TO
200.) Justin Tryon, CB, IND
Let's start with a shocker. Football Outsiders identified him as a Top-20 "prospect" before 2010, and then like clockwork, Bill Polian traded a 7th round pick for him. By the end of the year, his performance was better than both Jacob Lacey and Kelvin Hayden. Tryon excels in man coverage which helps the Colts as they start to transition to more and more man coverage than their zone. He's a smart, talented player who will just get better.
199.) James Farrior, MLB, PIT
From the young to the old. Farrior is the ageless warrior, the only link on the LB line from the Super Bowl XL champs to the Super Bowl XLV runner-ups. All four of the starting LB corp of Pittsburgh is on the list and Farrior is first. He's still as steady and smart as ever, and easily the better run defender between him and Timmons. Age will inevitably catch up to good old James though.
198.) Jonathan Goodwin, C, NO
The other really well represented unit is the interior of the Saints o-line, with all three being on the list. Goodwin was really good at times last year against some good nose tackles and defensive tackles. That said, he was a little penalty prone. Goodwin might not be the road grader that the man to his left and right on the line are, but he's great at staying on point with Drew Brees.
197.) Jason Peters, T, PHI
Jason Peters has really been up and down since he was traded from Buffalo in what was supposed to be an acquisition that made the Eagles' o-line a great unit. That hasn't exactly happened, but Peters was great late in 2010. Blocking for Michael Vick was hard, but Peters made it look easy going against the likes of Ray Edwards, Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware.
196.) Steve Hutchinson, G, MIN
The age is starting to make Hutchinson a little erattic and easier to beat, but he's still technically great. Adrian Peterson had a really nice year despite facing 8-in-the-box constantly which has a lot to do with the o-line, and Hutchinson is always a part of that. Hutchinson is a hall-of-famer in my mind, and his play of late is about where a hall-of-famer nearing the end should be at.
195.) Shaun Ellis, DT, NYJ
He had a monster game against the Patriots which was some sweet revenge for years of having the "Belichick for Ellis trade" jokes (the Jets used the 1st round pick they got for BB on Ellis), but until then, he had a solid, but not spectacular year. Shaun Ellis' run stopping was spotty, but the pass rush he provided was, as always, good.
194.) Sheldon Brown, S, CLE
One of the more obscure players to make it back to the list, Sheldon Brown had a nice year again in Cleveland giving great support to a team who was in the bottom half of giving up 20+ yard plays against the pass. He didn't pick off as many passes, but was an integral part to one of the good young pass defenses in the league. Philly probably wishes they had him back.
193.) Brandon Pettigrew, TE, DET
If the Matt Stafford to Brandon Pettigrew connection is better than the Shaun Hill to Brandon Pettigrew connection, than this guy could fly up the ladder of NFL TEs. Pettigrew had one of the quieter 70 catch, 700 yard seasons by a tight end in recent memory. Now, a lot of those were empty yards put up late in losses, but Pettigrew was essential the to Lions pass offense staying above average with Shaun Hill at the helm.
192.) DJ Williams, MLB, DEN
The Broncos defense had a horrendous year in 2010, but DJ Williams was definitely not to blame for that. His 99 tackle, 5.5 sack season also included 10 pass defenses. DJ Williams is an older player who is on the downside, but it is great to see one of the most consistently underrated MLBs in the mid-decade still relevant and playing at a high level.
191.) Rashean Mathis, CB, JAX
He was once a top-5 CB in the NFL, and although that player is gone, Mathis had a really nice year in 2010. He was a tackling machine as a CB and played and held down some of the better WRs in the league like Kenny Britt and Austin Collie (Andre Johnson killed him, although that isn't a huge surprise). The Jaguars are building a nice defense, and Mathis is the elder statesman in that up and coming unit.
190.) Michael Roos, T, TEN
Here's the first member of the Top 200 that stayed on the list but made a precipitous fall, from 86 to 190. Michael Roos' play fell off, and so did Chris Johnson and eventually the Titans. Roos was still great in pass blocking which is at times difficult with VY behind him, but his run blocking needs to get better. He's still a Top-200 player, but his hold is tenuous as best.
189.) Steve Johnson, WR, BUF
He had a great year. Just to jog your memories, Steve Johnson put up 82 catches for 1073 yards and 10 tds in Buffalo. He also had an infamous drop against Pittsbrugh in overtime, but let's hope that isn't what people remember him for. I would have him higher, but I would like to see him do it again, especially with coordinators having another year to scheme for him. Steve Johnson is a hell of an athlete though.
