theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016: 90-81

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

David DeCastro, G, Steelers
2 sacks allowed

DeCastro allowed just two sacks and created ample space for Ben Roethlisberger to operate in the pocket. A superb run blocker, DeCastro is in the foreground of almost every Le'Veon Bell highlight and is quietly a pillar of the Steelers' quick strike offense. DeCastro seldom loses a one-on-one encounter, and he's been impossible to solve thus far. - Srinivasan

Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins
4,917 yards, 25 TDs, 12 INTs
96 rushing yards, 4 TDs

Cousins’ 4,917 yards passing ranked third in the NFL in 2016, as did his 8.11 yards per attempt. His passer rating dipped below 100, but Cousins did more than enough to ensure he’ll get a massive deal in free agency - if the Redskins don’t tag him again, that is. - Woods

Rodney Hudson, C, Raiders
0 sacks allowed

Hudson is a big part of why the Raiders have one of the most dominant lines in the NFL and his arrival has helped propel the team back to relevance. The Pro Bowl center has been described by teammates as a second quarterback on the field, due to his football intelligence and fierce competitive spirit. - Boone

Taylor Lewan, LT, Titans
1 sack allowed

Lewan holds down the most important spot on a Tennessee offensive line that has emerged as an imposing unit in all phases. The former first-round pick did his best work in leading the way for a third-ranked ground game, but he also finished the year having surrendered just one sack. - Wilkins

Chandler Jones, LB, Cardinals
49 tackles, 11 sacks, 4 FF

Jones was traded to the Cardinals last March and proved why he's one of the NFL's most disruptive forces, irrespective of scheme. Notching 11 sacks, Jones' world class athleticism and closing speed was on full display, forcing quarterbacks into a series of poor decisions. After five NFL seasons, no coordinator is comfortable putting a single lineman opposite Jones. - Srinivasan

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
3,819 yards, 29 TDs, 13 INTs

It's a fool's errand to bet against Roethlisberger, even at this stage of his career. Roethlisberger rattled off another vintage year, completing 64 percent of his passes for 29 touchdowns, steering his team to the AFC Championship Game. At this point, there's a strong case to be made that he's surpassed Terry Bradshaw in Steelers' lore. - Srinivasan

Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots
98 catches, 1,106 yards, 3 TDs

Edelman's impressive 2016 campaign marked the third time in the last four years he's topped the 90-catch mark. Rob Gronkowski may be Tom Brady's most dominant weapon, but Edelman is his most trusted. When Gronk was lost for the year, Edelman stepped into the feature role averaging seven receptions and 93.5 yards per game over the second half of the season. - Boone

Brent Grimes, CB, Buccaneers
4 INTs, 24 passes defensed
57 tackles, 1 FF

Tampa Bay got a bargain in signing Grimes to a two-year, $13.5-million deal in free agency last offseason. The veteran cornerback squashed any concerns about his age by putting together arguably the best season of his 10-year career in steadying an otherwise awful Buccaneers secondary. - Wilkins

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Bengals
101 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTS
8 passes defensed, 1 FF

The oft-criticized Burfict can’t reasonably claim to have ditched the dirtier aspects of his game, but the Bengals don’t seem to mind because they know he’s at his best when playing with a major chip on his shoulder. Despite missing five games, Burfict led the Bengals with 73 solo tackles and was second on the team with 101 combined tackles. - Woods

Gerald McCoy, DT, Buccaneers
34 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 FF

McCoy wasn’t quite at his peak in 2016, but even a lesser version of him is still one of the game’s best interior penetrators. To go along with his seven sacks, McCoy knocked down five passes and forced two fumbles, both career highs. - Woods

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