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NFL Top 100 Players of 2021

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NFL Top 100 Players of 2021
Season 2021
Patrick Mahomes, the number 1 ranked player
Release
Original networkNFL Network
Original releaseAugust 15 (2021-08-15) –
August 28, 2021 (2021-08-28)
Season chronology
← Previous
2020
Next →
2022

NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 is the eleventh season in the NFL Top 100 series. It premiered on August 15, 2021, and concluded on August 28, 2021. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the number one player.[1]

Episode list

[edit]
Episode

No.

Air date Numbers

revealed

1 August 15 100–91
2 90–81
3 80–71
4 70–61
5 60–51
6 50–41
7 August 22 40–31
8 30–21
9 20–11
10 August 28 10–6
11 5–1

The list

[edit]
Rank Player Position 2020 team 2021 team Rank change Reference Year accomplishments
1 Patrick Mahomes Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs Increase 3 [2]
  • Second consecutive AFC Championship
  • 3rd Pro Bowl selection
  • 1st Second-team All-Pro selection
  • Became the fastest quarterback to reach 10,000 passing yards (34 games)
  • Became the fastest quarterback to reach 100 passing touchdowns (40 games)
  • Broke NFL records for career passing yards per game (307.7), career quarterback rating (108.7), and career interception percentage (1.4%, tied) by recording his 1,500th pass attempt
2 Aaron Donald Defensive tackle Los Angeles Rams Increase 1 [3]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 5)
  • 3rd AP DPOY Award
  • 6th First-team All-Pro selection
  • 7th Pro Bowl selection
3 Aaron Rodgers Quarterback Green Bay Packers Increase 13 [4]
  • 11th player to pass for 50,000 career yards
  • Threw 400th career touchdown pass
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 13)
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Month (December)
  • Led league in touchdown passes (48, career high)
  • 3rd AP MVP Award
  • 3rd First-team All-Pro selection
  • 9th Pro Bowl selection
4 Derrick Henry Running back Tennessee Titans Increase 6 [5]
  • 2x AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 6, 17)
  • Led league in rushing yards (2,027) and rushing touchdowns (17)
  • 8th 2,000 yard rushing season in NFL history
  • 1st AP OPOY Award
  • 1st First-team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
5 Travis Kelce Tight end Kansas City Chiefs Increase 13 [6]
  • Broke single season tight end receiving yards record (1,416)
  • Broke record for 1,000 receiving yards seasons by a tight end
  • 3rd First-team All-Pro selection
  • 6th Pro Bowl selection
  • League leader among tight ends in receiving yards and touchdowns
6 Davante Adams Wide receiver Green Bay Packers Increase 51 [7]
  • First team All-Pro selection
  • 4th consecutive Pro Bowl selection
  • Career high in receptions (115)
  • Led league in touchdown catches (18)
7 Tom Brady Quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers Increase 7 [8]
8 DeAndre Hopkins Wide receiver Arizona Cardinals Steady 0 [9]
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 10)
  • tied career high in receptions (105)
  • 2nd Second-team All-Pro selection
  • 5th Pro Bowl selection
9 T. J. Watt Outside linebacker Pittsburgh Steelers Increase 16 [10]
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2)
  • 2x AFC Defensive Player of the Month (September, November)
  • Led league in sacks (15)
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2nd First-team All-Pro selection
  • 3rd Pro Bowl selection
10 Josh Allen Quarterback Buffalo Bills Increase 77 [11]
  • 4x AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Weeks 2, 9, 13, 15)
  • 2x AFC Offensive Player of the Month (September, December)
  • Career highs in completions (396), passing yards (4,544) and passing touchdowns (37)
  • 1st Second-team All-Pro selection
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
11 Stefon Diggs Wide receiver Buffalo Bills Increase 43 [12]
  • AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 16)
  • Led league in receptions (127) and yards receiving (1,535) (both career highs)
  • 1st First-team All-Pro selection
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
12 Russell Wilson Quarterback Seattle Seahawks Decrease 10 [13]
  • 2x NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1, 3)
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September)
  • Career highs in pass completions (384) and touchdown passes (40)
  • Walter Payton Man of the Year
  • 8th Pro Bowl selection
13 Jalen Ramsey Cornerback Los Angeles Rams Increase 24 [14]
14 Alvin Kamara Running back New Orleans Saints Increase 28 [15]
  • Tied NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a game (6)
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 16)
  • Career highs in rushing yards (932) and touchdowns (16)
  • 2nd Second-team All-Pro selection
15 Tyreek Hill Wide receiver Kansas City Chiefs Increase 7 [16]
  • AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 12)
  • Career highs in receptions (87) and touchdowns (15)
  • 3rd First-team All-Pro selection
  • 5th Pro Bowl selection
16 Myles Garrett Defensive end Cleveland Browns Increase 64 [17]
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 4)
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Month (October)
  • 1st First-team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
17 Xavien Howard Cornerback Miami Dolphins NR [18]
  • Led league in interceptions (10) (2nd time in career) and passes defensed (20)
