r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season - #20-11

Welcome to the reveal for players ranked 20-11 for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

Players whose average rank landed them in places 20-11 are on this portion of the list revealed today. Players are associated with the team they finished playing for in 2021

Below you will see some write-ups from the rankers summarizing the players’ 2021 season and why they were among the best in 2021. Stats for each player are included below. Additionally, their ranks from previous years are available for y’all to see

METHODOLOGY

Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology

• Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Super Bowl

• Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 10 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2021

• Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2021 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.

• Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.

• Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/mattkud , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes

• Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!

And without further ado, here are the players ranked 20-11 in the r/nfl Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

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#20 - Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills - Quarterback

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
12	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

Most rushing yards (763) of any 4000 yard passer in NFL history

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Written by: u/fadoofthekokiri

Among qualified quarterbacks, Josh Allen ranked 26th in completion%, 25th in yards per attempt, 15th in QB Rating. He also ranked 4th in 1st downs, 4th in total yards, 2nd in total touchdowns, 2nd fewest in sacks, and 5th highest WR drops. There were low games, sure - the Steelers game to open the year he was getting ruined by a TJ Watt-led defense and the infamous Jaguars game. But oftentimes, his great QB play was thwarted through no fault of his own.. Early on in the year it was WR drops, failed scheming by Daboll (good luck Giants fans… I’m not sold on him yet), or the O-Line/Run Game completely failing him.

Then there were the high games. 358 4/0 against Washington, 315 3/0 against KC, 353 3/1 against Tennessee, 366 2/1 against NYJ. These were games he flashed both early and late. However, it was the last 7 games of the season where you could say he really shined. It is because of this, and let’s be honest his playoff performance a little bit, that has Allen ranked so high.

Starting on Thanksgiving he dismantled the Saints. Finishing with 260 yards and 4 touchdowns on 82% completion percentage. After that we had the weird ‘Mac Jones throws the ball 3 times’ game. Allen only went for 145 yards and a touchdown - but the wind basically made quarterback play impossible. After that you had one of the most exciting games of the season. Tompa Bay vs the Bills. Josh Allen went for 300 yards passing, 100 yards rushing, 2 passing TDs, and a rushing TD..

Carolina was another easy blowout that our defense heavily lends its hands to cause Josh Allen’s counting stats to be deflated, which is good and bad. Next up was the first Patriots no punt game. Another 300 yards plus 64 on the ground. This was a game that Josh Allen really showed off. Which is what made the next game feel like a record scratch. Another winter fuckfest in Buffalo that led to a 2 touchdown victory. And closing the year with the Jets is always fun, another 300 yard (combined) game. After 2 seasons of “when the hell is this big arm quarterback going to hit 300 yards?” - he’s doing it quite regularly. And, not that it matters since it’s not reality, but if Buffalo had a dome those late season games, I think, would have looked a lot more like the playoff games.

I realize that Mahomes, Brady, Rodgers are all probably better pure passers than Allen - but he brings things to the table that none of those 3 do. Not only do his legs do more than those other 3 combined, but he also brings this weird factor that is so unique to him. I’d guess it’s some combination of him getting 0 college offers out of high school, growing up on a farm, being doubted at Wyoming, being doubted in the draft, being doubted as a starting NFL quarterback. This factor that he brought, and has improved upon, his first couple years resulted in plays like the Houston Texans lateral, like basically every interception he threw outside of the pocket, every fumble he had that was a result of him pushing and trying to make too much out of a play.

Now those crap decisions that he used to make quite often… well they still happen, they just happen less frequently. Much more often, we now get designed runs that he has figured out how to use to overwhelm defenses. Instead of scrambling for his life every game, he’s scrambling in complete control of himself (usually). The second Jets game, the Jaguars game, the Bucs game, and the Atlanta game specifically were excellent examples of him using his legs when all else fails.

