Seven Rookies Make NFL Top 100 Players List

Jun 12, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) throws a pass during mini camp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL’s Top 100 players list is a great way for the NFL Network to get viewers and cause a stir in the offseason, but it’s really usually a terrible list. This year is proof of that, with Aldon Smith being ranked higher than Von Miller and five players being ranked ahead of Aaron Rodgers.

I can’t think of five players in the last 10 years that I’d take over Aaron Rodgers, much less last season playing at the level he has been.

Still, the fact remains, the Network puts together this list which somehow the players have put together (which I don’t really get. did they send out a survey?) and this year, there were a whopping SEVEN rookies on the list, including two picks from the Washington Redskins’ class of 2012.

Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III (WAS), Andrew Luck (IND), and Russell Wilson (SEA) made the list, as well as running backs Alfred Morris (WAS), Trent Richardson (CLE), and Doug Martin (TB). The lone defensive player from the class of 2012 to make the list was rookie of the year Luke Kuechly, who was an immediate impact starter (as expected) for the Carolina Panthers.

Griffin was the highest ranked rookie on the list, coming in at 15th overall.

For the full list of players, as well as the rankings for all of the rookies, check out the video archive of the entire class of 2012/13 NFL Top 100.

As far as how the rookies were ranked, I’d have to say I agree with the fact that RG3 was the highest ranked of them all. I do, however, feel like Russell Wilson should have been ranked much closer to Andrew Luck than he was. I’m not sure any player acquired last offseason in the draft will have a bigger impact than those three quarterbacks over the course of their careers.

Even though the Redskins had a lighter draft class due to trading up for Griffin, not only was he worth it, but they were able to find Alfred Morris in the sixth round, and he ended up on this list as well. Not a bad haul for them at all.