Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: No. 100-91
By Samuel Teets
94. Fred Warner, MLB, San Francisco 49ers
One of the biggest snubs from the Pro Bowl this past season, Warner played an essential role on San Francisco’s defense. The second-year linebacker solidified an interior that played most of the season without free-agent signee Kwon Alexander. With DeForest Buckner heading to Indianapolis, Warner could see even more action in the defense’s center this coming season.
The 49ers hit a home run when they selected Warner with a third-round pick in 2018. While he performed well as a rookie, Warner took a step toward stardom this past season. The BYU product recorded 118 tackles, one interception, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown.
93. Byron Jones, CB, Miami Dolphins
Jones signed a record-setting contract with the Dolphins this offseason only to have it broken weeks later by Darius Slay and the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami gave Jones a five-year, $82.5 million deal that’s worth $16.5 million annually. Slay narrowly surpassed that mark with a deal worth roughly $16.683 million annually.
In some ways, Jones is living on past glory. The 27-year-old earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2018 and made the Pro Bowl. However, he did neither this past season, and 2018 remains his only vaunted campaign. The UConn product doesn’t produce many interceptions either, despite generally making life difficult for wide receivers. Jones’ two career interceptions came during his time as a safety.
When the Cowboys selected Jones with the 27th overall pick in 2015, they planned on playing him at safety. That move failed horribly, but Jones found new life as a cornerback in 2018. He’s a shutdown corner, but not on the same level as some of the players higher up this list.