Martes, Hulyo 12, 2022

r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season - #50-41

Welcome to the reveal for players ranked 50-41 for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!

Players whose average rank landed them in places 50-41 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 50-41 in the r/nfl Top 100 Players of the 2021 Season!


#50 - Austin Ekeler - Los Angeles Chargers - Running Back

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

1st player in AFC history with 8 or more rushing TD's and 8 or more receiving TD's


Written by: u/Shion314

Ekeler rounds out the top 50 with his best season yet and as one of the best multipurpose backs in the league. Tied with a league leading 20 scrimmage TDs, he showed that he can contribute both out of the backfield and lined up as a wideout. Durability and a full load were question marks coming into the year and he proved that he can produce under a new system and as the feature back.

After a soft week 1, Ekeler made his presence known in the passing game with multiple receptions in every game the rest of the year and over half with 5+ catches. His almost 100 yds/g from scrimmage more than make up for the lack of pure ground production and his ability to be put in almost any package puts him in the company of the best running backs in the league. From 2 point plays, to pass protection, to runs up the middle, and catches coming out the backfield, Ekeler can do it all.

As an UDFA, Ekeler has surpassed every expectation thus far and looks to continue to build on a successful 2021 campaign.


#49 - Shaq Mason - New England Patriots - Offensive Guard

Previous Ranks

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
N/A N/A 75 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat

2nd highest graded guard since 2016 with at least 1000 snaps (90.0)


Written by: u/KingDing-a-Ling13

Offensive guard isn’t a sexy position. The average fan isn’t going to know many guards in the league besides their own team’s, Quenton Nelson, and Zack Martin. They don’t get highlight reel plays, they don’t get segments on talk shows, they don’t appear on SportsCenter. Too often, guards accumulate name recognition over years, and live off that name recognition for years more. So what’s Shaq Mason doing ranked above former teammate Joe Thuney, the recently retired (and the player Shaq is replacing) Ali Marpet, and the aforementioned Quenton Nelson on this list? Simple. Shaq Mason is quite good at blocking dudes.

Drafted in 2015, Shaq Mason has been a constant force for the Patriots, starting at least 13 games every season since his second season and playing at an above average to Pro-Bowl level every year. 2021 may very well be his best season yet. Shaq continued to be a force in the run game, his strength ever since his days at Georgia Tech. Mason regularly blocked multiple dudes on a single play, paving pathways for Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson up the middle. Watch how Mason first engages the 3-technique with the right tackle, then breaks off and picks up the linebacker shooting the gap, giving Rhamondre Stevenson room right up the gut. This sort of blocking scheme was very common for the Patriots rushing offense last year, with Mason often tasked with breaking off his initial block to pick up any linebackers or safeties who may have nefarious intentions in the backfield. Shaq’s agility and ability to slide quickly enabled this sort of dynamic blocking. Lining up over Shaq seldom did much good either, as he always seemed to play bigger than his season, constantly bulldozing defensive linemen away from the lane. Linebackers need not have shown up, as Mason swept them away effortlessly. I am not exaggerating when I say Shaq Mason is in the conversation for best run blocker in the league, and he was a massive part of the Patriots top 10 ranked run game last season.

The run blocking was always there for Shaq. What has made him one of the top guards in the league the past few years has been his improvements in the passing game. While he always had the necessary physicality, Mason’s pass blocking technique wasn’t perfect early in his career. Offensive linemen guru Dante Scarnecchia has molded Shaq into an above average pass blocker. Watch this play, as Mason plants his burly frame and uses his hands to disrupt the opposing lineman’s rhythm and pass rush. With the more technical side of blocking, Shaq had to learn to reel in his power and tendency to churn forwards and instead maintain his base, and that improvement has made his game far more versatile.

Like many Patriots offensive linemen in the past, Shaq Mason was let go after last season, traded to the Buccaneers for a 5th round pick in one of the most puzzling moves of the offseason. Whatever Billy B’s reasons were, the Bucs have a great player on their hands to cope with the loss of Marpet. The best Shaq in sports history may have won more accolades in an era without Nelson and Martin, but Mason will continue his elite under-the-radar play wherever he is.


