Elite Players At Each Position

[supremecoltsfan300]

Who are your top players at each position that are in the nfl right now? Include players that are recovering health wise like Manning and Andre Johnsin.

My Elite players:

Qb:

Manning, brady, rodgers, big ben, eli, and brees.

Wr:

Andre johnson, calvin johnson, welker, fitzgerald, jennings.

Hb:

peterson, sproles (includes his catching/returning ability), foster, mjd, cj (if he really is getting back to normal), turner.

Te:

grahm, gronkowski, finley, gonzalez (old guy still has it), gates.

[Dustin]

Big Ben? Really?

[Andy]

My list is somewhat similar:

QBs

Peyton Manning

Tom Brady

Drew Brees

Aaron Rodgers

Ben Roethlisberger

Philip Rivers (bad year, but still elite)

Eli Manning

RBs

Adrian Peterson

MJD

Arian Foster

Chris Johnson (bad year but remember the 2000 yard season)

Matt Forte

Michael Turner

Fred Jackson

WRs

Andre Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Reggie Wayne

Wes Welker

Greg Jennings

Calvin Johnson

Roddy White

Brandon Marshall

TEs

Antonio Gates

Dallas Clark

Vernon Davis

Jason Witten

Tony Gonzalez

Rob Gronkowski

*Jimmy Graham is close, but not yet*

OT

Joe Thomas

Jake Long

Ryan Clady

Michael Roos

Matt Light

OG

Jahri Evans

Chris Snee

Carl Nicks

Logan Mankins

Bobbie Williams

Ben Grubbs

C

Nick Mangold

Jeff Saturday

Matt Birk

Andre Gurode

Olin Kreutz

Alex Mack

DEs

Julius Peppers

Dwight Freeney

Robert Mathis

Justin Tuck

Jared Allen

Justin Smith

Trent Cole (barely)

DTs/NTs

Vince Wilfork

Haloti Ngata

Kyle Williams

Ndamukong Suh

Kevin Williams

Cullen Jenkins

LBs

Ray Lewis

Patrick Willis

Jon Beason

Brian Urlacher

Demarcus Ware

Clay Matthews

Honestly the list goes on and on

CBs

Darrelle Revis

Asante Samuel

Nnamdi Asomugha

Charles Woodson

Carlos Rogers (this year solidifies it)

Cortland Finnegan

Champ Bailey

Stanford Routt (most underrated, and this year solidifies it)

Tracy Porter

Brent Grimes

S

Troy Polamalu

Ed Reed

Atnoine Bethea

Nick Collins

Adrian Wilson

*if healthy, Eric Berry*

Michael Griffin

Ks

Adam Vinatieri

Sebastian Janikowski

Neil Rackers

David Akers

Dan Carpenter

Stephen Gostkowski

Ps

Shane Lechler

Andy Lee

Mat McBriar

Sam Koch

Mike Scifres

Pat Mcafee

Rs

Devin Hester

Josh Cribbs

Marc Mariani

Patrick Peterson

Johnny Knox

Ted Ginn Jr

Eric Weems

[Dustin]

My list is somewhat similar:

QBs

Peyton Manning

Tom Brady

Drew Brees

Aaron Rodgers

Ben Roethlisberger

Philip Rivers (bad year, but still elite)

Eli Manning

RBs

Adrian Peterson

MJD

Arian Foster

Chris Johnson (bad year but remember the 2000 yard season)

Matt Forte

Michael Turner

Fred Jackson

WRs

Andre Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Reggie Wayne

Wes Welker

Greg Jennings

Calvin Johnson

Roddy White

Brandon Marshall

TEs

Antonio Gates

Dallas Clark

Vernon Davis

Jason Witten

Tony Gonzalez

Rob Gronkowski

*Jimmy Graham is close, but not yet*

OT

Joe Thomas

Jake Long

Ryan Clady

Michael Roos

Matt Light

OG

Jahri Evans

Chris Snee

Carl Nicks

Logan Mankins

Bobbie Williams

Ben Grubbs

C

Nick Mangold

Jeff Saturday

Matt Birk

Andre Gurode

Olin Kreutz

Alex Mack

DEs

Julius Peppers

Dwight Freeney

Robert Mathis

Justin Tuck

Jared Allen

Justin Smith

Trent Cole (barely)

DTs/NTs

Vince Wilfork

Haloti Ngata

Kyle Williams

Ndamukong Suh

Kevin Williams

Cullen Jenkins

LBs

Ray Lewis

Patrick Willis

Jon Beason

Brian Urlacher

Demarcus Ware

Clay Matthews

Honestly the list goes on and on

CBs

Darrelle Revis

Asante Samuel

Nnamdi Asomugha

Charles Woodson

Carlos Rogers (this year solidifies it)

