r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season - #20-11

Welcome to the 20-11 Rankings for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!

Link to Previous Post (30-21)

METHODOLOGY

Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology

• Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Conference Championship games

• Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 11 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2022

• Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2022 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 2022 Season!

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#20 - Dexter Lawrence - New York Giants - Interior Defensive Lineman (IDL)

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019
N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat:

Most pressures by a player who had over 50% of snaps from the A-Gap since pff started keeping track of pressures and alignment data

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Written by: u/Enthereal

Okay so I was in charge of all three Giants write-ups for this rankings list, but this is the one that I really really really wanted to do. I would have been fine doing this one and no other. This ranking is the entire reason I signed up for this thing (but seriously we need more people next year it was a good time and you should all sign up for it)

Sexy. Dexy. With a name like that, his actions on the field better be sexy. And boy were they. Wow, did anyone else soak their socks after watching those? Would you like Dexter Lawrence to touch on you legally? If so, I really can’t blame you

But you know who else he touched on legally this last season? Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, and a few other guys. Those three aren’t exactly easy to get to, especially not if you’re 6’4” and 342 pounds. And even if you are that size, you’re probably not going to be able to move a guy like Quenton Nelson backwards into his own quarterback.

Simply put, Dexter Lawrence was the best Nose Tackle in the league this season, which is really not up for debate and you could even make the argument that he was the best interior defensive lineman. I will now make that argument (which some of you will disagree with, but too bad because you’re not the one doing the write-up)

Dexter Lawrence was 7th in total snaps amongst IDLs at 864 snaps during the regular season, which also came in only 16 games (the Giants sat their starters in week 18 after clinching the wildcard spot), which was also nearly 80% of the total defensive snaps of those games. Had he played all 17 he would have come to about 917, good for 2nd behind only Christian Wilkins and two ahead of Chris Jones. Dexy finished the season with 63 total pressures, 14 behind Jones, comprising 9 sacks (good for 7th amongst IDLs), 22 QB hits which was 7 more than 2nd place (Zach Allen), and 32 hurries. He finished with 45 tackles, 5th amongst IDLs, with 38 run stops, good 7th amongst IDLs, and 2 forced fumbles to top it all off. He ended with PFF’s highest IDL grade for the season (T-1st with Chris Jones at 92.0), the highest run defense grade (81.9), and the highest pass-rush grade (92.4). He also had the second highest coverage grade (80.3) which is important because it helps my narrative

Now at this point you’re thinking something along the lines of “okay Dexter Lawrence had a really freakin’ good season, but what makes him the best in the league?” And to that I will simply point you back to those two words I said earlier: Nose Tackle. Lawrence took 563 snaps from the A-gap this season, which was about 65% of his snaps and 185 more than the player with the 2nd most (Raekwon Davis). Dex’s performance would have been considered great had he taken his snaps from anywhere else along the D-line, but to do it where he did it? Incredible

In summary, Dexter Lawrence was the best nose tackle in the league, and I truly believe he’s the best interior defensive lineman. Full stop. And to think he didn’t even reset the market with his new contract

P.S. I’m not even gonna mention the complete ass-whooping he put on the Vikings in the playoffs

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#19 - Fred Warner - San Francisco 49ers - Off-Ball Linebacker

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018
54	20	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat:

Per Next Gen Stats, Warner has allowed the fewest receptions over expectations in the league since 2018

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Written by: u/confederalis

I used to think George Kittle was the only WWE superstar in the NFL. That was until I watched Fred Warner sprint across the entire field and deliver a spear so vicious I swore I could hear Edge’s music begin to play. While this was just one rep during one of the Niners’ biyearly squashes of the lowly Rams, it exemplifies Fred Warner’s play as a whole. Speed, motor, play recognition, intense energy and strength, the Niners captain has it all. 2023 made it undeniable that All Pro Fred is the best linebacker in the league, and he rightfully earns #19 on the /r/NFL Top100 List

