Martes, Hulyo 4, 2023

r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season - #50-41

Welcome to the 50-41 Rankings for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!

Link to Previous Post (60-51)

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 at the end of the 2022 season

Below you will see some write-ups from the rankers summarizing the players’ 2022 season and why they were among the best in 2022. 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 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 50-41 in the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!

#50 - Aaron Donald - Los Angeles Rams - Interior Defensive Linemen (IDL)

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
1 2 3 1 1 1 2 43​

Key Stat:

First season with less than 14 games played in his career

Written by: u/Projinator

In what can only be described as a down year full of disappointment, Aaron Donald was still able to show why he's one of three men in history with an argument as the greatest defensive player of all time. For the first time in his career Donald struggled with a high ankle sprain early in the season which limited his snaps and games played to just 11, however that didn't stop him from accumulating 5 sacks, one forced fumble, and 35 solo tackles on the season.

What's more disappointing about his injury is that Donald was on one of the greatest starts to a season that he has ever had. A notoriously slow starter, Donald started with 4 of his sacks in the first 5 games. After suffering his injury in week 11, Donald never returned to the field. This stopped his AP All Pro streak to 7 consecutive honors, however on name recognition alone he kept his pro bowl streak alive to 9, good for every year of his career.

Donald didn't make the top 10 this year, deservedly so. In fact, 50 may be too high relative to his peers. But we keep the legacy tracker active; and if you look back at my prior years' write ups, Donald still is on track to make a compelling unanimous GOAT argument. However, that argument requires 2023 to be a bounce back year, but we shouldn't expect anything less from a man who continues to surpass expectations.

#49 - Ceedee Lamb - Dallas Cowboys - Wide Receiver

Previous Ranks

2021 2020
97 N/A​

Key Stat:

Averaged 20 more receiving yards per game in the second half of the season compared to the first half.

Written by: u/Hepppster

#88 has once again arrived in Dallas. Improving every year since being drafted by the Cowboys, CD Lamb is taking his #1 WR role in Dallas with stride, and was truly the lone bright spot amongst any of our pass catchers (had more receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs than the rest of our WRs COMBINED). He led the Cowboys in yards from scrimmage despite being the only real threat we had on any given pass play, and all of this mind you with Cooper Rush starting 5 Games and Dak having a subpar year by his own standards.

Amongst all WRs in the NFL, CD Lamb ranked 4th in Receptions with 107, 6th in Receiving Yards with 1359, Tied for 4th in Receiving TDs with 9, 5th in Receiving 1st Downs with 67, 8th in YAC with 486, and his catch percentage of 68.6% ranks higher than Davante Adams, AJ Brown, Jaylen Waddle, Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Brandon Aiyuk! For WRs that qualified under our 10 game minimum, CD Lamb had the 7th highest PFF score, and they also note that he had 2.39 yards per route run whereas the second highest Cowboy was TY Hilton with 1.25 yards per route run and this was apparently the largest gap between first and second on any team in the NFL.

If Accolades are your thing, he received his first 2nd team All Pro, appeared in his 2nd Pro Bowl, and was ranked 50th overall on PFFs top 101 players of the 2022 season.

And of course, last but not least, we got film and highlights. First off we have him against the New York Giants where he constantly beat poor Adoree’ Jackson, and on a particular play where Jackson had great coverage, CD Lamb still came up with the ball on a nice one handed grab while maintaining his balance on the side of the Endzone. Also had another great one handed catch while a Giants defender was committing pass interference. Shows off his route running capabilities on Jaire Alexander to get open for the clean TD. Against the Vikings, he had a crazy toe drag catch that set up a Cowboys FG, and was able to somehow track this ball and come down with the grab for the TD. He maintained balance on the Colts and was able to finish it off with a TD. In his first matchup against the Eagles, CD Lamb may have not produced much, but was constantly getting the better of James Bradberry and it was unfortunate Cooper Rush wasn't unable to capitalize. Thankfully that changed in the second matchup against the Eagles, where Lamb had 120 Yards and 2 TDs and even had an easy TD on Bradberry after tucking in his chain on the LOS. Finally, while the Playoffs were not considered for this list, I can’t help but include this highlight of him saving an underthrown ball and coming up with the biggest play the Cowboys had on the 49ers for the day (which btw he had 10 catches for 117 yards on the 49ers and was really the only good thing our offense had going).

CD has the Stats, Accolades, and Film to back up his ranking, and I can’t wait to see what he does in year 4 with Brandin Cooks and a healthy Dak Prescott.

#48 - Bobby Wagner - Los Angeles Rams - Off-Ball Linebacker (LB)

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
76 24 42 10 7 15 97 41 81 98​

Key Stat:

10th season with an pfr Approximate Value of 10 of higher, tied for the third most seasons by a linebacker in NFL History

Written by: u/PhAnToM444

Bobby Wagner’s signing was a breath of fresh air for the Rams, who have long-struggled with their LB corps. Even the Super Bowl roster was rocking Troy Reeder, Kenny Young, and Leonard Floyd, a lineup so unimpressive I’m assuming you’ve only ever heard of one of them unless their journeyman careers happen to have blessed your team.

