Ranking the Top 200 NFL players for 2022: Part 4
This is the final article in my four-part series counting down the top 200 players entering the 2022 NFL season
Football is back! College football was a nice tease of the sport we love, but the real season begins when college ball on Saturday rolls into professional Sunday action. This is the final article in my four-part series counting down the top 200 players entering the 2022 NFL season. Let’s discuss the sport’s best players in my final four tiers.
Part 1: Nos. 200-143 l Part 2: Nos. 142-114 l Part 3: Nos. 113-57
Every player picked for this list is accompanied by their position, team, and rank at their position (in parentheses). I’ve included the positional rankings to give readers a better understanding of how players stack up against their competition.
The positional rankings used for the top 200 came from a position-by-position breakdown I conducted over the past two months. You can find those rankings at the links below.
Quarterbacks l Running Backs l Wide Receivers l Tight Ends l Offensive Tackles l Guards l Centers l Edge Rushers l Interior Defensive Linemen l Linebackers l Cornerbacks l Safeties
I factored in past success, age and regression, injuries, supporting cast, and scheme to generate these rankings. There was some projecting involved during this process. Breakdowns occur at the end of each tier.
It’s worth noting that some injuries occurred after I put these rankings together, so players like Ryan Jensen and Tyron Smith will still appear even if they’ll miss most of the year.
All statistics come from NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, and Pro Football Reference. Please direct any comments or concerns to @Sam_Teets33 on Twitter or the comment section.
Tier 4: Aging and Injured All-Pros
56. Ryan Ramczyk, OT (6) New Orleans Saints
2021 Top 200 Rank: 25
55. DeAndre Hopkins, WR (8) Arizona Cardinals
2021 Top 200 Rank: 21
54. Lane Johnson, OT (5) Philadelphia Eagles
2021 Top 200 Rank: 147
53. Creed Humphrey, C (1) Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
52. Lavonte David, LB (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 33
51. Justin Tucker, K (1) Baltimore Ravens
2021 Top 200 Rank: 194
50. Christian McCaffrey, RB (5) Carolina Panthers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 23
49. Dalvin Cook, RB (4) Minnesota Vikings
2021 Top 200 Rank: 27
48. Jonathan Allen, IDL (4) Washington Commanders
2021 Top 200 Rank: 105
47. Wyatt Teller, G (4) Cleveland Browns
2021 Top 200 Rank: 57
46. Tyron Smith, OT (4) Dallas Cowboys
2021 Top 200 Rank: 164
45. Khalil Mack, EDGE (6) Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 9
44. Maxx Crosby, EDGE (5) Las Vegas Raiders
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
43. Nick Chubb, RB (3) Cleveland Browns
2021 Top 200 Rank: 44
42. Derwin James, S (2) Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 43
41. David Bakhtiari, OT (3) Green Bay Packers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 28
40. Kevin Byard, S (1) Tennessee Titans
2021 Top 200 Rank: Honorable Mention
39. Russell Wilson, QB (7) Denver Broncos
2021 Top 200 Rank: 22
Players in this tier possess high upward mobility. A handful of Tier 4 players are only this low because of injuries they’ve suffered in recent years that could cascade into 2022. They constantly earn Pro Bowl selections and make All-Pro teams when healthy. There’s some downward mobility for this tier, considering the age and injury history of some players.
Tier 4 players are franchise cornerstones who widely rank among the top five at their listed positions. Some players in this tier are still improving and building toward greater achievements.
Khalil Mack and Russell Wilson are superstars with Hall of Fame careers who joined new teams over the summer after injury-shortened seasons. They’re both walking into good situations that should help them succeed late in their careers, but I’m not ready to bet on them returning to prime form just yet.
Derwin James is in the conversation with Kevin Byard for the league’s best safety when he plays the full season. Lavonte David and Christian McCaffrey fall into the same bucket of elite players returning from injuries, except we already know they have Hall of Fame ceilings thanks to their multiple All-Pro seasons.
David Bakhtiari, the best pass blocking tackle when healthy, also has a developing Hall of Fame case. As does Tyron Smith, but it seems unlikely that we’ll see Dallas’ left tackle play this season.
Injuries among elite players have decimated the tackle position. Three-time All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk is returning from a season where he missed seven games, and reigning Second-Team All-Pro Lane Johnson has missed 13 games over the past two years.