Cortland Finnegan

Champ Bailey

Stanford Routt (most underrated, and this year solidifies it)

Tracy Porter

Brent Grimes

S

Troy Polamalu

Ed Reed

Atnoine Bethea

Nick Collins

Adrian Wilson

*if healthy, Eric Berry*

Michael Griffin

Ks

Adam Vinatieri

Sebastian Janikowski

Neil Rackers

David Akers

Dan Carpenter

Stephen Gostkowski

Ps

Shane Lechler

Andy Lee

Mat McBriar

Sam Koch

Mike Scifres

Pat Mcafee

Rs

Devin Hester

Josh Cribbs

Marc Mariani

Patrick Peterson

Johnny Knox

Ted Ginn Jr

Eric Weems

Basically agree with you except for a few.

[Andy]

Basically agree with you except for a few.

Ben Roethlisberger won 2 SBs and has had 2 seasons with a passer rating over 100

Vernon Davis had 2 900+ yard seasons with a 13 TD season, on pace for another great year. Constantly putting up great numbers since rookie year.

Cortland Finnegan, aggresive and shutting down top receivers since 2009

Tracy Porter, great tackler, clutch (pick in SB, pick in NFC championship, picks at right time), plus he's a great tackler

Johnny Knox, doesn't return the ball much, but when he does, always a threat and he has a quite a few return TDs

[Dustin]

Ben Roethlisberger won 2 SBs and has had 2 seasons with a passer rating over 100

They won the first Superbowl in spite of him and his 22.6 passer rating. He cost them their 3rd won so I wouldn't use SB's as an accurate depiction of his career. You're right on the Vernon Davis that was a mistake by me. Finnegan isn't really a shutdown corner, I mean he's solid but I don't consider him elite. I don't know what Saints game you're watching (there on almost half the time here) but Porter is a mediocre tackler at best. Knox is a decent returner but when you have Devin Hester on your team people tend to overlook you. But, this is just all opinion.

[supremecoltsfan300]

My list is somewhat similar:

QBs

Peyton Manning

Tom Brady

Drew Brees

Aaron Rodgers

Ben Roethlisberger

Philip Rivers (bad year, but still elite)

Eli Manning

RBs

Adrian Peterson

MJD

Arian Foster

Chris Johnson (bad year but remember the 2000 yard season)

Matt Forte

Michael Turner

Fred Jackson

WRs

Andre Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Reggie Wayne

Wes Welker

Greg Jennings

Calvin Johnson

Roddy White

Brandon Marshall

TEs

Antonio Gates

Dallas Clark

Vernon Davis

Jason Witten

Tony Gonzalez

Rob Gronkowski

*Jimmy Graham is close, but not yet*

OT

Joe Thomas

Jake Long

Ryan Clady

Michael Roos

Matt Light

OG

Jahri Evans

Chris Snee

Carl Nicks

Logan Mankins

Bobbie Williams

Ben Grubbs

C

Nick Mangold

Jeff Saturday

Matt Birk

Andre Gurode

Olin Kreutz

Alex Mack

DEs

Julius Peppers

Dwight Freeney

Robert Mathis

Justin Tuck

Jared Allen

Justin Smith

Trent Cole (barely)

DTs/NTs

Vince Wilfork

Haloti Ngata

Kyle Williams

Ndamukong Suh

Kevin Williams

Cullen Jenkins

LBs

Ray Lewis

Patrick Willis

Jon Beason

Brian Urlacher

Demarcus Ware

Clay Matthews

Honestly the list goes on and on

CBs

Darrelle Revis

Asante Samuel

Nnamdi Asomugha

Charles Woodson

Carlos Rogers (this year solidifies it)

Cortland Finnegan

Champ Bailey

Stanford Routt (most underrated, and this year solidifies it)

Tracy Porter

Brent Grimes

S

Troy Polamalu

Ed Reed

Atnoine Bethea

Nick Collins

Adrian Wilson

*if healthy, Eric Berry*

Michael Griffin

Ks

Adam Vinatieri

Sebastian Janikowski

Neil Rackers

David Akers

Dan Carpenter

Stephen Gostkowski

Ps

Shane Lechler

Andy Lee

Mat McBriar

Sam Koch

Mike Scifres

Pat Mcafee

Rs

Devin Hester

Josh Cribbs

Marc Mariani

Patrick Peterson

Johnny Knox

Ted Ginn Jr

Eric Weems

i like your list a lot. I got lazy with mine and stopped naming other positions. I think rivers is in that category right below elite with romo. Those two are very similar to me. I didnt list wayne n clark in part due to my disappointment. I think i would put wayne in elite but clark to me is a product of manning. I think clark is very good but not in the top 6 at his position. For running backs i think u have to include sproles because of all the versatility he brings in catching, running, and returning.

