Best Players In NFL As Of Now (2012)

[Rancid Radio]

If I had to pick a top player at each position:

QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Adrian Peterson
FB: I don't know.
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
TE: Antonio Gates (OK, maybe Rob Gronkowski. Maybe.)
T: Jake Long and Joe Thomas
G: I can't think of them, but they're good too.
C: Nick Mangold
OLB: DeMarcus Ware
MLB: Patrick Willis
S: Ed Reed
CB: Darrelle Revis

And now you know.

[CM Hooe]

A couple of thoughts beyond what has already been mentioned, I agree with most of the criticism in the thread so far:

I find it strange that the defensive tackle position is omitted entirely. Five good players at that position, in no particular order (and not necessarily the top five): Jay Ratliff, Broderick Bunkley, Ndamukong Suh, Kevin Williams, Vince Wilfork.

Ditto for all offensive line positions, but there are too many for me to begin to list out my opinion of each at this very moment.

I don't think Darren McFadden has come close to eclipsing Adrian Peterson yet, knee injury or no.

I disagree with most of the receiver rankings entirely. Welker is the best slot receiver in the league, but he can't run the whole route tree the way guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings, Steve Smith, or Hakeem Nicks can. All four of those guys belong ahead of Welker, Austin, and Wayne.

There is no argument for Jason Witten not being a Top 5 tight end. I'd swap out Dallas Clark for Witten without batting an eyelash. Tony Gonzalez, despite his advanced age for a football player, is also worth consideration.

The omission of Justin Smith at the defensive end position is curious, considering he was a legitimate defensive player of the year candidate last year. No Trent Cole also bothers me.

I still have a tremendous amount of respect for Champ Bailey; I think he should be higher than Cortland Finnegan, but not necessarily Asomugha and Joseph. Revis is obviously the best cornerback in the game right now, though.

[bkrich83]

Antonio Gates is not a top 5 TE? Owen Daniels is better than Gates and Witten?

Agreed on Jennings being top 5. I think the average fan underrates him greatly.

Cortland Finnegan should be no where near anyones top 5 list. He's terrible.

My list would be something like this.

QB: Rodgers, Brees, Brady, Manning, Manning (Stafford)
RB: MJD, AP, Foster, Turner, Rice
FB: Leach
WR: Andre Johnson, Megatron, Fitz, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings
TE: Gates, Gronk, Graham, Witten, Gonzalez

Defensively across the front 7 it's tough, because it all depends on the defense teams run.

DE (Traditional 4-3 DE):Jared Allen, Peppers, Chris Long, Trent Cole, Cliff Avrill
DT(3-4 DE, NT): Ngata, Suh, Justin Smith, Geno Atkins, Jay Ratliff
OLB: Ware, Suggs, Wake, Clay Matthews, Von Miller
ILB: Willis, Ray Lewis, Derrick Johnson, Vilma, London Fletcher
CB: Revis, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Browner
S: Polomalu, Weddle, Reed, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor

I am sure I left someone off the list. Just put this together real quick.

[z Revis]

That might be one of the worst lists I've seen on OS. Not to be rude, but damn. Too many errors to name. Just my opinion of course.

I like BK's list. Although there are some players you left out that I'd I'd still put up in the top 5. Particularly Aso, I'd give him another year just based off what he did in Oakland for so long.

[kingkilla56]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Antonio Gates is not a top 5 TE? Owen Daniels is better than Gates and Witten? Agreed on Jennings being top 5. I think the average fan underrates him greatly. Cortland Finnegan should be no where near anyones top 5 list. He's terrible. My list would be something like this. QB: Rodgers, Brees, Brady, Manning, Manning (Stafford) RB: MJD, AP, Foster, Turner, Rice FB: Leach WR: Andre Johnson, Megatron, Fitz, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings TE: Gates, Gronk, Graham, Witten, Gonzalez Defensively across the front 7 it's tough, because it all depends on the defense teams run. DE (Traditional 4-3 DE):Jared Allen, Peppers, Chris Long, Trent Cole, Cliff Avrill DT(3-4 DE, NT): Ngata, Suh, Justin Smith, Geno Atkins, Jay Ratliff OLB: Ware, Suggs, Wake, Clay Matthews, Von Miller ILB: Willis, Ray Lewis, Derrick Johnson, Vilma, London Fletcher CB: Revis, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Browner S: Polomalu, Weddle, Reed, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor I am sure I left someone off the list. Just put this together real quick.

