Top 100 NFL Players of 2016: 70-61

By Coach Buck
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Updated: June 30, 2016

70. DE. Derek Wolfe

Malik Jackson might have gotten the most money, but Wolfe was the Broncos best interior defender in 2015. He had more sacks than Jackson and played in 4 fewer games. Now Jackson still might be the better pass rusher slightly, he had more total pressures, but in my opinion its very close. However, against the run it’s no contest. Jackson is good against the run in his own right, but Wolfe is 1 of the leagues elite. Outside of Damon Harrison, Fletcher Cox, and J.J. Watt, I’m struggling to think of interior guys who played better against the run. Wolfe thrived in Wade Phillips’ unconventional 1 gap 3-4 defense, which has always been friendly for players like Wolfe (remember Jay Ratliff in his heyday). I think Wolfe’s best trait is his motor. He’s simply a dog, that’s the best way to put it. His effort level is right up there with Watt and Donald and looking back on the extension the Broncos signed him for they honestly got him at a bargain.

69. OT. Joe Staley

He’s not quite as fast as Armstead, but he’s not far behind. Staley ran a 4.79 at his combine and has been an elite athlete at the position for years. Staley has made the last 5 pro bowls and it’s been well deserved. He is a stud run blocker who is excellent on the move and blocking in space. He will absolutely thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense. He also is very effective in pass pro due to the elite athleticism. Like Armstead, he has the ability to hold his own with the fastest pass rushers in the game.

68. DE. Chandler Jones

Jones has emerged as 1 of the best young pass rushers in football and clearly the other NFL teams were on notice because the Arizona Cardinals took immediate action to trade for him and upgrade their pass rush. Jones had 12.5 sacks in 2015 and forced 4 fumbles. He can rush with both power and finesse and is solid versus the run.

67. CB. Jason Verrett

Not a lot of people know who Verrett is right now but they will soon enough. Verrett is a all-around corner who has proved all the scouts that doubted him because of his size wrong. Verrett is good in run support which if you followed his college career you knew he would be. When he’s in the slot, he’s not afraid to mix it up on run plays and go make tackles. In coverage, he’s become 1 of the best man-to-man guys in the league. He’s only 5’10 180, but he has great leaping ability and 4.3 speed. He flashes elite recovery speed and has terrific lateral quickness and acceleration to be able to stay with receivers regardless of what route they run. He didn’t get much recognition most likely because of the Chargers struggles but he’s gonna be a household name soon enough if he continues to play like he did last year.

66. S. Eric Berry

Berry had to be 1 of the best stories of 2015. In 2014, his season was cut short after playing only 6 games due to a fight with cancer. There was doubt as to whether or not he would even play again. But Berry won his battle with cancer and then won on the field. He not only came back and played at a high level he probably had the best season of his career. From a physical traits perspective, Berry has always been 1 of the elite safeties, as he is 212 pounds and still 1 of the fastest safeties in the NFL. Berry has the ability to cover receivers man-to-man, an area that most safeties struggle with.

65. CB. Darius Slay

Darius Slay had a breakout year in 2015. Slay drew a lot of attention after an impressive combine during his draft process, but ultimately went in the 2nd round because he was considered raw. That rawness showed big time his rookie year and even though he made big time improvement in year 2, it was still there. All the potential scouts saw in him came out in 2015 and Slay put people on notice. He had the 2nd-highest grade for any cornerback on Pro Football Focus and if you just watch him play, the growth and improvement in his technique was just undeniable. We knew Slay had blazing speed and superb quickness, but he’s combined that natural raw ability with more consistent footwork and better overall form and now he’s 1 of the game’s best corners.

64. LB. Donta Hightower

Hightower is a jack of all trades linebacker. He can do a lot of different things, which helps the Patriots have so much success with their hybrid multi front defense. Hightower, for his size, is pretty good in zone coverage, although man can be a struggle at times. He’s also a pretty effective pass rusher which allows him to succeed as an edge player or off line linebacker. Hightower is at his best playing the run. He’s a big physical guy that combats linebackers and sheds blocks at the 2nd level or at the line of scrimmage. But Hightower has to stay on the field and stay healthy. He’s only played in 12 games 2 straight years and has only played in 16 games once in 4 years.

63. C. Travis Frederick

Frederick has become the game’s best center and is the tone setter for the Cowboys offensive line. Frederick is 1 of the few centers that can move nose tackles 1 on 1 in the run game which negates the need for a double team against 3-man fronts which is what most 3-man fronts rely on to be successful. He is also great as a combo blocker, knocking the initial guy back and coming off at the right time and connecting with linebackers. He also continues to improve as a pass blocker year after year.

62 LB. Sean Lee

If Sean Lee wasn’t so injury prone, he could be as high as number 3 on this list. I really believe that. He is elite in coverage and against the run. Lee has a lot of the same great traits as the other backers I have listed ahead of him. But what makes him special to me is his playmaking ability. Lee has really good hands for a linebacker and is very good a getting interceptions. But despite all of his great talents, Sean Lee hasn’t played 16 games in his entire 6 year career so far.

61. DE. Ezekiel Ansah

The Lions, in desperate need of pass rush help, drafted Ansah with their 1st-round pick in 2013 and 3 years later I think it’s safe to say they hit a homerun with that pick. Ansah has showed constant growth throughout his entire career. His rookie season he had 8 sacks and flashed potential that suggested he could 1 day become 1 of the best edge rushers in football. In year 2, he had 7.5 sacks, but looked like he improved as a run defender. And last season, his 3rd, he completely broke out with 14.5 sacks. His athleticism and acceleration at 6’5, 280 pounds just seems unfair at times and what’s even more scary is that I think Ansah still can get a whole lot better.

Twitter: @The_Coach_Buck

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