#48 - George Kittle - San Francisco 49ers - Tight End

Previous Ranks

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
N/A 8 9 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat

Since 2018, Kittle is 2nd in TE receiving yards and 3rd in PFF's run blocking grade


Written by: u/confederalis

IF YOU SMELL…WHAT GEORGE KITTLE…IS COOKING. In 2021, The People’s Tight End was cooking up delectable breakfast pancakes, reopening his seasonal establishment and offering up:


Kittle followed up an injury-filled 2020 season by rebounding all the way back to the Pro Bowl and the r/NFL Top100 List, where he comes in at #48. Kittle is one of the most exciting players to watch in the league and it's such a pleasure to be able to watch him every week. If you want brutal stiff arms, he’s got them. If you want disrespectful pancake blocks, he’s got them. If you simply want to watch the most talented tight end in the league, then look no further than George Krieger Kittle (and, yes, his middle name literally translates to “warrior”).

George Kittle is already known as the best blocking TE in the league, but I don’t think people truly understand what he is asked to do. Kittle, the former record holder for receiving yards in a season, is so good that he was asked to block on OVER HALF of his snaps last season, a number vastly higher than his elite TE competition. Even moreso, due to injuries on the right side of the line, Kittle pass blocked on 14% of his snaps. That’s more than double Pitts, Kelce, and Andrews COMBINED. Simply put, George Kittle fills a role that none of the other top tight ends could even be asked to do; his blocking is not just a helpful complement, it is absolutely crucial to the Shanahan machine. For example, here is one more piece of blocking tape, exemplifying Kittle’s best qualities as he completely shuts down the 2021 DROY.

It’s easy to understand why Kittle’s counting stats don’t pop off the page; his blocking is elite and was needed more than ever. However, what this didn’t stop him from doing was being the most efficient receiver at his position. Kittle was among the leaders for tight ends in yards per route run, and lead the position in YAC/rec and avoided tackles. Kittle continued on as one of the best receivers and hardest men to tackle in the sport. Just look at this incredible catch-and-run TD against the Seahawks! In addition, Kittle put up monster numbers in games where he was forced into the #1 receiver role; averaging 11 receptions for 176 yards and a TD in games that Deebo missed. He also had numerous highlight-reel catches, showing off his fantastic hands and catching against the Texans and his insane catch radius against the Bengals. Kittle finished off his season in a way he only could, making a miraculous toe-drag catch in the 49ers’ playoff upset over the Packers. With a healthy offensive line, a healthy Kittle, and a much more diverse arsenal at QB, Kittle will most definitely continue on as one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in the league.


#47 - Corey Linsley - Los Angeles Chargers - Center

Previous Ranks

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

Key Stat

One of three offensive lineman to allow 10 pressures or less


Written by: u/mattkud

In a year with a lot of strong center’s in the NFL, Corey Linsley continues to show why he’s regarded as one of the best in the NFL.It’s been widely discussed among coaches and analysts the importance of having a good center for a young quarterback. Centers need to know the playbook as well as a QB, they need to call out the protections and establish an organized unit. Leaving the Packers in 2020 to go sign the biggest contract in league history for a center with a 5 year $62.5m contract.

He showed the Chargers faithful that 2020 wasn’t a fluke. Coming off a 1st team All Pro year, Corey was selected as a 2nd team All Pro in 2021. PFF named the Chargers center the best center in the league after 2021: (PFF). Since 2020, Linsley has been in the top 96th percentile in pass blocking grades on true pass sets. He was also named the 10th best interior offensive lineman by NFL executives (3rd Center). “The Chargers ranked fourth in the NFL in expected points added at 116.4, a sizable jump from the previous year's 14th-ranked EPA (99.42). Internally, the Chargers credit Linsley as a big part of that jump.” There was also a major jump in the Chargers offensive line productivity. In 2020, before adding Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler and Linsley the Chargers were ranked the worst offensive line in the league by PFF. While in 2021, they were ranked 10th. You can see the difference in Justin Herbert’s progression, he was able to make better decisions, faster progressions and overall just most comfortable in the pocket.

Linsley’s premium stats were also off the charts in 2021. Out of 26 Centers with at least 700 snaps: Per PFF: Linsley was 2nd in overall grade (85.7), 1st in pass blocking grade (84.9), 5th in run blocking grade (84.6). He was 1 of 2 centers to have an 80+ grade in both run and pass blocking. Also per PFF: he was T6th in QB hits allowed (2), T1st in hurries allowed (8), T1st in pressures allowed (10), and T1st in sacks allowed (0). Linsley spent time split in between zone and gap blocking with 139 gap run blocking snaps and 170 zone blocking snaps. He really excelled in zone blocking, grading out as the 3rd best among centers.