No JPP? Id take him over Avril at least.

I just want a honorable mention to JPP, Hakeem Nicks, and Corey Webster (very underrated his whole career imo).

[SteelersFreak]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Antonio Gates is not a top 5 TE? Owen Daniels is better than Gates and Witten? Agreed on Jennings being top 5. I think the average fan underrates him greatly. Cortland Finnegan should be no where near anyones top 5 list. He's terrible. My list would be something like this. QB: Rodgers, Brees, Brady, Manning, Manning (Stafford) RB: MJD, AP, Foster, Turner, Rice FB: Leach WR: Andre Johnson, Megatron, Fitz, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings TE: Gates, Gronk, Graham, Witten, Gonzalez Defensively across the front 7 it's tough, because it all depends on the defense teams run. DE (Traditional 4-3 DE):Jared Allen, Peppers, Chris Long, Trent Cole, Cliff Avrill DT(3-4 DE, NT): Ngata, Suh, Justin Smith, Geno Atkins, Jay Ratliff OLB: Ware, Suggs, Wake, Clay Matthews, Von Miller ILB: Willis, Ray Lewis, Derrick Johnson, Vilma, London Fletcher CB: Revis, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Browner S: Polomalu, Weddle, Reed, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor I am sure I left someone off the list. Just put this together real quick.

No love for James Harrison or Lamarr Woodley?

[TheMatrix31]

Too many damn players. I hate these lists.

[RJTurneR]

Schuab in the Top 5? I think that's being a bit bias now isn't it?

QB :1 Tom Brady
2. Aaron Rodgers
3. Drew Brees
4. Peyton Manning
5. Eli Manning

HB: 1. Adrian Peterson
2. MJD
3. Ray Rice
4. LeSean McCoy
5. Fred Jackson

WR : 1. Calvin Johnson
2. Larry Fitzgerald
3. Wes Welker
4. Andre Johnson
5. Greg Jennings

TE :1. Rob Gronkowski
2. Jimmy Graham
3. Antonio Gates
4. Jason Witten
5. Vernon Davis

Can't be bothered to rank the defensive players. So many good players you could put them in any order.

Quote:

S: 1. Troy Polomalu PIT 2. Ed Reed BAL 3. Laron Landry 4. Brandon Meriweather CHI 5. Kurt Coleman PHI

You mad? Brandon Meriweather? His career has gone downhill in a hurry over since being released by the Pat's. And his not even very good. Kurt Coleman.. Meeh. Eric Berry, Antrel Rolle, Nick Collins, Adrian Wilson.. Better choices.

[TheMatrix31]

Bias-ED. Being a bit bias-ED.

"I think that's having a bit of bias, isn't it?"

"I think that's being a bit biased, isn't it?

You possess bias, you can't BE bias.

[Evan_OS]

QB
1. Tom Brady
2. Drew Brees
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Eli manning
5. Peyton Manning (If he's the exact same before the injury, he's #1 on my list)

RB
1. Adrian Peterson
2. MJD
3. Ray Rice
4. Foster
5. Darren Mcfadden

WR
1. Calvin Johnson
2. Larry Fitzgerald
3. Andre Johnson
4. Wes Welker
5. Kenny Britt ( I possess bias )

TE
1. Jimmy Graham
2. Rob Gronkowski
3. Antonio Gates
4. Vernon Davis
5. Jason Witten