NFL Network 2011 Top 100 Players Rankings 100-61 With Approximate Value Numbers

Every Sunday night and Monday morning the hot topic of discussion as of late is the Top 100 Players of 2011 rankings that the NFL Network is currently doing. The players were voted on and ranked reportedly by all of the players in the league and the network is releasing 10 a week as they count backwards from 100 to 1. Every week there are a few jaw droppers and nearly every player evokes some sort of discussion. I like the discussion more than the rankings as it certainly seems to be a popularity contest more than it does anything else.

As of last night they have made it to #61 and have thus ranked 40 players so far. I thought it would be fun to not only list them, but to also add their 2010 Approximate Value (AV) number according to Pro Football Reference as well as their career weighted Approximate Value number in addition. I also listed the number of Pro Bowls that each player has to their credit.

I find it laughable still that Mike Williams made this list at #83 and that B.J. Raji ranks ahead of players like LaMarr Woodley, Lance Briggs and his fellow Packer teammate Chad Clifton to name a few. I also find it hard to swallow that Greg Jennings finishes behind both Tony Romo and Miles Austin of the Cowboys.

While I think Vonta Leach is a hell of a fullback, I think #65 is way too high for him and I think his AV number shows one of the flaws of the Pro Football Reference AV ratings where true fullbacks are concerned. If you put Leach on this list, don\’t you think Ovie Mughelli from the Falcons belongs as well?

There is no true undeniable method of ranking players just yet, but sites like Football Outsiders and Pro Football Focus are certainly headed in the right direction in doing so along with PFR. Letting the players vote is a bit useless in my opinion and I am curious how the fan voting will shake out when these rankings wind down.

The table below should be sortable and should you feel so inclined to share your beef with the rankings so far, feel free to do so in the comments or via Facebook.