Overall, the addition of Linsley was a massive success for the Chargers who took one of the worst position groups in 2020 to one of the most successful in 2021. The Chargers know if they want Justin Herbert to continue to be one of the elite QBs in the NFL, he needs a great center to make his job much easier.


#46 - Jason Kelce - Philadelphia Eagles - Center

Previous Ranks

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
N/A 50 16 32 N/A N/A 76 75 N/A​

Key Stat

4th season of an Approximate Value of 14 or higher, tied for most in NFL history among centers


Written by: u/wrhslax1996

Jason Kelce, as usual, finished this season as arguably (and in my opinion, the definite) best center in the game of football. 2021 was a big year for the true anchor of the Eagles offensive line. Many people, myself included, believed that 2021 would be Kelce's final year lacing it up for the Eagles. Coming off of a stellar 2021 season where he earned his 5th pro-bowl nod and his 4th (!!!) 1st team All-Pro, I was sad but was fine with him doing what was best for him and his family. Then, on March 10th, the Eagles tweeted this unbelievably on-brand video during which Kelce announced that he ain't done yet and I was immediately giddy. I have no doubt that Kelce will notch his 5th 1st team all-pro during 2022 and will even further cement himself as a future Hall-of-Famer.

Now, what exactly does Jason Kelce do well to the point where I think he was one of the best players in the league during 2021? The short answer is, well, everything. Kelce is an elite run-blocker, devastates defenses when climbing to the 2nd and 3rd level, and more than holds his own in pass protection against guys who are far larger than he is.

In the run game, the first thing that pops is Kelce's sheer athleticism. Watch him keep pace with Miles Sanders for 30+ yards on this rush against the Washington Football Team last year. That is an easy touchdown if Sanders doesn't misread his block (c'mon, Miles). That is just simply not something you see any other center pulling off. It's not even like he takes off immediately with a full head of steam, he makes sure nobody in the middle is going to blow the play up prematurely and THEN accelerates faster than the Eagles RB1 and just hauls ass to set up what should've been a TD-sealing block. The other thing to point out in that clip is how he leverages his body. He's a big ass man running at a full-spring downfield and is able to get hands on the defender and flip his hips to seal the defender toward the inside of the field in a less than a second. That is brutally difficult to do when you're that size moving at that speed, but Kelce's body control is nuts and he can do it no problem. Another thing the Eagles love doing in the run game is having Kelce pull and serve as the lead blocker on gap runs like this. There are a few things I want to point out, here. First, notice how fast his get-off is. He snaps the ball and starts pulling immediately without wasting a step. He is intentional in his movement and it helps get him to where he needs to be quickly. The second thing is the fact that he is so far ahead of the play that he can stop and plant Jack Stoll's assignment before Sanders has even hit the hole. When your center moves as well as Kelce does, he can find work on a play like this without getting the RB killed and it is a huge boon to the Eagles rushing attack. Finally, Kelce is able to climb even further into the second level and perfectly seal the defender on the inside of the field, opening up an insane lane that not even Miles Sanders could miss. His film against the Falcons last year is a Master Class in athleticism, technique, and meanness. Seriously watch this entire video, especially the clip where Kelce slingshots Grady Jarrett after Grady grabs Kelce's jersey to prevent him from blocking downfield. It is remarkable. While climbing to the second level in the run game is great, but his ability to reach NTs shaded to either side of him on any given play is also so fun to watch. These are big-ass guys he's blocking, but Kelce can shoot over and anchor himself in a nanosecond with no problem. These reps are even more impressive when you consider that he's one of the smallest active centers in the league. What an absolute beast. Finally, and I promise this is the last run blocking clip I'll force you to watch, but Kelce's athleticism, strength, and technical understanding of leverage helps him ruin opposing linebackers' days will never ever get old.

This is running long so I'll keep his work in the pass game a little more brief. Kelce crushes it in regular pass protection and is ELITE in the screen game. I'll start with this clip where Kelce bullies a LB lined up in the A gap, climbs to the 2nd/3rd level, and completely destroys Tyrann Mathieu. I do not think another center in the league could make plays like that as often as Kelce does. It's not all screen game shenanigans with Kelce. While his size may hinder him against some larger IDL sometimes, Kelce's intelligence and technique let him win against big threats on a consistent basis. This may be my favorite pass protection rep from him last year. Kelce starts this rep with a concise and angry punch to the NT and is not fooled in the slightest when that same NT ends up rushing against the LG. Kelce is patient, passes off the stunt beautifully, and completely stonewalls Arik Armstead to give Hurts time in the pocket. Look at how low he gets, how his base is wide enough to anchor but not so wide that he loses his ability to recover. That is a smart and talented man, right there.

