ProFootballFocus’s Top 101 of 2013

[Playoffs]

ProFootballFocus’s Top 101 of 2013

As is the case every year, the PFF Analysis team gets together to discuss who they think were the best players in the NFL. The end result is a list of the Top 101 best players in a process that strains friendships, features many banging against tables and ever so occasionally sees some obscenities thrown out.

You see our analysts take pride in what we do and aren’t just going to put something out in a flippant fashion. This is our awards show where we do our best to acknowledge the performances of NFL players that deserve recognition.

Now before looking at the list there are some important things to understand regarding the criteria for selection.

- This is not a list about talent or a lifetime achievement award. It is solely, 100% based on what happened between the opening kickoff of the 2013 regular season and the final snap of the Super Bowl this past February. Anything outside those dates does not matter.

- This list is created with an All Positions Created Equal mantra. So you won’t see 32 quarterbacks heading the list even though that is the most valuable position, instead seeing how guys played relative to what is expected from their position. You might disagree with this for doing a Top 101 list which is your right, but this is how we’ve done it for the past three years and will continue doing it so that every player has a fair shot at getting the respect they deserve.
​

(last year's ranking)
101. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints (Unranked)

100. T.J. Ward, S, Cleveland Browns (97th)

99. Jake Long, OT, St. Louis Rams (Unranked)

98. Phil Loadholt, OT, Minnesota Vikings (Unranked)

97. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (41st)

96. Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers (15th)

95. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers (Unranked)

94. Cliff Avril, DE, Seattle Seahawks (Unranked)

93. Alterraun Verner, CB, Tennessee Titans (Unranked)

92. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Unranked)

91. Damon Harrison, NT, New York Jets (Unranked)

90. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (21st)

89. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (Unranked)

88. Trent Cole, OLB, Philadelphia Eagles (Unranked)

86. Will Hill, S, New York Giants (Unranked)

85. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Cincinnati Bengals (Unranked)

84. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona Cardinals (Unranked)

83. Michael Johnson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals (Unranked)

82. Alex Mack, C, Cleveland Browns (Unranked)

81. Sheldon Richardson, DE, New York Jets (Unranked)

80. Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers (Unranked)

79. Desmond Trufant, CB, Atlanta Falcons (Unranked)

78. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles (Unranked)

77. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Washington Redskins (Unranked)

76. DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys (Unranked)

75. Joe Haden, CB, Cleveland Browns (Unranked)

74. Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns (Unranked)

73. Alshon Jeffrey, WR, Chicago Bears (Unranked)

72. Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs (67th)

71. Nate Solder, OT, New England Patriots (Unranked)

70. Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers (Unranked)

69. Elvis Dumervil, OLB, Baltimore Ravens (Unranked)

68. Von Miller, ER, Denver Broncos (4th)

67. Larry Warford, OG, Detriot Lions (Unranked)

66. Jason Hatcher, DT, Dallas Cowboys (77th)

65. Aldon Smith, OLB, San Francisco 49ers (57th)

64. Chris Harris Jr, CB, Denver Broncos (64th)

63. Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers (Unranked)

62. Stephen Tulloch, LB, Detroit Lions (Unranked)

61. Donte Whitner, S, San Francisco 49ers (Unranked)

60. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (79th)

59. Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona Cardinals (Unranked)

58. Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals (83rd)

57. Tamba Hali, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (Unranked)

56. Brandon Mebane, DT, Seattle Seahawks (Unranked)

55. Randy Starks, DT, Miami Dolphins (Unranked)

54. Joe Staley, OT, San Francisco 49ers (16th)

53. DeMaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos (45th)

52. Thomas Davis, LB, Carolina Panthers (Unranked)

51. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans (9th)

While Johnson isn’t getting any younger he’s still an incredible talent, devoid of the attention he deserves because of the struggles of his quarterback and low touchdown total. Nonetheless he still finished seventh in the league in terms of yardage in spite of some erratic passers, while having the sixth highest receiver grade on the year. Don’t write him off yet just because he’s locked in a battle with Father Time.

Best Performance: Week 9, IND @ HOU, +5.4

Key Stat: Picked up 3.35 yards per route run when running ‘In’ routes. The most of any receiver.

