as in previous season in 2011. He did have problems with a bruised thigh that affected his play.
26 Ed Reed S
Baltimore He isn't the same player he was a few years ago, but he's still a big part of the defense. He doesn't have the same range he once did.
27 Brian Cushing ILB
Houston He's a good tackling inside linebacker who probably gets knocked down some because of the questions about performance-enhancing drugs. Not on this list. He was special last season.
28 Adrian Peterson RB
Minnesota He will be coming off a torn ACL, so he's a tough player to place on this list. He works so hard that I expect him to be close to what he was, which was special. If he's healthy, he's higher on the list.
29 Johnathan Joseph CB
Houston He went from Cincinnati to Houston as a free agent and responded with his best season. He is a better cover player than some thought he could be.
30 Vince Wilfork DT
New England He is a wide load in the middle of the New England defense. But he's also much quicker than his body would make you think. Wilfork is so athletic he moves around the New England line.
31 Clay Matthews OLB
Green Bay His play, despite what the Packers might say, tailed off some from 2010. But he remains one of the better outside 3-4 rushers.
32 LeSean McCoy RB
Philadelphia He is a versatile back who can run it and catch it. He makes the Eagles' offense go.
33 Peyton Manning QB
Denver Where would he be on the list if he were healthy? Right near the top. Until we know if he's all the way back, I'll keep him here.
34 Dwight Freeney OLB
Indianapolis His sack totals were way down and he wasn't the same player as in years past, but he still has double-digit sack ability. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to moving to outside linebacker.
35 Eric Weddle S
San Diego He went to his first Pro Bowl last season, which was well-earned. He's a rangy safety who fits with the modern game. He tied for the league lead with seven interceptions.
36 Arian Foster RB
Houston He was limited to 13 games last season, but he still was fifth in the league in rushing with 1,204 yards. He's also a weapon in the passing game.
37 Cameron Wake OLB
Miami He is a premier pass rusher who has improved against the run. He would be even better if he had help on the other side.
38 Tyron Smith OT
Dallas He was outstanding as a right tackle as a rookie and now moves to the left side where he can better utilize his athletic ability. This is the next great O-lineman in the league.
39 Troy Polamalu S
Pittsburgh Yes, he's a good player. No, he isn't as good as most think. He's good in the run game, but he has issues in coverage.
40 Brian Urlacher MLB
Chicago At 33, he had one of his best seasons in 2011. Urlacher looked years younger.
41 Tamba Hali OLB
Kansas City He is coming off his best season with the Chiefs, emerging as a top-level pass rusher. He also holds the point against the run.
42 Wes Welker WR
New England He is the prototypical slot receiver, a vital part of the New England passing game. What would the New England offense be without him?
43 Jason Witten TE
Dallas He is still the No. 1 target in the Dallas offense, Tony Romo's security blanket. He is outstanding in the middle of the field.
44 Marshal Yanda G
Baltimore This right guard has emerged as one of the league's best. He is a tough-guy mauler who can also block well in protection.
45 Trent Cole DE
Philadelphia Ask any offensive tackle to name a pass rusher who earns their respect, and it's Cole. He plays hard all the time and he has the burst off the edge.
46 Steve Smith WR
Carolina Some thought he was near the end in 2010, but Cam Newton helped rejuvenate his career. He can still stretch the field.
47 Champ Bailey CB
Denver Even at the age of 34, he is still a top corner. He isn't what he used to be, but he's still damn good.
48 Matt Ryan QB
Atlanta He's done a lot of good things in the regular season, but it's time he wins a playoff game.
49 Nick Mangold C
N.Y. Jets When he was out early last season, the Jets missed him badly. He is tough in the run game and has improved in pass protection.
50 Matt Stafford QB
Detroit He was finally healthy and we saw what he could do when he threw for more than 5,000 yards.
51 Hakeem Nicks WR
N.Y. Giants Victor Cruz got a lot of attention last season, but Nicks is the Giants' best receiver. He is big and can get vertical, which makes him a tough matchup.
52 Ray Rice RB
Baltimore This do-it-all back can run inside and he can also be a big part of the passing game. Sometimes, the Ravens get away from him too much and it cripples the offense.
53 Jahri Evans G
New Orleans He had a lot of penalties last year, which hurt his reputation. But he remains one of the game's most powerful, athletic guards.
54 Derrick Johnson ILB
Kansas City He was all over the field for the Chiefs in 2011. He showed why they made him a first-round pick four years ago.
