On last week's edition of the NFL Top 100 players on NFL Network, J.J. Watt checked in at No. 35. He wasn't, uh, shall we say, impressed with that vote by the players given he said he only played three games. At that point, I'm not real sure what he'll have to say about CBS Sports Pete Prisco's list of his top 100 players of the 2017 season.
He ranked Watt at No. 4 behind only Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Aaron Donald.
"(Watt's) coming off a back injury that shortened his season in 2016, so there is uncertainty. But if he can come back to full strength, he will again be one of the game's best defensive players - if not the best," Prisco noted.
Teammate Jadeveon Clowney made the top 100 list for the first time, checking in at No. 49, and that's about where Prisco has him ranked as well – No. 51.
About Clowney, Prisco anticipated that "he will be higher on his list next year".
DeAndre Hopkins didn't have as statistically outstanding season in 2016 like he did in 2015, but Prisco noted his greatness, ranking him at No. 70.
"His numbers fell last season because of poor quarterback play and a lot more attention. But he still remains a big-time threat," Prisco wrote about the Texans star pass catcher.
That was it as far as player making Prisco's top 100, but he did note that Whitney Mercilus was a guy that just missed making the list. But, Whitney did make Ike Taylor's top 100. The former Pittsburgh Steelers star works for NFL Network and was always considered a student of the game. Ironically, he landed his NFL Network gig after his annual contributions to the NFL Top 100 Players show. So, he put together his own countdown of the top 100 players and he ranked Mercilus at No. 70.
Here's hoping that the Texans will be heavily featured in all of next year's top 100 lists.
