NFL's Top 50 Players Stock Watch: Who Will Rise, Who Will Fall in 2011
Our look at the top 100 players in the NFL for the 2011 season brought on a lot of comments.
A lot.
What we did not have room to include was how those players will do in 2011 compared to the last time we saw them way back in 2010.
So now we will.
Here's a look at the top 50 players for 2011 and how they'll do compared to last season.
Enjoy it.
50. LaMarr Woodley, Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
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LaMarr Woodley's stock is on the rise.
Way up.
The outside linebacker is perfecting his craft and will make a solid run at the 2011 sack lead. Woodley has the benefit of playing on an excellent team and also being one of the best at his position.
Good things are on the horizon for the Steelers and Woodley.
49. Tamba Hali, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
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Hali finished second in the NFL with 14.5 sacks in 2010. With a better supporting cast around him, especially as the secondary matures, Hali could become an even more dangerous force off the edge.
With Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers covering in the secondary, quarterbacks will have to hold the ball longer. This equals more sacks for Hali.
48. Justin Tuck, Defensive End, New York Giants
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A Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2008 and 2010, Justin Tuck has unlimited potential. The problem is that sometimes, like in 2009, he forgets to turn it on for whatever reason.
Based on Tuck's history, 2011 should be a down year. It seems that he works in an up-and-down rotation. In 2009, with 16 starts, Tuck had just six sacks.
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47. Steve Hutchinson, Guard, Minnesota Vikings
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Steve Hutchinson will go down as one of the best guards to ever play in the NFL. His 2011 season, though, will not be proof of that.
Playing with an inexperienced quarterback at 34 years old will not bode well for Hutchinson, who could very well be in the final years of his career.
46. Maurice Jones-Drew, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Maurice Jones-Drew continues to be one of the best running backs in the NFL, but how long can he put up impressive numbers without the threat of a legitimate passing attack?
Defenses will pile up in the box to stop MJD as the Jaguars passing game continues to be ineffective under either David Garrard or Blaine Gabbert.
45. Michael Vick, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
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We saw what Michael Vick could do when he wants to play quarterback from the pocket in 2010.
And it's dangerous.
Vick will only be better in 2011 as the talent around him evolves and Vick himself matures into more of a pocket passer in Andy Reid's West Coast offense.
44. Jerod Mayo, Linebacker, New England Patriots
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Jerod Mayo has become a solid leader and defensive captain for the New England Patriots, a team with a young defense that is on the rise.
Mayo's play is directly linked to the talent around him. As an inside linebacker in the Patriots 3-4 scheme, Mayo is only as good as the coverage behind him and the big bodies up front protecting him from guards and the center, as they try to drive-block Mayo out of the way.
Thankfully, he has big Vince Wilfork in front and a Pro Bowler in Devin McCourty behind him.
43. Ed Reed, Free Safety, Baltimore Ravens
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When Ed Reed decides to retire from the NFL, it will be a sad day.
Few players in the history of the game have been able to provide the excitement that Reed brings to the defensive side of the football.
Unfortunately, Reed is on the tail end of a brilliant career. As he ages, and gets one step closer to retirement, he is not the same player on a year-to-year basis.
42. Alex Mack, Center, Cleveland Browns
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In two seasons as a starter, he has allowed 1.75 sacks. Total.
Mack was voted as a Pro Bowler for the first time, but definitely not the last, in 2010. As the offense improves and other players like Peyton Hillis and Colt McCoy become stars, Mack's status in the NFL will go from the unknown to household name in a matter of time.
41. Jason Witten, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys
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You could easily argue that no other tight end means more to his team than Jason Witten.
The Dallas Cowboys remain one of the NFL's most talented teams on paper, and it's Witten who has been the consistent playmaker for quarterback Tony Romo as the parts at wide receiver have changed and evolved over time.
If Dallas can stay healthy in 2011, Witten could see a huge year with defenses forced to focus on teammates Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams.
40. Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
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In 2010, Charles posted 1,467 rushing yards—good for No. 2 in the league, a Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro recognition.
Charles has the speed, strength and offensive line to be very good for a long time. He also has an offense around him that is getting better in the passing game and will open up holes via playaction and with a viable deep threat.