55 Joe Haden CB
Cleveland He didn't get the attention he deserved playing for a bad Browns team, but he emerged as a top cover corner last season.
56 Jake Long OT
Miami It's become trendy to pick his game apart, but he battled through injuries last season and missed the final two games.
57 Mike Wallace WR
Pittsburgh He was really explosive early last season, but tailed off late. If not, he'd be higher on this list. I think he will be next year.
58 Calais Campbell DE
Arizona The Cardinals rewarded him with a big contract last week for a reason. He was their best defensive player last season.
59 Chris Long DE
St. Louis He had his breakout season in 2011, emerging as an impressive pass rusher and a guy who will play the run.
60 Brandon Flowers CB
Kansas City He's an outstanding man-cover player who gives the Chiefs a lot of versatility in the back end because he can match up with good receivers.
61 Roddy White WR
Atlanta He might not always be consistent, but he remains one of the better receivers in the NFC. As Julio Jones gets better, he will do even more.
62 Robert Mathis OLB
Indianapolis His sack numbers weren't his best, but he had one of his best seasons for the bad Colts team in 2011. He now moves to a 3-4 rush linebacker in the new defense.
63 Matt Forte RB
Chicago He showed his value to the Bears last season with a sensational all-round performance. He did miss time with a knee injury.
64 A.J. Green WR
Cincinnati As a rookie he flashed star potential -- and that was with a rookie quarterback and without an offseason. Scary.
65 Jason Babin DE
Philadelphia He had 18 sacks after signing with the Eagles, teaming with Trent Cole to give Philadelphia a nice 1-2 punch.
66 Frank Gore RB
San Francisco He is one of the tough inside runners in the league. But has he peaked?
67 Brandon Carr CB
Dallas He was good last year for the Chiefs in man coverage and will now be the No. 1 corner in Dallas. There's a reason he was paid as a free agent.
68 Jordan Gross OT
Carolina He was once again the rock on the Carolina line. He did have a rough go of it against Jared Allen.
69 Andrew Whitworth OT
Cincinnati He is one of those players who never gets the due he deserves. He is a good pass protector who has improved as a run blocker. He never backs down.
70 Adrian Wilson S
Arizona He's been one of my favorites for a long time and bounced back from a subpar 2010 season to play at his usual high level. The amazing thing is he did it with a torn biceps tendon. Wow.
71 Greg Jennings WR
Green Bay Watch the tape of the Kansas City-Green Bay game and you'll know his value to the Packers. He is their down-the-field weapon.
72 NaVorro Bowman ILB
San Francisco He emerged last year as a force playing next to Willis. He flies to the football like Willis, but he isn't quite as good in pass coverage yet.
73 Josh Sitton G
Green Bay He had some knee issues last season, which hurt his performance some. But when he's healthy, he's one of the game's better right guards.
74 Ndamukong Suh DT
Detroit He was good at times last season, but not as good as he was as a rookie. He needs to quit being so aggressive. He gets trapped a lot and overruns plays.
75 Sean Weatherspoon OLB
Atlanta This weak-side linebacker will be the star of the Atlanta defense. As he became more comfortable with his responsibilities he looked much improved.
76 Lardarius Webb CB
Baltimore The smooth cover corner earned a big paycheck with his best season in 2011. Entering his fourth season, he should continue to improve.
77 Von Miller OLB
Denver He was explosive as an edge pass rusher as a rookie. It's scary to think how good he can be in a year or two.
78 Tony Romo QB
Dallas It's easy to just dismiss him at times, but Romo deserves to be on this list. He might be the most picked-on player in the NFL.
79 Victor Cruz WR
N.Y. Giants He came out of nowhere to become one of the league's better receivers. He is terrific after the catch and was a huge part of the Giants' Super Bowl run.
80 LaMarr Woodley OLB
Pittsburgh He was limited to 10 games and still had nine sacks. He does a nice job against the run as well.
81Nnamdi Asomugha CB
Philadelphia He was miscast last season in the Eagles defense after signing a big free-agent deal. But he played much better in the second half and still has elite cover skills.
82 Daryl Smith OLB
Jacksonville He is a quiet leader of a defense that made big strides last season. Smith isn't flashy, and he doesn't get sack numbers, but he's one of the game's best 4-3 outside linebackers.
83 Cam Newton QB
Carolina He was sensational as a rookie when he didn't have an offseason. How good can he be? Very, but he needs to cut down on the interceptions.
84 James Laurinaitis MLB
St. Louis He gets lost playing for a bad Rams team, but he is a tackling machine who can also cover in the passing game.
