2016 NFL Position Rankings: Recap

The time has come for me to post the obligatory recap for my 2016 NFL Position Ranking series. 

 

For those who haven't read this series before or need a refresher course, here's the criteria for these lists:

1.Rookies are excluded from these rankings

2.Each player is judged on where they currently stand in my opinion, not the player they once were, are going to be, etc.

3.Each player is listed as member of the team they will play for in 2016, not who they played for in 2015.

 

Enjoy!

 

*Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn't officially signed with the Jets yet, but I'm still assuming that he will before the start of the regular season 

 

Quarterback:

25.Teddy Bridgewater (Vikings)

24.Ryan Fitzpatrick (Jets*)

23.Tyrod Taylor (Bills)

22.Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)

21.Kirk Cousins (Redskins)

20.Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins)

19.Alex Smith (Chiefs)

18.Blake Bortles (Jaguars)

17.Matthew Stafford (Lions)

16.Derek Carr (Raiders)

15.Jay Cutler (Bears)

14.Joe Flacco (Ravens)

13.Andy Dalton (Bengals)

12.Matt Ryan (Falcons)

11.Tony Romo (Cowboys)

10.Eli Manning (Giants)

9.Carson Palmer (Cardinals)

8.Phillip Rivers (Chargers)

7.Andrew Luck (Colts)

6.Cam Newton (Panthers)

5.Russell Wilson (Seahawks)

4.Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)

3.Drew Brees (Saints)

2.Tom Brady (Patriots)

1.Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

 

Running Back:

50.Roy Helu Jr. (Raiders)

49.Theo Riddick (Lions)

48.Isiah Crowell (Browns)

47.Matt Jones (Redskins)

46.Duke Johnson (Browns)

45.Ronnie Hillman (Broncos)

44.Shane Vereen (Giants)

43.LeGarette Blount (Patriots)

42.Karlos Williams (Bills)

41.Dion Lewis (Patriots)

40.James Starks (Packers)

39.Arian Foster (Free Agent)

38.Bilal Powell (Jets)

37.Charles Sims (Buccaneers)

36.Chris Johnson (Cardinals)

35.Tim Hightower (Saints)

34.Darren McFadden (Cowboys)

33.Darren Sproles (Eagles) 

32.Jeremy Langford (Bears)

31.Rashad Jennings (Giants)

30.Spencer Ware (Chiefs)

29.Alfred Morris (Cowboys)

28.Charcandrick West (Chiefs)

27.Carlos Hyde (49ers)

26.T.J. Yeldon (Jaguars)

25.Thomas Rawls (Seahawks)

24.Danny Woodhead (Chargers)

23.Ryan Matthews (Eagles)

22.Frank Gore (Colts)

21.Giovani Bernard (Bengals)

20.Latavius Murray (Raiders) 

19.DeMarco Murray (Titans)

18.Chris Ivory (Jaguars) 

17.C.J. Anderson (Broncos)

16.DeAngelo Williams (Steelers)

15.Justin Forsett (Ravens)

14.Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)

13.David Johnson (Cardinals)

12.Lamar Miller (Texans) 

11.Jeremy Hill (Bengals)

10.Mark Ingram (Saints) 

9.Eddie Lacy (Packers)

8.Matt Forte (Jets)

7.Devonta Freeman (Falcons)

6.Todd Gurley (Rams)

5.Doug Martin (Buccaneers)

4.Jammal Charles (Chiefs)

3.LeSean McCoy (Bills)
2.Le'Veon Bell (Steelers)
1.Adrian Peterson (Vikings) 

 

Wide Receiver:

50.Kenny Stills (Dolphins)

49.Willie Snead (Saints)

48.Kendall Wright (Titans)

47.Mike Wallace (Ravens)

46.Markus Wheaton (Steelers)

45.Jermaine Kearse (Seahawks)

44.Rishard Matthews (Titans)

43.Danny Amendola (Patriots)

42.Anquan Boldin (Free Agent)

