Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 90-81
By Samuel Teets
84. Rodney Hudson, C, Las Vegas Raiders
Which Raider is more underrated, Hudson or Darren Waller? There’s no wrong answer. Both players rank among the top-five men at their positions, but neither receive enough attention from the public. Perhaps it’s because they play for Jon Gruden’s underperforming team. However, Hudson is one of the few players who can’t accept blame for Las Vegas’ recent struggles.
Hudson made his third Pro Bowl this past season and received his first Second-Team All-Pro selection. He’s played 100 percent of Las Vegas’ offensive snaps in four of the previous six seasons. No wonder the Raiders locked him into a three-year, $33.75 million extension last year.
According to PFF, Hudson has only allowed 55 total pressures since entering the NFL in 2011. For reference, center Matt Paradis allowed 47 pressures last year alone. For his incredible performance, PFF rewarded Hudson with a spot among the top 100 players from the 2010s.
83. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
This is the first selection in the top 100 where I’m taking a leap of faith based on potential rather than production. Goedert wasn’t even the most productive tight end on his own team last year, and he probably won’t be in 2020. It’s no secret that Zach Ertz is Carson Wentz’s favorite target. However, Goedert is a superstar in the making.
Despite playing second fiddle to Ertz, Goedert played 66 percent of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps last season. The team’s two-tight end sets are lethal. Ertz and Goedert even outproduced Philadelphia’s top four wide receivers. Ertz led the team in all major receiving categories, but Goedert still produced 58 receptions for 607 yards and five touchdowns.
The part of Goedert’s game that separates him from Mark Andrews (who appeared at No. 86) is his ability to block like an offensive lineman. He’s arguably even more prolific than George Kittle in that aspect of the game. This ranking might seem silly for now, but let’s see what Goedert does in his third season before starting a riot.