Top 100 NFL Players 2018

NFL Network List First, Mine Second. Top 100 NFL players for the upcoming season.


NFL:
100. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S Packers
99. Doug Baldwin WR Seahawks
98. CJ Mosley LB Ravens
97. Carlos Hyde RB Browns
96. Malcolm Jenkins S Eagles
95. Lane Johnson T Eagles
94. Kirk Cousins QB Vikings
93. Mike Daniels DT Packers
92. Landon Collins S Giants
91. David Bakhtiari T Packers
90. Jimmy Garoppolo QB Niners
89. Jimmy Graham TE Packers
88. Yannick Ngakoue DE Jags
87. Andrew Whitworth T Rams
86. Chris Harris CB Broncos
85. Bruce Irvin OLB Raiders
84. JJ Watt DE Texans
83. Linval Joseph DT Vikings
82. Marshon Lattimore CB Saints
81. Michael Thomas WR Saints
80. Kevin Byard S Titans
79. Marcus Peters CB Rams
78. Taylor Lewan T Titans
77. Odell Beckham WR Giants
76. Melvin Ingram DE Chargers
75. Kam Chancellor S Seahawks
74. Cameron Wake DE Dolphins
73. Thomas Davis LB Panthers
72. Delanie Walker TE Titans
71. Zack Martin G Cowboys
70. Devonte Freeman RB Falcons
69. Fletcher Cox DT Eagles
68. Zach Ertz TE Eagles
67. Telvin Smith LB Jags
66. Jurrell Casey DT Titans
65. Stefon Diggs WR Vikings
64. Richard Sherman CB Niners
63. Geno Atkins DT Bengals
62. Micah Hyde S Bills
61. Ndamukong Suh DT Rams
60. Derek Carr QB Raiders
59. Casey Hayward CB Chargers
58. Leonard Fournette RB Jags
57. Trent Williams T Redskins
56. Philip Rivers QB Chargers
55. Xavier Rhodes CB Vikes
54. Ezekiel Elliott RB Cowboys
53. Aqib Talib CB Rams
52. Jarvis Landry WR Browns
51. Case Keenum QB Broncos
50. DeShaun Watson QB Texans
49. Darius Slay CB Lions
48. Cameron Heyward DE Steelers
47. Ryan Shazier LB Steelers
46. Harrison Smith S Vikings
45. Davante Adams WR Packers
44. David DeCastro G Steelers
43. Mark Ingram RB Saints
42. Earl Thomas S Seahawks
41. Keenan Allen WR Chargers
40. Tyreek Hill WR Chiefs
39. Tyron Smith T Cowboys
38. Jared Goff QB Rams
37. Joey Bosa DE Chargers
36. Adam Thielen WR Vikings
35. AJ Bouye CB Chargers
34. Demarcus Lawrence DE Cowboys
33. Kareem Hunt RB Chiefs
32. Jadeveon Clowney DE Texans
31. Matt Stafford QB Lions
30. LeSean McCoy RB Bills
29. Matt Ryan QB Falcons
28. Chandler Jones DE Cards
27. Larry Fitzgerald WR Cards
26. Cameron Jordan DE Saints
25. Cam Newton QB Panthers
24. Travis Kelce TE Chiefs
23. Patrick Peterson CB Cards
22. AJ Green WR Bengals
21. Bobby Wagner LB Seahawks
20. Alvin Kamara RB Saints
19. Everson Griffen DE Vikings
18. Ben Roethlisberger QB Steelers
17. Jalen Ramsey CB Jaguars
16. Khalil Mack DE Raiders
15. Rob Gronkowski TE Patriots
14. Calais Campbell DE Jaguars
13. DeAndre Hopkins WR Texans
12. Luke Kuechly LB Panthers
11. Russell Wilson QB Seahawks
10. Aaron Rodgers QB Packers
9. Von Miller DE Broncos
8. Drew Brees QB Saints
7. Aaron Donald DE Rams
6. Todd Gurley RB Rams
5. Le'Veon Bell RB Steelers
4. Julio Jones WR Falcons
3. Carson Wentz QB Eagles
2. Antonio Brown WR Steelers
1. Tom Brady QB Patriots




