SI`s Peter Kings Ranks the Top 500 players

[Him8123]

SI`s Peter Kings Ranks the Top 500 players

1. Peyton Manning QB, Colts Will hold every passing record by 2013
2. Tom Brady QB, Patriots New WR toys make for a monster '07
3. LaDainian Tomlinson RB, Chargers Marshall Faulk with more moves
4. Julius Peppers DE, Panthers Great rusher also drops into coverage
5. Jason Taylor DE, Dolphins Only Tomlinson had a better 2006
6. Champ Bailey CB, Broncos Skins rue Bailey-for-Portis deal, big-time
7. Brian Urlacher LB, Bears League's most versatile defensive player
8. Drew Brees QB, Saints Lifted a teamand a regionlast year
9. Carson Palmer QB, Bengals Among NFL's most talented, least conceited
10. Walter Jones T, Seahawks Quick and powerful, a latter-day Munoz
11. Shawne Merriman LB, Chargers Must excel to erase steroid tinge
12. Ed Reed FS, Ravens B+ cover guy, A+ hitter
13. Dwight Freeney DE, Colts Third-most sacks over past five years
14. Kevin Williams DT, Vikings Classic disruptive power-slashing tackle
15. Antonio Gates TE, Chargers A more muscular Kellen Winslow
16. Aaron Kampman DE, Packers Huge '06: 15 1/2 sacks, 89 tackles
17. Jamal Williams DT, Chargers Textbook block-of-granite noseman
18. Marc Bulger QB, Rams Only eight picks in 588 attempts last season
19. Reggie Bush RB-KR, Saints And now he knows the offense ... scary
20. Matt Hasselbeck QB, Seahawks Will lift his game with better blocking
21. Adalius Thomas LB, Patriots Will be an all-around terror for Pats
22. Steve Smith WR, Panthers Still the NFL's most complete receiver
23. Steve Hutchinson G, Vikings Look outhe's gotten comfy on this line
24. Torry Holt WR, Rams NFL's A-Rod: 289 ca tch es since '04
25. Tommie Harris DT, Bears Hamstring injury crippled Bears late in '06
26. Richard Seymour DE, Patriots You name it: 3-4 end, 4-3 end or tackle
27. Adrian Wilson SS, Cardinals Devastating blitzer; 13 sacks in two seasons
28. Troy Polamalu SS, Steelers Donnie Shell with a ponytail
29. Kerry Rhodes SS, Jets Blitzer with Ronnie Lott-like nose for playmaking
30. Steven Jackson RB, Rams Look for another 2,000-plus total yards
31. Antoine Winfield CB, Vikings League's most physical cover corner
32. Aaron Schobel DE, Bills 14 sacks, 26 pressures last year
33. Andre Johnson WR, Texans Best deep threat no one knows
34. Larry Johnson RB, Chiefs Has 752 carries in two years; how much is left
35. Lance Briggs LB, Bears More tackles, sacks than Urlacher in '06
36. Shaun Alexander RB, Seahawks Showing signs of overuse at 30
37. Ty Warren DE, Patriots Deserves some credit for Seymour's greatness
38. Philip Rivers QB, Chargers Spoon-fed early in '06, won games late
39. Jason Peters T, Bills Converted college TE with feet like Astaire
40. Asante Samuel CB, Patriots Had 12 picks in 18 games last season
41. Vince Young QB, Titans May succeed Vick in role of NFL's Jordan
42. Marvin Harrison WR, Colts At 35, slipping a bit and not as physical
43. Tony Gonzalez TE, Chiefs After 10 years: 721 catches, two games missed
44. Casey Hampton DT, Steelers Space eater frees LBs to make plays
45. Nnamdi Asomugha CB, Raiders Breakout '06: 8 INTs, 11 passes defensed
46. Marcus McNeill T, Chargers Had best rookie season for NFL tackle in years
47. Rashean Mathis CB, Jaguars Toughest cover guy Manning faces
48. Chad Johnson WR, Bengals Total receiving yards last four years: 5,430
49. Nate Clements CB, 49ers Not worth $80 mil, but a top cover man
50. Shawn Andrews G, Eagles Best run-blocking year of any guard in '06
51. Shaun Phillips LB, Chargers Fine speed-rush bookend for Merriman
52. John Henderson DT, Jaguars 325 immovable pounds
53. Bart Scott LB, Ravens Ferocity, speed of Ray Lewis, circa 2000
54. Pat Williams DT, Vikings Mike Tomlin saved his career in '06
55. Brian Dawkins FS, Eagles Would be higher if he were younger than 33
56. Terrell Suggs LB, Ravens Will have a 20-sack season soon
57. Willie Anderson T, Bengals Road grader has 112 straight starts
58. Larry Fitzgerald WR, Cardinals Parcells's pick for best WR in NFL
59. Todd Heap TE, Ravens Just 12 fewer catches than Gates in '05-06
60. Leonard Little DE, Rams More '06 sacks and hurries than even J. Taylor
61. Trevor Pryce DE, Ravens Makes Scott and Suggs premier players
62. DeMarcus Ware LB, Cowboys Phillips could make him another Merriman
63. Calvin Johnson WR, Lions Too high on this list Don't bet against him
64. Charles Grant DE, Saints Deservedly got Dwight Freeney money
65. Derrick Burgess DE, Raiders Has 27 sacks over the last two years
66. Orlando Pace T, Rams Strong again after tearing triceps