188.) Phil Loadholt, T, MIN
Here's another member of the Vikings o-line on the list, and the most maddening. His blocking definitely improved from his rookie 2009 season, but his penalties went up even more, as did his mental mistakes. He had some clear missed blocks where he looked lost, but mostly was great when he got people engaged. He just needs to clean up the mistakes and learn more.
187.) Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ
This is probably my first controversial pick, but I really considered not putting him on the list. Mark Sanchez is a maddening player. He was great against New England in the divisional playoffs. He was wild against Indy. Sanchez was horrible in the first half against the Steelers and then was great in the second half. That inconsistently really defines him, a guy who still had just 17 tds and 13 ints, with a 75 rating and 55% completions, the statistics of a guy who could easily not be on the Top 200.
186.) Leonard Davis, G, DAL
Leonard Davis became again who we thought he was. He used to be a good to great player who had penalty problems, and then he became great for a couple years. In 2011, the old Leonard emerged even before Romo got injured. Davis run blocking really fell, but his pass blocking was great, which is odd for a guard. Overall, he can be one hundred spots higher, but can also be off the list.
185.) Carson Palmer, QB, CIN
Quietly had a nice year among amazing upheaval. The run game in Cincy fell back to earth and he had two squabbling, loud-mouth receivers the whole time. The real Palmer showed up in the games that they didn't play, when he put up back-to-back-to-back good games without Owens and Ocho. If the Bengals grant him his wish, he can do well in the right situation (Minnesota?).
184.) Nick Hardwick, C, SD
Hardwick was once the premier center in the AFC, and returned to close to that level in 2010 when he was one of the better pass-blocking centers, doing a great job against players like Glenn Dorsey, Vince Wilfork, and others. Hardwick doesn't have many more years left, but one of the last holdovers from the LT era still makes the Chargers line gel.
183.) Jason Jones, DT, TEN
Jason Jones still isn't Albert Haynesworth 2006-2008 and will never be, but he's doing his damnest to make a good impression. Jones' sack humbers dropped again, but his tackle numbers overall went way up. He was a much more active and driven lineman in 2010, and he's just 24 years old. Let's see how he does without Jeff Fisher and his never-ending motivational abilities.
182.) Owen Daniels, TE, HOU
Year one back from the ACL injury was a success. He stayed healthy, didn't drop balls (what made Welker fall off the list coming back from the same injury) and by the end of the year he was back to normal. His last four games projected out to a full season put him at a 88 catch, 1084 yard, 8 td pace which is about where he was pre-injury. Matt Schaub will love having his security blanket back.
181.) Matt Shaughnessy, DE, OAK
The Raiders d-line is really something special. When they are on, they are the best d-line in the NFL. They are on about 10 times a year, and hopefully that will go up. Shaughnessy put up 7 sacks, but was also a penetrating machine, racking up pressures and tackles from a DE spot. He'll probably get even more playing time in 2011 and probably come close to the 10 sack mark. Shaughnessy is the star from the oft-panned 2009 DHB draft.
180.) Ryan Kalil, C, CAR
The Panthers became the worst team in the league, but their o-line is still above average which will really help Cam Newton's development. Kalil was still a good center at both run and pass blocking and the Panthers were really good running around him. He's probably peaked at this point, but that still makes him in the top-10 of NFL centers.
179.) Levi Brown, T, ARZ
The Cardinals o-line sucks, but if Levi Brown wasn't there it would be absolutely awful and challenging for the league's worst. Levi Brown's pass blocking gets better each year. His run blocking took a step backward in 2010, but then again, so did his running back and QB, who's anemic play forced the Cards into many 8-in the box situations.
178.) Heath Miller, TE, PIT
Heath Miller's receiving numbers took a large step down, but if you look deeper, he was fine. Miller had a career-high ypc, and his blocking is still the best for any TE, and that even includes the man known as Jason Witten. Heath Miller was one-on-one blocking Clay Matthews in the Super Bowl and doing fine.
177.) Joe Haden, CB, CLE
The second member of the Browns secondary to be on the list is the rookie Mr. Haden. Joe Haden really came on at the end of his rookie season. The reason he's not ranked higher, something I legitimately considered doing, is rookie corners that have good seasons are notorious for dropping off in their sophomore seasons, like Antonio Cromartie. I don't think Haden's one of those, but you never know with those Florida players.
176.) Peyton Hillis, RB, CLE
Most people would have Hillis higher but his year was no way as good as his Madden-Cover-Winning publicity made it out to seem. Hillis had a nice 4.4 ypr, and cuaght 61 balls, but he has three good lineman in front of him. Hillis is a good player, a very good one, but he's not a pro-bowler, and I'm legitimately afraid of society that everyone is fine with him getting the cover of Madden.
