The Pittsburgh Steelers got their first representative tonight on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2015 List, with All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey being listed at number 83.
Considering, as mentioned, Pouncey was named to the first-team All-Pro team, and only topped out on the list as the 83rd overall player, it seems unlikely, for example, that Pro Bowl teammate, inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, will make the list.
The Steelers sent four offensive players, however, to the Pro Bowl last year, and all four should make it onto the list. Three of them were on the first-team All-Pro list, including Pouncey, wide receiver Antonio Brown, and running back Le’Veon Bell.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was named to the Pro Bowl, but not the All-Pro list, but the position is weighed significantly higher than most. In fact, Roethlisberger should see his highest placement on the list yet.
As for Pouncey, he returned in 2014 from missing just about all of the previous season with a torn ACL, and he turned in perhaps the best season yet of his career, not missing a beat and quickly regaining his All-Pro form as he helped Bell and Roethlisberger both break franchise records behind his blocking and protection.
It will be interesting to see where Pouncey lands in relation to some of the other offensive linemen that will inevitably make the list. In his five seasons, he has earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and four first- or second-team bids to the All-Pro list, with his injured 2013 season being the lone exception.
Center @MaurkicePouncey has been named No. 83 on @nflnetwork‘s #Top100 players in 2015. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/ouGGtwgwJ5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 14, 2015
NUMBER 83: The first offensive lineman on the list! @steelers C @MaurkicePouncey #NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/Qqe0ILQCLn
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 14, 2015