85 Ray McDonald DE
San Francisco He doesn't get the due he deserves because of others on the defense. But he plays hard, makes a lot of plays and is starting to get the attention.
86 Dwayne Bowe WR
Kansas City One has to wonder how good he could be if he had a quarterback.
87 Logan Mankins G
New England He had a bad Super Bowl, playing on a torn ACL, but he is a mauler when healthy.
88 Chris Johnson RB
Tennessee Yes, his numbers were down after a contract issue to open the season. But he still has that explosive speed. Watch for a big bounce-back season.
89 Jared Veldheer OT
Oakland He was sensational early last season and had a few hiccups later, but I still think he's an emerging star at left tackle.
90 J.J. Watt DE
Houston As a rookie he was a big part of an improved Houston defense. It will be a shock if he isn't one of the best 3-4 down players in the league.
91 Brian Orakpo OLB
Washington He has 28 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons, nine last season.
92 Darnell Dockett DE
Arizona He wasn't as good as Campbell last season, but he's still one of the better down lineman in the league. Dockett plays with a nasty streak.
93 Chris Gamble CB
Carolina The Panthers think he should have been in the Pro Bowl, and they might be right. He had one of his best seasons.
94 Brandon Marshall WR
Chicago We saw a hint of what he can do with real quarterbacks in the Pro Bowl. Now he's reunited with Jay Cutler, which should be a good thing.
95 Michael Turner RB
Atlanta He continues to be a workhorse in the Atlanta backfield. But is he starting to slow down because of all the carries?
96 Charles Woodson CB
Green Bay His play slipped some in 2012 after an amazing 2011 season. He isn't as good a cover player as he was a few years ago.
97 Earl Thomas S
Seattle This rangy player has all the tools to be a dominant safety in a passing league. His cover skills are impressive.
98 Aldon Smith OLB-DE
San Francisco He had 14 sacks as a rookie being used mainly in situational packages. He has a chance for so much more.
99 James Harrison OLB
Pittsburgh He had nine sacks in 11 games and was once again a big part of the Pittsburgh defense. But he's starting to show signs of age.
100 Darren Sproles RB
New Orleans He is the modern prototype for the NFL back. He was the NFL's best free-agent signing in 2011. He's also a great return man.
By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior NFL Columnist
This list of the top 100 players in the NFL isn't the same as some of the others you will see.
You won't see a kneel-down-and-pray quarterback who plays like a fullback on this list in an attempt to draw in eyeballs. lol
You won't see some pet-project guard who, through television broadcast reviews and number crunching, some say had his best season.
Nope, this is my list. It's based on eyes (mine), ears (listening to scouts) and hours of watching tape.
If you're looking for conventional lists, look elsewhere. You won't find Tim Tebow, nor would you find him in my list of the top 300 players in the NFL. You also won't like where some of the perceived stars are placed and, yes, I still think Troy Polamalu is overrated.
This is a list based on actual football evaluation heading into the 2012 season. Injured stars who are out for the season -- or likely out for the season -- won't be on this list. That means Eagles tackle Jason Peters and Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, two sure top-20 players, aren't included.
So dig in and enjoy. And compare it to those other lists out there and get as fired up as you want.
It's just an opinion. So don't beat me up too badly.
Hear that, Maurice Jones-Drew?
Pete Prisco's Top 100 Players
1 Aaron Rodgers QB
Green Bay He was special in 2011, winning league MVP honors and there's no reason to think he will slow down.
2 Tom Brady QB
New England There are no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Just keep him away from the New York Giants.
3 DeMarcus Ware OLB
Dallas This explosive rusher has to be accounted for on every play. He missed out on the sack record, but not by much.
4 Calvin Johnson WR
Detroit He is so good he sometimes commands triple coverage.
5 Darrelle Revis CB
N.Y. Jets His ability to line up in man coverage against the league's best receivers really sets him apart from most of the other corners.
6 Drew Brees QB
New Orleans He broke Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season, a mark that he's threatened before. He also threw 46 touchdown passes.
7 Jason Pierre-Paul DE
N.Y. Giants It's hard to believe he's just scratching the surface on what he can do. He's already one of the best edge rushers in the game.
8 Julius Peppers DE
Chicago He didn't have huge sack numbers for the Bears, but he was a force last season. He had one of his best all-round seasons.
9 Larry Fitzgerald WR
Arizona He once again put up big numbers, despite little help on the other side and so-so quarterback play.
