theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016: 100-91

The Top 100 NFL Players of 2016 were selected by a panel of theScore's NFL editors, including Justin Boone, Arun Srinivasan, Dan Wilkins, and David P. Woods, based on the individual players' performance this past regular season.

theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016

• 100-91
• 90-81
• 80-71
• 70-61
• 60-51
• 50-41
• 40-31
• 30-21
• 20-11
• 10-1

Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints
78 catches, 1,173 yards, 8 TDs

In an era when speed is paramount, Cooks embodies everything one desires from a slot receiver. When teams place a single defender on him, he's liable to scorch his opponent with nearly unmatched pace and acceleration, making him Drew Brees' preferred downfield option. - Srinivasan

Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
3,426 passing yards, 26 TDs, 9 INTs
349 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Mariota took a major step toward the NFL's top tier of quarterbacks in 2016, as his impressive level of production came despite an underwhelming group of receivers. Provided he can get healthy before camp, Mariota may be poised for the first of many years leading Tennessee to the playoffs. - Wilkins

Jerrell Freeman, LB, Bears
110 tackles, 5 passes defensed

Freeman was a tackling machine during his four seasons with the Colts, and brought that same run-stuffing ability to the Bears this season. While he gets knocked down the list for a four-game PED suspension in November, Freeman was still one of the best at his position, and provided a major boost to Chicago's defense. - Boone

Justin Tucker, K, Ravens
38-of-39 FGM, 10-for-10 from 50+ yards
27-of-27 XPM

It's rare for a kicker to earn top-100 consideration, but Tucker was so much better than his peers in 2016 that he forced his way onto this list. His stats speak for themselves: 38-of-39 (with his only miss a blocked kick where the defender leaped over the line at the snap) with an NFL-record 10 field goals from 50-plus. - Woods

C.J. Mosley, LB, Ravens
92 tackles, 4 INTs
8 passes defensed, 1 FF

Mosley has been a high-level run defender since breaking into the league as a first-round pick back in 2014. It was much of the same this year, but with some added playmaking ability demonstrated in the pass defense. Mosley is the key cog in a stout Ravens front seven. - Wilkins

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants
53 tackles, 7 sacks
8 passes defensed, 3 FFs

Pierre-Paul overcame the horrific fireworks injury that threatened his career, and resumed his role as a disruptive defensive force. Few players in the NFL can post the kind of single-game stat line JPP put up against the Browns this season, which included seven tackles, three sacks, one forced fumbled, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. - Boone

Jurrell Casey, DT, Titans
44 tackles, 5 sacks
5 passes defensed

Casey has quietly been the leader of the Titans' defense for the past five years, and is finally gaining recognition. Primarily used as an interior lineman, he remains a superior pass-rusher, notching five sacks while often facing double teams. - Srinivasan

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
4,386 yards, 33 TDs, 21 INTs

Rivers' final passing numbers from 2016 don't come close to telling the whole story. He lost Keenan Allen to injury early in the season, then check-down security blanket Danny Woodhead. With a receiving corps full of unproven players like Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman, Rivers still passed for 4,386 yards and 33 touchdowns. - Woods

Josh Norman, CB, Redskins
3 INTs, 19 passes defensed
67 tackles, 2 FFs

Norman may not have captured as many headlines in 2016, but his play was still a nuisance to any receiver he faced. The always vocal coverman finished tied for fifth in the league in passes defensed while leading the Redskins' defense in snaps. - Boone

Jason Peters, LT, Eagles
2 sacks allowed

Some players don't ever slow down. Peters remains an elite blindside protector now through his 13th season, taking some pressure off an Eagles offense that needs work across the board. There may not be a better tackle tandem than Peters and Lane Johnson looking ahead to next season. - Wilkins

theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016

• 100-91
• 90-81
• 80-71
• 70-61
• 60-51
• 50-41
• 40-31
• 30-21
• 20-11
• 10-1