Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, the TGH staff have ranked their top 100 players for the 2021 season.
Five TGH staff members voted on their top 75 players, who were given scores based on their ranks, then sorted by their final score. The players were ranked regardless of position, and the editors broke any ties at their discretion.
Each article in this series will list 10 players at a time, with brief comments on their 2020 performances and what is expected of them in 2021. Make sure to check back every Friday for the next 10 players in our list!
Today, we list and evaluate players 40-31 in our list of the 2021 NFL Top 100.
[Check out the other entries in the 2021 NFL Top 100 here: #100-91, #90-81, #80-71, #70-61, #60-51, #50-41, #30-21, #20-11, #10-1]
40. Christian McCaffrey
The injury may have moved him down this list a bit, but when healthy there isn’t another player in the league right now like McCaffrey. He can run the ball well and catch too. The Panthers struggled without him, but could really bounce back with him back in the lineup for 2021.-Joe DiTullio
39. Minkah Fitzpatrick
Miami gave up on Fitzpatrick too soon. He has now made two-straight Pro Bowls as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He displays good instincts and makes plays on the ball consistently. There are a lot of good players on Pittsburgh’s defense, but Fitzpatrick really elevated the play of the defense.-Joe DiTullio
38. Nick Bosa
After a dominant rookie season, Bosa was only able to play in two games last year due to injury. If he returns back to form in 2021 there is no doubt that he could rank even higher on this list. His return, along with some offseason additions, should really help the 49ers go back to being competitive.-Joe DiTullio
37. Ryan Ramczyk
Ryan Ramczyk is one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and is arguably underrated on this list. His blocking helped Drew Brees play into his 40s and for Alvin Kamara to take the league by storm. While the offense may not be as high-powered without Brees going forward, Ramczyk will stil do his job, even if he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.-Joe DiTullio
36. Tyrann Matheiu
Veteran safety Tyrann Matheiu, is a great tackler and has the ability to force turnovers in bunches. He is two-time Pro Bowler and has earned First Team All-Pro honors three times. He has been especially impressive during his last two years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2019, Mathieu had 75 tackles and four interceptions. In 2020, he had a total of 63 tackles and six interceptions, on his way to his second consecutive Super Bowl appearance with the Chiefs. Mathieu, who has just finished his eighth season in the NFL, is still making a huge impact will continue to be fun to watch in the future. -Matthew Brown
35. Zack Martin
From a technical standpoint, Zack Martin may be the best offensive lineman in the league. Although he only played in 10 games, Martin is great when he is on the field. With Dak Prescott back in 2021, Martin will help the Cowboys’ offense be one of the best in the league again.-Joe DiTullio
34. Devin White
Devin White was a great linebacker before the Buccaneers’ playoff run, but he really showed how good of a player he was as Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl. He can hit, cover, get after the quarterback and to top it all off, he can ride horses. White is an emerging star who isn’t even in his prime.-Joe DiTullio
33. Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson, the former Heisman Trophy-winning Louisville Cardinal, has been a superstar in the NFL during his past three years with the Ravens.
Jackson has a lot of speed, which gives him the ability to extend plays and can be a huge threat if he decides to scramble. The 2019 Pro Bowler had another impressive year in 2020. He threw for 2,757 yards and passed for 26 touchdowns. This was all while throwing only nine interceptions during the 2020 season.
The most impressive thing about Jackson, however, is his ability to gain yardage on the ground as a quarterback. He has two 1,000 yards rushing seasons, both coming within the last two years. Jackson has taken the Ravens to the playoffs twice times during his short career so far. The Ravens quarterback is one of the best in the league and will be a threat for years to come as he is still young. -Matthew Brown
32. Nick Chubb
Chubb is a powerful and bruising running back that can break tackles. He had 21 broken tackles in 2020, allowing him to get a lot of yards after contact. Chubb is also great at stiff arming defenders and making cuts downfield.
The two-time Pro Bowler time gave a lot of production to the Cleveland Browns this year. Chubb had 1,067 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in 2020. He is a very formidable running back and should not slow down in 2021. -Matthew Brown
31. Chris Jones
Chris Jones doesn’t get the recognition he deserves as a defensive lineman, but he is one of the best at his position in the league. As a defensive tackle, he had an impressive 7.5 sacks in 2020 en route to a Pro Bowl selection. His versatility makes him a great defensive player.-Joe DiTullio