Now that the offseason is soon coming to a close and football is returning, it is time to look at the best players in the NFL. Each year The Game Haus puts together a list of the top players in the league for the upcoming season. This list was put together by members of the TGH NFL staff. It starts with the NFL Top 100 Players 2019: 50-41.
50. JaDeveon Clowney, OLB, Houston Texans
Clowney was part of a good pass rush for the Texans that includes himself, J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus. He was able to take the quarterback down nine times last season. If he had played all 16 games, he could’ve reached double-digit sacks for the first time in his career. With all three players back again, and with Clowney in a contract year, he should be expected to produce.
49. Frank Clark, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The Seahawks lost a lot of notable pass rushers over the years, but Clark has stepped up big time over the last few seasons. Clark was able to get 13 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2018. Clark joined Kansas City this offseason, where he’ll be tasked with helping them get to the Super Bowl.
48. Eddie Jackson, S, Chicago Bears
Jackson is a quality safety because of his ability to make plays on the ball. After doing so he is a threat to take it to the house. He had six interceptions and two of them were returned for touchdowns last season. Jackson also had 51 total tackles and 15 passes defended. The Bears defense is going to be good again in 2019 and Jackson will lead the secondary with his good play.
47. Andrew Whitworth, OT, Los Angeles Rams
Whitworth is one of the oldest players in the top 100, but he is still playing at a high level. He started all 16 games at left tackle for the Rams and his blocking helped lead the team to the Super Bowl. Because of his blocking, the Rams were able to rank in the top five for scoring, passing and rushing. After coming up just short last season, Whitworth may be able to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory this year.
46. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons relied on Ryan even more than most years in 2018 and he stepped up. Ryan threw for 4,924 yards and 35 touchdowns on 69.4 percent completion. With Devonta Freeman being injured, Ryan was forced to throw the ball more and he was very successful doing so. Tevin Coleman will be on the 49ers, but Freeman will be back, so Ryan may lead a more balanced offensive attack this season.
45. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
He got his feet wet as a rookie with seven sacks, then Garrett exploded last season with 13.5 sacks. For such a young player to almost double his sack total from one year to the next is impressive. The sky is the limit for Garrett, especially because he will have even more help in getting to the quarterback this season. If he performs, the Browns could make the playoffs.
44. Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Gordon was only able to play in 12 games last season, but still put up good numbers to help the Chargers. He rushed for 885 yards, added 490 receiving yards and scored 14 total touchdowns. Philip Rivers runs the offense, but Gordon is a huge component because of his ability to be a threat in the passing and running game. His versatility as a running back makes him an extremely effective player for the Chargers.
43. Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys
Smith has been banged up by injuries and has only played in 13 games in each of the last three seasons. He has made six Pro Bowls in his eight-year career. His ability to open up holes in the running game for Ezekiel Elliot and protect Dak Prescott makes him one of the top tackles in football. If he and the rest of the offensive line stay healthy, the Cowboys will have the ability to wear teams down in 2019.
42. Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts took Leonard a little earlier than most people expected in the 2018 NFL Draft, but the risk paid off for them. Leonard was not just one of the best linebackers in the league, but one of the best players in the NFL. He was all over the field with 163 total tackles, which led the league. There shouldn’t be any reason to doubt Leonard in his second season in the NFL.
41. Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings
In 2016, Hunter broke out with 12.5 sacks, but then had a down year in 2017 with only seven sacks. He rebounded last season with 14.5 sacks and 19 QB hits. The Vikings will be counting on Hunter to pressure the quarterback in 2019. If he is successful it could be the difference in them making and missing the playoffs.
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