67. Alan Faneca G, Steelers Will be great in a salary-drive season
68. Reggie Wayne WR, Colts May have bigger impact than Harrison
69. Devin Hester WR-KR, Bears Wowseven TDs in 85 touches last year
70. Keith Bulluck LB, Titans Nerve center of a rebuilding defense
71. Frank Gore RB, 49ers Tiki West with 2,180 total yards in '06
72. Donovan McNabb QB, Eagles Vital season; must prove he's not too brittle
73. Brian Waters G, Chiefs Lone Ranger after Roaf, Shields retirements
74. Terence Newman CB, Cowboys No stats because no one throws his way
75. Charles Tillman CB, Bears Fiesty, physical ... best big corner in football
76. Jason Witten TE, Cowboys Will blossom under coordinator Jason Garrett
77. DeMeco Ryans LB, Texans NFL's second-leading tackler as a rookie
78. Julian Peterson LB, Seahawks Speedy and has great versatility
79. Kris Dielman G, Chargers His re-signing a godsend for San Diego
80. Javon Walker WR, Broncos Speedy life preserver for green Cutler
81. Kamerion Wimbley LB, Browns Poor man's McGinest, and on same team
82. Antonio Pierce LB, Giants Self-made, productive playmaker
83. Kelly Gregg DT, Ravens Greatest overachiever in the league
84. Maurice Jones-Drew RB, Jaguars What a sick '06: 244 touches, 16 TDs
85. Ben Roethlisberger QB, Steelers Too good for a replay of his lousy '06
86. Ray Lewis LB, Ravens 80% of classic Ray is still pretty good
87. Darren Sharper SS, Vikings Mensa-type secondary leaderand he hits
88. Chris McAlister CB, Ravens Must reduce his penalties (16 in '06).
89. Donald Driver WR, Packers One fewer catch than Harrison since '04
90. Roy Williams WR, Lions A physical 6'3" and a deep threat
91. Jay Cutler QB, Broncos Strong arm, but is he accurate enough?
92. Chad Clifton T, Packers Allowed only 15 sacks over seven seasons
93. Osi Umenyiora DE, Giants Scouts worship him, but injuries dog him
94. Hines Ward WR, Steelers Cowher owes his Super Bowl share to this guy
95. Ronde Barber CB, Bucs Cover corner with Tiki's physicality
96. Brian Westbrook RB, Eagles Stellar six yards per touch in '06
97. Joseph Addai RB, Colts First back with 0 starts, 1,000 rushing yards
98. Logan Mankins G, Patriots Better than guards who just got $7 million a year
99. Matt Leinart QB, Cardinals Too good at USC to not become a solid pro
100. Alge Crumpler TE, Falcons Sure to be Harrington's security blanket
101. Kyle Vanden Bosch DE, Titans Amazing penetration with little line help
102. Robert Mathis DE, Colts He's Leonard Marshall to Freeney's LT
103. Terrell Owens WR, Cowboys Stop dropping the ball -- please
104. Vince Wilfork DT, Patriots Looks like Siragusa, moves like Sapp
105. Jeff Saturday C, Colts Someone's got to decipher Manning's signals
106. Cory Redding DT, Lions Ideal 4-3 interior pass rusher
107. Chad Pennington QB, Jets All he does is complete passes
108. Olin Kreutz C, Bears Lovie: "Best leader I've ever coached''
109. Will Smith DE, Saints Whom do you double -- Smith or Grant
110. Pacman Jones CB-KR, Titans Rightful place if he'd behaved himself
111. Ernie Sims LB, Lions Millen's wisest draft pick (faint praise.)
112. Tamba Hali DE, Chiefs Will play any of four spots in front seven
113. Brett Favre QB, Packers At 37, in best shape of his life
114. Jonathan Ogden T, Ravens Two years beyond his real greatness
115. Laurence Maroney RB, Patriots Durability might be a concern
116. Luis Castillo DL, Chargers Versatile, invaluable on a great defense
117. Albert Haynesworth DT, Titans Best at his position, one rival G.M. says
118. Rod Coleman DT, Falcons Needs a healthy Abraham at DE to prosper
119. Lofa Tatupu LB, Seahawks Younger version of Zach Thomas
120. Jonathan Vilma LB, Jets Doesn't fit Mangini's D; still an impact player
121. Mark Anderson DE, Bears Played on only 48% of snaps but had 12 sacks
122. Chris Samuels T, Redskins Nicked a lot, but dominant when healthy
123. Travis Henry RB, Broncos Next 1,200-yard Denver back
124. Jon Kitna QB, Lions Will throw for 4,500 yards this season
125. Marcus Stroud DT, Jaguars Defense suffered when he was hurt
126. Wes Welker WR-KR, Patriots Don't be shocked if he catches 90
127. Eli Manning QB, Giants Big question: Will he ever complete 63%?
128. Chris Hope SS, Titans Big hitter has to fill void left by Pacman
129. Jake Delhomme QB, Panthers Must play well to stave off David Carr
130. Nathan Vasher CB, Bears Vasher-Tillman: NFL's best CB tandem
131. Roy Williams SS, Cowboys Thunderous hitter who takes risks
132. Jordan Gross T, Panthers LT, RT ... it's all the same to him