I know we aren’t allowed to talk about the playoffs, but go watch those highlights - and the chiefs game too, so I won’t. I think that, even though the stats from the first half of the season don’t show it, you saw Josh Allen doing what he did in those playoff games - just unsuccessfully - throughout those early regular season games. But I think we can all agree that, at the end of 2021, Josh Allen showed that he continues to unlock a next level and has shown that he is physically capable of a combination of things that we have literally never seen at this high a level. I still think that, if he REALLY wanted to and the cards fell just right, he has the talent to put up a 5,000 yard passing season with a 1,000 yard rushing season. The likelihood of that is very slim, obviously, but the fact that he has the physical tools to accomplish something like that is nuts enough for me.

Josh Allen has more levels to reach as those 2 playoff games very effectively showed. Now he has nothing left to prove other than being THAT guy for the city of Buffalo. The thing we’ve all been waiting on, whether we were alive or not, since about 10pm EST January 30th 1994.

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#19 - Kevin Byard - Tennessee Titans - Safety

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	77	44	44	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

Most passes defended by a safety in 2021 (13)

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Written by: u/ThatOneGuyFrom93

In the 2021 season the "Mayor of Murfreesboro" found himself returning to form as one of the best safeties in the NFL. Byard was highly productive and frequently made game altering plays to put his team in position to secure wins. At the safety position he ended the year with 5 total interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 13 passes defended, and 2 touchdowns.

What separates Byard from the other safeties was his impressive versatility, play vision, and his sheer consistency against both the run and the pass. Byard received the highest grade for qualifying safeties of a 90.3 by Pro Football Focus and his play backed it up.

In coverage Byard was frequently able to anticipate route combinations by keying in on formations, WR/TE splits, and the opposing quarterback's vision. This was particularly put on display against this year's Super Bowl Rams team. Check out this interception here. On this play you can see the Titans are running a simple Cover 3 zone with both corners and the other safety playing deep thirds. The linebacker Jayon Brown is supposed to have the flat with Byard coming down to play the middle hook as a traditional robber look. Since the TE is lined up directly over Jayon both Byard and Stafford knows he's going to have to honor the TE before he can fully commit to flats in a typical cover 3 set. Byard obviously anticipates this weak spot due to the WR/TE short split, so once Stafford shifts his shoulders Byard breaks to the flats outside of Jayon and steps in front of the WR for the interception. Here's another play with Byard playing the deep middle in another cover 3 set Notice how he has his eyes on the Wentz for the majority of the play and was able to come off of his deep third and jump the dig route as soon as Wentz commits his shoulders to the pass. Byard also had several plays in extended man coverage vs TEs where he was able to match the route and break on passes on key downs. His #1 rated coverage grade for qualifying safeties of 90.7 personifies his versatility.

Byard was not a one trick pony when it came to how he contributed to the defense. He was phenomenal against the run, grading in at a 83.9 vs rushing plays. He was also one of the most sure tacklers at his position. With a missed tackle percentage of just 5.6%, he routinely broke down and wrapped up ball carriers with both arms; just like they taught us in Pop Warner.

After looking back on the season it's pretty easy to understand why he was viewed so highly by his peers and football heads alike. Here's a quick culmination of Byard's most impressive plays that you may have missed over the past year

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#18 - Cameron Heyward - Pittsburgh Steelers - Interior Defensive Linemen (IDL)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
37	25	89	37	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

2nd most tackles for loss/no gain since 2020 (22) & most defensive stops since 2019 (123)

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Written by: u/Letsgomountaineers5

Not often does a player already with a track record of 4 All Pros turn in his finest season at age 32, but like a fine wine or a Kardashian, Ironhead just keeps getting better with age. Achieving his highest rank ever on this list in his 11th season was the result of a cumulation of pass rushing, run stopping, and versatility that has made him, and will continue to make him, the most valuable member of the Steel Curtain defense. On a team with superstars like TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, being the most valuable member of a defense isn’t stated lightly and may even come as shock. Yes TJ Watt breaks sack records. Yes Minkah Fitzpatrick makes the flash plays on the back end. However, none of these things would take place without Cam setting the tone up front and being able to handle basically any alignment along the line.