In today’s NFL, linebackers are more than just brick walls who stand in the middle of the field and stuff the run, they also need to be able to cover tight ends and slot receivers for prolonged periods over the middle of the field. While Fred’s basic tackle, pressure, and yards allowed numbers don’t scream LB1, his rate stats show that the man in the middle with 54 on his back is the elite of the elite in both key facets of the position

While everyone knows Fred Warner is a beast in coverage, his run stopping skills tend to be just as elite. He ended 2022 with a 10.4 stop %, meaning that 10.4% of Fred’s snaps in run defense ended with him making a tackle that constituted a net loss for the defense. This ranked second for all linebackers. Plays like this tackle against the Cardinals were standard procedure. Fred drops into deep coverage before reading the dump off (and recognizing it before the ball was even thrown), sprinting downfield and making an excellent open field tackle. His exceptional play recognition means that 54 is almost always involved in the play and countless QBs have commented on how he seems to be everywhere on the field all at once. Here against the Panthers, Warner sniffs out the RB screen before it even begins developing, turning a surefire large gain into a TFL. Like c’mon how does he even get into the backfield this fast???

I could wax on and on about Fred’s ability to tackle anyone anywhere at any time, but I want to dedicate more time to his even better trait: his superhuman coverage skills. Fred’s 65.5% reception percentage was the best in the league, as his combination of high intelligence and freakish athleticism allowed for unreal pass prevention. His 9 forced incompletions led the position and his 15.6 coverage snaps per reception was 3rd. That latter stat becomes even more impressive in context, as Fred had the 5th deepest ADOT in the league and the 3rd most snaps in coverage overall. This means Warner was in coverage more frequently, for longer, and deeper down the field and yet he still prevented receptions at the highest rate in the league. Simply put, Fred is the best coverage LB in the league. Now let's pleasure ourselves together to the insanity that is Fred Warner coverage film. First up, this play against the Rams who are running a dagger concept across the middle. Warner plays it perfectly, shadowing Kupp before dropping on to Van Jefferson and breaking up the pass, single handedly shutting down both options. These 2-on-1 successes were so common they became expected. Against the Chargers, Warner sells the coverage on the TE before jumping on the cross, eliminating the crucial dump-off route during a 6-man Niners rush. Warner could also always be relied on to shut down teams speedy #1 receivers running out of the slot. He did it against Terry, Kupp, Hollywood, and countless others. No other linebacker is consistently producing highlights like this one against the Phins.

I could talk for hours and hours about Fred Warner’s importance to the Niners, how he is the heart and soul of the team, and how he constantly does things no other linebackers will even attempt. But it’s easier to just leave you with this play in the playoffs against the Cowboys. I’m sure you remember it, it got me hot and bothered. CD overall was 1/6 for 6 yards in that game when covered by Warner, a truly legendary performance. The Niners have been blessed with exceptional LB talent for years and Fred Warner continues to play himself into the lexicon of Willis and Bowman. The undisputed best linebacker in the league; I only foresee even greater things to come

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#18 - Patrick Surtain II - Denver Broncos - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2021
N/A​

Key Stat:

Surtain allowed 35 or less yards in coverage in 14 games this season

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Written by: u/BlindManBaldwin

The Denver Broncos have a rich history of elite cornerback play. Way back in the days of the Orange Crush, Louis Wright played his way into the 1970s All-Decade team and five All-Pro selections. Throughout the 2000s, two-thirds of the world was covered by water with the other third covered by Champ Bailey. Later in the 2010s, Chris Harris Jr. redefined what it meant to be a lockdown corner as the No Fly Zone reigned terror on opposing receivers. This lineage continues with Patrick Surtain II, who in only his second season earned a first-team All-Pro selection

Denver’s selection of Surtain #9 overall in the 2021 draft caused much consternation among the fanbase. The team lacked a clear vision at the quarterback position. Some fans wanted the team to use that high of a pick to select a quarterback to rebuild an offense that’s been in disarray since the retirement of Peyton Manning. But the team doubled-down on best player available, and stuck to their board to select Surtain. The early returns of that pick are looking promising for the Broncos, who have yet another star cornerback to add to their franchise history of greatness on the boundaries