DeAndre Hopkins is another Hall of Fame-caliber veteran returning from injury. He missed seven games last season and will miss six in 2022 after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.
Tier 4 includes several rising stars who only recently entered their primes. Nick Chubb and Derwin James, who are both 26 years old, fall into this category. Chubb averaged 5.3 yards per carry over the first four years of his career and 91 rushing yards per game over the last three seasons.
Dalvin Cook is the second-highest ranked of the three running backs in Tier 4. Cook dominated in 2020, averaging five yards per carry and more than 136 yards from scrimmage per game. He was significantly less productive in 2021 but still surpassed 1,100 rushing yards for the third consecutive year.
Jonathan Allen (27), Maxx Crosby (25), and Wyatt Teller (27) are three relatively young linemen who recently entered their primes. Teller earned back-to-back Second-Team All-Pro selections in 2020 and 2021. Crosby earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2021 after leading all defenders with 101 pressures. Allen tied with Micah Parsons for ninth among all defenders in pressures with 67.
Creed Humphrey was arguably the best center last season despite being a rookie. He only allowed ten pressures and one sack while starting every game for Kansas City. Humphrey finished third in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Justin Tucker is the only special teams player on the top 200. I debated including him this high on the list, considering I barely ranked him last year. However, it’s undeniable that he’s an elite, game-changing weapon for the Ravens. A gold jacket awaits the seven-time All-Pro when he retires.
Tier 3: Perennial All-Pro Candidates
38. J.C. Jackson, CB (5) Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 144
37. Shaquille Leonard, LB (3) Indianapolis Colts
2021 Top 200 Rank: 41
36. Fred Warner, LB (2) San Francisco 49ers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 24
35. Xavien Howard, CB (4) Miami Dolphins
2021 Top 200 Rank: 36
34. Chris Jones, IDL (3) Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Top 200 Rank: 26
33. Stefon Diggs, WR (7) Buffalo Bills
2021 Top 200 Rank: 17
32. AJ Terrell, CB (3) Atlanta Falcons
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
31. Ja'Marr Chase, WR (6) Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Top 200 Rank: 196
30. Deebo Samuel, WR (5) San Francisco 49ers
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
29. Cameron Heyward, IDL (2) Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 32
28. Tristan Wirfs, OT (2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 69
27. George Kittle, TE (3) San Francisco 49ers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 11
26. Mark Andrews, TE (2) Baltimore Ravens
2021 Top 200 Rank: 124
25. Quenton Nelson, G (3) Indianapolis Colts
2021 Top 200 Rank: 12
24. Joel Bitonio, G (2) Cleveland Browns
2021 Top 200 Rank: 61
23. Jaire Alexander, CB (2) Green Bay Packers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 16
22. Micah Parsons, LB/EDGE (1) Dallas Cowboys
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
21. Joey Bosa, EDGE (4) Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 18
20. Derrick Henry, RB (2) Tennessee Titans
2021 Top 200 Rank: 7
19. Justin Herbert, QB (6) Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 88
Players in Tier 3 consistently earn Pro Bowl selections and are usually near the heart of All-Pro discussions. They might earn All-Pro nods inconsistently year to year, but they always receive looks for the honor. Tier 3 players are elite franchise cornerstones with the potential to reach Tier 1 and 2. These players rarely drop below Tier 4.
Tier 3 contains several pairings we need to discuss. First, Mark Andrews and George Kittle. Andrews ranks one spot ahead of Kittle even though his 49ers counterpart is the more well-rounded and arguably better player. Andrews was awesome for Baltimore last year, topping 100 receptions and 1,300 yards. Kittle was also great, but injuries and inconsistent quarterback play keep him from matching his 2018-19 peak.
Joel Bitonio and Quenton Nelson are the only guards in Tier 3. Nelson has a higher ceiling than Bitonio, but the fifth-year Colt is coming off his worst season. Nelson missed four games last year and wasn’t his usual dominant self. A clean bill of health should ensure he returns to form this season.
Bitonio has quietly built a Hall of Fame case. His elite play, which included two games at left tackle in 2021, combined with consistency led to All-Pro selections in each of the past four years. Nelson has the higher ceiling, but Bitonio is the more consistent player, especially in pass protection.