Jividen List:

1. Aaron Donald DE Rams
2. Tom Brady QB Patriots
3. Julio Jones WR Falcons
4. Von Miller DE Broncos
5. Khalil Mack OLB Raiders
6. Luke Kuechly LB Panthers
7. Cameron Jordan DE Saints
8. Kawann Short DT Panthers
9. Aaron Rodgers QB Packers
10. Matt Ryan QB Falcons

11. Rob Gronkowski TE Patriots
12. Antonio Brown WR Steelers
13. Le’Veon Bell RB Steelers
14. Russell Wilson QB Seahawks
15. Drew Brees QB Saints
16. Calais Campbell DT Jaguars
17. Brandon Graham DE Eagles
18. Bobby Wagner LB Seahawks
19. Travis Frederick C Cowboys
20. Marshal Yanda G Ravens

21. DeAndre Hopkins WR Texans
22. Joey Bosa DE Chargers
23. Jalen Ramsey CB Jaguars
24. Harrison Smith S Vikings
25. Fletcher Cox DT Eagles
26. Geno Atkins DT Bengals
27. Ndamukong Suh DT Rams
28. Todd Gurley RB Rams
29. Casey Hayward CB Chargers
30. Melvin Ingram DE Chargers

31. Carson Wentz QB Eagles
32. Ben Roethlisberger QB Steelers
33. Jared Goff QB Rams
34. Zack Martin G Cowboys
35. David DeCastro G Steelers
36. Damon Harrison DT Giants
37. Gerald McCoy DT Bucs
38. Landon Collins S Giants
39. Earl Thomas S Seahawks
40. AJ Bouye CB Jaguars

41. Justin Houston OLB Chiefs
42. Linval Joseph DT Vikings
43. DeForest Buckner DT 49ers
44. DeMarcus Lawrence DE Cowboys
45. Sean Lee LB Cowboys
46. Chris Harris CB Broncos
47. Adrian Amos S Bears
48. Michael Thomas WR Saints
49. Mike Evans WR Bucs
50. Keenan Allen WR Chargers

51. AJ Green WR Bengals
52. Odell Beckham WR Giants
53. Travis Kelce TE Chiefs
54. Trent Williams T Redskins
55. Lane Johnson T Eagles
56. Andrew Norwell G Jaguars
57. Jurrell Casey DE Titans
58. Jadeveon Clowney OLB Texans
59. Darius Slay CB Lions
60. Malik Jackson DT Jaguars

61. Andrew Luck QB Colts
62. JJ Watt DE Texans
63. Tre’Davious White CB Bills
64. Marshon Lattimore CB Saints
65. Mike Daniels DT Packers
66. Olivier Vernon DE Giants
67. Leonard Williams DE Jets
68. David Johnson RB Cardinals
69. Melvin Gordon RB Chargers
70. LeSean McCoy RB Bills

71. Doug Baldwin WR Seahawks
72. Larry Fitzgerald WR Cardinals
73. Stefon Diggs WR Vikings
74. Alvin Kamara RB Saints
75. Kareem Hunt RB Chiefs
76. Marcus Peters CB Rams
77. Myles Garrett DE Browns
78. Chandler Jones DE Cardinals
79. Stephon Tuitt DT Steelers
80. Everson Griffen DE Vikings

81. Alex Smith QB Redskins
82. Philip Rivers QB Chargers
83. Cam Newton QB Panthers
84. Tyron Smith T Cowboys
85. Jason Peters T Eagles
86. Joe Staley T 49ers

87. David Bakhtiari T Packers
88. Deion Jones LB Falcons
89. KJ Wright LB Seahawks
90. Michael Bennett DT Eagles

91. Matt Stafford QB Lions
92. Jimmy Garoppolo QB 49ers
93. Dak Prescott QB Cowboys
94. DeShaun Watson QB Texans
95. Ezekiel Elliott RB Cowboys
96. Alex Mack C Falcons
97. Rodney Hudson C Raiders
98. William Jackson CB Bengals
99. Reshad Jones S Dolphins
100. Patrick Peterson CB Cards

Hey, the 2018 MLB Season is Half Over

Each year, at the 40/60/80 game mark I redo the end of season team predictions and select All Stars.