41.Pierre Garcon (Redskins)
40.Kamar Aiken (Ravens)
39.Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
38.Donte Moncrief (Colts)
37.Torrey Smith (49ers)
36.Travis Benjamin (Chargers)
35.Michael Crabtree (Raiders)
34.Marvin Jones (Lions)

33.Amari Cooper (Raiders)

32.Brandin Cooks (Saints)

31.Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers)

30.Vincent Jackson (Buccaneers)

29.Michael Floyd (Cardinals)

28.John Brown (Cardinals)

27.Doug Baldwin (Seahawks)

26.Steve Smith (Ravens)

25.DeSean Jackson (Redskins)

24.Allen Hurns (Jaguars)

23.Julian Edelman (Patriots)

22.Eric Decker (Jets)

21.Mike Evans (Buccaneers)
20.Golden Tate (Lions)

19.Randall Cobb (Packers)
18.Jarvis Landry (Dolphins)
17.Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
16.Sammy Watkins (Bills)

15.Jeremy Maclin (Chiefs)

14.Allen Robinson (Jaguars)
13.T.Y. Hilton (Colts)
12.Keenan Allen (Chargers)

11.Demaryius Thomas (Broncos)

10.Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)

9.Jordy Nelson (Packers)

8.Alshon Jeffrey (Bears)

7.Brandon Marshall (Jets)

6.A.J. Green (Bengals)

5.Dez Bryant (Cowboys)
4.DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
3.Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants)
2.Julio Jones (Falcons)
1.Antonio Brown (Steelers) 

 

Tight End:

20.Coby Fleener (Saints)

19.Jordan Cameron (Dolphins) 

18.Dwayne Allen (Colts)

17.Benjamin Watson (Ravens)

16.Kyle Rudolph (Vikings) 

15.Ladarius Green (Steelers)

14.Martellus Bennett (Patriots) 

13.Charles Clay (Bills)

12.Jason Witten (Cowboys)

11.Zach Ertz (Eagles)

10.Julius Thomas (Jaguars)

9.Gary Barnidge (Browns)

8.Antonio Gates (Chargers)

7.Tyler Eifert (Bengals)

6.Jordan Reed (Redskins)

5.Travis Kelce (Chiefs)

4.Delanie Walker (Titans)

3.Jimmy Graham (Seahawks)

2.Greg Olsen (Panthers)

1.Rob Gronkowski (Patriots) 

 

Tackle:

30.Ryan Clady (Jets)

29.Russell Okung (Broncos)

28.King Dunlap (Chargers)

27.Morgan Moses (Redskins)

26.Derek Newton (Texans)

25.Lane Johnson (Eagles)
24.Sebastian Vollmer (Patriots)
23.Demar Dotson (Buccaneers)

22.Bryan Bulaga (Packers)

21.Marcus Gilbert (Steelers)

20.Joe Barksdale (Chargers)

19.Austin Howard (Raiders)

18.Taylor Lewan (Titans)

17.Jake Matthews (Falcons)

16.Kelvin Beachum (Jaguars)

15.Ryan Schrader (Falcons)

14.Branden Albert (Dolphins)

13.Duane Brown (Texans)

12.Mitchell Schwartz (Chiefs)

11.Donald Penn (Raiders)

10.Anthony Castonzo (Colts) 

9.Jared Veldheer (Cardinals)

8.Jason Peters (Eagles) 

7.Cordy Glenn (Bills)

6.Terron Armstead (Saints)

5.Joe Staley (49ers)

4.Trent Williams (Redskins)

3.Andrew Whitworth (Bengals)

2.Tyron Smith (Cowboys)

1.Joe Thomas (Browns)

 

Guard:

30.Andy Levitre (Falcons)

29.Jeff Allen (Texans)

28.Brandon Linder (Jaguars)

27.Brandon Schreff (Redskins)

26.Louis Vazquez (Broncos)

25.John Greco (Browns)

24.James Carpenter (Jets)

23.Orlando Franklin (Chargers)

22.Alex Boone (Vikings)

21.Jack Mewhort (Colts)

20.Justin Pugh (Giants) 

19.Clint Boling (Bengals)

18.Andrew Norwell (Panthers) 

17.Ramon Foster (Steelers)