Cameron Heyward and Chris Jones swapped ranks among interior defensive linemen over the past year. Kansas City didn’t help Jones’ case by trying to play him at defensive end to start last season, but that doesn’t override Heyward’s significant advantage as a run defender. Jones is more athletic with a better pass rushing skill set, but Heyward packs power and an anchor Jones can’t match.
Linebackers Shaquille Leonard and Fred Warner fell farther down the list than I intended. They are both deserving of spots in the top 30 for different reasons. Warner is uber-athletic and makes plays in every facet of the game (especially coverage), while Leonard has a nose for the football and a tendency to force turnovers that is unmatched at his position.
Speaking of linebackers, Micah Parsons is the ultimate edge/linebacker hybrid. He technically qualified as a linebacker first and an edge rusher second since most of his snaps as a rookie came from an off-ball position. Parsons’ 67 pressures ranked eighth among all linebackers and edge rushers in 2021.
Joey Bosa came close to joining his brother Nick Bosa in Tier 2, but the older brother hasn’t quite matched Nick’s statistical production. In terms of potential, the Bosa brothers are on the same tier. It’s just a matter of Joey finally putting everything together in 2022 and having a season like his 2017 or 2019 campaign.
Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander, Xavien Howard, J.C. Jackson, and A.J. Terrell appear in Tier 3. Alexander has a chance to be the best cornerback in football. He just has to stay healthy. In his absence last year, Terrell emerged as the league’s top zone corner. It will be interesting to see how the two NFC superstars compare after the upcoming season.
Howard and Jackson are turnover machines. Combined, the current or past All-Pros had 48 interceptions over the past four years. Injuries are the only thing that can slow either of those corners down.
Justin Herbert and Tristan Wirfs are third-year players who have quickly risen to the top of their positions. Wirfs was a First-Team All-Pro in 2021, and Herbert is in the perfect situation to emerge as a surprise MVP candidate because of his weapons and physical tools.
Derrick Henry missed nine games last season, but he averaged 4.3 yards per attempt and 117.1 rushing yards per game before suffering an injury. Henry won back-to-back rushing triple crowns in 2019 and 2020. We know how running backs break down after multiple heavy-usage seasons, but Henry has the build and athletic potential to buck that trend.
Ja'Marr Chase, Stefon Diggs, and Deebo Samuel represent wide receivers in Tier 3. These players all have one All-Pro selection under their belts. Chase starred during his rookie season, recording the fourth-most receiving yards in the league. He’s an excellent deep threat compared to Samuel, who is a dynamic playmaker with the build to play out of the backfield. Diggs wins at all levels, and he’s paired with MVP candidate Josh Allen.
Tier 2: Hall of Fame Peaks
18. Tyreek Hill, WR (4) Miami Dolphins
2021 Top 200 Rank: 15
17. Nick Bosa, EDGE (3) San Francisco 49ers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 37
16. Justin Jefferson, WR (3) Minnesota Vikings
2021 Top 200 Rank: 31
15. Jalen Ramsey, CB (1) Los Angeles Rams
2021 Top 200 Rank: 19
14. Jonathan Taylor, RB (1) Indianapolis Colts
2021 Top 200 Rank: 82
13. Cooper Kupp, WR (2) Los Angeles Rams
2021 Top 200 Rank: 119
12. Travis Kelce, TE (1) Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Top 200 Rank: 4
11. Davante Adams, WR (1) Las Vegas Raiders
2021 Top 200 Rank: 10
10. Joe Burrow, QB (5) Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Top 200 Rank: 148
Tier 2 selections occasionally reach the pinnacle of football as Tier 1 players or the best athletes at their positions. Four players in Tier 2 are the highest-ranking men at their positions. They are generational talents who constantly vie for All-Pro selections and occasionally enter discussions for end-of-year awards. Extended stretches of Tier 2 play will lead to enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joe Burrow narrowly missed Tier 1. The third-year LSU product was the league’s third-best quarterback last season and led the Bengals to the Super Bowl after three decades of playoff woes. Burrow is the least experienced member of Tier 2, which means he has the highest level of unpredictability.
Davante Adams and Travis Kelce were top-ten players last year. They still have claims to those spots, but I think we can project a slight decline in their production. Adams is changing teams and going to an offense with more mouths to feed. Kelce is nearly 33 years old and is the only elite receiving option remaining in Kansas City. This means defenses will focus on him first without worrying about a secondary star like Tyreek Hill.