175.) Eric Berry, S, KC
Rookie safeties are like rookie corners. I don't know if he'll stay as good as he was as a rookie, but Eric Berry was a stud in college and he's still just that. He has two good corners in front of him, so he'll always have opportunities to make plays. Berry really showed the same instinctiveness in his first year that he always showed in Tennessee. The guy is a future star.
174.) Brandon Lloyd, WR, DEN
Let's talk about arguably the greatest "Where the hell was this ability four years ago!!" year ever. Brandon Lloyd beat his old career high by 29 catches (77 vs 48), 715 yards (1448 vs 733) and 5 tds (11 vs 6). He did all of this at the age of 29, so let's just say that I am a little skeptical of Brandon Lloyd's ability to do this again, especially if Tim Tebow's the one throwing him the ball.
173.) Dustin Keller, TE, NYJ
Dustin Keller disappeared for a part of the 2009 season but then reappeared in the 2009 playoff run. He built off that production for 2010, and became a star player for Mark Sanchez. His 12.5 ypc was great for a TE with a previous career high of 11.6. He scored 5 tds which again was a career list. His blocking also seemed to improve in 2010. Big things are ahead.
172.) Antonio Garay, NT, SD
He was a bit player before 2010, and then he was a pro-bowl player in 2010. Antonio Garay was a force at the nose, with 5.5 sacks and 37 tackles. Garay was a force against the rest of the NFL, abusing centers like Jeff Saturday and Dan Koppen. Garay is already 31 so he probably has peaked, but this is a good reward for a player who was a journeyman until this year.
171.) Calvin Pace, OLB, NYJ
Calvin Pace finally put together the complete package in 2010. He was always a great pass rusher, but in 2010 he improved his coverage ass a drop back linebacker and got better against the run. Calvin Pace is the only real true pass rusher the Jets have and they count on him a little too much, but at least now he has the versatility to drop and play the run.
170.) Chris Clemons, DE, SEA
Chris Clemons was a rotational pass rusher for years. That was until he met the Seahawks and Pete Carroll. Clemons exploded with 11 sacks, scores more pressures and even four passes defended. Chris Clemons probably won't reach those heights again, but older players have gone to Seattle and found the fount of youth. It might happen with Clemons as well.
169.) Lawrence Timmons, MLB, PIT
Lawrence Timmons might have seen like a disappointment, but a lot of the plays he did make were huge. He was among the leaders in tackles for loss and his pass defense when dropping took another step up, racking up pass defenses. Timmons was also a tackling machine, leading the Steelers. Lawrence Timmons will probably never be the pass rushing force I thought he would end up being, but that doesn't make him an underachieving player.
168.) Ronde Barber, CB, TB
The ageless wonder at QB is still going on strong. His twin brother is thinking of a comeback and it might be because Ronde is probably the Barber with the better career now. Barber is going to be 36 this season, so his time is coming, but he is easily still a top flight Tampa-2 corner. He's four sacks away from joining the 30/30 club (30 sacks and 30 interceptions). It is doubtful he'll get those sacks in his career, but he'll have to rest with being a borderline hall of famer.
167.) Duane Brown, T, HOU
Duane Brown was suspended four games for PED use, but unlike other notable suspendee's including his own teammate (Brian Cushing), his play didn't come close to falling off after the suspension. Brown was just as good after it ended, holding his own against Ford, Freeney, Kampman, Cole and others. Duane Brown also improved as a run blocker. He wasn't someone built off of PED use.
166.) Brian Orakpo, OLB, WAS
Orakpo was no one year wonder in Washington. Sure, his numbers did fall off a bit but that is to be expected after a sensational rookie year. What did improve was the other areas of his game. Orakpo was a guy too in love with getting sacks and rushing at all costs in 2009, while he slowed down and played better against the run in 2010. Orakpo is the rare bright spot in Washington.
165.) Chris Harris, S, CHI
The Bears defense was really good in 2010, and part of that was Chris Harris returning. Harris left after 2006 to Carolina, and three playoff-less years later, Harris returned. He picked off five passes, was great in deep coverage, and was the back line for the league's best cover-2 defense. Chris Harris is still just 28 so will have to be key as the Bears inevitably have to replace Charles Tillman.
164.) Josh Sitton, G, GB
The Packers improvement in their o-line in 2010 was a big part of their run to a Super Bowl title, and Josh Sitton was the best player on that line. He started every game for the second straight season, and this time he did it with playing good each week. He held the Williams wall at bay. He was good against Suh. He was the steadiest member of the o-line all year long.
163.) Joselio Hanson, CB, PHI
The reason I don't think the Eagles need Nnamdi is because they have Joselio Hanson. He was great in coverage all year, being in the top-10 in fewest yards given up per pass play. Hanson has the cover skills that would make Asante jealous and Nnamdi proud. The Eagles need safety play. Their corner play, if Hanson keeps this up, will be fine.