133. DeAngelo Hall CB, Falcons Needs to play with more discipline
134. Jammal Brown T, Saints MVP of a rebuilt offensive line
135. Anquan Boldin WR, Cardinals Last two years: 6.2 catches per game
136. Lee Evans WR, Bills Good bet to catch 95 if Losman is steady
137. Tony Romo QB, Cowboys NFL's biggest risk-reward signal-caller
138. Jeremy Shockey TE, Giants Even limping, a lock for 60 catches
139. Eric Steinbach G, Browns Worth $7 million a year Jamal Lewis thinks so
140. Rudi Johnson RB, Bengals More yards last three years than Larry Johnson
141. Will Witherspoon LB, Rams Excelled in first season at MLB last year
142. Al Harris CB, Packers Lives to shut down top wideouts
143. D.J. Williams LB, Broncos Euphoric over move into middle
144. Adam Vinatieri K, Colts Can't value a playoff lock too highly
145. Nick Mangold C, Jets Ohio State-bred to be an NFL center
146. Aaron Smith DE, Steelers Hmm ... Steelers paid him, not Faneca
147. Derrick Johnson LB, Chiefs Will excel with Donnie Edwards's tutelage
148. Marcus Washington LB, Redskins A Tony Dungy-developed star
149. Mike Peterson LB, Jaguars Another Dungy-developed star
150. Dunta Robinson CB, Texans Charley Casserly did something right
151. Benjamin Watson TE, Patriots Production will drop with new WRs
152. RoseveltColvin LB, Patriots One of the best free-agent signings ever
153. Zach Thomas LB, Dolphins At 34, may have two impact years left
154. Bryant McKinnie T, Vikings Needs ferocity to match size (6' 8", 343).
155. Marques Colston WR, Saints Most pleasant surprise of 2006 draft
156. Steve McNair QB, Ravens Will he start 16 games Or six
157. Mike Wahle G, Panthers Departure still being felt by Packers
158. Bernard Berrian WR, Bears Tore through defense in training camp
159. Sean Taylor S, Redskins Taylor-Landry reminds of Tatum-Atkinson
160. J.P. Losman QB, Bills Next Jim Kelly Or next Rob Johnson
161. Matt Schaub QB, Texans Gary Kubiak project had great off-season
162. Patrick Kerney DE, Seahawks Falcons will regret letting him go free
163. Vernon Davis TE, 49ers Watch him skyrocket up fantasy charts
164. Michael Strahan DE, Giants Still an impact guy ... if he wants to be
165. Daryl Smith LB, Jaguars 88 tackles, six passes broken up
166. Rex Grossman QB, Bears Can't have six bad games and be great
167. Marshawn Lynch RB, Bills Rookie's a poor man's Marshall Faulk
168. T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR, Bengals Often Carson Palmer's favorite target
169. Charles Woodson CB, Packers Finally played up to hype last year
170. Joe Thomas T, Browns Team's left tackle through 2018
171. Michael Turner RB, Chargers 6.0 yards per carryfor his career
172. Lito Sheppard CB, Eagles Would be much higher if he stayed healthy
173. Willie Parker RB, Steelers Incredible: barely got off UNC bench
174. L.J. Smith TE, Eagles Staple of Philly's passing game
175. Mike Furrey WR, Lions Martz turned him into NFC receptions leader
176. Jamal Lewis RB, Browns Repeat after me: He's only 28
177. A.J. Hawk LB, Packers Team's defensive QB for next decade
178. Leigh Bodden CB, Browns Carson Palmer knows to throw elsewhere
179. Jeff Backus T, Lions Started all 96 games since being drafted
180. Donte Whitner SS, Bills Premier run-stopping safety as a rookie
181. Chris Naeole G, Jaguars Rock-solid Del Rio kind of drive-blocker
182. Matt Lepsis T, Broncos Someone blocks for all those good backs
183. Bobby McCray DE, Jaguars 10 sacks for top five NFL defense
184. Mathias Kiwanuka LB, Giants New York knows he can play DE or OLB
185. Jeff Garcia QB, Bucs Might have a Pro Bowl season left in him
186. Richard Marshall CB, Panthers One of NFL's best bump-and-run corners
187. Michael Roos T, Titans You'll never guess his nickname: Kanga
188. Terdell Sands DT, Raiders Best on the field for 10 snaps a game
189. Kellen Winslow TE, Browns Good news in '06: 89 catches, no chaos
190. Sean Jones SS, Browns Emerged as a punisher last year
191. Santana Moss WR, Redskins Gamebreaker in Gary Clark mold
192. Justin Smith DE, Bengals Contract year; could have 13 sacks
193. Mike Goff G, Chargers Best guard in AFC, one scout says
194. Ronnie Brown RB, Dolphins One of Saban's disappointing picks
195. Jerricho Cotchery WR, Jets Becoming Pennington's favorite WR
196. Bob Sanders SS, Colts Top 50 player if he played 16 games
197. John Abraham DE, Falcons Top 50 player if he played 16 games
198. Shaun Rogers DT, Lions Top 50 player if he cared for 16 games
199. Kirk Morrison LB, Raiders Work-ethic guy in Matt Millen mold
200. Dallas Clark TE, Colts Gutsy, clutch, glue-fingered; that enough