Last year (and I think it's the same this year) there are 32 roster spots for each team.  20 position players, 12 pitchers, at least 3 of those are relievers (in practice, you'll note many more relievers than that are usually chosen, but not by me). 

I do this All-Star selection every year - I do not recall a year where it was more challenging to get a representative from every team as it is with the AL this year.  

AL East
1. Bos 101
2. NYY 101
3. Tampa
4. Tor
5. Balt

AL Central
1. Cleve 94
2. Min 
3. Det
4. CWS
5. KC

AL West
1. Hou 103
2. Sea 89
3. LAA 84
4. Oak
5. Tex

NL East
1. Wash 90
2. Atl 89
3. Phil 86
4. NYM
5. Mia

NL Cen
1. Chi 92
2. Mil 89
3. StL 85
4. Pit 
5. Cin

NL West
1. LAD 89
2. Ariz 87
3. SFG 80
4. Col
5. SD

NL
C JT Realmuto Mia 3.05
   W.Contreras Chi 2.45
    F.Cervelli Pit 2.2

1B F.Freeman Atl 4.2-MVP
     J.Votto Cin 3.45
     P.Goldschmidt Ari 3 
     B.Belt SFG 2.3

2B S.Gennett Cin 2.75
      O.Albies Atl 2.65
      J.Baez Chi 2.55
      
SS T.Turner Wash 3.05
      B.Crawford SFG 2.6

3B N.Arenado Col 3.4
      E.Suarez Cin 2.9
      T.Shaw Mil 2.4

LF B.Nimmo NYM 2.95
     
CF L.Cain Mil 3.6
      O.Herrera Phi 2.75
      M.Taylor Wash 2.2
       
RF N.Markakis Atl 3.2
      
SP 
       J. DeGrom NYM 4.55-Cy
       M.Scherzer Wash 4.15
       A.Nola Phi 4.05
        R.Stripling LAD 2.9
        K.Freeland Col 2.9
        J.Lester Chi 2.7
        M.Mikolas StL 2.6
        M. Foltynewicz Atl 2.4  
        P.Corbin Ari 2.35
   

RP  S.Doolittle Wash 2.1
      A.Ottavino Col 2
      K.Yates SD 1.65

AL

C  M.Stassi Hou 1.5
    W.Ramos TB 1.4

1B M.Olson Oak 2.1

      M.Moreland Bos 1.9

2B J.Altuve Hou 3.6

      J.Lowrie Oak 2.25

SS F.Lindor Cle 4.45
     C.Correa Hou 3.05

     A.Simmons LAA 2.8

     J.Segura Sea 2.6

3B J.Ramirez Cle 4.55

     M.Chapman Oak 3.25

     

LF E.Rosario Min 3.05
     

CF M.Trout LAA 5.85-MVP

RF M.Betts Bos 4.25

      A.Judge NYY 3.75
      M.Haniger Sea 3.05

      G.Springer Hou 2.75

DH   JD Martinez Bos 3.45
        M.Davidson CWS 1.1

SP        C.Kluber Cle 4.4-Cy

             J.Verlander Hou 4.05
             L.Severino NYY 3.95
             C.Sale Bos 3.75
             T.Bauer Cle 2.9
             B.Snell TB 2.85

             C.Hamels Tex 2
             JA Happ Tor 2

             M.Boyd Det 1.35

       

RP  A.Chapman NYY 2.5 
      K.Herrera KC 1.9
       R.Bleier Balt 1.6

     

      

This Is (Not) a Mock 2018 NBA Draft (Rnd 1)

Not a prediction, it's my selecting for each team for Round 1 of the 2018 NBA Draft.