There is not a better stunting IDL than Cam Heyward. You can find many clips of Heyward recording sacks from a twist or stunt (or helping someone else record one) but one of my favorites from last year didn’t even result in a sack. Here he is lined up as 2i and is supposed to shoot the A gap to pick up the C/G to give Ingram a free lane to the QB on the stunt, but Heyward just outright beats the center so bad the QB has to force a bad pass out anyways. He’s so dominant on twists/stunts for just that reason, he doesn’t just occupy blockers for the twister or crasher but he outright beats them and creates many points of pressure on the QB. He’s renowned across the league for his power in his bull rush. He’s also got the motor to come across the field and record sacks making him tough to slow down even when he’s initially beaten. And when he’s held in check and the QB doesn’t extend the play to give him a chance to chase him down? He knows when to say uncle, get his hands up to deflect the pass, and even come down with it every so often.

10 sacks and 32 pressures while rushing entirely from the interior often in 2 or even 1 down lineman sets is impressive enough as it is, but considering he made it a focus to play the run first on a terrible run defending team to the tune of 89 tackles, an IDL leading 46 run stops, and a paltry 3.7% missed tackles, it’s a wonder he was able to wreak any havoc at all in the pass rush. While many EDGEs or Aaron Donald-like-IDLs are moving upfield trying to shed blockers and get to the QB, Heyward was carefully playing run fits better than any player in football, two gapping many times in 5+ DB personnel (meaning he's truly forced into playing run first) and still getting it done in the pass game. Oh, he also doubled the next highest amount of DL pass deflections with 9. Cam was, in a word, dominant. And if the past few years are any indicator, he’ll just be even better next year.

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#17 - Maxx Crosby - Las Vegas Raiders - EDGE Rusher (EDGE)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

Only player with 100+ pressures in a season that doesn’t currently play in the NFC West

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Written by: u/JarrodG78

Mad Maxx is probably the most appropriate and fitting nickname for Maxx Crosby and his play for the Raiders this season. I think it is fair to say the Raiders season could be compared to fury road. Maxx was an absolute problem for opponents all year, and while watching him play it did look like he sprayed a whole can of silver spray paint on his face and then proceeded to yell WITNESS ME!!! as he headed straight for the QB.

Maxx going over the top showing one of the weapons in his arsenal

Maxx showing huge improvements in adding power to his pass rush

While the sack number doesn’t pop off the screen with only registering 8 sacks for the year don’t let that fool you with the impact he had on the game. Maxx has a motor that engineers are starting to study as it just never stops. It seems unexplainable how a motor can run that hot for a whole game the efficiency is absolutely incredible. Several times this year I witnessed several different people watch a Raiders game for the first time and within about 5 minutes would say, “Who is 98, he is an absolute problem right now”. Maxx’s most fitting and impressive stat is the amount of pressures he generated this season with PFF having him down as registering 101 pressures, a number only 2 other players have hit since 2006. Maxx became more of a complete player last season with PFF having him as the 2nd best edge defender against the run.

An impressive non sack where Maxx shows off his pursuit speed keeping Lamar in check on the edge.

great hand usage by Maxx to get in position for the spin move

Maxx’s season was good enough to get him a 4 year 98 million dollar extension. Maxx has quickly leaped to the top of the favorite players list for Raiders fans this season. While the Raiders may have had what could possibly be one of the strangest years for a team in NFL history it wasn’t just Maxx’s consistency on the field that helped but his leadership off the field has been exceptional for the team. Here’s to hoping Maxx continues to improve for the Raiders who will need his impact.

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#16 - Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
33	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

Most yards by a wide receiver in the first two years of their career (3016) which is 290 yards more than 2nd all time (Randy Moss)

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Written by: u/SoDakZak

Make a Guy Miss

Sung by the Viking’s Offense

Tune is Hamilton’s “What’d I Miss?”