 

[thunderkyss]

ProFootballFocus’s Top 101 of 2013

Not to be gready, but I wonder what it would take for them to do this kind of analytical work at the college level. This stuff is cool for the pro level & all, but I'd like to see something of this nature for the college kids.

I know it would be a massive undertaking.

 

[Lucky]

When I read "90. Tom Brady" I stopped paying attention.

This list is created with an All Positions Created Equal mantra. So you won’t see 32 quarterbacks heading the list even though that is the most valuable position, instead seeing how guys played relative to what is expected from their position. You might disagree with this for doing a Top 101 list which is your right, but this is how we’ve done it for the past three years and will doing it so that every player has a fair shot at getting the respect they deserve.

Whatever they're doing, it's not working.

 

[Playoffs]

cont'd

50. Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos (Unranked)

49. Keenan Lewis, CB, New Orleans Saints (Unranked)

48. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (23rd)

47. Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers (63rd)

45. Louis Vasquez, OG, Denver Broncos (Unranked)

44. Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys (Unranked)

43. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers (Unranked)

42. Jordan Gross, OT, Carolina Panthers (Unranked)

41. Greg Hardy, DE, Carolina Panthers (86th)

40. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints (Unranked)

39. Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers (Unranked)

38. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings (2nd)

37. Eric Berry, S, Kansas City Chiefs (Unranked)

36. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Denver Broncos (Unranked)

35. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions (12th)

34. Jason Peters, OT, Philadelphia Eagles (Unranked)

33. Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (Unranked)

32. Brandon Marshall, WR, Chicago Bears (30th)

31. NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers (59th)

30. Dontari Poe, DT, Kansas City Chiefs (Unranked)

29. Marcell Dareus, DT, Buffalo Bills (Unranked)

28. Kam Chancellor, S, Seattle Seahawks (Unranked)

27. Jurrell Casey, DT, Tennessee Titans (95th)

26. Kyle Williams, DE, Buffalo Bills (22nd)

25. Josh Sitton, OG, Green Bay Packers (Unranked)

24. Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers (10th)

23. Brent Grimes, CB, Miami Dolphins (Unranked)

22. Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots (28th)

21. Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (Unranked)

 

[Texanmike02]

Not to be gready, but I wonder what it would take for them to do this kind of analytical work at the college level. This stuff is cool for the pro level & all, but I'd like to see something of this nature for the college kids.

I know it would be a massive undertaking.

The sample size is probably too small for that. In the NFL you are limited to 32 teams that all either play each other or play someone that played that team. You don't need as large of a sample size because everyone is playing everyone but how do you rank two guys that never played similar competition? If I were a scout I wouldn't really even be considering the combine for individuals, I would be looking to see how people from different conferences compare to one another and use that to help grading out my film. The interview is the only think that I would think is really useful on an individual level unless I am looking at comparing two people against one another.

Say UT and ND play UTEP. You really can't even use that film because one coach may call off the dogs a lot sooner and you might never see what the two teams really do against UTEP.

Actually I've got an idea but I have an interview so I'll get back to it.

Mike

 

[Playoffs]

20 to 1...

20. Earl Thomas, S, Seattle Seahawks (Unranked)

19. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals (29th)

18. Darrelle Revis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Unranked)

17. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions (60th)

16. Michael Bennett, DE, Seattle Seahawks (Unranked)

15. Trent Williams, OT, Washington Redskins (Unranked)

14. Robert Mathis, OLB, Indianapolis Colts (Unranked)

13. Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints (Unranked)

12. Joe Thomas, OT, Cleveland Browns (34th)

11. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (Unranked)

10. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks (40th)

After something of a non-event in Week 1, Lynch started his season rolling from there. While he picked up just five 100-yard rushing games (including the postseason) it was his ability to turn poor blocking into positive yardage that kept the Seahawks’ offense in position to score. Nothing is more telling than the 97 missed tackles he forced as a runner that left many a defender a broken heap on the floor. Lynch was pivotal in the Seahawks making and winning the Super Bowl, even if the big show wasn’t a game for him to post huge numbers.

Best Performance: Week 10, SEA @ ATL, +4.9

Key Stat: Lynch’s 104.6 postseason Elusive Rating was the best in the league.

