The 50 Most Important Players in the NFL Today

This is certainly debatable, but the National Football League is the greatest league in the entire world, and is definitely the top league in the United States. 

With that being said, the NFL couldn't be so successful without several players that are "house-hold names," role-models, recognizable faces or simply faces of their respected franchise. 

When you think of the NFL, several players come to mind: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis and Chris Johnson, just to name a few. These players may be incorporated with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans—but more importantly, they're faces of the entire National Football League. 

The NFL would not be as popular as it is right now without these 50 players. 

Jeff Saturday

What Jeff Saturday did for the entire NFL during the lockout was purely instrumental as he was an integral part in bringing football back in 2011. 

Without him, we could very well be going through an entire locked out NFL season. 

Matt Ryan

When Matt Ryan was drafted third overall in the 2008 draft, he completely turned around the Atlanta Falcons franchise.

Ryan entered a franchise that was down in the dumps a year prior, after losing their franchise quarterback in Michael Vick, and matured into a man overnight. Ryan led his Falcons to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. 

Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers may not be on the same level as the great Lawrence Taylor, but he is one of the league's premiere pass rushers today.

From a defensive standpoint, everyone loves a pass rusher as they're playmakers that are exciting to watch—Peppers is exactly that. 

Cam Newton

Cam Newton is the future of not only the Carolina Panthers, but could very well be the future of the NFL. 

Newton is an amazing talent that has raw abilities, but has the potential to be the league's most exciting player for many years to come. 

Bart Scott

Say what you want about Bart Scott, but you cannot deny that he's one hell of a playmaker and has undeniable leadership abilities. 

Scott is the heart soul of the Jets, a team that happens to play in the world's largest spotlight: New York City. 

Josh Freeman

How can I sum up Josh Freeman in just one word? Winner—Josh Freeman is a winner. 

Freeman entered the league in 2009 and emerged as the team's starting quarterback mid-way through his rookie season and proved to the entire league that he is a winner. 

Freeman may not put up the greatest stats, but he gets the job done and simply wins ball-games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Arian Foster

A year ago Arian Foster proved that a so called no-name player can come out of nowhere and emerge as one of the league's elite players.

In 2010, Foster's second season in the league, he ran for an incredible total of 1,616 yards—good enough for the league best. 

Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson plays the sport like a champion—hence why he's a member of the reigning Super Bowl champions, Green Bay Packers.

Woodson not only plays like a champion, but plays extremely physical; the way that football is supposed to be played. 

Patrick Willis

Let me put it this way: Patrick Willis is the ultimate linebacker; he's a complete beast and plays with a high-motor, he does not stop until the whistle is blown. 

All youth football players out there should take notice at the way Willis plays the game—he's a monster out there. 

Jake Long

I'm going to guess that the casual NFL may not know who Jake Long is and that's okay. 

Long is arguably the league's best offensive linemen as he's been named to three Pro Bowls out of his four years while starting at left tackle for the Miami Dolphins. 

Larry Fitzgerald

Nowadays in the NFL, wide receivers tend to be "prima-donnas," self-absorbed people—Larry Fitzgerald is not that. 

Every wide receiver should play like Fitz. He is willing to run any pattern, unlike most receivers, and will fully-extend his body whenever he needs to make a play on the ball. 

Ultimately, Fitz has the heart and will to be a champion. 

Tony Gonzalez

Ever since 1997, Tony Gonzalez has played the sport the right way. Gonzalez puts it out there every single play as he'll be remembered as one of the sport's greatest tight ends to ever play the game. 

At this point of time, Gonzalez has a career 1,083 receptions, 12,636 receiving yards and 91 touchdown receptions. 

Wes Welker

Over the past four seasons, Wes Welker has emerged as one of the elite possession receivers in the league. 

Welker is obviously not the biggest guy out there, but he plays like one. Welker is never afraid to go across the middle with linebackers twice his size ready to knock him out.  

B.J. Raji

B.J. Raji, or better known as "The Freezer" is a complete monster in the middle of the Green Bay Packers' defense.

With Raji, I highly doubt that the Packers would have won a Super Bowl last season and I don't think that their defense would be as dominant as it is today without his presence. 

Brian Urlacher

Is it that crazy to believe that Brian Urlacher is the greatest linebacker of our generation? I don't think so.

Urlacher has played linebacker the way it should be played. He is extremely physical, smart and is a coach on the field for the Chicago Bears. 