While the Broncos struggled in 2022, going 5-12 and failing once again to make the playoffs, Patrick Surtain was a beacon of hope in the darkness. It will take a lot for the Broncos to get back to where they need to be, but Surtain will be a core component of their fight to make it to the playoffs. Wright, Bailey, and Harris all had opportunities to make their mark on the biggest stage in the sport. Hopefully with a new coaching staff and a retooled offense, there can be just enough of a boost to get Surtain in position to make those same plays

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#17 - Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers - Running Back

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
N/A	N/A	5	22	N/A​

Key Stat:

Most yards from scrimmage by a player traded midseason in NFL history

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Written by: u/TheRed_Knight

The Missing Piece

One of the most sought trade targets early in the season, CMC ended up being traded to his preferred destination, SF, for the hefty price of a 2023 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, and a 2024 4th. CCM rewarded SF with an exceptional season, in the post eleven games 1210 with SF (1880 total yards), 746 rushing yards with SF (1139 total rushing yards) at 4.7 ypc, 52 receptions for 464 yards with SF (85 receptions for 741 receiving yards total), and 10 total TD's (6 rushing 4 receiving, 13 total TD's on the year). His production dramatically affected SF's team offense as well, in the 6 games before the CMC trade the SF offense averaged 20.3 ppg, in the 11 games after the CMC trade, the SF offense average 29.8 ppg, enroute to a 10-1 record with CMC, including a 10 game win streak to end the season

On tape CMC provided SF with a swiss army knife weapon, he's as dangerous as a receiver as he is as a runner, he's even good enough to pass, rush, and catch a TD on occasion at Levis South. He's a complete offensive weapon who can be a one man offense on a weak team and a devastating precision guided munition for wreaking the cracks in defenses in the hands of a good coach.

His ability to line up anywhere on the field dand be a threat, finally unlocked Shanahan's dream of truly positionless football, since he became SF's coach in 2017. From Sf's 21 personnel grouping (2 RB's, 1 TE, 2 WR), any of the skill position players (Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, CMC, Juz), can lineup at any position on the field and be a threat, wreaking defenses ability to diagnose pre-snap who the main target would be. Without CMC, it's likely SF struggles to make the playoffs, let alone go on a deep run.

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#16 - Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills - Quarterback

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018
20	12	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat:

3rd straight season with 35 passing touchdowns and 5 rushing touchdowns. Steve Young is the only other player with multiple such seasons

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Written by: u/Pythnator

My dog, Venus, unfortunately passed away a month ago on June 10th. yeah, thanks for depressing me Pyth However, as a Labrador, I still see the energy of her in the quarterback named Josh Allen. He is the definition of controlled chaos by terms of a QB’s standards. If you’re looking for a guy who makes the most insane throws that no one else can make, he’s your guy. The ability he brings with his legs is absurd as well, as has been clear from the beginning of his career. Allen was actually the best QB in football by PFF's grading, led PFF’s big time throw rate by a solid margin, and was also near the bottom in avoiding turnover worthy plays.

However, the amount of good far outweighed the bad, and any negative Allen will be outweighed by the type of bonkers plays he can make. His main asset that people will notice is his arm, which is the strongest in the league. It will allow him to make throws like this into the wind with ease. He also ran for 762 yards on 62 carries, with his 6.1 yards per carry tying him for 3rd among ALL players. Not just QBs. Everyone. Yet, you'll still have the occasional person making a weird leap to discredit him, regardless of his 4282 yards and 35 TDs with his arm alone, nevermind his legs.

Considering Allen plays like a smart and stable drunk most of the time, I really can't analyze him well, he's really one of one in terms of how he plays. All I can show you are these absurd highlights and hopefully you can trust me when I say that any turnover he may have is worth what he can do with some of these, even when they are a particularly bad Stein on the Field. See what I did there? ...okay, it sounded better in my head. Shut up.

