Over the summer, NFL Network did a series ranking the Top 100 players in the league, determined by player vote.
This is not by player vote. As you know, I'm not a player. I just crush a lot.
It's also not a ranking - these 100 best players in the NFL aren't in qualitative order, they are only grouped by position. I really don't see a good way to cross-compare positions, even though I pretend to do so sometimes. And even within the positional groups, I haven't ordered them. All this is is my list of the 100 best players in the NFL. I only added one wrinkle, every team is represented. This is the second of my series of "Hey, football's back" posts.
QB
Tom Brady NE
Ben Roethlisberger Pitt
Joe Flacco Balt
Peyton Manning Indy
Phillip Rivers SD
Michael Vick Phil
Eli Manning NYG
Tony Romo Dal
Aaron Rodgers GB
Matt Ryan QB
Drew Brees QB
Josh Freeman QB
RB
Rashard Mendenhall Pitt
Ray Rice Balt
Arian Foster Hou
Maurice Jones Drew Jax
Chris Johnson Ten
Jamal Charles KC
Darren McFadden Oak
LeSean McCoy Phil
Adrian Peterson Min
Michael Turner Atl
Frank Gore Niners
Stephen Jackson StL
Peyton Hillis Cle
WR
Mike Wallace Pitt
Andre Johnson Hou
Reggie Wayne Indy
Dwayne Bowe KC
Brandon Lloyd Den
Kenny Britt - Tenn
Vincent Jackson - SD
Calvin Johnson Det
Roddy White Atl
Hakeem Nicks NYG
Larry Fitzgerald Ariz
TE
Antonio Gates SD
Jermichael Finley GB
Vernon Davis - SF
Jason Witten - Dall
OL
Logan Mankins NE
Nick Mangold NYJ
D'Brickashaw Ferguson NYJ
Jake Long Mia
Michael Oher Balt
Joe Thomas Cle
Andrew Whitworth Cin
Marcus McNeill SD
Ryan Clady Den
Chris Snee NYG
Jahri Evans NO
DL
Vince Wilfork NE
Kyle Williams Buf
Haloti Ngata Balt
Dwight Freeney Indy
Robert Mathis Indy
Elvis Dumervill Den
Richard Seymour Oak
Trent Cole Phil
Justin Tuck NYG
Osi Umenyiora NYG
BJ Raji GB
Julius Peppers Chi
Jared Allen Min
Kevin Williams Min
Ndamukong Suh Det
John Abraham Atl
Charles Johnson Car
Justin Smith Niners
Darnell Dockett Ariz
Chris Long StL
LB
Jerod Mayo NE
Cameron Wake Mia
Lawrence Timmons Pitt
LaMarr Woodley Pitt
James Harrison Pitt
Ray Lewis Balt
Terrell Suggs Balt
Mario Williams Hou
DeMeco Ryans Hou
Brian Cushing Hou
Shaun Phillips SD
Tamba Hali KC
DeMarcus Ware Dal
London Fletcher Was
Clay Matthews GB
Patrick Willis Niners
DB
Darrelle Revis NYJ
Troy Polamalu Pitt
Ed Reed Balt
Leon Hall Cin
Jonathan Joseph Hou
Eric Weddle SD
Brandon Flowers KC
Eric Berry KC
Champ Bailey Den
Stanford Routt Oak
Asante Samuel Phil
Nnamdi Asomugha Phil
Earl Thomas Sea