In summary, Jason Kelce is life, Jason Kelce is love.


#45 - Derwin James - Los Angeles Chargers - Safety

Previous Ranks

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
N/A N/A 31 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat

Only safety in the NFL to have a PFF grade higher than 75 in Coverage, Run Defense, Pass Rush and Overall Defense


Written by: u/Shion314

A top safety in the league talent wise, James finally showed up to the potential he showed his rookie with a great 2021 campaign. Injuries have plagued James but last year you saw why the Chargers have made him a key part of their defense.

Even though he didn't play a full 17 games last year, his production spoke for itself. His 118 tackles and less than 9 yards allowed per reception were good for 3rd and 4th respectively best amongst safeties. He is able to keep down tight ends like Kelce to middling stats at best and keep up with top tier receivers both on and off the field. Even with great numbers, they alone don't show how James impacts the rest of the field no matter where in the defense he is. His versatility as a defender is what every team looks for and he lined up at almost every position in the Chargers defense over the course of last year.

With a revitalized defense around him, James looks to maintain his spot among the best defensive players in the league and if he can avoid injuries he should stay in the top end of this list for the next few seasons.


#44 - Robert Quinn - Chicago Bears - 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 35 4 N/A​

Key Stat

8 year gap inbetween 2 seasons of 16+ sacks is 2nd largest all time


Written by: u/ownange

Robert Quinn's 2020 was one of many reasons that the Chicago faithful were calling for Ryan Pace's firing. Quinn had been signed to a 5 year, 70 million dollar contract at age 30. In 15 games, he put up two sacks. The worst in his career, including the years he played 8 and 9 games. What happened in 2021 was a complete outlier in the opposite direction. Robert Quinn would break Da Bears' record with 18.5 sacks.

Without Khalil Mack or Akiem Hicks for the majority of the season, new Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai was tasked with generating pressure with Robert Quinn and a ragtag group of rotational edgerushers. While early in the year, Quinn and Mack were a dynamic duo, wreaking havoc on the Bengals and Browns early on, he took off when the Bears needed him most, which was when Mack went down right at the start of the Divisional matchups. Quinn was able to get a full house, sacking every divisional opponent this year. He shows great patience with this sack on the Packers, Shows incredible bend against Penei Sewell to strip sack Goff in the redzone, and shows some great power to compliment his speedrushing in this sack against the Vikings. Believe it or not, this isn't even the only division where Robert Quinn sacked every opposing quarterback. Quinn shows off incredible speed by sacking Tyler Huntley as he runs away. To complete his AFC North collection, Quinn somehow stays upright to sack Big Ben.

Robert Quinn was a heatseeking missile. He would hunt down Quarterbacks even if it meant making a complete U turn to do it. He primarily worked with his speed, but his power was a great alternate option. Quinn did everything with almost no help, it was him and Sean Desai's scheme against the world.


#43 - Jeffery Simmons - Tennessee Titans - Interior Defensive Line (IDL)

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

2nd most sacks in true pass rush sets per PFF (9)


Written by: u/broccolibush42

Unquestionably the most important member in the Titans front 7, Big Jeff exploded into the 2021 season and met the expectations set for him when the Titans picked him in the first round of the 2019 season, despite coming off a knee injury during the pre-draft stages. Jeffery is an unbelievably powerful man that commands triple teams to stop him from sacking the QB. Of course, that kind of attention helps the other defenders tremendously. This man was a menace all year long, he was a big reason the titans defense went from dud to studs, and helped lead the titans to the 1 seed despite losing Derrick Henry for the rest of the season.

If I had to pick his best game this season, its hard to pick between the Rams or the Bengals in the playoffs, but I'm gonna go with the Rams. Against the Rams, Jeff racked up 9 pressures and 3 sacks in an absolute masterpiece of a game. Just writing this sentence because I REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS PLAY. Against the Bengals in the playoffs he also recorded 3 sacks but honestly, fuck that game i wont link highlights so just trust me bro he was beastin.