You have this absurd thread the needle type of pass against the Lions, arguably the thinnest of margins you'll see all year. This throw while sprinting to a guy named Smoke is one of those "only he can make it" type of throws. Look, I'm getting tired. Have the full video of his highlights and enjoy. It's worth your time and better than listening to me ramble about his overall handsomeness play on the field.

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#15 - Davante Adams - Las Vegas Raiders - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
8	5	70	33	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat:

Joins Brandon Marshall as the only players with 1500 receiving yards with multiple teams, and the first to do it in consecutive seasons with different teams

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Written by: u/IMissHarambe878

It was strange not seeing Davante Adams in a Packers jersey (please come home). However, it was great to see him lighting up the league and showing his worth as one of the best wide receivers in the league regardless of team. Despite the Raiders finishing 6-11, the 30 year old was one of their consistent shining lights all season. Davante still put up huge numbers even though he had the ghost of Derek Carr throwing to him and finished the season with Jarrett Stidham as his QB.

Adams finished in the top 10 in all major stats amongst Wide Receivers:

- 9th in catches (100)

- 3rd in yards (1,516)

- 1st in TDs (14)

- 5th in yards per game (89.2)

- 7th in 1st downs (65)

- 9th in yards per reception (15.2)

- Only 6 drops all season

Here is a link to his game v the Jags Week 9 to showcase his elite route running, and this game v the Chargers in Week 13 showcasing his sticky hands and ability to catch in traffic. With Adams on the wrong side of 30, will he remain this high up in the list? We will have to wait and see next season!

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#14 - Jason Kelce - Philadelphia Eagles - Center

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
46	N/A	50	16	32	N/A	75	76	N/A	N/A​

Key Stat:

Second most sketch appearances on Saturday Night Live by an offensive linemen, trailing only John Madden

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Written by: u/wrhslax1996

Jason Kelce is the best Center in the NFL and has been for much of the past decade. His excellence continued into the 2022 season, where he earned his 5th First Team All-Pro nod and his 6th Pro-Bowl appearance. Before diving into his 2022 season specifically, it's worth talking about just how ridiculous of a career Kelce has had to this point. He is one of 5 (!!) centers in NFL history to have 5 or more First Team All Pros. He is tied with current hall-of-famers Mike Webster and Mick Tingelhoff. He has made more all-pro teams than Dwight Stephenson, Kevin Mawae, and Jim Langer. Kelce is a sure-fire hall of famer at this point and it's been an absolute dream to watch a career like this in real-time. The dude is a really special player and, by all accounts, an all-around great dude. But now, onto his 2022 season.

As has become tradition, Jason Kelce was absurdly good as both a run blocker and pass protector throughout 2022. I think I have probably made this point in every Kelce write-up I've written, but what he does as a sub-300lb center against the biggest dudes on the field never ceases to amaze me. He is remarkably athletic and intelligent and is the key piece on the best offensive line in football. I can't remember who I heard say this, it was probably Benjamin Solak, but the Eagles utilize Kelce in a way that no other team uses their center. He's almost like having a 6th skill position player out there with how mobile he is and how much they ask of him, particularly in the run and screen games. A lot of people give credit to Hurts and Sirianni for how challenging it is to defend the Eagles offense, but Kelce is, in my opinion, the biggest reason why this offense clicks the way it does.

We'll start with Kelce's work in the screen game. Here's one against Washington where Kelce snaps the ball and lunges to give the illusion that he's moving to combo block the IDL in order to sell the run. Instead of engaging, he subtly leaks out and completely washes out the backer allowing Goedert to walk in for a TD. This next clip shows how quick Kelce is. On the snap, Seumalo washes the tackle inside perfectly, opening up the gap for Kelce to fly. There are not many centers in the game who are as effective at lead blocking as he is. The agility to turn on a dime and get through a narrow gap paired with the speed with which he gets to the second level is ridiculous and he picks up the block that gets the Eagles a first down on this draw. Kelce's ability to lead block is further exemplified by this play against the Niners where he snaps and immediately loops around to take out the LB at the second level. While he doesn't lay a devastating block here, he knows he doesn't need to. He gets to the second level, he knows Sanders is not far behind him, and he focuses in on the inside shoulder to force Dre Greenlaw (a good LB!) upfield to gift Miles a walk-in TD. The last (and probably most fun) example I have of Kelce being ELITE as a lead-blocker is this clip right here. Kelce starts with a strong punch to the DT to get him into Dickerson's lap. He then moves upfield with his eyes up the whole time, surveying, ready to punch someone in their mouth. He sees the Lions DB coming in to make a tackle and Kelce dispatches him like you or I would swat a gnat. Dude is just next-level fun at pulling and leading.