Darren McFadden

The Oakland Raiders appear to be on the map again and a lot of the credit should go towards Mr. Run DMC, or better known as Darren McFadden.

McFadden is one of the top dual-threat running backs in the league as well as being one of the league's most exciting players to watch. 

Antonio Gates

When healthy, Antonio Gates is the ultimate receiver in the league. Gates is a hybrid of a wide receiver and a tight end, so he creates mismatches just like that.

He's almost unguardable. 

Devin Hester

Devin Hester is a playmaker and if you disagree, well then I guess you don't watch football. 

Hester came into the league as a cornerback, but set numerous records as a return man for the Chicago Bears. Now, the Bears switched him over to wide receiver and he's done a solid job at being a productive option for Jay Cutler. 

Jason Witten

The most impressive thing about Jason Witten in my eyes is his toughness. 

Throughout Witten's illustrious career with the Dallas Cowboys, he's missed only one game. Now that's tough. 

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne is a relatively quiet guy and isn't always seen in the media—but he's a hard-worker.

Wayne is unlike wide receivers like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, he's not loud or cocky, he's simply a hard-worker and one of the league's top receivers. 

Vince Wilfork

Vince Wilfork may be a friendly giant off of the field, but on the field, he's a real beast. 

I'll tell you one thing, if I had to block Wilfork, I'd probably end up breaking every single bone in my body. Wilfork's presence alone in New England's defense is certainly notable. 

Ronde Barber

Ronde Barber's skills may be diminishing, as he's at the twilight of his career, but he's kept the same work-ethic throughout his entire days as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Terrell Suggs

Many may feel that Terrell Suggs is a trash-talker, but I'll tell you one thing: He plays linebacker the way that it should be played.

Suggs is extremely intimidating and has a real niche for making the big play for the Baltimore Ravens.  

Tom Brady

Where would the New England Patriots, or the NFL for that matter, be without Tom Brady? 

First off, the New England Patriots would have never became a dynasty and Brady would have never broken numerous offensive records during his 10 years as a Patriot.

Brady is a leader, hard-worker, role-model and an all around perfect player. 

Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb may not be producing at a high level in Minnesota as he did when he was in Philadelphia, but he's still the classy quarterback that he was the day he was drafted.

McNabb is not only classy, but he's got a great work ethic and gives his team everything that he's got. 

Ray Rice

Ray Rice is the human-bowling ball. Without him, the Baltimore Ravens couldn't do what they do as he's a clock-killing running back that runs to hurt his opponent. 

Rice plays running back like it used to be played as he's a hard, north-and-south runner that runs through people rather than running around them. 

Eli Manning

Believe it or not, Eli Manning is one of the most important players in the NFL today.

Many New York Giants' fans may question his leadership skills, but I'm one of the few that believes in Eli and believes that he's a non-vocal leader, which is certainly acceptable. 

Jon Beason

It's a real shame that Jon Beason torn his Achilles during Week 1, as he's a key part of Carolina's defense. 

Beason is one of the true leaders on the Panthers roster and I'm sure that his presence will absolutely be missed. 

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews was an integral part to Green Bay's Super Bowl run a year ago as he emerged as arguably the NFL's best pass rusher.

The most notable trait about Matthews is his long hair, no lie. In fact, it makes me want to grow my hair long so I can look like a remember of Pearl Jam. 

Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu almost has a sixth sense for football, or maybe he actually does.

Polamalu is the league's best defensive playmaker and arguably the league's best safety. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had great success over the years and most of that should be credited to the amazing play from Polamalu. 

Matt Schaub

Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans have a great shot at finally making the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's existence—and if they do, it will be due to the amazing play from Schaub.

Schaub is an extremely underrated quarterback in the NFL today, but has quietly put up huge numbers with Andre Johnson in Houston. 

Jared Allen

Jared Allen is one of the great personalities in the NFL today.

Allen not only plays the game with great spirit and is fun to watch, but he's an extremely productive pass rusher for the Minnesota Vikings. 

Michael Vick

I want you to hear me out on this one, just listen.

I realize that Michael Vick was sentenced to jail a few years ago, but has left as a new man and returned to the NFL with a whole new attitude. 

Vick is not only a great teammate in Philadelphia, but he's the most exciting quarterback to watch in the NFL. 

Darrell Revis

There is no doubt in my mind that Darrell Revis is the league's best cornerback, and arguably one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game.

Without Revis, then the term "Revis Island" would have never came about. 