16.Brandon Brooks (Eagles)

15.Joel Bitonio (Browns)

14.Matt Slauson (Chargers)

13.Gabe Jackson (Raiders)

12.T.J. Lang (Packers)

11.Trai Turner (Panthers)

10.Richie Incognito (Bills)

9.Kevin Zeitler (Bengals)

8.Kyle Long (Bears)

7.David DeCastro (Steelers)

6.Kelechi Osemele (Raiders)

5.Mike Iupati (Cardinals)

4.Zach Martin (Cowboys)

3.Evan Mathis (Cardinals)

2.Josh Sitton (Packers)

1.Marshal Yanda (Ravens)

 

Center:

20.Hroniss Grasu (Bears)

19.Russell Bodine (Bengals)

18.Corey Linsley (Packers)

17.Ben Jones (Titans)

16.Mitch Morse (Chiefs)

15.Jeremy Zuttah (Ravens) 

14.Stefen Wisniewski (Eagles)

13.John Sullivan (Vikings)

12.Jason Kelce (Eagles)

11.Joe Berger (Vikings)

10.Mike Pouncey (Dolphins)

9.Nick Mangold (Jets)

8.Weston Richburg (Giants)

7.Eric Wood (Bills)

6.Max Unger (Saints)

5.Alex Mack (Falcons)

4.Rodney Hudson (Raiders)

3.Maurkice Pouncey (Steelers)

2.Ryan Kalil (Panthers)

1.Travis Fredrick (Cowboys)

 

Defensive End:

30.Chris Baker (Redskins)
29.Mario Williams (Dolphins)
28.Robert Ayers (Buccaneers)
27.Derrick Shelby (Falcons)
26.Leonard Williams (Jets)
25.William Hayes (Rams)
24.Derek Wolfe (Broncos)
23.Carlos Dunlap (Bengals)
22.Vinny Curry (Eagles)
21.Cliff Avril (Seahawks)
20.Everson Griffen (Vikings)
19.Jabbal Sheard (Patriots)
18.Robert Quinn (Rams)
17.Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants)
16.Chandler Jones (Cardinals)
15.Jerry Hughes (Bills)
14.Malik Jackson (Jaguars)
13.Sheldon Richardson (Jets)
12.Cameron Wake (Dolphins)
11.Oliver Vernon (Giants)
10.Cameron Heyward (Steelers)
9.Ezekiel Ansah (Lions)
8.Calias Campbell (Cardinals)
7.Jurrell Casey (Titans)
6.Mike Daniels (Packers)
5.Muhammad Wilkerson (Jets)
4.Michael Bennett (Seahawks)
3.Cameron Jordan (Saints)
2.Fletcher Cox (Eagles)
1.J.J. Watt (Texans) 

 

Defensive Tackle:

30.Vince Wilfork (Texans)
29.Ahtyba Rubin (Seahawks)

28.Sharrif Floyd (Vikings)

27.Roy Miller (Jaguars)

26.Eddie Goldman (Bears)

25.Cedric Thornton (Cowboys)

24.Jordan Hill (Seahawks)
23.Star Lotulelei (Panthers)

22.Nick Fairley (Saints)

21.Kyle Williams (Bills)

20.Brandon Mebane (Chargers)

19.Bennie Logan (Eagles)

18.Haloti Ngata (Lions)

17.Jaye Howard (Chiefs)

16.Jonathan Hankins (Giants)

15.Michael Brockers (Rams)

14.Terrence Knighton (Patriots)

13.Sen'Derrick Marks (Jaguars)

12.Dontari Poe (Chiefs)

11.Ian Williams (49ers)

10.Brandon Williams (Ravens)

9.Dan Williams (Raiders)

8.Damon Harrison (Giants)

7.Linval Joseph (Vikings)

6.Kawann Short (Panthers)

5.Marcell Dareus (Bills)

4.Geno Atkins (Bengals)

3.Gerald McCoy (Buccaneers)

2.Aaron Donald (Rams)

1.Ndamukong Suh (Dolphins)

 

Outside Linebacker:

50.Markus Golden (Cardinals)
49.Brooks Reed (Falcons)
48.Courtney Upshaw (Falcons)
47.Erik Walden (Colts)
45.Ahmad Brooks (49ers)
45.Trent Cole (Colts)
44.Trent Murphy (Redskins)
43.Manny Lawson (Bills)
42.Jelani Jenkins (Dolphins)
41.Shaq Barrett (Broncos) 
40.Anthony Hitchens (Cowboys)
39.Nigel Bradham (Eagles)
38.Jadeveon Clowney (Texans)
37.Aaron Lynch (49ers)
36.Robert Mathis (Colts)
35.Preston Smith (Redskins) 
34.Willie Young (Bears)
33.Akeem Ayers (Rams)
32.Jeremiah Attaochu (Chargers)
31.Lamarr Houston (Bears)
30.Derrick Morgan (Titans)
29.Vontaze Burfict (Bengals)
28.Vincent Rey (Bengals) 
27.Telvin Smith (Jaguars)
26.Junior Gallette (Redskins)
25.Julius Peppers (Packers)
24.Connor Barwin (Eagles)
23.Elvis Dumervil (Ravens)
22.Bruce Irvin (Raiders) 
21.Melvin Ingram (Chargers)
20.Brandon Graham (Eagles) 
19.Whitney Mercilus (Texans)
18.Brian Orakpo (Titans)
17.Terrell Suggs (Ravens)
16.DeMarcus Ware (Broncos)
15.Aldon Smith (Raiders)
14.Anthony Barr (Vikings)
13.Ryan Kerrigan (Redskins)
12.K.J. Wright (Seahawks)
11.Dont'a Hightower (Patriots)
10.Pernell McPhee (Bears)
9.DeAndre Levy (Lions) 
8.Lavonte David (Buccaneers)
7.Clay Matthews (Packers)
6.Thomas Davis (Panthers)
5.Tamba Hali (Chiefs)
4.Jamie Collins (Patriots)
3.Khalil Mack (Raiders)
2.Justin Houston (Chiefs)
1.Von Miller (Broncos) 

 

Inside Linebacker:

25.Denzel Perryman (Chargers)
24.Avery Williamson (Titans)
23.Koa Misi (Dolphins)
22.Paul Worrilow (Falcons)
21.Ryan Shazier (Steelers) 
20.Rolando McClain (Cowboys)
19.Alec Ogletree (Rams)
18.D'Qwell Jackson (Colts)
17.Kiko Alonso (Dolphins)
16.David Harris (Jets)
15.Karlos Dansby (Bengals)
14.Jordan Hicks (Eagles)
13.Daryl Smith (Buccaneers)
12.Brian Cushing (Texans)
11.Mychal Kendricks (Eagles)
10.C.J. Mosley (Ravens)
9.Lawrence Timmons (Steelers) 
8.Danny Trevathan (Bears)
7.Sean Lee (Cowboys)
6.Jerrell Freeman (Bears)
5.NaVorro Bowman (49ers)
4.Brandon Marshall (Broncos)
3.Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)
2.Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)
1.Luke Kuechly (Panthers)

 

Cornerback:

50.Bene Benwikerie (Panthers)

49.Jeremy Lane (Seahawks)

48.Tramon Williams (Browns) 

47.Robert Alford (Falcons)

46.William Gay (Steelers)

45.Kevin Johnson (Texans)

44.K'uwan Williams (Browns)

43.E.J. Gaines (Rams)

42.Terrence Newman (Vikings)

41.Shareece Wright (Ravens)

40.Davon House (Jaguars)

39.Patrick Robinson (Colts)

38.Bradley Roby (Broncos) 

37.David Amerson (Raiders)

36.Russ Cockrell (Steelers)

35.Tramaine Brock (49ers) 

34.Kyle Fuller (Bears)

33.Xavier Rhodes (Vikings)

32.Kareem Jackson (Texans)

31.Delvin Breaux (Saints)

30.Malcolm Butler (Patriots)

29.Prince Amukamara (Jaguars)

28.Logan Ryan (Patriots)

27.Orlando Scandrick (Cowboys)

