theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016: 10-1

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

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
322 carries, 1,631 rushing yards, 15 TDs
32 catches, 363 receiving yards, 1 TD

Elliott belied his rookie status from the minute he took the field, winning the rushing title by 318 yards during his first year with the Cowboys. Emerging as the most electrifying player of the season, Elliott's snaps became must-watch television, liable to score on any down. Elliott redefined conventional thinking about running backs, and teams will be more likely to use their first-round picks at the position after his tremendous success. The 21-year-old's astonishing speed, field vision, and athleticism were on full display this season, earning him first-team All-Pro honors before he could legally buy a drink. - Srinivasan

Von Miller, LB, Broncos
13.5 sacks, 78 tackles, 3 FF

Through 12 games, Miller was every bit the unstoppable force he was in Super Bowl 50, making 13.5 sacks and 22 quarterback knockdowns. He did it with the target of Super Bowl MVP over his head, facing frequent double-teams and offensive game plans designed to neutralize him. A quiet final quarter of the season hurt Miller in our rankings, but not enough to knock him from the top 10. If he turns even a quarter of his quarterback hits into sacks next season, you might see him claim the No. 1 spot. - Woods

Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
47 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 FF

There's an argument to be made that Donald is the most dominant player at any position in the NFL. Creating consistent pressure from the interior of the defensive line is not an easy task, but one Donald performs routinely. Only Geno Atkins had more sacks among defensive tackles this season. It's hard to imagine his game reaching another level, but with the arrival of one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, Wade Phillips, there's a chance we could see an even more effective version of Donald in 2017. - Boone

Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
83 catches, 1,409 yards, 6 TDs

Kyle Shanahan deserves all the praise he received for Atlanta's high-powered offense, but scheme will only get you so far. The Falcons' offense boasts arguably the league's most talented crop of playmakers, and the generational talent at receiver is the key to it all. Reasonably speaking, there isn't a cornerback in today's NFL that can expect to limit Jones' effectiveness in one-on-one situations. Performances like that of his 12-catch, 300-yard showing in Week 4 somehow aren't even all that surprising anymore. - Wilkins

Khalil Mack, DE, Raiders
11 sacks, 73 tackles
5 FF, 1 INT, 1 TD

Whether you classify Mack as a defensive end or linebacker, he's unequivocally the best player at his position and stands to dominate the next decade. Mack is the NFL's best pass-rusher and its most industrious, playing the second-most snaps by any defensive lineman, eviscerating opponents in every facet of the game. With due apologies to Derek Carr, Mack is the primary reason why the Raiders snapped a 13-year playoff drought. Boasting an unmatched array of moves off the edge, there's nothing Mack can't do at this point. - Srinivasan

Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
261 carries, 1,268 rushing yards, 7 TDs
75 catches, 616 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Like Tom Brady, Bell’s case for the top spot on this list would have been bolstered if he didn’t open the season under suspension. In a dozen games played, Bell amassed 1,884 yards from scrimmage, good for third in the league. Had he maintained his pace over 16 games, he would have broken the all-time record for yards in a season. Bell is truly unique among running backs; he seems to slow down time behind the line of scrimmage before identifying the hole and slashing through it. Watching him feels like watching the evolution of the position. - Woods

David Johnson, RB, Cardinals
293 carries, 1,239 rushing yards, 16 TDs
80 catches, 879 receiving yards, 4 TDs

In the history of the NFL, the 20-touchdown barrier has only been eclipsed 28 times and Johnson is now among that rare company. The Cardinals' superstar back is as dynamic of a runner as he is a receiver, but is equipped with the power to break through tackles when the situation calls for it. As Carson Palmer declines with age, Arizona will need to lean on Johnson more and more if they are going to remain competitive in the NFC and DJ has proven that he can handle the load. Next up according to Johnson is a 1,000-rushing yard and 1,000-receiving yard campaign. Do you really doubt him? - Boone

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
4,428 passing yards, 40 TDs, 7 INTs
369 rushing yards, 4 TDs

Tom Brady getting a fifth Super Bowl ring is going to lock up the greatest quarterback debate for quite some time, and deservedly so. But were we to approach such a debate from a pure talent standpoint, rather than one centered around accomplishments, Rodgers should be the runaway favorite. It's become something of a weekly tradition to watch him pick apart defenses with throws that other quarterbacks wouldn't dream of making, and doing so with relative ease. What Rodgers did in leading Green Bay back from a 4-6 hole to earn a playoff spot this season was borderline superhuman. - Wilkins

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
4,944 passing yards, 38 TDs, 7 INTs
117 rushing yards

Ryan elevated his game to a new level in 2016, orchestrating the league's highest-scoring offense en route to a Super Bowl appearance. The MVP remained hyper-efficient with increased volume and did an outstanding job of distributing passes evenly among the team's secondary and tertiary receivers. There should be little debate about Ryan's place among the league's best quarterbacks, proving that he's capable of making every throw possible, while directing the Falcons' offense at a scorching pace. Ryan submitted a season for the ages, one that will be remembered long after he retires. - Srinivasan

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
3,554 passing yards, 28 TDs, 2 INTs

Even with four games missed due to suspension, Brady produced a season for the ages, playing nearly mistake-free football in leading the Patriots to the AFC’s top seed. On 432 passing attempts, Brady threw only two interceptions, the lowest percentage of passes picked off in NFL history. And he did it with star tight end Rob Gronkowski injured for most of the season and the NFL’s 24th-best rushing attack in yards per carry behind him. It should be impossible, but at age 39 Brady might just be hitting his peak. - 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