9. Andrew Whitworth, OL, Cincinnati Bengals (Unranked)

A pretty special year from Whitworth, with the more you look at it the more you appreciate just how amazing a season he had. Starting off at left tackle he would start nine games and still earn a grade that was 15th best of all offensive tackles. Obviously that wasn’t enough to get a top 10 spot on the list, but combined with how he played at guard, there was no leaving him off. Looking every bit as good at guard Whitworth would earn the seventh highest grade in just 350 guard snaps to highlight his versatility. It’s not easy to be an excellent offensive lineman at one position in the NFL, let alone two in the same season.

Best Performance: Week 14, IND @ CIN, +5.7

Key Stat: Whitworth’s combined grade of +40.5 at guard and offensive tackle was bested by just one other offensive lineman.

8. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (Unranked)

Talk about a player reveling in a system. McCoy was already pretty handy under Andy Reid but he took his game to another level with Chip Kelly in town. Comprehensively finishing top of our running back rankings (despite his poor pass blocking) he led the league in yards per rushing attempt, total yards rushing and yards after contact. All while finishing third with 57 forced missed tackles and only fumbling once. Equally dangerous with the ball in hand he wasn’t short on opportunities to excel with the Eagles doing an excellent job of getting him in space, but he still had to make the moves once they did.

Best Performance: Week 16, CHI @ PHI, +5.1

Key Stat: McCoy didn’t grade negatively with his rushing in one game.

7. Evan Mathis, OG, Philadelphia Eagles (6th)

Three in a row for Mathis who would once again finish the year our top ranked offensive guard. He didn’t quite match his fantastic play in 2012, but he wasn’t far off. Once again it was his run blocking that made him stand miles apart from the rest as his grade dwarfed that of the competition, finishing with a score twice as high as the man in second spot. He might not get the credit he deserves but he’s a huge part of the Eagles incredibly successful rushing attack, and our top ranked offensive linemen in this years 101.

Best Performance: Week 2, SD @ PHI, +5.0

Key Stat: Mathis simply graded positively with his run blocking in every single game.

6. Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks (5th)

Sherman would have been way lower but for some tremendous work in the postseason that made anyone who wasn’t already aware realize that he was more walk than talk. Locking down the left side of the Seahawks defense he didn’t allow a pass longer than 38 yards all year and was only beat for two touchdowns. What’s more his playmaking skills ensured teams did their best to stay away from him, and rightfully so with just 49.2% of passes into his coverage completed.

Best Performance: Week 7, SEA @ ARZ, +4.5

Key Stat: Led league with eight interceptions.

5. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (82nd)

Good as a rookie, David allayed fears of a sophomore slump by taking his game to a new level with a sublime 2013. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a true outside linebacker perform like him, throwing himself around with reckless abandon in the run game while having the awareness to make plays in coverage. Grading in the green in 10 of his 16 games, David was an every down playmaker. He lead his position in tackles for a loss, defensive stops (he had 21 more than any other) and finishing behind just DeAndre Levy with five picks.

Best Performance: Week 7, TB @ ATL, +5.0

Key Stat: David’s 17 tackles for a loss were the most of any linebacker.

4. Gerald McCoy, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20th)

It may have been a bad year in Tampa Bay, but it was a great year individually for McCoy who stayed healthy and remained incredibly productive. His work against the run (which earned a +7.8) grade is never going to be his calling card but saw him make more than his fair share of plays, while his work rushing the passer was something to behold. Operating on a line where he was the only legitimate pass rushing threat teams still couldn’t slow him down. McCoy earned the highest pass rushing grade (and overall one) of any defensive tackle. You don’t often see defensive tackles get graded above +5.0 six times in one season.

Best Performance: Week 14, BUF @ TB, +9.5

Key Stat: His 11.1 Pass Rushing Productivity score was the best of all defensive tackles.

3. Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos (7th)

It didn’t end with the Super Bowl he coveted, but it did end with the highest grade of any quarterback in the league (+43.3) once again. Manning didn’t have his best game in the Super Bowl, but it was one of only five negatively graded games all year and it was against a defense that shut down all his weapons. So while it certainly prevented Manning challenging the spots beyond him, we weren’t going to overreact to a fine year as Manning broke records throwing for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns. He had some help after the catch but he dominated our QB rankings with a season for the ages.

Best Performance: Week 14, TEN @ DEN, +7.5

Key Stat: Is it really a surprise that Manning’s 58.1% completion percentage when under pressure was the highest in the league?