10 Rob Gronkowski TE
New England He emerged as the league's best tight end in 2011 and there's no reason why he can't be even better. He's too fast for linebackers and too strong for safeties.
11Jared Allen DE
Minnesota He led the NFL in sacks with 21 1/2, bouncing back from a so-so 2010 season.
12 Andre Johnson WR
Houston He was limited to eight starts because of injuries, which limited his numbers, but he's still one of the league's best.
13 Patrick Willis LB
San Francisco This tackling machine is the best inside/middle linebacker in the game. He is also good against the pass.
14 Justin Smith DE
San Francisco He is an all-day battle for whoever is lined up across from him. Smith can rush the passer and he's good against the run.
15 Eli Manning QB
N.Y. Giants Two Super Bowl titles in five years has established him as one of the top passers in the league. It isn't always pretty, but he finds a way in the clutch.
16 Ben Roethlisberger QB
Pittsburgh He suffered through injury issues again in 2011, which hurt his ability to play the way he usually does. When healthy, this two-time Super Bowl winner is especially good in crunch time.
17 Carl Nicks G
Tampa Bay This mauler in the run game is as good as it gets at opening holes. He's also improved as a pass protector. The one knock is that he sometimes get too aggressive.
18 Mario Williams DE
Buffalo He missed most of last season for the Texans with a torn pectoral muscle, but there's a reason the Bills paid him a mega-contract in free agency. Being back to his down-end spot in the 4-3 will help too.
19 Maurice Jones-Drew RB
Jacksonville He led the league in rushing for a team that couldn't throw the football. He was a one-man band.
20 Philip Rivers QB
San Diego He threw for 4,624 yards and 27 touchdown passes for a team that was battered by injuries. He carried the Chargers all season long.
21 Jimmy Graham TE
New Orleans He had his breakout season in a 2011, a big, fast pass-catching tight end who has only scratched his potential.
22 Duane Brown OT
Houston He was one of the better left tackles in the league in 2012 after a slow start to his career. He didn't give up a sack.
23 Joe Thomas OT
Cleveland He remains rock solid as the left tackle for the Browns.
24 Geno Atkins DT
Cincinnati He was a dominant inside player last season, beating up on good guards at times. He has the quickness to get a pass rush, but he's strong enough to hold up against the run.
25 Haloti Ngata DT
Baltimore He is a top player, but he didn't play as well as in previous season in 2011. He did have problems with a bruised thigh that affected his play.
26 Ed Reed S
Baltimore He isn't the same player he was a few years ago, but he's still a big part of the defense. He doesn't have the same range he once did.
27 Brian Cushing ILB
Houston He's a good tackling inside linebacker who probably gets knocked down some because of the questions about performance-enhancing drugs. Not on this list. He was special last season.
28 Adrian Peterson RB
Minnesota He will be coming off a torn ACL, so he's a tough player to place on this list. He works so hard that I expect him to be close to what he was, which was special. If he's healthy, he's higher on the list.
29 Johnathan Joseph CB
Houston He went from Cincinnati to Houston as a free agent and responded with his best season. He is a better cover player than some thought he could be.
30 Vince Wilfork DT
New England He is a wide load in the middle of the New England defense. But he's also much quicker than his body would make you think. Wilfork is so athletic he moves around the New England line.
31 Clay Matthews OLB
Green Bay His play, despite what the Packers might say, tailed off some from 2010. But he remains one of the better outside 3-4 rushers.
32 LeSean McCoy RB
Philadelphia He is a versatile back who can run it and catch it. He makes the Eagles' offense go.
33 Peyton Manning QB
Denver Where would he be on the list if he were healthy? Right near the top. Until we know if he's all the way back, I'll keep him here.
34 Dwight Freeney OLB
Indianapolis His sack totals were way down and he wasn't the same player as in years past, but he still has double-digit sack ability. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to moving to outside linebacker.
35 Eric Weddle S
San Diego He went to his first Pro Bowl last season, which was well-earned. He's a rangy safety who fits with the modern game. He tied for the league lead with seven interceptions.
36 Arian Foster RB
Houston He was limited to 13 games last season, but he still was fifth in the league in rushing with 1,204 yards. He's also a weapon in the passing game.
37 Cameron Wake OLB
Miami He is a premier pass rusher who has improved against the run. He would be even better if he had help on the other side.
38 Tyron Smith OT
Dallas He was outstanding as a right tackle as a rookie and now moves to the left side where he can better utilize his athletic ability. This is the next great O-lineman in the league.
39 Troy Polamalu S
Pittsburgh Yes, he's a good player. No, he isn't as good as most think. He's good in the run game, but he has issues in coverage.