162.) Rey Maualuga, OLB, CIN
Keith Rivers really regressed in 2010, but Maualuga stepped it up in his second season. The 23 year old was great dropping into zone coverage and played the run quickly and effectively. Maualuga played 2010 the way people envisioned him playing in the NFL, making sure that the third member of the USC Class of 2009 LB trio would make his mark as well.
161.) Paul Soliai, NT, MIA
Along with Garay, there was no better great nameless player at the NFL's top position for unknowns. His work at the dirty nose was great. He was amazing at stopping the run, clogging the middle of the Dolphins defense. His two men around him didn't do their job, but Soliai definitely played good enough to make that defense work. He should improve his rush penetration to take his game to the next level.
160.) Ron Bartell, CB, STL
On the league's most unknown team, Ron Bartell was the defensive star in the secondary. He didn't have an interception, but played lockdown corner all year long in Steve Spagnuolo's defense, up among the league leader's in fewest yards allowed per pass and highest success rate on pass defense (yup, this is the beginning of me breaking out the FO stats). Bartell took a while to get going but that sometimes happens with corners.
159.) Kenny Britt, WR, TEN
Kenny Britt seems like a doofus knucklehead as he's been arrested about 450 times since the lockout began, but his play is absolutely undeniable. He only played 12 games due to injury, but put up 9 touchdowns in those games while averaging 18.5 ypc. Kenny Britt was easily VY's most trusted target and it will be interesting to see how he plays with Jake Locker in the future.
158.) David Harris, MLB, NYJ
The Jets defense is really good. David Harris is another member of that unit in the top 200, and he's someone who's importance to the Jets is really underrated. His rank dropped from 2010 largely because he just wasn't as active as he was last year. He seemed to be a half step late to most plays. Some of it was probably by design, as he dropped more than in years past.
157.) Leon Hall, CB, CIN
He's next up in the list of people who took a big fall. Leon Hall's play regressed quite a bit in 2010, but some of that might have to do with the fact that the Bengals' pass rush was totally anemic and made guys like Hall and Joseph cover for longer. Leon Hall is still young and could easily rebound with a really good 2011.
156.) Kris Dielman, G, SD
Much like his interior linemmate Hardwick, Dielman had a really good year in 2010. Honestly, he was among my biggest snubs of 2010, so I had to include him on the 2011 list. Dielman was nasty on the interior and really the only member of the Chargers o-line not to be embarrassed by the Raiders d-line in their matchups.
155.) Oshiomogo Atogwe, S, STL
OJ Atogwe probably should have gone out on FA last year. He didn't have a bad year, but I think people are starting to realize that the reason he makes so many plays is that the rest of the Rams defense really isn't that good. He makes a lot of plays well down the field. That said, he is still a quality player and a leader of that defense.
154.) Gary Brackett, MLB, IND
I love Gary Brackett because he's a Colt, because he went to Rutgers and because he has been invaluable for the Colts for years. That said, I cannot deny the fact that Brackett just looked half a step slower in 2010. That doesn't make him a bad player, but one who isn't what he was before. Brackett is still very fast for a LB and an extremely smart player, but to think he will revert to one of the best 4-3 MLBs is probably a stretch now.
153.) Mike Patterson, DT, PHI
The Eagles have a gem in Mike Patterson, a player who is just absolutely solid all the time. He's never going to be Vince Wilfork or even Tommie Harris in his prime, but Mike Patterson rarely has bad games. He's rarely dominated by an o-line. He has missed just one game in his NFL career. Pat Burrell was for years a good player for the Phillies, but always a bit underappreciated with stars like Utley and Howard next to him. Patterson is that player for the Eagles.
152.) Geno Hayes, MLB, TB
Probably after Clemens and Tryon, Geno Hayes is the biggest 'What the Fuck?' in the first 50. Get used to him, as he's one of the best 4-3 OLBs in the game. He was a playmaking machine for the Bucs in 2011, making stops and almost all the available plays. Hayes was always around the ball, always active and could do everything. He's a star on the rise.
151.) Israel Idonije, DE, CHI
The second of 6 players on the Bears defense, Idonije exploded in 2010. He was always a good situational pass rusher for the last two years, which is why I trust him to keep this up more than Chris Clemons. He was a force in 2010, benefitting from Julius Peppers' presence opposite him, Idonije constantly caused pressure and forced four fumbles. Pass rushers can often play effectively well into their mid 30s, so the fact that he's already 30 won't stop him in the future.
Next up, 150-101.