And boy, did Bobby Wagner deliver on all of his promises remaining a top-tier LB who showed no signs of slowing down even at 33 years old. Bobby’s high points on the otherwise extremely underwhelming Rams were numerous. He picked off Russel Wilson (what a wild headline that would have been 3 years ago). He picked up two sacks against the Seahawks. And he absolutely deleted a protestor running onto the field.

Bobby’s Hall of Fame career also racked up two new major accomplishments last year, as he became the 4th player ever to have 100 combined tackles in 11 straight seasons, and took a spot on the top 10 list for tackles all-time. Whenever he does decide to hang it up, he’ll be taking a well-deserved trip to Canton. But in the meantime, he’s gone back to his ex, and will undoubtedly be a pain in the Rams’ collective ass this year.

#47 - Kevin Byard - Tennessee Titans - Safety

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
19 N/A 77 44 44 N/A​

Key Stat:

5th season with 4 or more interceptions, tied for the most among active players

Written by: u/broccolibush42

A few people seem to think Kevin Byard had a down season but I strongly disagree with that assessment. Kevin did take a step back from a very strong 2021 season, but make no mistake, he is still a top 5 safety in the league. Losing tends to shift people's opinions, and our defense taking an overall step back from an avalanche of injuries to everyone but Kevin Byard gives this illusion. Fact of the matter is that Kevin had to pick up the slack from rookies and practice squad dbs, and also being on the field a lot more than the average in the league (due to having a porous one dimensional offense). Despite that he still posted elite numbers in terms of catches allowed and qb ratings against. Byard is the undisputed captain of the defense, who constantly was getting his guys in the right spot. If there is anything I can say I am happy about from this offseason is that we did not trade or release Byard, because I firmly believe he is the glue that keeps it from falling apart.

#46 - Tristan Wirfs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Offensive Tackle

Previous Ranks

2021 2020
26 61​

Key Stat:

Wirfs allowed the fewest pressures among all tackles with at least 10 games played

Written by: u/Nijo32

Since entering the league in 2020, Tristan Wirfs has been as dominant an offensive lineman as any in the league. Wirfs followed up a 2021 First Team All-Pro appearance with one of the best pass blocking seasons at offensive tackle in recent memory, earning Second Team All-Pro for the 2022 season. On a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that attempted the most passes in the NFL, Wirfs had the lowest pressure allowed rate across all offensive linemen, at an astounding 0.8562%. Wirfs also ranks #1 in PFF's "True Pass Sets" Pass Blocking Efficiency stat, which excludes play action, screens, designed quick releases, and plays with less than four pass rushers. These numbers were driven by Wirfs allowing a mere 5 pressures and 2 sacks over 584 snaps in pass protection; even Lane Johnson and Trent Williams, the First Team All-Pro tackles, allowed 9 and 15 pressures, respectively, over fewer snaps in pass protection.

So what makes Wirfs such an elite pass protector? His incredible athleticism for his size was apparent at the NFL Combine, but what makes him nearly impossible to beat is his hand usage paired with his athletic traits. Wirfs is phenomenal at extending his hands to bait a rusher's move, only to pull them and counter-strike once the opponent has committed, demonstrated excellently in these three clips. Wirfs also excels at using his hands independently to manipulate defensive linemen - he'll often utilize his outside hand to stab or "circle" an edge rusher, subsequently bringing his inside hand to snatch or drive to complete the move. Wirfs once again bests Cam Jordan on this snap, putting Jordan in the turf through hand technique alone with a snatch and trap. Wirfs' arsenal of techniques to disarm a rusher is masterful, and why he's arguably the purest pass blocker currently playing.

With how exceptional Wirfs' pass blocking is, it's logical to assume it's his run blocking holding him back from First Team All-Pro. Wirfs grades out as more good than great as a run blocker, but still paired with RG Shaq Mason as the catalyst of Tampa's rushing game. What truly hampered Wirfs' 2022 season was a freak injury suffered in Week 12 that caused him to miss 3+ weeks, the first missed games of his career. Heading into 2023, Bucs fans are optimistic that Wirfs' injury is far behind him, as his focus is now on shifting to Left Tackle and protecting the blindside of Tom Brady's replacement.

#45 - Demario Davis - New Orleans Saints - Off-Ball Linebacker

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
58 44 36 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat:

Davis has had double digit tackles for loss in each of his 5 seasons in New Orleans

Written by: u/LazyFBaby

Demario Davis continues his almost machine like consistency as he appears once again in the t50 and as one of the top off-ball linebackers in the league. He had another fantastic season where he rarely made mistakes, leading the Saints in tackles for the 5th year in a row. Davis plays in almost textbook form still possessing the speed to close down on runners and receivers, even as he moves into his mid-30’s. In a defense that’s full of young question marks and declining oldheads, Demario has been a steady presence that anchored a Top 10 defense in points per game last year.