26.Joe Haden (Browns)

25.Sam Shields (Packers)

24.Marcus Peters (Chiefs)

23.Casey Hayward (Chargers)

22.Janoris Jenkins (Giants)

21.Jimmy Smith (Ravens) 

20.Ronald Darby (Bills)

19.Aqib Talib (Broncos)

18.Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Giants)

17.Captain Munnerlyn (Vikings)

16.Trumaine Johnson (Rams)

15.Bashaud Breeland (Redskins)

14.Sean Smith (Raiders)

13.Brent Grimes (Buccaneers)

12.Adam Jones (Bengals)

11.Jason Verrett (Chargers)

10.Darius Slay (Lions)

9.Desmond Trufant (Falcons)

8.Stephon Gilmore (Bills)

7.Jonathan Joseph (Texans)

6.Vontae Davis (Colts)

5.Darrelle Revis (Jets)

4.Josh Norman (Redskins)

3.Chris Harris Jr. (Broncos)

2.Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)

1.Richard Sherman (Seahawks)

 

Safety:

40.Quentin Demps (Texans)

39.Dwight Lowery (Chargers)

38.Byron Jones (Cowboys)

37.Duron Harmon (Patriots)

36.Roman Harper (Saints)

35.Isa Abdul-Quddus (Dolphins)

34.Rashad Johnson (Titans)

33.Kendrick Lewis (Ravens)

32.Corey Graham (Bills)

31.Tony Jefferson (Cardinals)

30.Chris Conte (Buccaneers)

29.Aaron Williams (Bills) 

28.HaHa Clinton-Dix (Packers)

27.Mike Adams (Colts)

26.Tashuan Gibson (Jaguars)

25.Adrian Amos (Bears) 

24.Mike Mitchell (Steelers)

23.Kenny Vaccaro (Saints) 

22.Marcus Gilchrist (Jets)

21.Glover Quin (Lions)

20.Kurt Coleman (Panthers)

19.Patrick Chung (Patriots)

18.Eric Reid (49ers)

17.Da'Norris Searcy (Titans)

16.Darian Stewart (Broncos)

15.Jarius Byrd (Saints)

14.George Iloka (Bengals)

13.Rodney McLeod (Eagles)

12.Morgan Burnett (Packers)

11.Reggie Nelson (Raiders)

10.T.J. Ward (Broncos)

9.Malcolm Jenkins (Eagles)

8.Devin McCourty (Patriots)

7.Eric Weddle (Ravens)

6.Reshad Jones (Dolphins)

5.Kam Chancellor (Seahawks)

4.Tyrann Mathieu (Cardinals)

3.Harrison Smith (Vikings)

2.Eric Berry (Chiefs)

1.Earl Thomas (Seahawks)

 

Kicker:

20.Matt Prater (Lions)
19.Phil Dawson (49ers)
18.Robbie Gould (Bears)
17.Matt Bryant (Falcons)
16.Greg Zuerlein (Rams)
15.Chris Boswell (Steelers)
14.Dan Carpenter (Bills)
13.Chandler Catanzaro (Cardinals)
12.Blair Walsh (Vikings)
11.Nick Folk (Jets)
10.Cairo Santos (Chiefs)
9.Brandon McManus (Broncos)
8.Graham Gano (Panthers)
7.Josh Brown (Giants)
6.Adam Vinatieri (Colts)
5.Mason Crosby (Packers)
4.Steven Hasuchka (Seahawks)
3.Dan Bailey (Cowboys)
2.Justin Tucker (Ravens)
1.Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots) 

 

Punter:

20.Brad Nortman (Jaguars)
19.Chris Jones (Cowboys)
18.Dustin Colquitt (Chiefs)
17.Jon Ryan (Seahawks)
16.Kevin Huber (Bengals) 
15.Ryan Allen (Patriots)
14.Thomas Morstead (Saints)
13.Tress Way (Redskins)
12.Bryan Anger (Buccaneers)
11.Sam Martin (Lions)
10.Colton Schmidt (Bills)
9.Andy Lee (Browns)
8.Matt Darr (Dolphins) 
7.Donnie Jones (Eagles)
6.Brett Kern (Titans)
5.Matt Bosher (Falcons)
4.Shane Lechler (Texans)
3.Sam Koch (Ravens) 
2.Johnny Hekker (Rams)
1.Pat McAfee (Colts) 