39. Trent Cole, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles
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A two-time Pro Bowler, Trent Cole's stock is on the rise. He's among the best young defensive ends in the NFL.
Firmly entrenched at right defensive end in Philadelphia's 4-3 defense, Cole is routinely double teamed by opposing offenses. And yet he's still wildly productive.
Cole is averaging 11 sacks per season over the last four years and is already inside the top 20 list for sacks among active players.
38. Jay Ratliff, Nose Tackle, Dallas Cowboys
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A three-time Pro Bowl selection and an All-Pro in 2009, Jay Ratliff is quietly one of the best 3-4 defenders in the league.
While stats are not what make up Ratliff's reputation, he does post great numbers for a nose tackle and is regarded as one of the quickest zero-technique players in the game.
37. Roddy White, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
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As Matt Ryan emerges, so does Roddy White.
After a rough start to his career, White exploded in 2007 with 83 catches and six touchdowns. Since Matt Ryan's takeover in Atlanta, White is averaging 100 catches and 10 touchdowns per season.
White and Ryan have a chemistry that could carry Atlanta to a Super Bowl title.
36. Jahri Evans, Guard, New Orleans Saints
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Jahri Evans won't get mentioned along with the best guards in the NFL, but he should.
Evans has made the last two Pro Bowls and been an All-Pro in both seasons.
When combined with fellow guard Carl Nicks, the two make up what we believe is the best guard duo in the entire NFL.
35. Nick Mangold, Center, New York Jets
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Nick Mangold has been one of the best at his position since entering the league. He'll get an argument from us as the best center in the NFL—which is where we rank him today.
Mangold has made three Pro Bowls and been selected to two first-team All-Pro teams in his brief career.
Another great note concerning Mangold: He's never missed a start during his five-year career.
34. Steven Jackson, Running Back, St. Louis Rams
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Steven Jackson has posted more than 1,000 yards rushing every year since 2004—doing more in six seasons than most running backs do in an entire career.
Jackson is currently No. 6 on the active player rushing yards list.
The belief here is that Jackson cannot keep up with this pace. The Rams are expected to sign a running back who can share carries with Jackson as his career progresses, keeping him fresh for the late season run up to the playoffs.
33. Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers
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A three-time Pro Bowler and 2010 NFL Alumni Quarterback of the Year, Philip Rivers is heading toward the top of the list of best quarterbacks.
In five years as the starter for San Diego, Rivers has not missed one start. His 97.2 career quarterback rating is No. 2 among active players—ahead of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger.
He's only getting better. And he's doing it without great receivers around him.
32. Terrell Suggs, Defensive End, Baltimore Ravens
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Terrell Suggs continues to get better the older he gets. His 11 sacks in 2010 were the second most in his career and also helped drive the Baltimore defense toward a third straight playoff birth.
Suggs has suffered some from moving around too much in his career—he's played defensive end, right outside linebacker and left outside linebacker—but seems to have found a home on the left side.
A fun fact: Suggs' three highest sack totals all came while playing left outside linebacker.
31. Troy Polamalu, Safety, Pittsburgh Steelers
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How can one get better than the play of Troy Polamalu in 2010?
Polamalu's best season may have been this past year, when his gutty play led the Steelers to a Super Bowl berth. His seven interceptions, in just 14 games, were good for No. 2 in the NFL.
Turning 30 this year will not slow down No. 43.
30. Michael Roos, Offensive Tackle, Tennesee Titans
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In his five years as a starter, Michael Roos has only given up 17 sacks and has never missed a start.
Roos has quietly been one of the best left tackles in the business, something he was recognized for with a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection in 2008.
Give the Titans a better quarterback situation and a higher-profile offense, and Michael Roos would be a household name.
It will be that lack of an established quarterback that will lead to a slightly worse season for both Roos and the Titans.
29. Ryan Clady, Offensive Tackle, Denver Broncos
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Clady tore his patella tendon right before the 2010 season. This limited his mobility all season, causing too many to write him off and forget him when talking about the best offensive tackles in football.
We haven't forgotten.
Clady was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler before the 2010 season. We even had him in the discussion as the best left tackle in the game before his injury.
