Patrick Mahomes Ranks No. 1 in NFL Network Top 100 Players of 2021; Tom Brady No. 7
August 28, 2021
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was announced as the No. 1-ranked player in the NFL heading into the 2021 season as voted by his fellow players.
Mahomes was joined by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the top three vote-getters revealed during an NFL Network special Saturday.
Here's a look at the top 10:
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs @ChiefsWell-deserved 👏 Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatrickMahomes</a> on being voted 1️⃣ on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a>! <a href="https://t.co/wGeH5gI5ZW">pic.twitter.com/wGeH5gI5ZW</a>
2. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers @packersThe MVP comes in at No. 3 on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a> list!<a href="https://twitter.com/AaronRodgers12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AaronRodgers12</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoPackGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoPackGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/jBKAFHokwU">pic.twitter.com/jBKAFHokwU</a>
4. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
NFL @NFL👑🏈 ALL HAIL <a href="https://twitter.com/KingHenry_2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingHenry_2</a> 👑🏈<br><br>The players voted Derrick Henry the best RB in the NFL!<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nflnetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/tgAKcVsVi5">pic.twitter.com/tgAKcVsVi5</a>
5. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs @ChiefsWe've got something special with <a href="https://twitter.com/tkelce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tkelce</a> 🏹<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nflnetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/TlAD6OWzab">pic.twitter.com/TlAD6OWzab</a>
6. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
NFL Films @NFLFilmsNobody does it like Davante 😤<br><br>At #6, <a href="https://twitter.com/tae15adams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tae15Adams</a> is your top wideout on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a>! <a href="https://t.co/0lg3Fzl25q">pic.twitter.com/0lg3Fzl25q</a>
7. Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals @AZCardinalsBest hands in the league. <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAndreHopkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeAndreHopkins</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a> <a href="https://t.co/H8HJCzI660">pic.twitter.com/H8HJCzI660</a>
9. T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
NFL @NFLFrom No. 87 to No. 10 in just a year. <br><br>There's a reason <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshAllenQB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoshAllenQB</a> made one of the biggest leaps in this year's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a>. 📈<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLTop100?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLTop100</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nflnetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/blFOJ0mmQJ">pic.twitter.com/blFOJ0mmQJ</a>
For the full rankings featuring all 100 players, visit NFL.com.
Mahomes took the top spot for the first time after another stellar season. He ranked second in passing yards (4,740) and fourth in passing touchdowns (38) and led the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl appearance in 2020. He was named the Super Bowl LIV MVP for leading K.C. to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers at the end of the 2019 season and was the league's MVP in 2018.
Brady checked in at No. 7 after he earned the top spot in 2011, 2017 and 2018 with the New England Patriots. Changing teams to join the Bucs didn't slow him down, as he guided Tampa Bay to its second Super Bowl title in his first year with the franchise after throwing 40 touchdown passes during the regular season.
Here's the list of players who've occupied the No. 1 spot since the rankings began in 2011, including Donald, who ranked second this year after leading the pack in 2019:
2011: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
2012: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
2013: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
2014: Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
2015: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2016: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
2017: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
2018: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
2019: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
2020: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
No player made a bigger jump into this year's top 10 than Josh Allen, who checked in at No. 87 last year.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback has transformed from a mistake-prone rookie in 2018 to the MVP runner-up in 2020. He accounted for 45 touchdowns (37 passing and eight rushing) during the regular season to finish second in MVP voting behind Aaron Rodgers and led the Bills to their first AFC Championship Game appearance since 1993. Buffalo rewarded him with a six-year, $258 million extension earlier this month.
Davante Adams also made a sizable jump after landing at No. 57 in 2020. He led the NFL with 18 touchdown catches last year despite missing two games with a hamstring injury.
The 2021 NFL regular season kicks off Sept. 9 when Brady and the reigning champion Bucs host the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium.