With the regular season right around the corner (16 days to be exact, but who’s counting), the NFL Top 100 players list has been almost fully revealed.
So far, five Cowboys players have been listed in spots 21-100. The top 20 is going to be unveiled this weekend, so more Cowboys have a shot at cracking the list.
The most notable player to crack the list is Trevon Diggs at number 23. This has drawn a lot of attention on social media as some football fans think Diggs is the real deal, while others think he’s overhyped.
The third-year cornerback is one of the most polarizing players in football based on the range of opinions fans have about him.
So is Diggs worthy of the 23rd spot on the NFL Top 100 list? Let’s dig a little deeper:
Should Diggs be listed at 23rd on the NFL Top 100?
Diggs had 11 interceptions for 142 return yards in his 2021 sophomore season, leading the NFL in both statistics. The Gaithersburg, Maryland-native also had two interceptions returned for touchdowns which was tied for the most in the league.
Those are marks we haven’t seen in the NFL in a long time. The last time a player had 11 interceptions in a single season was Everson Walls in 1981.
But Diggs’ route-jumping style of play also cost him on many occasions. He allowed 1,016 yards in coverage, and many completions went for 15+ yards.
All things considered, Diggs was appropriately ranked on the Top 100 list. NFL offenses have largely transitioned into pass-first mentalities and having a player like Diggs who is capable of flipping possession back over to Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense at any given moment is invaluable.
The list is also voted upon by current NFL players, many of which played against Diggs in 2021. To think fans and media members know more than the players who actually lined up against Diggs last season is a bit outlandish.
Other Cowboys who cracked the list so far
Here are the other four players who have been ranked in the Top 100:
CeeDee Lamb came in at number 95 on the list. It was a bit shocking to see Lamb ranked at so high, especially when comparing his 2021 statistics to some wide receivers listed above him.
Last season, Lamb had 1,102 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle had 1,015 receiving yards and six touchdowns and was ranked 63rd.
Tyron Smith holds the 92nd spot in the rankings, which feels appropriate. When Smith is available, he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber player. But his biggest problem is staying healthy, as he’s only played 14 games in the last two seasons.
Zack Martin sits at 68th on the list, which seems a bit higher than expected. Martin is coming off a 2021 season where he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. But offensive linemen never get as much love as the flashier position players in the NFL.
Dak Prescott appeared in the 44th spot in the Top 100, which seems to be an accurate placement. The QB’s 37 passing touchdowns were a career high, and he also did an excellent job at avoiding turnovers. Prescott had 596 passing attempts, tied for the most in his career, and threw only 10 interceptions.
Cowboys players still to be listed
Two more players on Dallas’ roster should be named in the NFL Top 100 when the full rankings are announced this weekend.
Micah Parsons took the NFL by storm in 2021, recording 13 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. He ranked sixth and third in the NFL, respectively, in each category.
Ezekiel Elliott’s impact declined as the 2021 season progressed, but that can largely be attributed to a partially torn PCL he suffered in Week 4. Despite the injury, Elliott rushed for 1,002 yards, the seventh-most in the NFL, and 10 touchdowns, tied for sixth-most.