[Andy]

i like your list a lot. I got lazy with mine and stopped naming other positions. I think rivers is in that category right below elite with romo. Those two are very similar to me. I didnt list wayne n clark in part due to my disappointment. I think i would put wayne in elite but clark to me is a product of manning. I think clark is very good but not in the top 6 at his position. For running backs i think u have to include sproles because of all the versatility he brings in catching, running, and returning.

But with that logic I can say Gronkowski is only good because of Brady, and Witten is only good because of Romo, and Gates is only good because of Rivers/Brees... you can't just say that, Clark is amazing at catching and blocking. He doesn't wear gloves during the game, and as a former receiver that's #edely hard.

[MTC]

QB: Brady, Rodgers, Brees

RB: Peterson, McCoy, Foster

WR: White, Wallace, Megatron

TE: Gates, Gronk, Witten

[supremecoltsfan300]

But with that logic I can say Gronkowski is only good because of Brady, and Witten is only good because of Romo, and Gates is only good because of Rivers/Brees... you can't just say that, Clark is amazing at catching and blocking. He doesn't wear gloves during the game, and as a former receiver that's #edely hard.

With those other Tight ends we mentioned i would describe them as freaks. Gronkowski has a huge arm span and is just huge. He catches everything it seems. 15 years from now i think all those elite Tight ends will be much better statistically than clark. Of course we wont know for sure for years. Just from watching these guys on tv i would say they are better than clark and in a hypotheyical draft i would take them over clark. But like i said i still think clark is really good on his own without manning just not elite.

[Andy]

With those other Tight ends we mentioned i would describe them as freaks. Gronkowski has a huge arm span and is just huge. He catches everything it seems. 15 years from now i think all those elite Tight ends will be much better statistically than clark. Of course we wont know for sure for years. Just from watching these guys on tv i would say they are better than clark and in a hypotheyical draft i would take them over clark. But like i said i still think clark is really good on his own without manning just not elite.

Here's the thing... he plays with Manning, but he's still very good, maybe not elite. Curtis Painter is not a good example, they need to give him a mediocre QB like Alex Smith, and see how he does.

[supremecoltsfan300]

Here's the thing... he plays with Manning, but he's still very good, maybe not elite. Curtis Painter is not a good example, they need to give him a mediocre QB like Alex Smith, and see how he does.

"maybe not elite." that's all i'm trying to say. But i want clark on my team. Like u said u would need him to be with a qb like smith in order to really tell. I hope that never happens to clark.

[Blue Horseshoe]

But with that logic I can say Gronkowski is only good because of Brady, and Witten is only good because of Romo, and Gates is only good because of Rivers/Brees... you can't just say that, Clark is amazing at catching and blocking. He doesn't wear gloves during the game, and as a former receiver that's #edely hard.

What have Clark and Wayne done in their only season without Manning?

[IndyTrav]

Your guys version of Elite is much different than mine

QBs:

Manning,Brady,Brees, Rodgers

RBs: Peterson, Steven Jackson, CJ

WR: Fitz,Calvin,Andre,Brandon Marshall

TE: Davis

OL:Thomas,Evans,Mangold,Mankins, Diehl

DE: Allen, C.Johnson

DT: Suh,Wilfork, Ngata(DE)

OLB Ware,Hali,Williams

MLB Beason,Willis

DB Revis-Woodson

FS Reed/Troy P

SS None

[IndyTrav]

But with that logic I can say Gronkowski is only good because of Brady, and Witten is only good because of Romo, and Gates is only good because of Rivers/Brees... you can't just say that, Clark is amazing at catching and blocking. He doesn't wear gloves during the game, and as a former receiver that's #edely hard.

You can just not put Clark there b/c he has 1 1000yd season, and only 3 seasons of 500+yds in 9 years. Clark can't hold a candle to to the 'real' TE's in the league. Clark has nightmares about Witten and Davis.