Clady will be back in to his All-Pro form in 2011 and will quickly reclaim his spot among the best tackles in the NFL.
28. Logan Mankins, Guard, New England Patriots
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Logan Mankins made the Pro Bowl in 2010 after playing in only nine games. While the Pro Bowl can be seen as a fan-voted game that means nothing, it's still an impressive feat.
Give Mankins a full season to produce a body of work and it becomes clear why he is the best guard in the NFL.
27. Mario Williams, Defensive End, Houston Texans
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Mario Williams' short career has been brilliant. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro twice during his five NFL seasons. Williams holds the Texans' all-time single-season sack record with 14 sacks in 2008.
The big question is how will Williams do when moved to outside linebacker?
It's that experiment with Williams at outside linebacker, and the time it takes him to learn the new position, that gives us reason to believe 2011 will be a down year.
26. Vince Wilfork, Nose Tackle, New England Patriots
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As the 3-4 defense becomes more prominent, other NFL teams will look for a Wilfork clone to clog the middle of their defensive line.
A three-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Wilfork is the best nose tackle in football.
And that's not changing any time soon.
25. Larry Fitzgerland, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
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There may not be many players in the NFL more physically gifted than Larry Fitzgerald. When looking at production only, you have to be amazed at the level of play Fitzgerald achieved with Kurt Warner as his quarterback.
During the 2010 season, his production fell off only due to the poor play of the Cardinals quarterbacks. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Fitzgerald is still in the top tier of wide receivers in the NFL.
Without a good quarterback in Arizona, and to date there is not one, Fitzgerald's production will only continue to go down.
24. Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions
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Calvin Johnson's career cannot be judged by statistics. When looking at the whole of his career, you must consider that Johnson has never played a full season with a legitimate franchise quarterback.
On talent alone, Johnson is rated in our top 20 players. Given a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback for a full season, he could easily rank as the best receiver in the NFL.
His 77 receptions for 1,120 yards and 12 TDs during 2010 were all the more impressive considering it was Shaun Hill throwing him the ball the majority of the time.
If Stafford can play the entire season, Johnson's in for a bigger year than we've seen from him thus far.
23. James Harrison, Outside Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Harrison has been named to four straight Pro Bowls, had three All-Pro seasons, and was the 2008 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
His play at outside linebacker has been the constant force for the Steelers defense since signing with the team in 2004.
As Harrison ages, the Steelers will be hard-pressed to replace his production and leadership. But he will also see a small drop in production.
It's just inevitable.
22. Antonio Gates, Tight End, San Diego Chargers
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Antonio Gates' career has been a testament to how wrong scouts and general managers can be at times. This is a player who was undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft. By 2004, he was a Pro Bowler.
Gates is a seven-time Pro Bowler, five times All-Pro and a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
He's a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He is also bound for a small letdown in 2011 as the offense around him struggles to rebuild at wide receiver and on the offensive line.
21. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions
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As a rookie, Suh took the NFL by storm. His play earned him a number of accolades and awards.
Suh was named to the All-Pro team. Due to his successful rookie season, Suh was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year, the Pro Football Weekly and Pro Football Writers of America Rookie of the Year, the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
As great as Suh is, he will not be able to duplicate his amazing rookie season with NFL offenses now game planning for him.
Can he?
20. Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
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Lewis continues to defy logic by playing at an incredibly high level, even late into his career. Lewis is arguably the best middle linebacker to ever play the game.
When you look at Ray Lewis' career accomplishments, it is easy to see why he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
You can also see that Lewis is slowly declining. He's still great, but the production just is not the same.
19. Jared Allen, Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings
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Jared Allen continually ranks as one of the best defensive ends in football.
He has been named to three Pro Bowls and in those years he was also an All-Pro. He has four straight seasons of double-digit sacks under his belt as well.
Allen has tallied 83 sacks since the 2004 season.
He will also have to play without big-body Pat Williams and left end Ray Edwards on the line in 2011. Losing those two as focal points for the opposing offensive line will shift the focus to Allen.
18. Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Cleveland Browns
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Joe Thomas' play during four seasons in the NFL has been elite from the first game. In four seasons, he's allowed only 19.25 sacks and committed only 21 penalties. During his rookie season, he was named to the Pro Bowl and he has been every year since.
Four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections later, Thomas is building a Hall of Fame career.
As the Browns get better, Thomas will get more and more mention as one of the NFL's greats.
17. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
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Drew Brees did not follow up his Super Bowl winning 2009 season with a great performance in 2010.
Brees tossed 22 interceptions last season; twice as many as he threw in 2009 while leading the Saints to a Lombardi Trophy.
With a fully stocked backfield and healthy receivers in 2011, Brees will rebound and once again show his MVP-caliber play.
16. Clay Matthews, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
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After being drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Matthews was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. His 2010 sophomore season was even better, with a second Pro Bowl berth, NFC Defensive Player of the Year honors and a Super Bowl win.
Matthews' potential is unlimited. In Green Bay, he will become the focal point of a defense that is stocked with enough players to keep the Packers in Super Bowl contention for years to come.
15. DeMarcus Ware, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
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DeMarcus Ware is everything you would want in an outside linebacker.
In 104 NFL games, he has recorded 448 tackles, 87.5 sacks, 66 tackles for a loss, 26 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (one of which he returned 69 yards for a touchdown), 19 passes defended and one interception, which he returned 41 yards for a touchdown.
All of this adds up to Ware being the best outside linebacker in the NFL.
14. Adrian Peterson, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings
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The decline in production for Adrian Peterson in 2011 will have little to do with Adrian Peterson.
Still with us?
The Vikings are losing a veteran quarterback, potentially their best wide receiver and will start over in 2011 with a rookie quarterback.
Add those three things up and you get an offense that is one dimensional and easy for defenses to game plan against.
The Vikings will see multiple games of nine-man fronts this year. And that will slow down the man they call All Day.
13. Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Big Ben has won two Super Bowls, been the NFL Rookie of the Year and been named to one Pro Bowl in his short career. As Tom Brady and Peyton Manning near the end of their Hall of Fame careers, Roethlisberger is hitting the stride of his own Hall of Fame career.
Too often, Roethlisberger is left out of talks about the best quarterbacks in the NFL. We contend he's in the top four.
Roethlisberger has the best offense around him that he has seen in Pittsburgh. He'll respond with a huge year for the Steelers.
12. Chris Johnson, Running Back, Tennessee Titans
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In three NFL seasons, Chris Johnson has made three Pro Bowls, been a first-team All-Pro selection, been the 2009 NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year, set the single-season record for yards from scrimmage (2,509 yards in 2009) and was the 2009 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Once the Titans get a stable quarterback under center to deter defenses from placing nine and 10 tacklers in the box, Johnson's numbers will shoot back up near 1,500 yards per season.
Until they do, Johnson will fail to live up to the amazing potential he has shown in the past.
11. Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle, Baltimore Ravens
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Haloti Ngata is the best player in the NFL who no one talks about.
He's been to two straight Pro Bowls, been a first- and second-team All-Pro and has been an anchor of the Ravens defense for the last five years. Ngata was also selected to the 2010 All-Fundamentals team by USA Football and the NFL Players Association.
And the truth is, no one is going to stop Ngata anyway, so why try? His stock is consistently going up.
10. Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers
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Pop quiz: Who is the best quarterback in the NFL after Tom Brady and Peyton Manning?
Chances are you will receive answers of Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and maybe Aaron Rodgers. If you ask us, it's an easy answer.
It's Rodgers who has the highest quarterback rating of any active quarterback. And it's Rodgers who has been flawless since taking over for a legend.
Rodgers has been brilliant since taking over for Brett Favre in Green Bay. His play resulted in him being the only player in NFL history to have 4,000 passing yards in each of his first two starting seasons.
A Super Bowl win in 2010 was just the beginning for Rodgers.
9. Charles Woodson, Cornerback, Green Bay Packers
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Charles Woodson is the unquestioned leader of the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. His value is not judged in stats alone, but in heart and leadership.
Woodson's career awards read like a Hall of Famer's. A seven-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Charles Woodson is the best cornerback in the history of the NFL in our eyes.