In addition to being a freaky-deaky athlete, Kelce is wicked smart and always aware of surroundings. This play is a perfect example of that. Kelce knows that the NT is aligned as a 0T and that it's on the RG to reach him so that he can climb to the LB. That is a tough reach for most any guard in the league so Kelce stays home for a beat to give Seumalo help as he gets to his assignment. Then, almost instantaneously, Kelce has to deal with the crashing LB. He waits until Seumalo is good to go and then hones in on the inside shoulder of the backer to cleanly flush him out of the play. That's just really good heads-up OL play and it shows how proficient Kelce is when it comes to awareness and timing. Now, I know I've showed you a lot of speed and agility clips so far but now I want to show you how Kelce is 1) actually pretty doggone strong for someone his size and 2) how well Kelce understands leverage. Look at how strong this man is. That DT goes flying, sent into the ether, never to return. Any time you see a defensive lineman go flying like that you know someone gave him a really good pop and Kelce really can buckle down and deliver a blow when he wants to. This is another really phenomenal play that shows how Kelce understands and uses leverage to his advantage. On the snap, he flows with the play and immediately gets underneath the NT's pads working on his inside shoulder. One handed, Kelce forklifts a grown-ass man and pancakes him. Hard. As I've discussed, Kelce is small for an NFL offensive lineman. Didn't stop him from flattening a man who probably has 30 lbs on him simply by understanding leverage. He's just so talented at using what opposing players are doing against them and it's been one of the highlights of watching the Eagles OL over the past decade

Finally, I'll talk a little bit about Kelce in pass protection. While the highlights in pass pro, especially for centers, are less fun to watch than run game highlights, Jason Kelce remains technically sound. This is my favorite rep I found from the 2022 season. This play should be viewed in two parts. The first half is the standard dropback pass protection. Kelce snaps the ball and takes on the crashing 2i beautifully. He keeps a wide but still athletic and variable base and moves with the DT without oversteering and getting himself in trouble with the defender's change of direction. It's a picture-perfect rep of pass protection and it gets my juices absolutely flowing. Then the play breaks down a bit when Jack Driscoll (63) gives up backside pressure to the EDGE. The DT moves to pursue Jalen Hurts as he escapes the pocket, but Kelce, being the smart player he is, knows that when plays break down, Hurts might run the ball. Kelce stays attached to the DT and moves with him to 1) avoid giving a free rush at his QB and 2) so that he's in the right position should Hurts tuck and run. This is a super impressive rep for a multitude of reasons and it shows what Kelce brings to the Eagles when they run some of their dropback stuff. Here's a great clip of Brandon Thorn and Duke Manyweather talking about some of the more subtle aspects of Kelce's pass protection.. In this case, they're talking about the strong and immediate punch to the shoulder pads/facemask of opposing NTs in pass protection. This serves to immediately get pass rushers off balances and, given how hard it is for centers to 1v1 pass protect it's a smart and savvy way to ensure that you have adequate time and runway to get set up in your pass set. Kelce is extremely good at this initial punch and it helps shed some light on some of the subtle things he does to perpetuate greatness.