Other Packer Notables
227. Cullen Jenkins DE, Packers My pick for breakout end in 2007
230. Mark Tauscher T, Packers A Ron Wolf seventh-round gem
308. Greg Jennings WR, Packers
324. Nick Barnett LB , Packers
447. Vernand Morency RB, Packers
490. Scott Wells C, Packers

[MJZiggy]

Driver has one fewer catch than Harrison and Harrison's 42 and Driver's at 89? Something fishy about that. And of COURSE Favre should be higher.

Thanks for posting this Him

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Driver and Favre are to low, but Kampman is to high.

[packinpatland]

That's strange.....................

113. Brett Favre QB, Packers At 37, in best shape of his life

..........then shouldn't he be rated higher? Or was he in such bad shape the other 16 years?

[Him8123]

I think Hawk and woodson should be alot higher too, and Kampman should be higher than peppers, Kampmann had a better year last year

[Him8123]

I dont see how Mcnabb is higher than Favre, Mcnugget hasn`t even played a whole season the last 2 years.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I think Hawk and woodson should be alot higher too, and Kampman should be higher than peppers, Kampmann had a better year last year

Kampman higher than Peppers????? Are these rankings based solely on stats from last year? No way is Kampman better than Peppers, Tommie Haiirs, Rush Bush,.............

[HarveyWallbangers]

Kampman is better than Reggie Bush. Not Peppers.

What other DE came close to leading his league in sacks and leading the entire league at his position in tackles? Some guys rush the passer. A lot of guys stop the run. Not a lot of them do both.

[Harlan Huckleby]

28. Troy Polamalu SS, Steelers
- should be top 10


447. Vernand Morency RB, Packers
- where is DeShawn Wynn on the list?
actually, I am more optimistic about Vern than most

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I was in FL when Wynn was there. If, and a big if, he gets his act together he will be very good. Much more talented than Faison who went, i think, in the third round.

[b bulldog]

Boy, I really hope hat Bush lives up to all of his hype.

[Scott Campbell]

I dont see how Mcnabb is higher than Favre, Mcnugget hasn`t even played a whole season the last 2 years.

I'm ok with that. But why is Leinart higher than Farve. Maybe based on projections, but no way on production.

[esoxx]

Interesting that the Vikings have four players in the top 54, and the Packers have one. Our next after 54 comes 45 spots later. I know these rankings are subjective but it shows the Vikings have more individual talent.

Good thing football is a team game.

[Partial]

Interesting that the Vikings have four players in the top 54, and the Packers have one. Our next after 54 comes 45 spots later. I know these rankings are subjective but it shows the Vikings have more individual talent.

Good thing football is a team game.

I am doing this withtout looking and I say Kevin Williams, Hutch, Pat Williams in that order. Who else is top 54?!?!??

edit: Winfield is overrated. No way should he be that high. Nor should the Bears corners. Vasher makes plays but is a #2 corner at best.

[Guiness]

So Steve Smith is the top receiver now, is he? I guess that's not a reach. Don't know about Tory Holt at number 2 though. Fitzgerald is all the way down at 58...