With the NFL returning in 59 days, one of the most interesting events has begun—the NFL Top 100 list. Active NFL players vote on the top 100 list. It’s interesting who makes the list and where they land. The NFL will be releasing the list in batches or a few at a time. Currently, only 13 players have been announced. Let’s jump straight into who’s been announced and discuss them!

NFL Top 100: Number 100 – Los Angeles Chargers WR: Ladd McConkey

The Chargers’ rookie receiver Ladd McConkey makes the NFL Top 100 after his rookie season, coming in at 100. McConkey had an excellent rookie campaign with 82 catches on 112 targets for 1149 yards and seven touchdowns! He was drafted in the second round of last year’s NFL Draft.

He turned into Justin Herbert’s number one receiver in the latter half of the season. Lastly, McConkey had a dominant playoff game against the Houston Texans. Despite the loss, he set a rookie record with 197 receiving yards on nine catches and a touchdown in the Wildcard loss.

Number 99 – Seattle Seahawks DL: Leonard Williams

In Leonard Williams‘ first full season in Seattle, he was excellent! Williams finished with career highs in tackles for loss and solo tackles, which got him anointed to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. He also finished the season with 11 sacks, the second highest in his career for a season. Williams also had one of the more electric “big man” moments in the league, picking off Aaron Rodgers and taking it 92 yards for the pick 6. Well worth the NFL Top 100 selection for the third time.

Number 98 – Minnesota Vikings RB: Aaron Jones

In his first season with the Minnesota Vikings, Aaron Jones was his usual self after missing six games with the Green Bay Packers last season. Jones finished last year with 1,546 yards from scrimmage, 1,138 rushing, and 408 receiving on 306 touches, which was a career high. We know how dominant their passing game can be with Justin Jefferson, but we see that a quarterback’s best friend is a solid running game. That’s what Jones was for the 14-win Vikings last season, a nice exhale.

Number 97 – Atlanta Falcons WR: Drake London

Coming in at 97, we’ve got the third-year wide receiver from the Atlanta Falcons, Drake London. London has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the NFL and has taken a step in that direction every year. Last season was his best; he recorded 100 receptions on 158 targets for 1268 yards and scored nine touchdowns. With the Falcons turning the page to Michael Penix Jr., it could be game-changing for the franchise’s future. Don’t be surprised if this is one of the best QB-WR duos in the NFL before you know it.

Number 96 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB: Lavonte David

Coming in at 96 and two spots higher than last season, we’ve got Buccaneers’ longtime linebacker Lavonte David. It’s interesting because it was another “normal” season for David as he finished with 122 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and an interception. He’s been the anchor of this team since he was drafted by the Bucs in 2012. David is the NFL’s active leader in solo tackles with 1,111. At age 35, he is still one of the best pure tacklers in the league.

Number 95 – Arizona Cardinals OLB: Josh Sweat

Coming off a Super Bowl win, Josh Sweat finds himself on the Top NFL 100 list for the first time in his career. In the regular season, he was solid off the edge with eight sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 41 tackles. Now, in the Super Bowl, he was dominant. In the Eagles 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Sweat recorded six tackles, two TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He was “rewarded” for his performance with a big payday from the Arizona Cardinals, a four-year $76.4 million contract.

Number 94 – Detroit Lions TE: Sam LaPorta

Falling 14 spots from where he was last year in the NFL Top 100 list, Sam LaPorta ranks 94th. Last season was a drop from his rookie season. In the 16 games he played and started, LaPorta recorded 60 catches on 83 targets for 726 yards and seven touchdowns.

The initial knockdown was that after his record-breaking rookie season with the Lions, teams get more tape and now try to take you away. Statistically, LaPorta’s targets dropped from 120 targets in his rookie season to only 83 last year. He is still one of the best tight ends in the NFL and will look to bounce back next season.

Number 93 – Kansas City Chiefs C: Creed Humphrey

Making the NFL Top 100 list for the first time is center Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs. Humphrey has been one of the best centers in the NFL since getting drafted in 2021. Last season was his best. Started in all 17 games while accumulating 1,117 offensive snaps, he didn’t allow a sack, only allowed seven quarterback pressures, and was called for holding only once. Humphrey’s fantastic play earned him the right to make his third consecutive Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro nod.

Number 92 – Atlanta Falcons FS: Jessie Bates III

Someone who also fell off last year’s NFL Top 100 list is Jessie Bates III of the Atlanta Falcons. His second season with the Falcons wasn’t as good as his first, but he still had a solid year. Bates recorded 102 total tackles, his first career sack, four forced fumbles, 10 passes defended, four interceptions, including a pick-6. Let’s see if the two-time second-team All-Pro can return to form next season.

Number 91 – Miami Dolphins QB: Tua Tagovailoa

The most significant drop in the NFL Top 100 list is Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa. He dropped 55 spots from last season to this one. The main point to consider is his injuries. He only played in 11 of the 17 games. He is such an interesting player because he needs everything to be right.

When everything is peachy, he is a killer at the QB position. However, when he’s off his timing or playing against an above-average team, he’s not a good quarterback. Last season, he led the NFL in completion percentage at 72.9%. If it were up to me, he wouldn’t be on the list for his 2024 performance.

Number 90 – Denver Broncos DL: Zach Allen

For the first time in Zach Allen’s career, he was selected to the NFL Top 100 list. Allen is coming off a career year, finishing with 8.5 sacks, 61 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 40 QB Hits. His performance last season earned him a second-team All-Pro nod. Allen also led all defensive tackles with 67 pressures. He was one of the key pieces on arguably the best defense in the NFL.

Number 89 – Buffalo Bills RB: James Cook

The 89th player on the NFL Top 100 list is James Cook. Cook is making the list for the first time in his career. He was a godsend for the Buffalo Bills. To dive into his numbers, Cook finished with 1267 yards from scrimmage, 1009 rushing yards, and 258 receiving yards. He also led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns and 18 total TDs. Cook has made back-to-back Pro Bowls and could have been higher on the NFL Top 100 list this season based on his production.

Number 88 – Minnesota Vikings OLB: Andrew Van Ginkel

Andrew Van Ginkel was in serious talks for the Defensive Player of the Year conversation for the majority of the season. His dominant play earned him the 88th spot on the NFL Top 100 list. He is coming off a career year with 11.5 sacks, 79 tackles, 18 TFLs, six passes deflected, and two interceptions that he returned for pick-6s. He earned a Pro Bowl nod, as well as a spot on the All-Pro second team. He is another player who was deserving of being higher on the NFL Top 100 list.

Number 87 – New York Jets: Quinnen Williams

From ranking 37th last season to 87th this season, Quinnen Williams has taken a significant drop from last campaign. He has been one of the bright spots on a Jets team that has struggled over the past few years. He had a solid 2024 campaign with six sacks, 37 tackles, and eight TFLs. Last season, he made his third consecutive Pro Bowl. It is hard to be a defensive tackle and put up crazy numbers’ year in and year out due to being consistently double-teamed. A player of his caliber should be higher.

Final Thoughts

This year’s NFL Top 100 has just begun. This has been a great start to the list. Players like Van Ginkel and Cook should have been higher, while Tua shouldn’t have made the list based on injuries last season. However, this is why the players vote on the NFL Top 100. I’m excited to see who else makes the list and where everyone ranks.

As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts on the NFL Top 100 list thus far! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.