1. Phoenix         Luka Doncic PG Slovenia
-  I don't know how far he's falling, but any amount is too far.

2. Sacramento   Deandre Ayton C  Arizona
3. Atlanta           Jaren Jackson PF Michigan St
4. Memphis        Mikal Bridges SF Villanova
5. Dallas           Mo Bamba  C  Texas
6. Orlando         Trae Young PG Oklahoma
7. Chicago          Marvin Bagley C Duke
8. Cleveland      Michael Porter SF Missouri
9. NY                  Mitchell Robinson C HS
10. Philadelphia  De'Anthony Melton SG  USC
11. Charlotte        Collin Sexton PG  Alabama
12. LA Clippers    Zhaire Smith SF TTech
13. LA Clippers   Wendell Carter C  Duke
14. Denver            Miles Bridges F  Michigan St
15. Washington    Robert Williams C Texas A&M
16. Phoenix          Dzanan Musa SF  Bosnia
17. Milwaukee     Kevin Knox F  Kentucky
18. San Antonio   Troy Brown SG Oregon
19. Atlanta           Shai Gilgeous-Alexander G Kentucky
20. Minnesota      Kevin Huerter SG Maryland
21. Utah              Jacob Evans SF Cincinnati 
22. Chicago         Keita Bates-Diop SF  Ohio St
23. Indiana          Lonnie Walker SG Miami
24. Portland          Donte DiVincenzo PG Nova
25. LA Lakers     Gary Trent SG   Duke
26. Philadelphia  Omari Spellman F Nova
27. Boston          Grayson Allen SG Duke
28. GSW            Khyri Thomas SG Creighton
29. Brooklyn      Kenrich Williams SF TCU
30. Atlanta         Kevin Hervey F UT-Arlington

2018 NBA Draft Big Board (1-60)

My (final) big board for the 2018 NBA Draft

1. Luka Doncic  PG  Slovenia
2. Deandre Ayton C  Arizona
3. Jaren Jackson PF Michigan St
4. Mikal Bridges SF Nova
5. Trae Young PG    Oklahoma
6. Mo Bamba  C      Texas
7. Marvin Bagley C  Duke
8. Michael Porter SF  Missouri
9. Zhaire Smith SF   Texas Tech
10. Mitchell Robinson C  High School
11. De'Anthony Melton SG  USC
12. Wendell Carter  C    Duke
13. Miles Bridges F   Michigan St
14. Collin Sexton PG Alabama
15. Jacob Evans SF  Cincinnati
16. Dzanan Musa SF Bosnia
17. Kevin Knox F Kentucky
18. Robert Williams C Texas A&M
19. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander G Kentucky
20. Troy Brown SG Oregon
21. Kevin Huerter SG Maryland
22. Keita Bates-Diop SF  Ohio St
23. Lonnie Walker SG Miami
24. Jevon Carter PG WVA
25. Donte DiVincenzo PG Nova
26. Gary Trent SG   Duke
27. Kevin Hervey F UT-Arlington
28. Kenrich Williams SF TCU
29. Khyri Thomas SG Creighton
30. Omari Spellman PF Nova

31. Landry Shamet PG Wichita St
32. Jalen Brunson PG Nova
33. Grayson Allen SG Duke
30. Josh Okogie  SG  Geo Tech
35. Mortiz Wagner C Michigan
36. Ray Spalding PF Louisville
37. Shake Milton G SMU
38. Jarred Vanderbilt  SF  Kentucky
39. Elie Okobo  PG  France
40. Malik Newman G Kansas
41. Trevon Duval PG Duke
42. Melvin Frazier SF Tulane
43. Bonzie Colson  F NDame
44. Devonte Graham PG Kansas
45. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk SG Kansas
46. DJ Hogg SF Texas A&M
47. Aaron Holiday SG UCLA
48. Rawle Alkins SG Arizona
49. Isaac Bonga SF Germany
50. Anferee Simons SG High School
51. Vince Edwards F Purdue
52. Theo Pinson SG UNC
53. Chandler Hutchison SG Boise
54. Gary Clark PF Cincinnati
55. Jerome Robinson PG BCollege
56. Gary Clark PF Cincinnati
57. Alize Johnson PF Missouri St
58. Tony Carr PG Penn St
59. Justin Jackson F Maryland
60. Bruce Brown SG Miami

Best Television Shows 2018 (April-June)

January-March is here.

