Previously, on my own rendition of the NFL’s Top 100 Players, Jurrell Casey kicked off the list at number 80 and Zack Martin capped it off at number 71.
If you haven’t checked out numbers 100-71, here they are:
70. Terron Armstead
For the past six seasons, Terron Armstead of the New Orleans Saints has been one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Armstead has been able to protect Drew Brees’ blindside pretty well over the last few years.
The Saints offense is loaded with weapons like Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara but Armstead is crucial to the offense as well. In 2018, Armstead allowed just one sack in his 602 snaps played.
69. George Kittle
Tight ends are becoming a rare commodity in the NFL but George Kittle is becoming one of the best in the game. The San Francisco 49ers tight end showed in 2018 that he is on his way to stardom in the NFL.
Last season, the 49ers went through three different quarterbacks but Kittle’s production remained the same. Kittle would finish the season with 88 receptions, 1,377 yards, and five touchdowns in his second season in the NFL.
68. Jaylon Smith
The second part of the Dallas Cowboys outstanding linebacker duo is Jaylon Smith. Some people may prefer Vander Esch over Smith but Smith slightly edges Vander Esch on here.
In 2018, Dallas had the fifth-best run defense in the NFL and it’s no coincidence that Smith was able to play in all 16 games. In his second season in 2018, Smith had 121 tackles and four sacks.
67. Mitchell Schwartz
The Kansas City Chiefs know it is very important to protect Patrick Mahomes moving forward. That’s why a guy like Mitchell Schwartz is vital to what the Chiefs do on offense.
The Chiefs right tackle was named PFF’s best offensive lineman in 2018. In 2018, Schwartz allowed just three sacks on 1,045 offensive snaps in the Chiefs offense.
66. Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield brought hope to the Cleveland Browns in his rookie season in 2018. After going 0-16 in 2017, the Browns went 7-8-1 with Mayfield under center.
If it weren’t for Saquon Barkley, Mayfield would’ve easily taken home the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Although, his 27 passing touchdowns were the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
65. Demarcus Lawrence
Among the league’s best pass rusher, Demarcus Lawrence is one of the best of them. Over the past couple of seasons, Lawrence has turned himself into one of the NFL’s best sack artists.
Coming into the 2018 season, people were waiting to see if Lawrence’s 2017 season was a fluke or not. It was in fact not a fluke as Lawrence followed his 14.5 sacks in 2017 with 10.5 in 2018.
64. Zach Ertz
Staying in the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles have one of the best tight ends in football in Zach Ertz. The tight end position is beginning to become a scarcity but guys like Ertz are keeping the position alive.
The Eagles have gone through Carson Wentz and Nick Foles under center but one thing has remained constant. Ertz has continually been reliable with 116 receptions, 1,163 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2018.
63. Melvin Gordon
Running backs are becoming an expendable position for most people. Although, Melvin Gordon wants to be paid like star running backs are paid.
The Los Angeles Chargers running back has been a key component to the Chargers offense in the last few seasons. In the past two seasons, Gordon has rushed for 1,990 yards and 18 touchdowns.
62. Deshaun Watson
The next quarterback to make the list is Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans. Watson has been phenomenal in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Last year, Watson got his first taste of playoff football and he disappointed but the Texans franchise quarterback is poised for a huge 2019 season.
In 2018, Watson threw for 4,165 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
61. Chris Harris Jr.
The NFL has a plethora of talented slot cornerbacks but the best may still reside with the Denver Broncos. Chris Harris Jr. has been considered the best at his craft and he still may be wearing the crown.
Harris Jr. is versatile enough to cover any part of the field but he does most of his damage in the slot.
For example, in 2018, Harris Jr. had 12.7 coverage snaps per reception allowed in the slot (best in the NFL).