This is a pretty simple project; career regular season value only as reflected in the Approximate Value metric (no peak, no playoffs, no adjustments, no rate stats, it's super basic). AV started in 1960, so for the pre 60s players I looked to the Hall of Fame, that's it. Not complicated.
It's a roster, not a ranking, so I'm not taking 5 quarterbacks, I'm filling out positions. Also, I don't have starters, I don't really think this type of ranking facilitates that so well - at some point, I'll cut out the middle part and choose starters solely based on top seasonal performances (maybe)
25 offense, 25 defense. Kicker. Punter. I didn't pick a 53rd person for the roster, figuring that needs to be a long snapper or some other type of special teams specialist.
Okay - I'm doing starters, they're in bold, based on their top seasons. And...I'm fudging a tick on the straight AV ranking, using some All Pro nods as leavening
This is all through 2023.
QB
J.Elway
P.Manning 2013
C.Morton
RB
F.Little 1973
T.Davis 1998
O.Armstrong
S.Winder
WR
R.Smith 2000
D.Thomas 2014
E.McCaffrey
H.Moses
L.Taylor
S.Watson
TE
S.Sharpe 1997
R.Odoms
C
T.Nalen 2003
B.Bryan
G
P.Howard
R.Hamilton 2004
D.Neil 1998
T
K.Lanier
M.Lepsis
R.Clady 2012
D.Studdard
G.Zimmerman 1996
DE
B.Chavous
R.Jones
L.Alzado 1977
R.Jackson
DT
R.Carter
T.Pryce 1999
G.Kragen
OLB
V.Miller 2012
T.Jackson 1977
S.Fletcher
J.Mobley 1997
J.Ryan
ILB
K.Mecklenberg 1989
R.Gradishar 1977
A.Wilson
CB
L.Wright 1979
C.Bailey 2006
C.Harris
T.Braxton
S
B.Thompson 1977
D.Smith
S.Atwater 1991
S.Foley
G.Gonsoulin
J.Simmons
PK
J.Elam 2001
P
L.Prestridge 1982