Ndamukong Suh

In just one season in the NFL, I can already tell that Ndamukong Suh will go down as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play the come.

Suh plays defense the way that it should be played as he's set to take off the head of any player who has the ball in his hands. He is a mean S.O.B. 

Aaron Rodgers

Unlike Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, it appears that Aaron Rodgers is a bit more relaxed and looks like he has fun playing the game.

Rodgers led his Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory last season and became famous for his "championship belt" touchdown celebration. 

Philip Rivers

You may believe that Philip Rivers is a "cry baby" or a choke artist, but I'll tell you one thing, the way that the league is set up today, as a pass-first league, Rivers is ultimately a perfect fit. 

Rivers has a huge arm and is an extremely exciting to watch as he spreads the ball around each and every game and always puts up big-time numbers. 

LaMarr Woodley

If the Pittsburgh Steelers were to lose LaMarr Woodley to a possible injury, then I have a strong feeling that their defense would dramatically get worse. 

Woodley is a key part to Pittsburgh's defense as he's a sack machine and a playmaker. During his five years in the league, Woodley has racked up a total of 41 sacks, and counting. 

Ed Reed

All in all, Ed Reed is a great playmaker as he always finds a way to make a play when the Baltimore Ravens need it the most.

Reed usually sits back in coverage and reads the quarterbacks eyes and then makes a break to the ball—a lot of the time, he comes up with an interception and turns that interception into a game-changing return. 

Peyton Manning

It's amazing how one player can be so important to one team. 

Without Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts are a huge mess and could end up winning only two or three games this season. 

Manning is arguably the league's best quarterback, either him or Tom Brady, and will be remembered as one of the greatest passers in league history. 

Drew Brees

Drew Brees came to New Orleans, a city that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and turned the Saints franchise into a winning franchise. 

Brees is the ultimate quarterback as he possesses all the skills to put up huge numbers while he's a coach on the field, with his amazing football IQ and great leadership skills. 

Ray Lewis

There's not one player in the NFL that can pump up an entire team, city and fanbase like Ray Lewis. 

Lewis isn't just a phenomenal leader, but he's one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game. Lewis isn't afraid to lower his shoulder against anyone, he's always looking to punish the opposing ball-carrier. 

Andre Johnson

If you took a look at Andre Johnson, you may mistaken him for a tight end because he's simply such a massive human-being; he's just ripped with muscle.

Johnson has a stellar work-ethic that translates to huge production on the field. 

He is one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. 

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson may have held out throughout the entire 2011 training camp and preseason, but his track record says that he's the league's most elusive running back.

It's certainly debatable, but CJK2 is the fastest player in the NFL and he's simply electric to watch. 

I had him on my fantasy team a few years back, and I loved watching him play every single week. He is something else. 

Colt McCoy

This may come off as a surprise, but Colt McCoy is a perfect example of how hard-work translates into success.

McCoy may not be the most talented quarterback out there, but he's certainly one of the gutsiest. 

With all McCoy's guts, I'm sure his career will be filled with memorable moments and maybe one or two Super Bowl championships. 

Nick Mangold

Offensive linemen usually go unnoticed, but Nick Mangold isn't just a great offensive linemen, he's the NFL's best center.

Mangold is the part that keeps the Jets' offensive line going and if he were ever to go down with an injury, I'm sure that Jets offensive line would struggle in a big way. 

He is irreplaceable. 

Jamaal Charles

It's a real shame that Jamaal Charles tore his ACL during Week 2 of this season, because he had a real good shot at having an incredible season.

Charles currently has a career 6.1 yards per-carry average, which is phenomenal, and is one of the most exciting running backs to watch. 

He will be missed in 2011. 

Calvin Johnson

Like Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson is literally huge; he is ripped with muscle.

It's almost like you can't cover Johnson, or better known as Megatron, as he's such a physical receiver that will find ways to get open. 

So far in 2011, Megatron has caught two touchdowns in each of the first three games—now that's incredible. 

DeSean Jackson

At least, the fastest wide receiver in the NFL: DeSean Jackson. 

Jackson may come off as cocky, but I like to call it "swagger." He is probably the NFL's best playmaking wide receiver and one of the league's top return men. 

If you ever see an Eagles game on TV, make sure to tune in for DeSean Jackson. 

Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is the perfect running back. He runs hard, breaks through tackles, never goes down at the first hit, has breakaway speed and can simply make things happen.

If you were going to "build" the ultimate running back, I'm sure he'd be a lot like A.P.