Speaking of Kelce’s former teammate, in 2021, Hill produced more than 1,200 yards for the third time in his career. There will be opportunities for Hill to hit home runs in Miami’s offense, but he’ll also feature on many routes and plays similar to what Kansas City ran this past season.
Justin Jefferson and Cooper Kupp were the other members of a loaded wide receiver group in Tier 2. Kupp had a historic 2021 campaign, which carried throughout the postseason and netted him Offensive Player of the Year honors. Even with Allen Robinson at his side to draw attention, it seems unlikely Kupp will claim his second receiving triple-crown.
Jefferson opened his career with back-to-back Second-Team All-Pro selections. He’s averaging 98 receptions, 1,508 yards, and eight touchdowns per year. At just 23 years old, the sky’s the limit for Jefferson.
Jonathan Taylor won the rushing triple crown in 2021 and finished second in the Offensive Player of the Year voting. Taylor’s historic football journey dates back to his dominance as a high school player and has carried throughout his college and pro careers. I’m always worried about injuries with running backs, but Taylor has been surprisingly durable despite his heavy workload.
That leaves Nick Bosa and Jalen Ramsey as the only defenders in Tier 2. Bosa rebounded well after missing all but two games in 2020 with a torn ACL. He was squarely in the All-Pro discussion, but last season was a loaded edge class. Bosa missed out on an All-Pro bid despite producing 15.5 sacks and 75 pressures, the fourth-most among all edge defenders.
Ramsey isn’t a pure cornerback anymore. The Rams moved him around the field last season, giving him snaps in the slot, box, and even along the defensive line. In an era where positional versatility is at a premium, Ramsey is the ultimate chess piece at defensive back.
Tier 1: Forces of Nature
9. Myles Garrett, EDGE (2) Cleveland Browns
2021 Top 200 Rank: 13
8. Zack Martin, G (1) Dallas Cowboys
2021 Top 200 Rank: 14
7. Tom Brady, QB (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 5
6. T.J. Watt, EDGE (1) Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 6
5. Josh Allen, QB (3) Buffalo Bills
2021 Top 200 Rank: 8
4. Aaron Rodgers, QB (2) Green Bay Packers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 3
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB (1) Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Top 200 Rank: 2
2. Trent Williams, OT (1) San Francisco 49ers
2021 Top 200 Rank: 20
1. Aaron Donald, IDL (1) Los Angeles Rams
2021 Top 200 Rank: 1
Tier 1 represents the sport’s pinnacle. The players in Tier 1 are unmatched across the league. These are true generational superstars with Hall of Fame-caliber ceilings. Players who perform at a Tier 1 level for multiple seasons will earn first-ballot gold jackets when they retire. These nine players are constantly earning All-Pro selections and competing for end-of-year awards.
Surprise, surprise, quarterbacks dominate Tier 1. I didn’t incorporate positional value into my philosophy when creating the top 200, but four quarterbacks still found their way into the top nine spots.
I’m fine with whatever order people prefer to rank my top four quarterbacks in. They all appear in the same tier, meaning I generally view them as interchangeable. Three quarterbacks even appear in consecutive order. I gave Patrick Mahomes the slight edge over back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers, 2020 MVP runner-up Josh Allen, and reigning passing champion Tom Brady.
Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are consistently the top two edge defenders in Defensive Player of the Year debates. Watt earned his spot at No. 6 by tying the single-season sack record in just 15 games (under 760 snaps). The Wisconsin product is the reigning back-to-back sack champion and has earned First-Team All-Pro honors in three consecutive years.
Zack Martin could retire tomorrow and be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as soon as he becomes eligible. In 2021, the 31-year-old earned his seventh total All-Pro selection and fifth First-Team All-Pro selection in his eight-year career. No other interior offensive lineman in the game today can match Martin’s consistently elite play.
Aaron Donald and Trent Williams are the best players in the NFL top 200. It’s strange seeing two linemen at the top of the list and not a quarterback, but it’s impossible to overlook how Donald and Williams have dominated over the past several years. Donald is one of the ten best defenders in NFL history, and Williams has been the league’s best tackle since he arrived in San Francisco.