2. Robert Quinn, DE, St Louis Rams (Unranked)

After two years in the league we didn’t see this coming. Quinn had flashed his immense talent in his first two years, but in 2013 he wouldn’t just flash talent, instead bringing it out to play on a week to week basis. Earning the highest grade we’ve ever given a 4-3 defensive end, Quinn would grade above +5.0 seven times during the year with a number of tackles having their worst games of the year against him (and some even earning benching’s on the back of them). A truly remarkable year and we look forward to seeing what he does in 2014.

Best Performance: Week 12, CHI @ SL, +14.4

Key Stat: Quinn’s amazing 91 combined sacks, hits and hurries were the most of any defensive player in 2013.

1. J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (1st)

What can you say about Watt that hasn’t already been said? The Texans struggles and his reduced sack numbers seemed to make it easy for people to call his 2013 a down year, but the remarkable talent that he is would actually grade better in 2013. Once again would finish with the best Run Stop Percentage and Pass Rushing Productivity score of all 3-4 defensive ends, with more stops and tackles for loss than his peers. His numbers truly reflect his dominance with a grade over twice as good as anyone else. That’s what happens when you grade at +5.0 or over in 12 of 16 games. A truly unique talent who with only three years in the league is already building a Hall of Fame career.

Best Performance: Week 12, JAX @ HST, +12.1

Key Stat: Simply put, Watt’s +111.6 grade for a season is the highest ever awarded to any player in the PFF era.

 

[Playoffs]

The PFF 101, No. 1: J.J. Watt

In 2012 J.J. Watt was a sensation. For much of the season he was chasing the all-time single-season sack record as well as posting a ridiculous number of batted passes. He was the obvious and consensus Defensive Player of the Year after having one of the best seasons the game has ever seen.

Believe it or not he was better this season.

He almost broke the PFF grading system in 2012, becoming the first player to get into triple-digits for a full season’s work, but this year he added ten full grading points to finish with at+111.6. What difference does 10 grading points make? Well that difference alone would have placed him 20th at his position for the season, ahead of guys like...

It’s not just the stats Watt collects that makes him so good, it’s the speed at which he makes plays. His sack came in under 2.5 seconds with a simple rip move on RT Austin Pasztor. Later in the game he notched a knockdown of Chad Henne in under two seconds with a swim move that left LT Cameron Bradfield just trying to tackle him to save his quarterback...

read complete article here: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/05/15/the-pff-101-no-1-j-j-watt/

 

[Goatcheese]

JJ Watt is ok, I guess, sometimes. He'll never be as good as Nick Fairley though and the Texans will always regret passing on him for Watt.

 

[badboy]

Was not Quin the guy with brain tumor that was a concern of many when he came out of school?

 

[BigBull17]

JJ Watt is ok, I guess, sometimes. He'll never be as good as Nick Fairley though and the Texans will always regret passing on him for Watt.

Could you look dumber now than the guy who said that? It's lol worthy every time I hear it. Watching Watt play reminds me of Sapp when he was in his prime, but better.

 

[NCTexan]

When I read "90. Tom Brady" I stopped paying attention.


Whatever they're doing, it's not working.

I don't disagree with them actually. Tom Brady wasn't fantastic this year. But here is their reasoning:

Ah Tom Brady, always a bone of contention when it comes to the PFF 101. We’ve been accused of Tom Brady hate at PFF, but only in the seasons when we rank him comparatively lowly. He has enjoyed fantastic seasons in the PFF era, but 2013 was not one of them, and most objective viewers would happily agree with that. Some of it wasn’t his fault – his receiver corps became a shadow of what it once was – but some of it was, notably his play under pressure. Once something Brady excelled at, in 2013 Brady threw as many picks (5) as he did touchdowns when pressured and 20 passers had a better completion percentage when they felt heat.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/05/19/the-pff-top-101-tweetbag-edition/

 

[Playoffs]

Was not Quin the guy with brain tumor that was a concern of many when he came out of school?

Yes, it was benign.

Could you look dumber now than the guy who said that?...

Texans will rue the night they took Pizza Boy J.J. Watt over Nick Fairley, Houston lover

I don't disagree with them actually. Tom Brady wasn't fantastic this year...

Pressure up the middle is Tom Terrific's kryptonite, and he felt it in 2013. BB drafted a C and a OG. Lost twice to Geno Smith.