#42 - Nick Chubb - Cleveland Browns - Running Back

Previous Ranks

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
38 34 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat

One of 6 players with at least 1,200+ yards from scrimmage in each of the last three years


Written by: u/KingDing-a-Ling13

If I told you that a healthy Nick Chubb is the best pure rusher in the league, would you believe me? He may not stiff arm people like Derrick Henry, but in a modern NFL where rushing efficiency tends to be valued more than workhorse-ability, Chubb looks more like the future of the position than El Tractorcito. Would you believe me if I told you Chubb is 6th all time in yards per carry, and that three of the guys ahead of him are quarterbacks? Chubb has started his career with four straight seasons of at least 5.0 yards per carry, a feat which hasn’t happened since Jamaal Charles started his career with 6 plus straight. Would you believe me if I told you I loved Nick Chubb? u/KingDing-a-Ling13 won his fantasy league with Chubb in 2021, and has since erected a shrine in his honor, at which he prays to the Chubbster thrice a day.

Here’s a highlight that shows his burst. Here’s a highlight that shows his strength. Here’s a highlight that shows his vision. Here’s a highlight that shows his cutting ability. Here’s a highlight that shows basically everything Chubb does well. Here’s a highlight just for fun. Here’s yet another highlight against the Chargers, who had Chubb shoved down their throats all game it seems. Here’s a stupidly good highlight where Chubb makes the defense look stupid and dumb and old and slow and stupid. I wish I could liquify that highlight so I could drink it and know what Nick Chubb tastes like. Here’s a sexy hesitation move. Highlight. Highlight. Highlight. Highlight. Chubb isn’t afraid to drive straight into a group of dudes, even on Christmas. In case you were wondering, he has highlights in the passing game too. Have you had enough highlights yet? Oh wait, he CAN stiff arm like Derrick Henry!

Chubb had the benefit of a top offensive line in front of him, as he has had his whole career. However, his ability to find the holes, burst into them, and simply make dudes miss in the open field is unparalleled. Chubb was 4th in the league in missed tackles forced, with 23. He efficiently made dudes miss too, forcing a missed tackle every 9.9 attempts, per PFR, behind only rotational running backs. (Quick shoutout to Javonte Williams, who forced a missed tackle every 6.5 attempts. Absurd). If a dude did manage to catch Chubb, he was going for a ride, as Chubb was second in the league in yards after contact per attempt, at 3.0. Nick Chubb was, is, and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with, and I’m gonna need five minutes in the bathroom. Highlight.


#41 - Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs - Interior Defensive Line (IDL)

Previous Ranks

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
40 43 47 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat

2nd most pressures since 2019 from a Defensive Tackle (209)


Written by: u/MattyT7

Chris Jones is an absolute monster for the Kansas City Chiefs. Only a handful of players have the ability to completely dominate and change a game from the defensive line, and Chris Jones is that dude. A true game-wrecker whose talent elevates his surrounding teammates.

Dak and the Cowboys found out the hard way. In a pivotal week 11 game that saw the 6-4 Chiefs take on the 7-2 Cowboys, Chris Jones filled out the stat sheet and ran circles around Dallas’s offensive line. Here he is doing whatever he wants to one of the league’s best lineman in Zack Martin. He would finish the game recording 3.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, forcing a fumble, recovering another fumble, and 1 pass defended. Now, I know what you may be thinking; “How did Chris Jones defend a pass?” Remember how I said he makes his surrounding teammates better? Jones tipped a Dak pass causing it to gently fall perfectly into L’Jarius Sneed’s breadbasket. After week 8, Jones would lead the league in pressures, including a 10-pressure game against the Raiders in week 14. Jones would end the season with an 84.4 PFF grade including 64 pressures and an 89.9 pass rush grade. He would also end the year as the second best defender in the 4th quarter only behind some guy named Aaron Donald.

What makes Chris Jones so dangerously good is the arsenal of tools and moves he will beat you with. His swim move is lethal and will get him into the backfield within seconds.. His bull rush will annihilate you (preseason rep but who cares).. He also finished the season with a 66.7 run defense grade, showing that he is far more than just a quarterback eater. He will not be stopped in his pursuit of the football and quarterback blood-thirst.

Chris Jones finished the season being voted to his second consecutive second team All-Pro and third consecutive meaningless game, I mean Pro Bowl. I personally feel that he is being underrated coming in at 41 (had him 27), but I am glad to see him earn his top 50. I was excited to write for Chris Jones’s placement on this list because anytime I watch him play he jumps out as the best player on the field (disclaimer: Mahomes is not on the field at the same time or this would be false). He takes over games and is one of the best defensive lineman in the league. The Chiefs are set for years to come with Pat leading the offense and Jones leading the defense.


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