In summary, Jason Kelce is everything I dream to be. He's cool, he's smart as fuck, he's crazy athletic, and he is the reason why one of the most potent offenses in 2022 was able to work in the way that it did. He is absolutely pivotal to this Eagles team and I am unbelievably excited to have at least one more year of watching him make grown men look like stupid children. I had Kelce, I think, in my top 10 players simply because of the difference he makes on-the-field and he more than earned his spot on this year's top 100 list

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#13 - Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner - New York Jets - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

N/A

Key Stat:

Gardner and Ronnie Lott are the only rookies to be AP All-Pro 1st team corners since the merger

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Written by: u/MattyT7

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, the 4th overall selection in 2022’s draft, had one of the most successful rookie seasons for a cornerback of all time. He stepped into the league as a true shutdown corner that opposing receivers hate to see lined up against them. Sauce easily ran away with Defensive Player of the Year honors and was not only the best rookie defensive back off 2022, but in my opinion, the best defensive back period in 2022. He’s very nicely sized at 6’3 and his 4.41 40 speed is easily evident in watching his recovery and route progression. He is an annoyingly sticky defender and has elite instincts to force pass breakups. Speaking of which, Sauce led the league in pass breakups. He allowed 34 catches on 74 passes (45.9%) thrown at him for a paltry 361 yards and surrendered a single touchdown all season. The Jets got an absolute stud at 4th overall.

Simply put, Sauce is just flat-out great. He’s a twitchy player with insane reaction time and elite shadow ability. He is a physical player and won’t give up any easy catches. Against the Ravens, Sauce was heavily tasked with lining up against target monster Mark Andrews, and Sauce more than held his own. He was physical, got in Andrews’ face, and didn’t give anything up for free. He can defend anybody. Getting back to Sauce’s speed; on the rare play he does end up beat, the window will be very short-lived. On this play against the Bills, Sauce is caught in no-man’s-land and has to fully turn his frame in order to keep up with his man. He fluidly shifts with ease and reverses at nearly full speed to the point you may not even realize there was a time when he was beaten. Sauce is one of the stickiest defenders in the NFL. I mean just look at this. He doesn’t get faked, he doesn’t get baited, and he doesn’t get beaten. And his ball skills are just incredible. You think it’s gonna be a catch if the ball hits you in the hands? Think again. Not only does Sauce possess the instincts, but he also has the size to breakup high-pointed passes as well. Sauce is also a very intelligent player. He can identify plays and routes quickly and diagnose what he needs to do in order to shut his portion of the play down.

With Sauce leading the way in the Jets secondary, there is no limit to how good this defense can build to. He knows when to gamble. He knows when to get physical. He’s got everything you want an elite defensive back to have. Sauce Gardner already is the next big shutdown corner in the NFL.

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#12 - Trent Williams - San Francisco 49ers - Offensive Tackle

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
5	19	N/A	N/A	N/A	16	70	87	42	N/A​

Key Stat:

Has been PFF's highest rated tackle in each of Trent's 3 seasons in San Francisco

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Written by: u/scmsf49

The 2022 season was business as usual for Trent Williams. He allowed only 12 pressures in the passing game and continued his unparalleled excellence in the run game. Trent Williams’ impact and importance to the 49ers is evident by looking at how the team plays with and without him. He missed three games this season with a high ankle sprain and the 49ers were a significantly worse offense in those three games. Their two worst rushing performances came in those games - 50 yards on 16 carries against Atlanta and 88 on 22 against the Rams and they surrendered 15 of their 31 sacks this season in those three games, and 2 more of those happened with Williams off the field in the game he left early.

One of the first things other players bring up when discussing Trent Williams is his speed, something he’s primarily able to display on outside runs. He’s not just fast “for a tackle”, and terms like “deceptively athletic” feel disrespectful. Trent Williams is legitimately fast and he’s one of the best athletes on the planet. When he’s in space, like on this play against Budda Baker, he’s moving just as quickly as the skill position players. On a play like that, Juszczyk and McCaffrey can’t stand still for a second, so Trent’s speed is instrumental in creating the big play opportunity. On the other side of that, his ability to consistently put defensive linemen on the ground, like on this sort of play enables backs to be patient in some situations and wait for a gap (or canyon, on that play) to be created for them.

