CBS Sports Senior Writer Pete Prisco has unveiled his annual list of the Top 100 NFL players, with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes retaining the top spot. While Mahomes’ position is unsurprising, there are notable changes throughout the list, highlighting significant risers and fallers compared to the previous year.
Top Risers in Prisco’s Top 100
Trey Hendrickson – After a standout season with over double his previous sack total, Hendrickson made the most substantial leap among all returning players. This marks his third double-digit sack season in the last four years.
Penei Sewell (Lions) – The versatile tackle has cemented his status as one of the NFL’s best, excelling regardless of which side he plays on.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) – Recognized as perhaps the league’s top slot receiver, St. Brown’s high performance and significant offseason pay reflect his rising star.
Roquan Smith – Smith earned his fourth consecutive All-Pro nod in 2023, marking his second First Team selection since joining Baltimore.
Chris Lindstrom – Now in his prime, Lindstrom is regarded as one of the premier guards in the game, with consecutive Pro Bowl and All-Pro Second Team appearances.
Jordan Mailata – Mailata has grown into one of the NFL’s elite tackles, anchoring the line alongside Lane Johnson following Jason Kelce’s departure.
Maxx Crosby – Crosby continues to improve, with three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections, leading the league in tackles for loss for two consecutive seasons.
CeeDee Lamb – Leading the NFL in catches last season, Lamb has consistently improved his stats, culminating in a First Team All-Pro selection and third place in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Derrick Brown – Known for his run-stopping prowess, Brown’s performance remains exceptional despite modest stats due to his specific role.
Tristan Wirfs – Wirfs’ switch from the right to the left side of the line has been seamless, significantly boosting his ranking.
Biggest Fallers in Prisco’s Top 100
Zack Martin – Age is catching up with Martin, impacting his performance.
Derrick Henry – Henry’s ranking has plummeted significantly.
Lane Johnson – Another player whose ranking has dropped due to age.
Lavonte David – David’s decline is also largely age-related.
Jalen Ramsey – Although still strong, Ramsey had a comparatively down year.
Jeffery Simmons – Missed time and Tennessee’s overall defensive backslide contributed to his fall.
Jaire Alexander – Only played seven games, affecting his ranking.
Minkah Fitzpatrick – Played just 10 games last season.
Trevor Lawrence – Plateaued in his second year under Doug Pederson.
Brian Burns – Slightly less effective in rushing the passer compared to the previous year.
New Entries to Prisco’s Top 100
Many of the new entries are younger players who have recently made significant impacts:
- Allen (26)
- Trent McDuffie (23)
- Antoine Winfield Jr. (25)
- Jaelan Johnson (25)
- Kyle Hamilton (23)
- C.J. Stroud (22)
- Brandon Aiyuk (26)
- Justin Madubuike (26)
- Jessie Bates III (27)
- Danielle Hunter (29)
All these players have had Pro Bowl or All-Pro seasons recently.
Prisco’s Top 100 list for 2024 reflects the dynamic nature of the NFL, where rising stars and aging veterans continually shift the landscape. The Lions, in particular, have seen significant improvements in player rankings, while established names like Derrick Henry have experienced notable declines.
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