  • 1st First-Team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
18 Deshaun Watson Quarterback Houston Texans Increase 2 [19]
  • AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 11)
  • Career high in completions (382)
  • Led league in passing yards (4,823)
  • 3rd Pro Bowl selection
19 Budda Baker Free safety Arizona Cardinals Increase 78 [20]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 6)
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Month (October)
  • Tied career high in sacks (2)
  • 2nd First-team All-Pro selection
  • 3rd Pro Bowl selection
20 Dalvin Cook Running back Minnesota Vikings Increase 1 [21]
  • 2x NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 8, 9)
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Month (November)
  • Career highs in rushing yards (1,557) and rushing touchdowns (16)
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
21 Fred Warner Linebacker San Francisco 49ers Increase 49 [22]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 16)
  • Career high in interceptions (2)
  • 1st First-team All-Pro selection
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
22 DK Metcalf Wide receiver Seattle Seahawks Increase 59 [23]
  • Career highs in receptions (83), yards (1,303), and touchdowns (10)
  • 1st Second-team All-Pro selection
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
23 Khalil Mack Outside linebacker Chicago Bears Decrease 4 [24]
24 Lamar Jackson Quarterback Baltimore Ravens Decrease 23 [25]
  • First NFL quarterback to have multiple seasons surpassing 1,000 rushing yards
25 Bobby Wagner Middle linebacker Seattle Seahawks Decrease 12 [26]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 8)
  • 6th First-team All-Pro selection
  • 7th Pro Bowl selection
26 Nick Chubb Running back Cleveland Browns Increase 10 [1]
  • Career high in rushing touchdowns (12)
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
27 DeForest Buckner Defensive tackle Indianapolis Colts Increase 29 [2]
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 15)
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Month (December)
  • Tied career-high in forced fumbles (2)
  • 1st First-Team All-Pro selection
28 Devin White Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers NR [3]
  • Career highs in tackles (97), sacks (9) and passes defensed (4)
  • 2x NFC Defensive Player of the Week (7, 15)
  • Super Bowl champion (1st time)
29 Julio Jones Wide receiver Atlanta Falcons Tennessee Titans Decrease 18 [4]
30 Aaron Jones Running back Green Bay Packers Increase 3 [5]
  • Career high in rushing yards (1,104)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
31 Jamal Adams Strong safety Seattle Seahawks Decrease 4 [6]
  • Career high in sacks (9 1/2)
  • 2nd Second-Team All-Pro selection
  • 3rd Pro Bowl selection
32 Joey Bosa Defensive end Los Angeles Chargers Increase 2 [7]
33 Quenton Nelson Guard Indianapolis Colts Decrease 4 [8]
34 Chris Jones Defensive tackle Kansas City Chiefs Increase 18 [9]
  • Tied career high in sacks (13)
  • 2nd Second-Team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
35 Darren Waller Tight end Las Vegas Raiders Increase 64 [10]
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
  • Career highs in receiving yards (1,196) and touchdown receptions (9)
  • Led league in receptions among tight ends (107)
36 David Bakhtiari Offensive tackle Green Bay Packers Increase 26 [11]
37 Shaquille Leonard Outside linebacker Indianapolis Colts Increase 13 [12]
  • Career high in fumbles recovered (2)
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 17)
  • 2nd First-Team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
38 Marlon Humphrey Cornerback Baltimore Ravens Increase 48 [13]
  • Career high in tackles (68)
  • Led league in forced fumbles (8)
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
39 Kyler Murray Quarterback Arizona Cardinals Increase 51 [14]
  • 3x NFC Offensive Player of the Week (5, 7, 15)
  • Career highs in completions (375), passing yards (3,971) and touchdown passes (26)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
40 Bradley Chubb Outside linebacker Denver Broncos NR [15]
41 Jaire Alexander Cornerback Green Bay Packers NR [16]
42 Trent Williams Offensive tackle San Francisco 49ers NR [17]
43 Lavonte David Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers Increase 57 [18]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Month (September)
  • Super Bowl champion (1st time)
  • 2nd Second-Team All-Pro selection
44 Christian McCaffrey Running back Carolina Panthers Decrease 38 [19]
45 Justin Simmons Free safety Denver Broncos NR [20]
  • Career highs in tackles (75) and interceptions (5)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
46 Cameron Jordan Defensive end New Orleans Saints Decrease 23 [21]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Month (November)
  • 6th Pro Bowl selection
47 Stephon Gilmore Cornerback New England Patriots New England Patriots/Carolina Panthers Decrease 38 [22]
48 Mike Evans Wide receiver Tampa Bay Buccaneers Decrease 18 [23]
  • Career high in touchdown receptions (13)
  • Super Bowl champion (1st time)
  • Record 7th consecutive season with 1,000 yards receiving
49 J. C. Jackson Cornerback New England Patriots NR [24]
  • Career high in interceptions (9)
50 George Kittle Tight end San Francisco 49ers Decrease 43 [25]
51 Za'Darius Smith Outside linebacker Green Bay Packers Decrease 3 [26]
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 4)