#44 - Darius Slay - Philadelphia Eagles - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
35 N/A N/A N/A 46 N/A 61 N/A N/A​

Key Stat:

Slay caught 2 interceptions while guarding Justin Jefferson in coverage in their Week 2 matchup

Written by: u/BigGoopy

Another Key Stat: My wife left me.

A lot of Philadelphians had a love-hate relationship with Darius Slay this past season. He was dominant piece of the birds' all-star defense and helped set the tone as a captain of the team. The only thing potentially more dominant than his play is his wife's desserts, which are definitely the reason the Eagles did so well.

In the regular season, he allowed on average 31.3 yards per game in completions going his way. He became Justin Jefferson's father in week two allowing only 2 completions on 9 targets (Jefferson only had only 48 yards the entire game) and his excellent play landed him in the pro bowl.

Wait, BigGoopy, why the hate? Seems like he's pretty good! Well yeah, he's great! but he didn't really show up well the second half of the regular season. His first half stats (First 8 games): 23.25 yards allowed per game, 19 completions allowed on 41 attempts. His second half stats (last 9 games): 38.4 yards allowed per game, 27 completions allowed on 38 attempts. This led to several hundred journalists (read: r/eagles commenters) saying he didn't care, was slacking off, etc.

He came back in the playoffs, allowing 21 yards per game (7 completions on 12 targets). He re-signed with the Eagles and surely his play will be better than ever now that he's reunited with Matt Patricia (right?)

#43 - Derrick Henry - Tennessee Titans - Running Back

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
N/A 6 16 N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat:

Derrick Henry recorded 5844 rushing yards in a 50 game stretch from December 6th 2018 to October 30th 2022; the most in any 50 game stretch by any player in NFL History

Written by: u/broccolibush42

Derrick Henry bounced back to form from an injury shortened 2021 season and reminded people he's still a top back in this league. Henry once again dominated divisional opponents and put the fear of god in defensive coordinators as they stacked the box with 8 to 9 players anytime he was in. His YPC took a hit this year, but a lot of analysts and myself conclude that is due to having the worst O Line in the league, a bottom tier passing attack because of the inexplicable AJB trade and injuries to Ryan Tannehill, and the most unimaginative offensive coordinator since the Munchak era. Despite all that, Henry still posted a 1500 yard campaign with 400 receiving yards (one of our leading receivers lololol) in 16 games. Henry looks to continue his bid for the hall of fame by posting another strong season in 2023 with a new offensive coordinator and hopefully a boosted offensive line. Here is his 2022 highlights if you want to watch a beast play among boys

#42 - James Bradberry - Philadelphia Eagles - Cornerback

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
N/A 35 N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat:

Bradberry's 21 forced incompletions was tied for the highest in the league this year

Written by: u/Dylanonfire88

2023 was a big year for CB James Bradberry, as after being released by the Giants he landed on a fellow NFC East team on a one year “prove it deal.” And boy, Bradberry sure proved it this season, landing him a 3 year 38 million dollar extension in the process. After a down year with the Giants, Bradberry came back to previous form next to Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, in which he landed on the all pro second team and quickly became an Eagles fan favorite. Some people in the Eagles fanbase, including myself, believe that Bradberry had a better season than Darius Slay last year, and fittingly he landed higher on him on this list.

Bradberry checks every box you want in a prototypical cornerback one. He’s got solid size, length, speed, great instincts, and can play well in both man and zone. Bradberry recorded 4 interceptions as an Eagle last year, where he showed his instincts jumping passes and seemingly appearing out of nowhere to record an interception. This was seen multiple times last season (revenge against the Giants for letting him go), and interceptions weren’t even Bradberry’s biggest strength. Since entering the league Bradberry has always been a solid and underrated cornerback, and finally this year he began to receive the respect he deserves as a true elite cornerback.

#41 - Matt Judon - New England Patriots - EDGE Rusher

Previous Ranks

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
64 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A​

Key Stat:

Joins Andre Tippett as the only Patriots players with a 15 sack season

Written by: u/mtzehvor

Two years later, the Patriots big free agent spending spree of 2021 looks rather underwhelming. Some players, like Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne, had solid 2021 seasons but weren’t able to recapture that same magic in 2022. Others, like Jonnu Smith and Nelson Agholor, skipped the mixed results and were just massive disappointments across both years. And then you have Matthew Judon, who stepped in and almost single handedly saved the 2021 FA class from being a massive disappointment.

After an incredible 2021 campaign that had him in the conversation for DPoY for a while, he put up an even stronger 2022. 60 tackles, 28 QB hits, and 15.5 sacks. A huge part of that was how fast and unpredictable he was; Judon is more than capable of coming around the edge or right through the center of the line. Quarterbacks never quite knew where to expect Judon from. His fake around the tackle and switch to rushing up the gut was a trademark, but he was also capable of just beating tackles one on one as well. And he was good for far more than just sacks; he served as an incredible tackler and saved more than a few big plays for the Patriots’ defense. Lost in the rather disappointing 2022 season for New England was the defense continuing to be a top unit in the league, and Judon was an integral part of why.

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