5 Players Who Should Be Pissed off by Scouts Inc.'s Top 200 List

ESPN's esteemed NFL analyst Matt Williamson and the rest of Scouts Inc. have released their Top 200 players entering the 2012 season (insider required)— and most of the comprehensive rankings are spot-on, but I can't figure out the placement of a handful of individuals. 

NFL.com unveiled their Top 100 rankings on the NFL network, with the most notable head-scratcher being New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning at No. 31. 

Bleacher Report's NFL Draft lead writer Matt Miller pieced together an even more wide-ranging and exhaustive list of the NFL's Top 1,000 players based on their 2011 performances, and to me, Matthew Stafford should have been much higher than No. 68 after his 5,000-yard, 41-touchdown masterpiece last season. 

I don't think I could complete such a thorough breakdown of individual NFLers, so I give Williamson, Scouts Inc. and Miller all the credit in the world. 

What I can do, is list the players who should have legitimate gripes with their Scout's Inc. ranking. 

Geno Atkins: No. 10 Ranked Defensive Tackle, 150th Overall

This isn't a situational defensive tackle I'm talking about here. 

This is Geno Atkins, a 2011 All-Pro, a guy who had 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks from the interior of the Cincinnati Bengals defense last season. 

Sure, the defensive tackle position is loaded with talent, but I don't agree with Brodrick Bunkley at No. 8. He's been a steady contributor during his career, but does he blow up as many plays as Atkins?

Not a chance.

The former Philadelphia Eagle and Denver Bronco has only six sacks in six years of NFL service. 

For some reason, Atkins is underrated by the masses. After another outstanding season in 2012, he'll be a household name, or at least, he should be. 

Jairus Byrd: No. 26 Safety, Unranked in Top 200

After a somewhat fluky rookie season that saw him intercept nine passes, Byrd has settled into a more versatile and frankly more impactful role on the Buffalo Bills. 

He's matured and has become an all-around safety, not just a center-fielder who's a liability against the run. 

In 2011, Byrd had 98 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. 

The former Oregon Duck has premier play recognition skills and is rarely found out of position. 

Just missing the Top 200 is reasonable, but there's no way Byrd is the 26th best safety in the NFL. 

Don't believe me? Watch this year. 

Frank Gore: No. 21 Running Back, Unranked in Top 200

To me, this is the most egregious ranking of them all. How can Gore be omitted from the Top 200 players in the league?

Sure, he's not nearly as dynamic or multifaceted as he used to be (caught only 17 passes in 2011), but even at 29, the 49ers back remains one of the Top 15, if not Top 10 runners in the NFL. 

It's not as if Gore's coming off a thoroughly disappointing 2011, either. 

He eclipsed the 1,200-yard mark on the ground, averaged a solid 4.3 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns in 16 games. 

I understand Matt Forte and Darren McFadden being ranked No. 6 and No. 7 respectively, but they both were injured and missed a good portion of the season. 

Gore's yards-from-scrimmage total of 1,325 was 151 yards more than Jonathan Stewart (No. 14) and his Panthers teammate DeAngelo Williams (No. 17) didn't even total 1,000 all-purpose yards last year. 

Baffling. 

Jordy Nelson: No. 21 Wide Receiver, 148th Overall

Victor Cruz being placed at No. 23 in the receiver rankings might be more questionable to some, but I can't argue with Williamson if he'd like to see more from the New York Giants standout. 

Certainly, Nelson experienced a Cruz-like breakout campaign last season with astronomical numbers, but he was far from a slouch heading into last season. 

In 2010, as a member of an extremely crowded Packers receiving corps, Nelson hauled in 45 passes for 582 yards with two touchdowns. 

Even so, Nelson's 1,263 yards, 18.6 yards-per-catch average and 15 receiving scores last season should have been enough to get him a much higher ranking. 

The former Kansas State wideout isn't a one-trick pony either. He runs crisp routes, wins on deep balls down the field and has reliable hands. 

Connor Barwin: No. 35 Linebacker, Unranked in Top 200

If Von Miller can be the No. 6 linebacker after one productive season, why is Connor Barwin, who had the same amount sacks as the Denver Broncos' edge-rusher in 2011 (11.5) ranked so low? 

In 2010, Barwin's rookie year, he totaled 3.5 quarterback takedowns and clearly is better suited to play outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 alignment. 

The Cincinnati alum is durable, having not missed a game in his first two professional campaigns. He racked up a respectable 47 total tackles and seven pass deflections last season. 

Now, the linebacker rankings are tough, because they include everyone from 4-3 middle linebackers to pass-rushing 3-4 outside backers like Barwin. 

However, Barwin's clearly ranked far too low.