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: 20-11.
20. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Brees is another long-time verteran quarterback on this list, but he is more efficient than he has ever been. He led the league in completion percentage the last two seasons, as last year he completed 74.4 percent of his passes. The veteran threw for 3,992 yards, 35 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2019. If he keeps that level of efficiency going, the Saints might be able to help Brees win a second Super Bowl.
19. David Bakhtiari, OT, Green Bay Packers
He received fame for chugging beers on the sidelines of Milwaukee Bucks’ games this offseason, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that Bakhtiari is one of the best tackles in the league. He has protected Aaron Rodgers well and at one point of the season, Aaron Jones led the NFL in yards per carry. Keeping Rodgers on his feet is the key to the season for the Packers in 2019 and Bakhtiari will make sure to protect him well.
18. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns
The whole league was shaken up when Beckham Jr. was traded from the Giants to the Browns. Beckham Jr. has provided the people of Cleveland a lot of hype and a lot of hope for the season. With Eli Manning as his quarterback, he had 77 catches for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns. Now, he’ll have Baker Mayfield throwing him the football, so more will be expected of him.
17. Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots
Gilmore may have had the best season of his career last year, as he helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl and he was named an All-Pro for the first time in his career. He had just two interceptions, but defended 20 passes throughout the course of the season. While Tom Brady leads the offense, Gilmore has to be a shutdown corner every game for the Patriots to win.
16. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys
He played in 15 games last season, after being suspended for six in 2017, and it showed for Elliot. The three-year veteran rushed for 1,434 yards to lead the NFL last season. He had nine total touchdowns. In order for the Cowboys to be their best, Elliot needs to be on the field and running the ball well to keep defenses honest. It looks like he is set for another full season, which means it is likely he will be near the top of the rushing leaders when the season is over.
15. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints have a good duo in Brees and Thomas who work well together. In his young three-year career, Thomas has made two Pro Bowls and been named an All-Pro once. He caught a league-high 125 passes for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns. Having a big, reliable target like Thomas makes it much easier for the Saints offense to move the ball upfield.
14. Antonio Brown, WR, Oakland Raiders
Things may not have ended well for Brown in Pittsburgh, but his production over his time there speaks for itself. He had 104 catches for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. Brown will now need to work with Jon Gruden and Derek Carr to make sure he is still utilized as much as possible. If they use him right, Brown will be just as feared as when he was with the Steelers.
13. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
One of the biggest reasons the Rams were so effective on offense last season was Todd Gurley. He rushed for 1,251 yards and also had 580 receiving yards to get him to 21 total touchdowns. That was all in 14 games, as Gurley had knee problems down the stretch. The knee problems are a concern, but if he is on the field, there aren’t many better players than Gurley.
12. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
He was just a rookie in 2018, but Barkley took the league by storm. Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards, had 721 receiving yards and scored 15 total touchdowns. He had plenty of plays that changed the course of games and will be asked to do much of the same in 2019. With Beckham Jr. out, Barkley is going to have to do the heavy lifting for the offense this season.
11. Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks
With most of the great defense from their Super Bowl run gone, Wagner is now the leader of the defense for the Seahawks. In 2018, he made his third straight Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro for the fourth time in his career. He chased ball carriers down for 138 total tackles as he patrolled the middle of the field. For the Seahawks to be successful this season, Wagner will have to make a lot of plays again.
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