Seventeen, se- se- seventeen
Se- se- seventeen
Seventeen game stat-lines

How does a master, morph an
innocent, Zimmer-hated, O-ffense
Ignite a prodigy who’s a born Jet?
Fight the likes of Aaron Rodgers
Without countin’ on a forfeit?
Throw the ball, catch a ball
You ready for more yet?
Treasure me, second’ry,
Moss has set the precedent
Moss comparison sentiment,
makes ‘em hesitant
Not so fast,
someone came along to dismiss them
Pissed Zim off until we had a two-sided system
You haven't met him yet,
you haven't had the chance
'Cause he's been kickin’ ass
as the ambassador of dance
Someone's gotta keep the unarrogant promise
You simply call him “Novice”, Novice…
Novice Jefferson's coming home
Novice Jefferson's coming home
Novice Jefferson's coming home
Novice Jefferson's coming home
Novice Jefferson's coming home
Lord, leavin’ defense ‘barassed for so long

(Aaa-ooo)
(Aaa-ooo)

Browns are waddlin’ to a revolution
There is no more status quo
But shotgun comes up and the ball still spins
I helped Le Cousins draft a declaration
Then I said, “You griddy bro”
Dude moves just like Jello
Now the work at home begins…
So make a guy miss,
Make a guy miss.
A win at my home sweet home,
I wanna give Greg a kiss
I've been embarrassed,
beating lots of different DB’s…
I get more yards than them dudes wearin’ 80’s,
I traveled the wide, wide field n came back for this

(Aaa-ooo)

There's a number on my chest,
sets a precedent:
Haven't even locked my bags down yet
Spielman, be a lamb, darlin' won'tcha open it?
It says our president's assembling a passin’ threat And that I am to use my Secretariat gait,
Great!
And that I'm already Zygi-approved
I just got home
but now their sendin’ it to New York
Sendin' to New York,
sendin' to New York!
Lookin' at the rolling fields,
I can't believe that we are free
Ready to face, whatever's awaiting
Me in GNB
But who's waitin' for me
when he runs out in space?
My friend Dalvin jettisons,
red in the face
I flail my arm
And he responds, what's goin' on?

(Aa-oo)

Novice, we are engaged in a battle
for Vike Nation’s very soul
Can you get us out of the mess we're in?
Man, Zimmer’s new offensive plan
is nothing less than ground-n-pound control!
You’ve been fighting for the depth alone
Where has Zim been?

Uh, Dance?
(aa-ooo)

We have to win.

Make a guy miss?
(Make make make a guy miss)
Make a guy miss?
(I've come home to this)
Headfirst into a defensive back abyss
(headfirst, into the abyss)
I have my last receiver meeting today
(chek-a-down)
I guess I better think of somethin’ to say
I'm already on my way get to the bottom of this….

Make a guy miss.
(aa-ooo)

Mr. Jefferson, welcome home,
Mr. Jefferson, (Alexander Mattison)
Mr. Jefferson, welcome home,
Mr. Jefferson, welcome home,
Sir, you leave defenses ‘barrassed for so long

So make a guy miss!

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#15 - Zack Martin - Dallas Cowboys - Offensive Guard

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
88	40	35	17	24	41	59	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

Has made 7 All Pro teams in his first 8 seasons

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Written by: u/Hepppster

“Zack Martin Good”

Truth be told that is all I wanted to say and I figured everyone would understand his placement as the highest ranked interior offensive lineman on this year's list, yet I am still required to explain. So I must bore you with how he had the 2nd highest PFF grade ever for a guard in its ranking history for the regular season and how they had him as the #4 player overall on their top 101 players of 2021; how he only allowed 1 sack, 13 hurries, and committed only 2 penalties out of 1,101 snaps; how because of this he acquired his 5th 1st team team All Pro Honor and 7th pro bowl nod; recently was ranked as the #2 IOL by league members (funny enough every person in this survey had him at #1 or #2 except for one that him #7 which ruined his ranking to be #1); and helped lead a top 10 rushing attack in the NFL.