40 Brian Urlacher MLB
Chicago At 33, he had one of his best seasons in 2011. Urlacher looked years younger.
41 Tamba Hali OLB
Kansas City He is coming off his best season with the Chiefs, emerging as a top-level pass rusher. He also holds the point against the run.
42 Wes Welker WR
New England He is the prototypical slot receiver, a vital part of the New England passing game. What would the New England offense be without him?
43 Jason Witten TE
Dallas He is still the No. 1 target in the Dallas offense, Tony Romo's security blanket. He is outstanding in the middle of the field.
44 Marshal Yanda G
Baltimore This right guard has emerged as one of the league's best. He is a tough-guy mauler who can also block well in protection.
45 Trent Cole DE
Philadelphia Ask any offensive tackle to name a pass rusher who earns their respect, and it's Cole. He plays hard all the time and he has the burst off the edge.
46 Steve Smith WR
Carolina Some thought he was near the end in 2010, but Cam Newton helped rejuvenate his career. He can still stretch the field.
47 Champ Bailey CB
Denver Even at the age of 34, he is still a top corner. He isn't what he used to be, but he's still damn good.
48 Matt Ryan QB
Atlanta He's done a lot of good things in the regular season, but it's time he wins a playoff game.
49 Nick Mangold C
N.Y. Jets When he was out early last season, the Jets missed him badly. He is tough in the run game and has improved in pass protection.
50 Matt Stafford QB
Detroit He was finally healthy and we saw what he could do when he threw for more than 5,000 yards.
51 Hakeem Nicks WR
N.Y. Giants Victor Cruz got a lot of attention last season, but Nicks is the Giants' best receiver. He is big and can get vertical, which makes him a tough matchup.
52 Ray Rice RB
Baltimore This do-it-all back can run inside and he can also be a big part of the passing game. Sometimes, the Ravens get away from him too much and it cripples the offense.
53 Jahri Evans G
New Orleans He had a lot of penalties last year, which hurt his reputation. But he remains one of the game's most powerful, athletic guards.
54 Derrick Johnson ILB
Kansas City He was all over the field for the Chiefs in 2011. He showed why they made him a first-round pick four years ago.
55 Joe Haden CB
Cleveland He didn't get the attention he deserved playing for a bad Browns team, but he emerged as a top cover corner last season.
56 Jake Long OT
Miami It's become trendy to pick his game apart, but he battled through injuries last season and missed the final two games.
57 Mike Wallace WR
Pittsburgh He was really explosive early last season, but tailed off late. If not, he'd be higher on this list. I think he will be next year.
58 Calais Campbell DE
Arizona The Cardinals rewarded him with a big contract last week for a reason. He was their best defensive player last season.
59 Chris Long DE
St. Louis He had his breakout season in 2011, emerging as an impressive pass rusher and a guy who will play the run.
60 Brandon Flowers CB
Kansas City He's an outstanding man-cover player who gives the Chiefs a lot of versatility in the back end because he can match up with good receivers.
61 Roddy White WR
Atlanta He might not always be consistent, but he remains one of the better receivers in the NFC. As Julio Jones gets better, he will do even more.
62 Robert Mathis OLB
Indianapolis His sack numbers weren't his best, but he had one of his best seasons for the bad Colts team in 2011. He now moves to a 3-4 rush linebacker in the new defense.
63 Matt Forte RB
Chicago He showed his value to the Bears last season with a sensational all-round performance. He did miss time with a knee injury.
64 A.J. Green WR
Cincinnati As a rookie he flashed star potential -- and that was with a rookie quarterback and without an offseason. Scary.
65 Jason Babin DE
Philadelphia He had 18 sacks after signing with the Eagles, teaming with Trent Cole to give Philadelphia a nice 1-2 punch.
66 Frank Gore RB
San Francisco He is one of the tough inside runners in the league. But has he peaked?
67 Brandon Carr CB
Dallas He was good last year for the Chiefs in man coverage and will now be the No. 1 corner in Dallas. There's a reason he was paid as a free agent.
68 Jordan Gross OT
Carolina He was once again the rock on the Carolina line. He did have a rough go of it against Jared Allen.
69 Andrew Whitworth OT
Cincinnati He is one of those players who never gets the due he deserves. He is a good pass protector who has improved as a run blocker. He never backs down.
70 Adrian Wilson S
Arizona He's been one of my favorites for a long time and bounced back from a subpar 2010 season to play at his usual high level. The amazing thing is he did it with a torn biceps tendon. Wow.
