Patrick Mahomes comes in at the top of CBS Sports’ Top 100 players in the NFL.
The Top 100 NFL Players of 2020 rankings are out from Pete Prisco of CBS Sports and a very familiar face is up at the top in what Prisco says was an “easy choice.” Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs starting quarterback, is ranked No. 1 overall heading into his third season as a starter.
Prisco’s choice of Mahomes at No. 1 is obvious, since Mahomes was an MVP two seasons ago and a candidate for the award last year. Instead of ruling the regular season in 2019, Mahomes ended up taking home postseason gold for his work as Super Bowl MVP which delivered the first championship for the Chiefs in a half century. Prisco writes:
"“This was an easy choice. He missed time last season, which hurt his MVP chances, but he will be right back in the race this year. He’s the best player in the league.”"
Beyond Mahomes, five other Chiefs made the list of the NFL’s top 100 players. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce comes in next at No. 20 overall, although he’s the second tight end overall. George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers landed at No. 18. Prisco’s explanation: “His blocking isn’t as good as Kittle’s, which is why he’s behind him.”
Next up are the first two Chiefs defenders at No. 34 and 36 respectively in safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive lineman Chris Jones. Mathieu’s versatility was celebrated by Prisco and his leadership is hard to miss in the Chiefs secondary. As for Jones, Prisco said the Chiefs did “the wise thing to put the franchise tag on him,” which secured his services for at least another year.
Arguably the game’s best right tackle, Mitchell Schwartz landed at No. 41 overall and was the fourth offensive lineman listed. Ryan Ramczyk, Ronnie Stanley, and Lane Johnson were the only linemen listed before him.
Two spots later, Tyreek Hill finally debuts as one of the game’s top wide receivers. Prisco was quite generous in many of his grades for Chiefs players overall, but if there’s one primary complaint (among the ranked), it’s seeing a player that many would term the NFL’s most dynamic weapon on offense so low. It makes sense to see Michael Thomas and Julio Jones above him, but Chris Godwin at No. 29 is a real reach. Godwin should be well below Hill, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans and more.
From here, there is a glaring omission. Where in the world is Frank Clark? The Chiefs have a pass rushing cornerstone paid like one of the NFL’s best because he is one of the NFL’s best. Yet he didn’t even make Prisco’s “honorable mention” list—one that includes wideout A.J. Brown of the Tennessee Titans or linebacker Alexander Johnson of the Denver Broncos. And no offense to those who made the Top 100, even at his position like Packers lineman Kenny Clark, but Frank is the better lineman (and Clark).