1. The Americans (FX)
2. Barry (HBO)
3. Killing Eve (BBCA)
4. Cobra Kai (YouTube Red)
5. Arrested Development (Netflix)
6. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
8. AP Bio (NBC)
9. Billions (Showtime)
10. Silicon Valley (HBO)

The Americans, without question, is one of the 20 greatest dramas in US television history.  It finished its run with a final half of its last episode so good it, on its own, vaults to the top of the list.  Barry and Killing Eve, two shows mixing comedy and drama, both about contract killers, come in next.  Cobra Kai was the biggest and most pleasant suprise we'll have all year; my brother Joe passed away 4 years ago, periodically there will be something in sports or culture that would have been targeted just for him - this is that.  Arrested Development is on my Mt Rushmore for all time sitcoms; I loved its largely panned 4th season - this, however, was more than a little disappointing, and, as the back half of its season is still ahead, we'll see where it lands at year's end.  Kimmy Schmidt has settled into being the Titus show, anything that isn't Titus scoring starts to get shaky.  Nine-Nine and the newcomer AP Bio are top line funny network sitcoms.  Billions is a soap, but a fun one - and Silicon Valley had its weakest season and looks to be near the end of its effectiveness.

Other than Goliath, which is dropping today, and GLOW, which hits at the very end of June, I've watched everything I'm going to see through the first half of the year. So, if there's a show over these 6 months that doesn't appear on either of my lists, it ain't gonna, absent shows like MLB Now, the best sports analysis show on television, which I'll work in as soon as it makes sense.

Athlete of the Month, June 2018

May is here.

Kevin Durant.  Runners-up: Alex Ovechkin, Steph Curry, Justify

Halfway home in the race for the 2018 Athlete of the Year:

     January: Nick Foles
     February: Yuzuru Hanyu
     March: Azura Stevens
     April: Arike Ogunbowale
     May: LeBron James
     June: Kevin Durant

Are These My Favorite 100 Movies?

I don't have a running list of my favorite movies; there's no good reason for that, given my propensity to obsessively keep running lists for decades.  Sort of off the top of my head, I decided to create a "here are my 100 favorite movies".  I stopped at 80 to allow for my recollection to be refreshed of movies that I'm just currently overlooking.  Like 10 years ago in this space I discussed an Entertainment Weekly piece about the top 100 movies over the past 25 years, this is done without reflection of that. 

This is not in order of preference and there is zero claim that these are the best movies ever made. 

Midnight Run
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Absence of Malice
Annie Hall
Wrestling With Shadows
Saturday Night Fever
All the Presidents Men
Adaptation
Better off Dead
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
American Movie
The Princess Bride
A Fish Called Wanda
Rocky
Raising Arizona
Blood Simple
Fargo
Goodfellas
Short Cuts
Swingers
Jackie Brown
Three Kings
Being John Malkovich
Election
Rushmore
You Can Count on Me
Memento
High Fidelity
Bowling for Columbine
Anchorman
Boogie Nights
Pulp Fiction
Clerks
Creed
Reservoir Dogs
Do the Right Thing
The Social Network
Before Sunrise
The 40 Year Old Virgin
Bull Durham
Broadcast News
ET
The Color of Money
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Die Hard
Godfather
Godfather II
The Fisher King
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Graduate
The Grifters
Adventureland
500 Days of Summer
When Harry Met Sally
The Wolf of Wall St
Groundhog Day
Heathers
The Usual Suspects
Tootsie
This is Spinal Tap
The Thin Blue Line
House of Games
Glengarry Glen Ross
Stop Making Sense
Silence of the Lambs
The Last Picture Show
Leaving Los Vegas
Roger & Me
Bob Roberts
Risky Business
Lost in America
Short Cuts
The Player
Norma Rae
The Accidental Tourist
Manhattan

3 Titles. 4 Years

If you've been rooting for this team since Joe Barry Carroll; it's a hard to fathom turn of events.