[supremecoltsfan300]

Your guys version of Elite is much different than mine

QBs:

Manning,Brady,Brees, Rodgers

RBs: Peterson, Steven Jackson, CJ

WR: Fitz,Calvin,Andre,Brandon Marshall

TE: Davis

OL:Thomas,Evans,Mangold,Mankins, Diehl

DE: Allen, C.Johnson

DT: Suh,Wilfork, Ngata(DE)

OLB Ware,Hali,Williams

MLB Beason,Willis

DB Revis-Woodson

FS Reed/Troy P

SS None

your list is actually similar to mine and andy's. You just have less players for each position.

[IndyTrav]

your list is actually similar to mine and andy's. You just have less players for each position.

Yea, I have 31. And frankly, Im ashamed. I probably should have left FS off entirely, as well as Peyton.

You two have 101.

I 100% can not put that many people into the 'Elite' range.

[Kenny]

Yea, I have 31. And frankly, Im ashamed. I probably should have left FS off entirely, as well as Peyton.

You two have 101.

I 100% can not put that many people into the 'Elite' range.

I agree with you. And on the topic of Clark I feel his numbers aren't as good because of how manning spreads the ball. He has sure hands and knows how to make his skillet count. There are just many weapons that I'd love to see us using again on offense.

[supremecoltsfan300]

Yea, I have 31. And frankly, Im ashamed. I probably should have left FS off entirely, as well as Peyton.

You two have 101.

I 100% can not put that many people into the 'Elite' range.

elite doesnt mean hof. There are elite players at each position. Elite means you are the best of the best of your peers. There is no way you can leave off peyton. And how can u possibly leave off safeties from the list. Some of the guys playing are some of the best football players ever (like reed and troy).

[IndyTrav]

elite doesnt mean hof. There are elite players at each position. Elite means you are the best of the best of your peers. There is no way you can leave off peyton. And how can u possibly leave off safeties from the list. Some of the guys playing are some of the best football players ever (like reed and troy).

Peyton,Tony G, Reed, no one knows if they are going to continue performing at elite level. Heck, all 3 could be retired at the end of the year. So therefore I made my list based on now and moving forward.

Yes some can be elite, but when you are putting people like Finnigan/Grimes/Porter in the same 'Elite' class as Revis/Woodson/Nnamdi?!!? Thats pure lunacy. And the same can be said with the rest of your position rankings. Fred Jackson in the same class as AP? Welker/Jennings same as Fitz/Andre/Calvin? Freeney/Mathis same page as Allen? Not even remotley. All those players you listed are good, but elite? Come on.

[IndyTrav]

I agree with you. And on the topic of Clark I feel his numbers aren't as good because of how manning spreads the ball. He has sure hands and knows how to make his skillet count. There are just many weapons that I'd love to see us using again on offense.

Manning spreading the ball around could be a legit argument. But every player has a legit argument. Manning may spread the ball but the 49ers have had something like 5 OC in 5 years (V.Davis), or a QB who is TO prone (Witten) so on and so forth. Its my belief if you put V.Davis in place of Dallas Clark, he would produce 10x what Clark did, but I dont think you can put Clark in SF and have him succeed like Vernon did.

[supremecoltsfan300]

Peyton,Tony G, Reed, no one knows if they are going to continue performing at elite level. Heck, all 3 could be retired at the end of the year. So therefore I made my list based on now and moving forward.

Yes some can be elite, but when you are putting people like Finnigan/Grimes/Porter in the same 'Elite' class as Revis/Woodson/Nnamdi?!!? Thats pure lunacy. And the same can be said with the rest of your position rankings. Fred Jackson in the same class as AP? Welker/Jennings same as Fitz/Andre/Calvin? Freeney/Mathis same page as Allen? Not even remotley. All those players you listed are good, but elite? Come on.

Until there is reason and not conjecture to say peyton wont perform at his elite level, he is still elite. Troy n ed still are playmakers. With the cb position, revis and woodson are so much better than the rest they cant define the elite position. Guys like nnamdi and dinnegan define the elite position better. Welker is so underrated. He catches 100+ balls every season and converts 3rds downs better than anyone. Jennings is amazing. Physical, great jumping ability and is a mismatch against most cb. While i am disappointed in freeny and mathis this year and think overall they are not hof worthy im not gonna say they arent elite. The two have been in the top stats for sacks and ff over the last seven years. Elite means about 5-6 players who are the best.

[Andy]

What have Clark and Wayne done in their only season without Manning?

Well they haven't had a QB to compare Manning with. Painter is a terrible backup, they need an average QB like Matt Moore, or Vince Young to see how they do. Every superstars numbers would go down with Painter's.