 

Team-by team breakdown of players to appear in top 10 for their respective position group (most-to-least):

Arizona Cardinals-8 (Calias Campbell, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Iupati, Tyrann Mathieu, Evan Mathis, Carson Palmer, Patrick Peterson, Jared Veldheer)

Buffalo Bills-7 (Marcell Dareus, Cordy Glenn, Stephon Gilmore, Richie Incognito, LeSean McCoy, Colton Schmidt, Eric Wood) 

Carolina Panthers-7 (Thomas Davis, Graham Gano, Ryan Kalil, Luke Kuechly, Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Kawann Short)

Green Bay Packers-7 (Mason Crosby, Mike Daniels, Eddie Lacy, Clay Matthews, Jordy Nelson, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Sitton)

Kansas City Chiefs-7 (Eric Berry, Jammal Charles, Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Travis Kelce, Cairo Santos) 

Pittsburgh Steelers-7 (Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, David DeCastro, Cameron Heyward, Maurkice Pouncey, Ben Roethlisberger, Lawrence Timmons)

Seattle Seahawks-7 (Michael Bennett, Kam Chancellor, Jimmy Graham, Steven Hauschka, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Russell Wilson) 

Baltimore Ravens-6 (Sam Koch, C.J. Mosley, Justin Tucker,Eric Weddle, Brandon Williams, Marshal Yanda)

Dallas Cowboys-6 (Dan Bailey, Dez Bryant, Travis Fredrick, Sean Lee, Zach Martin, Tyron Smith)

Atlanta Falcons-5 (Matt Bosher, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Alex Mack, Desmond Trufant)

Chicago Bears-5 (Jerrell Freeman, Alshon Jeffrey, Kyle Long, Pernell McPhee, Danny Trevathan)

Cincinnati Bengals-5 (Geno Atkins, Tyler Eifert, A.J. Green, Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler)

Denver Broncos-5 (Chris Harris Jr., Brandon Marshall, Brandon McManus, Von Miller, T.J. Ward)

Indianapolis Colts-5 (Anthony Castonzo, Vontae Davis, Andrew Luck, Pat McAfee, Adam Vinatieri)

New England Patriots-5 (Tom Brady, Jamie Collins, Stephen Gostkowski, Rob Gronkowski, Devin McCourty)

New Orleans Saints-5 (Terron Armstead, Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Cameron Jordan, Max Unger)

New York Giants-5 (Odell Beckham Jr., Josh Brown, Damon Harrison, Eli Manning, Weston Richburg)

New York Jets-5 (Matt Forte, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis, Muhammad Wilkerson)

Houston Texans-4 (DeAndre Hopkins, Jonathan Joseph, Shane Lechler, J.J. Watt)

Miami Dolphins-4 (Matt Darr, Reshad Jones, Mike Pouncey, Ndamukong Suh)

Oakland Raiders-4 (Rodney Hudson, Khalil Mack, Kelechi Osemele, Dan Williams) 

Philadelphia Eagles-4 (Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins, Donnie Jones, Jason Peters) 

Cleveland Browns-3 (Gary Barnidge, Andy Lee, Joe Thomas)

Detroit Lions-3 (Ezekiel Ansah, DeAndre Levy, Darius Slay)

Los Angeles Rams-3 (Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley, Johnny Hekker)

Minnesota Vikings-3 (Linval Joseph, Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-3 (Lavonte David, Doug Martin,Gerald McCoy) 

Tennessee Titans-3 (Jurrell Casey, Brett Kern, Delanie Walker)

Washington Redskins-3 (Josh Norman, Jordan Reed, Trent Williams) 

San Diego Chargers-2 (Antonio Gates, Phillip Rivers) 

San Francisco 49ers-2 (NaVorro Bowman, Joe Staley)

Jacksonville Jaguars-1 (Julius Thomas)