2020 saw Martin battling injuries and trying to hold together the entire Cowboys Oline by himself (seriously, he started snaps at every position on the offensive line except Center), and having him come back this year with such force at his true position at Right Guard just showcases his level of consistency. This is all thanks to him having some of the most athletic pulls I’ve seen since Larry Allen, unquestionable run blocking ability and speed to pull, and just having perfect technique regardless of what the play asks of him and who he is against. His fellow players such as Zeke, Tyron Smith, and Dak have all been on record saying he is the best player on the Cowboys offense which is impressive considering the amount of star power the 2021 #1 PPG offense has.

Even the one game he missed to start the year against Bucs due to COVID can be used as an argument for his value as fellow the Bucs IDL just destroyed the Cowboys interior thanks to Martin’s absence, and I still argue that had Martin been there the Cowboys would’ve scored those 3 points needed to win the game. The Cowboys even ran between the tackles the least per run in that game than the rest of the season, and had Dak roll out to the left more often from play action than any other game simply because Martin was missing because he really means that much to our entire offensive game plan.

Once again I reiterate, “Zack Martin Good”

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#14 - Nick Bosa - San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Rusher (EDGE)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	47	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

Led the NFL in tackles for loss with 21 while being double teamed at the highest rate among EDGE rushers

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Written by: u/confederalis

Coming into 2020, Nick Bosa was primed to build off his stellar rookie campaign and cement himself as one of the NFL’s best edge defenders. However, an unfortunate ACL tear early in that season postponed Bosa’s ascension into the NFL’s elite to this past season. And boy did he deliver, nabbing the #14 spot on the r/NFL Top100 List. For the first half of the season, he was pretty much the only Niner defender playing to expectations and in the second half, his run of dominance was crucial to the team’s renewed playoff hopes. Bosa was remarkably consistent, incredibly dominant, and the rightful Comeback Player of the Year.

Nick Bosa is almost impossible to block, combining an impressive array of pass rush techniques with insane athleticism and strength (sometimes I still go back and stare at this picture). Offensive lines attempted to counteract this by double teaming Bosa on 25.5% of his snaps this year, by far the highest in the league and one of the highest rates overall in the last five years. Add in the fact that Bosa may or may not be held by opposing linemen more than any other edge rusher in the league and it’s clear that opposing offenses do everything in their power to negate the Bosa effect. And yet he still managed 16 Sacks, 17 QB Hits, 75 Pressures, and a whopping 20.7% pass rush win rate, all top 5 marks among nominated edge defenders. Pretty much everything about Nick Bosa is high quality and this includes his production; Daniel Thorn graded him out as having the second most high-quality sacks in the league with only a singular clean-up sack. In addition, Bosa’s innate ability to hone in like a Tomahawk Missile toward anyone who has the ball resulted in a league-leading 21 TFLs, as well as 39 Stops and 4 forced fumbles. And unlike the men who guard him, he did all of this without being flagged once the entire season.

During his rookie season, Bosa primarily used his insane speed, strength, and athleticism to get to and affect the QB and this still happened on repeat in 2021. Take this play against the Falcons where Bosa blasts off the edge and basically pancakes the man blocking him before strip sacking Matt Ryan. It’s also evident here against the Seahawks as he fights through a tough block all the way around the edge before stripping a scrambling Russ as well as here against the Bears as he literally gets held for ten yards downfield and still makes the sack. His otherworldly speed and get-off can be seen here against the Seahawks; Bosa just explodes into the pocket like there’s no one even blocking him. Just look how at how quickly he gets to the QB on this play, it looks like he’s not even trying and yet he’s impacting the backfield that fast. However, Nick Bosa didn’t just continue from where he left off in 2019, his run defense developed into a stellar part of his game, and his IQ in both passing and rushing snaps made him that much more dangerous and harder to take out of plays. Bosa was elite in shedding blocks on the edge and getting to the ball carrier, exhibiting this talent against the Lions, the Tigers and the Bears (and in pretty much every game, but those teams don’t fit the song). One play that I think best personifies Bosa’s much-improved edge setting is this one against the Cardinals. Bosa is taken out of the play before shedding his block from his back foot, regaining the edge, and forcing the fumble, all while being the main focus of the offensive line. And one other thing from all these clips that differs from 2019 is that Nick lined up on both the left and right, allowing for much more versatility on the defensive line. Combine that with his vastly improved ability to constantly sniff out where the ball is going and you basically have the picture-perfect edge rusher. Watching Nick Bosa film is like watching a How-To video on being an elite edge defender and the final piece of film I want to show off is the smaller bear himself strip sacking the MVP in the playoffs :)