[Andy]

You can just not put Clark there b/c he has 1 1000yd season, and only 3 seasons of 500+yds in 9 years. Clark can't hold a candle to to the 'real' TE's in the league. Clark has nightmares about Witten and Davis.

Keep in mind that Clark had multiple seasons sharing the starting role with Marcus Pollard.

[IndyTrav]

Until there is reason and not conjecture to say peyton wont perform at his elite level, he is still elite. Troy n ed still are playmakers. With the cb position, revis and woodson are so much better than the rest they cant define the elite position. Guys like nnamdi and dinnegan define the elite position better. Welker is so underrated. He catches 100+ balls every season and converts 3rds downs better than anyone. Jennings is amazing. Physical, great jumping ability and is a mismatch against most cb. While i am disappointed in freeny and mathis this year and think overall they are not hof worthy im not gonna say they arent elite. The two have been in the top stats for sacks and ff over the last seven years. Elite means about 5-6 players who are the best.

Elway left on top, he still elite?

Welker is not underrated in the slightest. Welker just does't play the same position as everyone else. Welker is dictated by matchup not talent. Wes Welker will never be a #1 WR. Jennings, while good, still cant perform at the levels of Fitz/Calvin/Andre, and thats playing with arguably the best QB in the NFL right now.

And while were on the subject, Freeney over the last 7 years, doesn't even have the most sacks on the Colts, let alone the NFL. Allen alone has 28 more sacks. Peppers has more and he had a 2.5 sack season in there. Freeney couldn't hold Allens lunch.

[IndyTrav]

Keep in mind that Clark had multiple seasons sharing the starting role with Marcus Pollard.

03-04

He still can't hold a candle to the real TEs in the league. Namely Tony G, Witten, Davis, Gates.

And its not even close.

[supremecoltsfan300]

Elway left on top, he still elite?

Welker is not underrated in the slightest. Welker just does't play the same position as everyone else. Welker is dictated by matchup not talent. Wes Welker will never be a #1 WR. Jennings, while good, still cant perform at the levels of Fitz/Calvin/Andre, and thats playing with arguably the best QB in the NFL right now.

And while were on the subject, Freeney over the last 7 years, doesn't even have the most sacks on the Colts, let alone the NFL. Allen alone has 28 more sacks. Peppers has more and he had a 2.5 sack season in there. Freeney couldn't hold Allens lunch.

ok you did not seriously compare elway's 13 years of not playing to peyton's almost 1 year. Welker dominates and that's all that matters. A-rod is playing so well because he has the best recieving core in the game, and possibly one of the best of all time. Jenning's is also a better route runner than calvin. Both can jump up and catch the ball way over the defender's head though.

[CCH]

QBs

Peyton Manning

Aaron Rodgers

Tom Brady

Drew Brees

HBs

Adrian Peterson

Arian Foster

Matt Forte

Ray Rice

Chris Johnson

LeSean McCoy

Maurice Jones-Drew

WR

Andre Johnson

Calvin Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Greg Jennings

Wes Welker

Roddy White

TE

Jimmy Graham

Antonio Gates

Jason Witten

Rob Gronkowski

T

Joe Thomas

Jake Long

Ryan Clady

OG

Jahri Evans

Ben Grubbs

C

Nick Mangold

Jeff Saturday

DEs

Julius Peppers

Jared Allen

Dwight Freeney

Justin Smith

Robert Mathis

DTs

Ndomukong Suh

Haloti Ngata

Kyle Williams

Kevin Williams

LBs

Ray Lewis

Patrick Willis

DeMarcus Ware

Clay Matthews

Brian Urlacher

Jon Beason

*Von Miller is coming up quickly

CBs

Darrelle Revis

Nnamdi Asomugha

Charles Woodson

Champ Bailey

S

Troy Polamalu

Ed Reed

K

Sebastian Janikowski

David Akers

Jason Hanson

Robbie Gould

Neil Rackers

P

Shane Lechler

Mat McBrair

Pat McAfee

KR/PR

Devin Hester

Patrick Peterson

DeSean Jackson

Ted Ginn Jr.

Josh Cribbs

I tried my best to separate the very good players from the elite players

[Andy]

03-04

He still can't hold a candle to the real TEs in the league. Namely Tony G, Witten, Davis, Gates.

And its not even close.

03 and 04, which makes that 7 seasons as a starter. Keep in mind it takes a couple of years for a young tight end to develop. He really took off in 2007, and has been at the top ever since. He seperates from these guys with his amazing blocking skills. THe only guy on that list you said that has as good blocking as him is Witten. Gates is ok, too.