At 33 years old, Woodson is on the last legs of a brilliant career.
8. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
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Peyton Manning has undergone two neck surgeries this offseason and is still not throwing to receivers at informal Colts workouts.
You think that is good for his 2011 season?
Manning worshippers will tell you that he is still the best in the NFL. Raw statistics would prove otherwise.
Manning is on the decline.
7. Julius Peppers, Defensive End, Chicago Bears
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Is Julius Peppers the best defensive end in football?
Peppers' accomplishments make for a long list of awards and achievements. He's been to six Pro Bowls since 2004 and was named to five All-Pro teams during that time.
Since signing in Chicago last summer, Peppers has looked rejuvenated. With a better team around him, Peppers will regain his elite status in the eyes of NFL fans.
As the defense in Chicago is reloaded for a playoff run in 2011, Peppers will get the support around him on the defensive line to dominate in the upcoming season.
6. Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
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Through the 2010-11 NFL season, Andre Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game (79.7) for a career. He has twice led the NFL in single-season receiving yards and has been named to four All-Pro teams along with five Pro Bowls.
What most do not realize is just how great Johnson's production is.
While everyone will tell you that Johnson is the NFL's most talented receiver, few recognize that he is backing that talent up on the field.
With an established running game in Houston, Johnson and Matt Schaub are on the verge of breaking NFL records in Houston.
5. Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, New York Jets
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Darrelle Revis has made his mark on the NFL during his four seasons as a New York Jet. Many consider Revis to be the best cornerback in the NFL. It's hard to argue otherwise.
He is a three-time Pro Bowler, twice an All-Pro and was the 2009 AFC Defensive Player of the Year.
That 2009 season was regarded by most as the best season ever for a cornerback. Revis racked up 47 tackles, six interceptions and an amazing 31 passes defensed.
A fully healthy Revis, and one who doesn't hold out from training camp, will return to his All-World form in 2011.
Watch out, NFL.
4. Jake Long, Offensive Tackle, Miami Dolphins
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Jake Long is your prototypical left tackle. He's what every NFL general manager wants and needs on his offensive line.
It does not matter who lines up beside Long, behind him or around him on offense because he does his job better than any other offensive lineman in football.
In 2009, Long yielded only four sacks and he was ranked the second-best offensive tackle, behind Joe Thomas of Cleveland. His 2010 season was less impressive due to poor play of the quarterbacks in Miami, who far too often held the ball longer than they should have.
Long remains the model by which all incoming offensive linemen will be judged.
3. Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
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In 2010, Asomugha was selected as a member of the Fox Sports and USA Today NFL All-Decade teams. This was after playing in only seven seasons during the decade.
Asomugha is a four-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. Asomugha allowed just 10 receptions on the 27 passes thrown his way during the 2010 season and most importantly, Asomugha did not give up a touchdown all year.
Darrelle Revis may receive the hype, but NFL quarterbacks simply stay away from Nnamdi Asomugha.
NFL teams do not target Asomugha enough for him to produce the type of statistics that he is capable of, but he is respected more than any other defensive back in the NFL.
2. Patrick Willis, Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers
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Patrick Willis is already regarded as the NFL's best linebacker—and not just by us. The New York Times, Pro Football Weekly and NFL.com's Bucky Brooks agree.
Willis backs up the hype with his play on the field.
As a rookie, Willis led the NFL in tackles, and earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while being named the 2007 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Willis has earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors all four years he has played in the NFL.
If we were asked to start a new franchise tomorrow and had to pick one offensive player and one defensive player, Willis would be our guy on defense without a second thought.
1. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
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In 2010, Brady became the first unanimous choice for the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award since the AP began using a nationwide panel of media members who cover the league. This capped a season in which Brady led the Patriots to a NFL-best 14 wins.
Brady has won three Super Bowls, two Super Bowl MVP awards, two AP NFL MVP awards and became the quickest to achieve 100 regular-season wins with a laundry list of other awards and records.
You can look at records, statistics and wins to measure Tom Brady against the best players ever. He stands up with any of them.
So, why the "stock down?"
There is just no way that Brady, or anyone, could repeat a season like he posted in 2010.
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