On Wednesday, CBS Sports activities author Pete Prisco printed his annual listing of the NFL’s high 100 gamers.
Prisco makes no secret of it: these rankings are his opinion — though he acknowledges that some “conversations with some league personnel” enter into his yearly evaluations. “Principally, although,” he says, “it’s my listing.”
But it surely isn’t straightforward. That a lot I can promise you. Placing collectively a high 100 listing is more durable than you suppose — apart from No. 1, after all. That’s straightforward. That’s a participant who now clearly seems down from the highest spot of those rankings and shortly is perhaps wanting down from the highest spot of all rankings of gamers in NFL historical past.
Prisco is speaking in regards to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes — the primary of seven Kansas Metropolis gamers in his high 100.
1. Patrick Mahomes · QB · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2023 rating: 1st)
His numbers had been down final season, however he confirmed within the playoffs that he’s the very best participant within the league — and on his strategy to being thought of the very best ever. If he three-peats this season, is it time to say he’s the very best ever?
Sure, it will be. However let’s not get forward of ourselves. The Chiefs have an extended, troublesome highway forward of them—and massive targets on their backs. That’s why a 3rd consecutive NFL championship may have a lot to say about Mahomes’ place on the all-time listing.
14. Chris Jones · DE · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2023: thirteenth)
The Chiefs leaned closely on their protection to win final 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl, with Jones being the catalyst of that unit. He can take over video games, and may accomplish that from the within and the surface. He can wreck an offensive line.
All true. However I’ll quibble with Prisco’s identification of Jones as a defensive finish. That’s so 2021. He’s again to taking part in most of his snaps on the inside. Nonetheless, although, he can win from anyplace.
18. Travis Kelce · TE · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2023: sixth)
He wasn’t fairly pretty much as good final 12 months as he’s been in his profession with too many drops, however he nonetheless stays among the best within the league. A nasty 12 months for him was catching 93 passes, however his yards per catch fell to 10.6, the bottom of his profession. He did amp it up within the postseason with 32 catches in 4 video games.
Prisco acknowledges that for Kelce, a “down” season could be one another tight finish could be proud to say. Even after taking part in in simply 15 video games, he had solely 36 fewer receiving yards than league chief George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers — whom Prisco ranks thirty seventh. In the meantime, no tight finish with 90 or extra targets had extra first downs (or the next success price) than Kelce. That claims loads about how the Kansas Metropolis offense continues to rely on him.
30. Trent McDuffie · CB · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2023: NR)
He had his finest season in serving to the Chiefs’ protection lead the staff to a Tremendous Bowl victory. He performed within the slot within the second half of the season and confirmed off his expertise there to do plenty of issues, together with rush the passer.
Prisco doesn’t purchase the concept that the Chiefs traded away their finest cornerback. L’Jarius Sneed — now with the Tennessee Titans — ranks 51st on his listing. Sure… it’s attainable the Kansas Metropolis secondary might take a step again when McDuffie and Sneed are now not collectively within the defensive backfield. However beneath Brett Veach, Kansas Metropolis has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to seek out high quality gamers for the secondary — so it’s not very attainable.
48. Creed Humphrey · C · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2023: fortieth)
He stays one of many league’s finest facilities, though his play was off a bit final season. He’s good in each the run sport and in cross safety, serving to kind among the best inside trios within the league.
86. Joe Thuney · G · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2023: eightieth)
As a part of the very best interior-line group within the league, he excels in cross safety. He did miss time final season and within the playoffs, which is regarding since he turns 32 in November.
90. Trey Smith · G · Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Final season: NR)
He’s a mauler within the run sport who has improved in cross safety, which is a should of their offense. He helps kind among the best inside trios within the league with Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey.
Whereas the defending Tremendous Bowl champions have a gap to fill on the left finish of the offensive line, there’s no concern on the within. Prisco has correctly recognized the league’s finest inside trio. The massive drawback will are available in a 12 months when two are scheduled to be free brokers.
Closing takeaway
After profitable Tremendous Bowl LVII, Prisco had 5 Kansas Metropolis gamers on his high 100. A 12 months later — after profitable Tremendous Bowl LVIII — there are seven. Three gamers from the staff’s Tremendous Bowl LIV squad — huge receiver Tyreek Hill, cornerback Charvarius Ward and security Tyrann Mathieu — watched the Chiefs win back-to-back championships whereas taking part in for different groups. All three — now joined by Sneed — are on Prisco’s high 100 for 2024.
Positive… it’s only one man’s opinion. However his opinion results in a particular conclusion: the Chiefs staff isn’t constructed to win a championship. It’s constructed to win a number of championships.
The one query is what number of.