Nick Bosa’s 2021 season dispelled any worries about coming back from an ACL tear as the 49er pass rusher etched his name into the elite of his position. With 80-grade tools, athleticism, and intelligence, Nick Bosa looks to continue to dominate opposing offenses for years to come and nothing less than a DPOY trophy should be the expectation for him in 2022.

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#13 - A.J. Terrell - Atlanta Falcons - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

7 games in 2021 where he allowed less than 10 yards receiving

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Written by: u/TriptheFlip12345678

A.J was one of the best corners in the league this year. He is a true lockdown corner, resembling prime Revis. A.J shut down great WRs like Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Antonio Brown, D.J Moore, CeeDee Lamb, and Corey Davis.

With one of the worst pass rushes this season, nonetheless all time, A.J put up great stats. According to PFF, he had 13 games with fewer then 20 yards allowed. In addition, he had the lowest completion rate and passer rating allowed, with 43.9% and 47.5 respectively. A.J Terrell gave up around 1/5 of the yards Trevon Diggs allowed, at exactly 200. Lastly, A.J allowed 29 catches on 66 targets, allowing an amazing 6.9 (lol haha 69) yards per reception. All of these stats are raw proof that AJ is an elite DB on one of the worst teams in the league.

Besides just locking people down, his athleticism is also amazing. Week 2 vs. the Bucs definitely showcases this… even though some of that athleticism gave him a concussion. Nonetheless, A.J has established himself as one of the best players in the league, and he has definitely earned his spot on this list

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#12 - Jalen Ramsey - Los Angeles Rams - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
8	N/A	71	10	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

1 of 2 corners to have at least 3 1st Team All Pros and 5 Pro Bowls in their first 6 seasons

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Written by: u/MattyT7

Coming in just outside of the top 10 is the best cornerback in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey talks that talk, and he certainly backs it up on the field. The league knows this. It’s no shock that a poll of players, scouts, and executives have Jalen Ramsey at the top. One of the Rams defensive cornerstones alongside Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey has held down the secondary for Los Angeles since his arrival in 2019. In the 2021 season, Ramsey would earn his third first team All Pro selection (2 of which have come in his two full seasons with the Rams), his fifth consecutive pro bowl selection, and his first Super Bowl ring. Not bad.

What makes Jalen such an incredible defender is the physicality he plays with. He will get his hands on you and make the most of what is permitted, and sometimes even a little more. He will not give away anything easy and will make you fight to beat him. It should come as no surprise to know that he is very rarely succeeded against. When he is not pressing you immediately at the line, he’s got the speed, instincts, and hip fluidity to make plays happen. Ramsey is great at baiting opposing quarterbacks into making throws they think they have. Against the Titans, he does just that as he waits for AJ Brown to make his cut, reacts immediately, flipping his hips and jumping the pass. Here’s another angle that shows the seamless hip flip. Ramsey is a freak at corner, capable of pressing impeccably while also possessing the knowledge and instincts to dominate in zone as well. He can run with the likes of Tyreek and DK while also being able to get physical with the likes of Gronk and Kelce.

Ramsey has some of the best instincts and football IQ in the league. Do not try him with a sorry WR screen; he will sniff it out and stop it, regardless of how many guys he has to get through. He is too physical to be blocked by wide receivers and he is too athletic to be blocked by offensive lineman(granted this is Billy Price). 2021 was a special season for Ramsey. He has long been considered one of the best outside corners in the NFL. In 2021, Raheem Morris lined Ramsey up all over the field. He had 544 snaps as an outside corner, 325 in the slot, and 131 in the box. He was the “star” for the Rams after sustaining the loss of Troy Hill (who has since returned). The Rams did not use Ramsey solely to shadow opposing number 1 receivers, but instead allowed him the freedom to make plays across the field. And Jalen thrived. In his first ten games this season, he had more passes defended (10) than he did the entirety of the previous season (9). Not only did Ramsey line up all over the secondary, but he also got some snaps on the defensive front. He made them count, garnering 9 tackles for loss— more than his entire career total. On this play against Brandon Aiyuk, Ramsey slowly approaches the line pre-snap. Showing a rushing threat, Ramsey drops back into coverage when the ball is snapped and still manages to jump the pass causing an incompletion.

