theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016: 80-71

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

Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
83 catches, 1,153 yards, 5 TDs

Cooper is the ninth player in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons. Unfortunately, injuries slowed his production down the stretch for the second straight year. If Cooper can put together a healthy 16-game campaign, he'll join the upper echelon at his position. - Boone

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots
299 carries, 1,161 yards, 18 TDs

Blount quietly had one of the most productive seasons we've seen from a running back in the last decade. Constantly finishing off drives for a high-powered Patriots offense, his 18 rushing scores tied Adrian Peterson and DeAngelo Williams for the most since LaDainian Tomlinson's 28 back in 2006. - Wilkins

Olivier Vernon, DE, Giants
63 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 1 FF

It was easy to question New York's decision to give Vernon a five-year, $85-million deal - until he hit the field. The Giants enjoyed a return to dominance on the defensive line, due in large part to Vernon's steady presence. He was a force against the run and applied far more consistent pressure than his sack number would suggest. - Wilkins

Jack Conklin, RT, Titans
1 sack allowed

The first Titans rookie to be named a first-team All-Pro this century, Conklin allowed only one sack and took just two penalties all season. Not bad for a player some draft analysts judged to be a physically limited prospect. - Woods

Cameron Wake, DE, Dolphins
29 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 5 FFs, 1 INT

What Wake did this year - coming off an Achilles injury that limited him early in the season - was truly remarkable. The 35-year-old posted the fourth double-digit sack total of his career and continued to harass opposing quarterbacks en route to a starting spot in the Pro Bowl. - Boone

Tyreek Hill, WR/KR, Chiefs
61 catches, 593 yards, 6 TDs
24 carries, 267 yards, 3 TDs
3 return TDs

Hill may be the NFL's fastest player in the open field, adding a layer of explosiveness that was previously missing in Kansas City. The rookie emerged as a dynamic receiver, rusher, and returner, and is steadily evolving into the league's most well-rounded weapon. Hill sports the potential to score every time he's given the ball, breathing life into a conservative scheme. - Srinivasan

Kawann Short, DT, Panthers
55 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 FF

Short excelled as a one-man battering ram, deflecting passes, stuffing gaps on tackles for losses, and terrorizing quarterbacks frequently. The 28-year-old is a wrecking ball and should receive a gargantuan contract when free agency commences this spring. - Srinivasan

Brandon Graham, DE, Eagles
59 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 FFs

Graham managed only 5.5 sacks in 2016, but was the victim of some bad luck in that area. He was routinely in the faces of opposing quarterbacks and his 83 pressures should have resulted in a higher number. - Woods

Patrick Peterson, CB, Cardinals
3 INTs, 6 passes defensed
51 tackles

Peterson's 2016 stats may not jump off the page, but he remains one of the league's top shutdown corners. No coverman spent more time lining up against opponents' No. 1 receivers this season, according to Pro Football Focus, which makes it even more impressive how infrequently quarterbacks threw Peterson's way. - Boone

DeMarco Murray, RB, Titans
293 carries, 1,287 yards, 9 TDs
53 catches, 377 yards, 3 TDs

Murray was paramount to the Titans' offensive philosophy and proved again that he's one of the NFL's elite running backs. Paired with an excellent offensive line, his power, speed, and vision were on full display, as the prototypical power back bowled defenders into the dirt. Murray was certainly reinvigorated after a down year in Phiadelphia, much to the chagrin of linebackers everywhere. - Srinivasan

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