theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2016: 50-41

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

Michael Bennett, DE, Seahawks
5 sacks, 34 tackles

There's a strong case to be made that Bennett is the Seahawks' most important defensive player. Equally adept at end or tackle, Bennett poses a problem in any matchup he encounters, with an unmatched ability to get off the line of scrimmage. Bennett's proclivity to cause chaos makes everyone else's role easier, a testament to his immense skill set and versatility. - Srinivasan

Kelechi Osemele, G, Raiders
0 sacks allowed

Osemele surrendered only 11 quarterback pressures all season, according to Pro Football Focus, and didn't allow a sack. He was also a driving force in one of the NFL's best run-blocking lines. - Woods

Janoris Jenkins, CB, Giants
3 INTs, 18 passes defensed
49 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF

Jenkins didn't come cheap in free agency, but he was worth every dollar the Giants spent. On a bigger stage, playing for a playoff-bound team, Jenkins was able to showcase why he's one of the premiere players at his position. His ability to matchup with and lock down top receivers helped New York's defense transform into an elite unit. - Boone

Sean Lee, LB, Cowboys
145 tackles, 1 FR

Lee was the best player on the field for a Dallas defense that ranked fifth in scoring, and it wasn't particularly close, either. Clearly healthy after a frustrating stretch of injuries, the veteran linebacker blew away his previous career high in tackles. - Wilkins

David Bakhtiari, LT, Packers
3 sacks allowed

Bakhtiari is the leader of the Packers' offensive line and should receive a tremendous amount of credit in allowing Aaron Rodgers to remain in the pocket for what seems like forever. A superior pass blocker, Bakhtiari is every bit deserving of national attention and is a warranted second-team All-Pro. - Srinivasan

Earl Thomas, S, Seahawks
48 tackles, 2 INTs
10 passes defensed, 1 FR

Thomas missed the first games of his career in 2016 and contemplated retirement after suffering a broken leg in Week 13. The Seahawks desperately need him back, as Thomas' absence from the lineup made it abundantly clear he's the peg that holds the whole system together. - Woods

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Texans
6 sacks, 52 tackles, 1 FF

The former first overall pick took a major step forward in his third season, resulting in a breakout that had been delayed only by injuries. Clowney emerged as a game-changing pass-rusher, who will become even more problematic for opponents once J.J. Watt returns to the field in 2017. - Boone

Malcolm Butler, CB, Patriots
4 INTs, 17 passes defensed
63 tackles, 1 FF

The Super Bowl XLIX hero has proven to be anything but a flash in the plan. Butler moved yet another step closer to joining the league's elite corners with career bests in both interceptions and passes defensed, playing a leading role for New England's top-ranked scoring defense. - Wilkins

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Dolphins
72 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 FR

Suh remains a polarizing figure due to his dirty tactics, but he's still one of the NFL's premier defensive linemen. Gifted with unfathomable speed for his size, Suh is a marquee pass-rusher while primarily lined up under center. Suh is the face of the Dolphins' defense and earned every bit of the $114-million deal he inked nearly two years ago. - Srinivasan

A.J. Bouye, CB, Texans
1 INT, 16 passes defensed
63 tackles

Not many saw it coming, but Bouye joined the conversation as one of the NFL's best cover corners in his breakout 2016 campaign. It couldn't have come at a better time for the impending free agent. He's about to cash in. - 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