Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 80-71

78. Earl Thomas, S, Baltimore Ravens

Thomas and the Seattle Seahawks got into a conflict over his contract before the 2018 season. However, the future Hall of Fame safety dutifully reported before Week 1. In his first three games, Thomas intercepted three passes and defended another five. He seemed primed for the best year of his career until the All-Pro fractured his leg in Week 4.

Luckily for Thomas, the Ravens believed he could still perform at a high level and signed him the following offseason. In his first year with the team, Thomas made his seventh Pro Bowl and made two interceptions. Baltimore used Thomas differently than Seattle, giving him more snaps in the box. The move resulted in two sacks and six quarterback hits, which were both career-highs.

77. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Kupp emerged as a star this past season. The Eastern Washington product rebounded from an injury-shortened 2018 campaign with a memorable year that places him near the NFL’s top ten wide receivers. With more consistency from Jared Goff and Los Angeles’ offense as a whole, Kupp could challenge for a top 50 spot next year.

In 2018, a torn ACL limited Kupp to eight games. He finished the season with 40 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns. The extra time off didn’t slow Kupp’s climb up the wide receiver ranks. He played every game this past season, amassing 94 receptions, 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Despite recording the second-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL, Kupp did not earn a Pro Bowl bid. However, Kupp’s peers acknowledged him in the Top 100 Players of 2020. The 27-year-old ranked 89th but he was only the 16th wide receiver revealed out of 17 that appeared on the countdown. For reference, only 12 wide receivers made this top 100.