71 Greg Jennings WR
Green Bay Watch the tape of the Kansas City-Green Bay game and you'll know his value to the Packers. He is their down-the-field weapon.
72 NaVorro Bowman ILB
San Francisco He emerged last year as a force playing next to Willis. He flies to the football like Willis, but he isn't quite as good in pass coverage yet.
73 Josh Sitton G
Green Bay He had some knee issues last season, which hurt his performance some. But when he's healthy, he's one of the game's better right guards.
74 Ndamukong Suh DT
Detroit He was good at times last season, but not as good as he was as a rookie. He needs to quit being so aggressive. He gets trapped a lot and overruns plays.
75 Sean Weatherspoon OLB
Atlanta This weak-side linebacker will be the star of the Atlanta defense. As he became more comfortable with his responsibilities he looked much improved.
76 Lardarius Webb CB
Baltimore The smooth cover corner earned a big paycheck with his best season in 2011. Entering his fourth season, he should continue to improve.
77 Von Miller OLB
Denver He was explosive as an edge pass rusher as a rookie. It's scary to think how good he can be in a year or two.
78 Tony Romo QB
Dallas It's easy to just dismiss him at times, but Romo deserves to be on this list. He might be the most picked-on player in the NFL.
79 Victor Cruz WR
N.Y. Giants He came out of nowhere to become one of the league's better receivers. He is terrific after the catch and was a huge part of the Giants' Super Bowl run.
80 LaMarr Woodley OLB
Pittsburgh He was limited to 10 games and still had nine sacks. He does a nice job against the run as well.
81Nnamdi Asomugha CB
Philadelphia He was miscast last season in the Eagles defense after signing a big free-agent deal. But he played much better in the second half and still has elite cover skills.
82 Daryl Smith OLB
Jacksonville He is a quiet leader of a defense that made big strides last season. Smith isn't flashy, and he doesn't get sack numbers, but he's one of the game's best 4-3 outside linebackers.
83 Cam Newton QB
Carolina He was sensational as a rookie when he didn't have an offseason. How good can he be? Very, but he needs to cut down on the interceptions.
84 James Laurinaitis MLB
St. Louis He gets lost playing for a bad Rams team, but he is a tackling machine who can also cover in the passing game.
85 Ray McDonald DE
San Francisco He doesn't get the due he deserves because of others on the defense. But he plays hard, makes a lot of plays and is starting to get the attention.
86 Dwayne Bowe WR
Kansas City One has to wonder how good he could be if he had a quarterback.
87 Logan Mankins G
New England He had a bad Super Bowl, playing on a torn ACL, but he is a mauler when healthy.
88 Chris Johnson RB
Tennessee Yes, his numbers were down after a contract issue to open the season. But he still has that explosive speed. Watch for a big bounce-back season.
89 Jared Veldheer OT
Oakland He was sensational early last season and had a few hiccups later, but I still think he's an emerging star at left tackle.
90 J.J. Watt DE
Houston As a rookie he was a big part of an improved Houston defense. It will be a shock if he isn't one of the best 3-4 down players in the league.
91 Brian Orakpo OLB
Washington He has 28 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons, nine last season.
92 Darnell Dockett DE
Arizona He wasn't as good as Campbell last season, but he's still one of the better down lineman in the league. Dockett plays with a nasty streak.
93 Chris Gamble CB
Carolina The Panthers think he should have been in the Pro Bowl, and they might be right. He had one of his best seasons.
94 Brandon Marshall WR
Chicago We saw a hint of what he can do with real quarterbacks in the Pro Bowl. Now he's reunited with Jay Cutler, which should be a good thing.
95 Michael Turner RB
Atlanta He continues to be a workhorse in the Atlanta backfield. But is he starting to slow down because of all the carries?
96 Charles Woodson CB
Green Bay His play slipped some in 2012 after an amazing 2011 season. He isn't as good a cover player as he was a few years ago.
97 Earl Thomas S
Seattle This rangy player has all the tools to be a dominant safety in a passing league. His cover skills are impressive.
98 Aldon Smith OLB-DE
San Francisco He had 14 sacks as a rookie being used mainly in situational packages. He has a chance for so much more.
99 James Harrison OLB
Pittsburgh He had nine sacks in 11 games and was once again a big part of the Pittsburgh defense. But he's starting to show signs of age.
100 Darren Sproles RB
New Orleans He is the modern prototype for the NFL back. He was the NFL's best free-agent signing in 2011. He's also a great return man.
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