In 2021, the Rams tasked Jalen Ramsey with doing it all on defense. Ramsey answered the call and covered all facets at an elite level. He is a hall of fame talent and is quickly putting together his resume for Canton. It is near impossible to find a detriment in his game and watching him play is infuriating as a Seahawks fan. No matter how much I want to root against him for being on the Rams, I just can’t help but smile watching him jump routes and press the living daylights out of opposing receivers. It will be interesting to see how the Rams alter their defense for the 2022 season, but no matter how they do, it can be ensured that Ramsey will not falter.

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#11 - Micah Parsons - Dallas Cowboys - Off-Ball Linebacker (LB)

Previous Ranks

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat

First Cowboys rookie defender to make the AP All-Pro 1st team

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Written by: u/Hepppster

To start the year the Dallas Cowboys and its fans were hoping to grab one of the two star corners the draft had to offer, only for both of them to be picked off the board in the two picks preceding the Cowboys. Alas, the Cowboys traded back two stops and had to settle for the undisputed Defensive Rookie of the Year and the man with the 2nd most Defensive Player of the Year votes, Micah Parsons.

Parsons is the swiss army knife on defense that every defensive coordinator has wet dreams of, and I’m sure many will dispute that he should be labeled as an EDGE as opposed to an Off-Ball Linebacker, but truthfully a new position should be made or at least he should be called FLEX cause this dude can line up anywhere and be considered one of the best at that position. Depending on what site you use, he lined up anywhere from 40-45% on the Line and 54-59% as an off ball linebacker, and that last percent missing is him hilariously lining up as a Corner/Safety to cover a specific Running Back or TE that lined up on the outside.

I can understand if you think of him as mostly an edge, given that he had 13 sacks total (two shy of the official rookie record) in only 307 pass rushing snaps giving him a sack percentage of 4.23% which was the highest in the NFL. He also had a pressure rate of 22.6% which also ranked first in the league, and watching him just run down some of the fastest QBs in the NFL even from the opposite side of the field is a wonder to watch. Even when Randy Gregory and D-Law were both down from weeks 9-11 and Parsons having to line up as EDGE more often than not so the opposing offenses know he was rushing the passer, Parsons still amassed 4 sacks, 5 Tackles For Loss, and 2 FF against the likes of Matt Ryan, Patrick Mahomes, and Derek Carr. Despite not playing near as many snaps from the EDGE as his contemporaries, he still ranked first amongst rookies in Sacks, QB Hits (30), Tackles for Loss (20), and tied for first in Forced Fumbles among rookies (3). In fact his 30 QB Hits also ranked for first amongst rookies since the stat was tracked!

Yet he also ranked second in Tackles (84) and is the only rookie in the past 25 seasons to have 80 tackles or more and 10 sacks or more thanks to his work as his Off-Ball Linebacker as well. He also had 2 sacks lined up as an interior linebacker (most in the NFL), and had the highest pressure rate lined up as an Off-Ball Linebacker as well. He also has great short pass coverage ability thanks to his closing speed and instinct for the ball, and no game is this better showcased than against the Minnesota Vikings where he acquired his most Tackles (11) and TFLs (4) of the season and single-handedly shut down the entire Vikings offense game plan of screens and flats out to the Running Back.

Sure, he could improve as a run defender and in his zone coverage can use a little work and in his own words he can improve everywhere, but considering he had one of the best defensive rookie performances ever I think it’s more than fair to say he deserves his spot in the Top 100 NFL players of 2021.

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