Williams is unquestionably one of the best run blocking linemen the game has ever seen, but sometimes his run blocking becomes so much of the conversation that we forget he’s also one of the best pass blockers in the league, illustrated with a quick clip here as he instantly hands his man off to Aaron Banks and is able to transition quickly enough to stop a good hesitation attempt from Banks’ matchup - all within the 3 seconds it took for the ball to be snapped and leave Jimmy’s hands. Ultimately, run blocking does make for better highlights, like this play where Trent creates the lane by himself for Elijah Mitchell to pick up an easy 12. Throwing in a more overlooked highlight play, here he is on the goal line in Seattle. Trent essentially scores the touchdown himself, bulldozing his man and practically boxing out another so McCaffrey can cross the goal line before he's touched. Without the replay at the end there no one really thinks twice about who gets credit for a 2 yard rushing TD, but it feels important to acknowledge linemen when they make individual plays like that one to put points directly on the board given how frustrating it is to watch a team unable to score on the ground inside the 5.

Williams has been the best player at his position in each of his three seasons in San Francisco, making up for lost time and collecting awards and accolades he was overlooked for in Washington, and a couple more seasons at this level should firmly place him in Canton discussions.

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#11 - Myles Garrett - Cleveland Browns - EDGE Rusher

Previous Ranks

2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
7	9	N/A	54	N/A​

Key Stat:

Garrett was 3rd in pass rush win rate, no other Browns player was in the top 50

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Written by: u/KingDing-a-Ling13

Another year, another double-digit sack season for Myles Garrett. Not even the football terrorist known as Joe Woods can limit Garrett’s production it seems. The most consistently elite edge rusher in the NFL right now, Myles has joined rare company by producing five straight campaigns with 10+ sacks. Here’s a short list of guys who never did that in their careers: Kevin Greene, Julius Peppers, Jack Youngblood, Chris Doleman, Alan Page, and Michael Strahan. Those guys are all top ten all-time career sack leaders. Garrett is putting together an under-the-radar historic run of seasons, and is well deserving of the 11th spot on this list for his most recent one.

So how does Myles Garrett keep abusing opposing quarterbacks year after year after year after year after year? It’s simple, actually; Myles Garrett is possibly the most freakish athlete in the entire league across any position. Measuring up at 6’4” 272 lb, he had one of the most impressive athletic profiles in draft history, with an RAS score of 9.99, and it shows in his game. The signature tool in his pass rushing arsenal, his pure edge speed rush, might be the scariest pass rush move for any player in the league. Here he uses it to welcome rookie Ikem Ekwonu to the NFL, recording the sack about two seconds after the snap. And then he welcomes Ekwonu even more rudely by beating him for a strip sack. Veterans don’t fare much better, as demonstrated by Trent Brown. Not even Tom Brady has the pocket presence to step up in time to avoid getting sacked. Garrett is an equal-opportunist bully as well, and can also ruin opposing centers' days. What makes this move so unstoppable? Garrett’s incredible explosive off the line, his hand technique, and most importantly, his absolutely insane bend that no man his size should possess. If tackles respect the edge rush too much and overset, it just opens up opportunity for Myles to hit filthy inside spin moves against Jonah Williams and Dion Dawkins. Sometimes it really feels like Garrett can sack the quarterback on command. While every conversation about Garrett starts with his pass rush, he’s no slouch on defending the run either. He can rely on his strength and drive to work his way across the line and get a quick stop for little to no gain. Truly, he is a complete freak of nature.

Myles Garrett has somehow never led the league in sacks, but it only seems like a matter of time. Then again, neither did Bruce Smith. While that is far too lofty a comparison to make for Garrett, with 74.5 career sacks in six seasons and showing no signs of slowing down, we could be watching an all-time player. Just barely missing out on his third consecutive top 10 ranking, I am sure he will give us every reason to rank him just as high next season.

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Link to Positional Tracker Sheet

Link to Ranker Reveal Sheet

Link to Hub