  • 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
52 Minkah Fitzpatrick Free safety Pittsburgh Steelers Decrease 17 [27]
  • Career high in tackles (60)
  • 2nd First-Team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
53 Justin Jefferson Wide receiver Minnesota Vikings NR [28]
54 Grady Jarrett Defensive tackle Atlanta Falcons Increase 37 [29]
55 Keenan Allen Wide receiver Los Angeles Chargers Increase 22 [30]
  • Tied career high in touchdown receptions (8)
  • 4th Pro Bowl selection
56 Justin Herbert Quarterback Los Angeles Chargers NR [31]
57 Cameron Heyward Defensive tackle Pittsburgh Steelers Increase 27 [32]
  • Recorded first interception of career (Week 1)
  • 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection
  • 4th Pro Bowl selection
58 Tyrann Mathieu Safety Kansas City Chiefs Decrease 19 [33]
  • Career high in interceptions (6)
  • 3rd First-Team All-Pro selection
  • 2nd Pro Bowl selection
59 Jason Pierre-Paul Outside linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers NR [34]
60 Corey Linsley Center Green Bay Packers Los Angeles Chargers NR [35]
61 Chase Young Defensive end Washington Football Team NR [36]
62 A. J. Brown Wide receiver Tennessee Titans NR [37]
  • Career highs in receptions (70), yards (1,075) and touchdown catches (11)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
63 Fletcher Cox Defensive tackle Philadelphia Eagles Increase 10 [38]
64 Demario Davis Inside linebacker New Orleans Saints Increase 3 [39]
65 Calvin Ridley Wide receiver Atlanta Falcons NR [40]
  • Career highs in receptions (90) and yards receiving (1,374)
  • 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection
66 J. J. Watt Defensive end Houston Texans Arizona Cardinals Decrease 21 [41]
  • Recorded 100th career sack (Week 9)
67 K. J. Wright Outside linebacker Seattle Seahawks Las Vegas Raiders NR [42]
68 Josh Jacobs Running back Las Vegas Raiders Increase 4 [43]
  • Career high in rushing touchdowns (12)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
69 Ryan Kelly Center Indianapolis Colts NR [44]
70 Eric Kendricks Linebacker Minnesota Vikings Increase 13 [45]
  • Career high in interceptions (3)
71 Baker Mayfield Quarterback Cleveland Browns NR [46]
  • AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 7)
72 Michael Thomas Wide receiver New Orleans Saints Decrease 67 [47]
73 Trey Hendrickson Defensive end New Orleans Saints Cincinnati Bengals NR [48]
  • Career highs in tackles (22) and sacks (13 1/2)
74 James Bradberry Cornerback New York Giants NR [49]
  • Career high in passes defensed (18)
  • Tied career high in interceptions (3)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
75 Laremy Tunsil Offensive tackle Houston Texans Decrease 9 [50]
76 Tyler Lockett Wide receiver Seattle Seahawks Decrease 11 [51]
  • Career highs in receptions (100) and touchdown catches (10)
77 Quandre Diggs Free safety Seattle Seahawks NR [52]
  • Career highs in passes defensed (10) and interceptions (5)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
78 Jeffery Simmons Defensive tackle Tennessee Titans NR [53]
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9)
  • Career highs in tackles (24), sacks (3) and passes defensed (3)
79 Terron Armstead Offensive tackle New Orleans Saints NR [54]
80 Adam Thielen Wide receiver Minnesota Vikings NR [55]
  • Career high in touchdown receptions (14)
81 Chris Godwin Wide receiver Tampa Bay Buccaneers Decrease 43 [56]
82 Garett Bolles Offensive tackle Denver Broncos NR [57]
  • 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection
  • PFWA All-AFC Team
83 Ryan Tannehill Quarterback Tennessee Titans Decrease 15 [58]
  • Career high in touchdown passes (33)
84 Leonard Williams Defensive end New York Giants NR [59]
  • 2x NFC Defensive Player of the Week (13, 17)
85 Zack Martin Guard Dallas Cowboys Decrease 30 [60]
86 Marshon Lattimore Cornerback New Orleans Saints Decrease 10 [61]
  • Career high in tackles (52)
  • 3rd Pro Bowl selection
87 Allen Robinson Wide receiver Chicago Bears Increase 6 [62]
  • Career high in receptions (102)
88 Shaquil Barrett Outside linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers Decrease 56 [63]
  • Recorded 1st Career safety (Week 3)
  • NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3)
  • Super Bowl champion (2nd time)
89 Tristan Wirfs Offensive tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers NR [64]
90 Jessie Bates Safety Cincinnati Bengals NR [65]
  • Career highs in tackles (78), passes defensed (15) and interceptions (3)
  • 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection
91 Corey Davis Wide receiver Tennessee Titans New York Jets NR [66]
  • Career highs in receiving yards (945) and touchdown catches (5)
92 Jason Kelce Center Philadelphia Eagles Increase 2 [67]
93 T. J. Hockenson Tight end Detroit Lions NR [68]
  • Career highs in receptions (67), yards (723) and touchdown catches (6)
  • 1st Pro Bowl selection
94 Jarvis Landry Wide receiver Cleveland Browns Decrease 33 [69]
95 Tre'Davious White Cornerback Buffalo Bills Decrease 48 [70]
96 Cole Beasley Wide receiver Buffalo Bills NR [71]
  • Career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (967)
  • 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection
97 Kyle Juszczyk Fullback San Francisco 49ers NR [72]
  • Career highs in rushing yards (64) and rushing touchdowns (2)
98 Brandon Scherff Guard Washington Football Team NR [73]
99 Brandon Graham Defensive end Philadelphia Eagles NR [74]
100 James Robinson Running back Jacksonville Jaguars NR [75]