Hey, We're 60 Games into the 2018 MLB Season

Each year, at the 40/60/80 game mark I redo the end of season team predictions and select All Stars.

Last year (and I think it's the same this year) there are 32 roster spots for each team.  20 position players, 12 pitchers, at least 3 of those are relievers (in practice, you'll note many more relievers than that are usually chosen, but not by me). 

AL East
1. Bos 101
2. NYY 99
3. Tor 81
3. Tampa
5. Balt

AL Central
1. Cleve 92
2. Min 81
3. Det
4. KC
5. CWS

AL West
1. Hou 99
2. Sea 88
3. LAA 82
4. Oak
5. Tex

NL East
1. Wash 92
2. Atl 88
3. Phil 84
4. NYM
5. Mia

NL Cen
1. Chi 93
2. Mil 89
3. StL 87
4. Pit 
5. Cin

NL West
1. LAD 86
2. Ariz 82
3. Col 82
4. SFG 80
5. SD

NL
C F.Cervelli Pit 2.2
   W.Contreras Chi 2.05
    B.Posey SFG 1.9

1B F.Freeman Atl 3.3-MVP
     B.Belt SFG 2.3
     J.Votto Cin 2.05 

2B S.Gennett Cin 2.55
      J.Baez Chi 2.05
      
SS T.Turner Wash 2.2
      B.Crawford SFG 2
      
3B N.Arenado Col 2.9
      T.Shaw Mil 2.45
      K.Bryant Chi 2.2

LF B.Nimmo NYM 2.15
     M.Kemp LAD 2.1
      C.Dickerson Pit 1.95

CF L.Cain Mil 2.65
      O.Herrera Phi 2.4
       AJ Pollack Ari 2.15

RF N.Markakis Atl 2.65     
      
SP A.Nola Phi 3.45-Cy
     J. DeGrom NYM 3.35
     M.Scherzer Wash 3.3
     M.Mikolas StL 2.1
     M. Foltynewicz Atl 2.05   
     G.Gonzalez Wash 3
     P.Corbin Ari 2
     K.Freeland Col 2
     T.Ross SD 1.3

RP J.Jeffress Mil 1.85
      J.Hughes Cin 1.8
      K. Barraclough Mia .85

AL

C A.Romine NYY 1.4

    M.Stassi Hou 1.15

1B J.Smoak Tor 1.75

      M.Moreland Bos 1.5

2B J.Altuve Hou 2.15

      J.Lowrie Oak 1.95

SS F.Lindor Cle 3.5

     A.Simmons LAA 2.7

     M.Machado Balt 2.45

      C.Correa Hou 2.4

3B J.Ramirez Cle 3.6

     M.Chapman Oak 2.35

     

LF B.Gardner NYY 2.2

      E.Rosario Min 2.15

CF M.Trout LAA 4.5-MVP

RF M.Betts Bos 4

      A.Judge Cle 2.95

      G.Springer Hou 2.45

      M.Haniger Sea 2.35

DH   JD Martinez Bos 2.45

SP J.Verlander Hou 3.7-Cy

    C.Kluber Cle 3.4

     G.Cole Hou 2.35

     B.Snell TB 2.35

     C.Sale Bos 2.25

     S.Ohtani LAA 2.2

     C.Hamels Tex 1.6

     M.Boyd Det 1.65

      J.Shields CWS .9

      

RP  K.Herrera KC 1.95

      C.Kimbrel Bos 1.55

      A.Chapman NYY 1.55

      

1-10-82