Sources

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Players

[edit]

Arizona Cardinals tackle D. J. Humphries criticized the list and its voting process, disagreeing with the placement of players such as J. J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins.[32]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2021 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  2. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Patrick Mahomes | No. 1". NFL.com.
  3. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Aaron Donald | No. 2". NFL.com.
  4. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Aaron Rodgers | No. 3". NFL.com.
  5. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Derrick Henry | No. 4". NFL.com.
  6. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Travis Kelce | No. 5". NFL.com.
  7. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Davante Adams | No. 6". NFL.com.
  8. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Tom Brady | No. 7". NFL.com.
  9. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': DeAndre Hopkins | No. 8". NFL.com.
  10. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': T.J. Watt | No. 9". NFL.com.
  11. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Josh Allen | No. 10". NFL.com.
  12. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Stefon Diggs | No. 11". NFL.com.
  13. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Russell Wilson | No. 12". NFL.com.
  14. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Jalen Ramsey | No. 13". NFL.com.
  15. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Alvin Kamara | No. 14". NFL.com.
  16. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Tyreek Hill | No. 15". NFL.com.
  17. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Myles Garrett | No. 16". NFL.com.
  18. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Xavien Howard | No. 17". NFL.com.
  19. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Deshaun Watson | No. 18". NFL.com.
  20. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Budda Baker | No. 19". NFL.com.
  21. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Dalvin Cook | No. 20". NFL.com.
  22. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Fred Warner | No. 21". NFL.com.
  23. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': DK Metcalf | No. 22". NFL.com.
  24. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Khalil Mack | No. 23". NFL.com.
  25. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Lamar Jackson | No. 24". NFL.com.
  26. ^ "'Top 100 Players of 2021': Bobby Wagner | No. 25". NFL.com.
  27. ^ Pickman, Ben (21 December 2020). "Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers Highlight 2021 Pro Bowl Rosters". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  28. ^ "NFL reveals complete AFC, NFC rosters for 2021 Pro Bowl". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  29. ^ "Aaron Donald, Travis Kelce head All-Pro Team". Touchdown Wire. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  30. ^ "2020 NFL All-Pro Team Roster". AP NEWS. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  31. ^ "Herbert 2020 Rookie of the Year; All-Rookie Team — PFWA". Pro Football Writers. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  32. ^ Balzer, Howard (3 September 2021). "Arizona Cardinals D.J. Humphries Rips NFL Top 100". Sports Illustrated Arizona Cardinals News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
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