Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 80-71
By Samuel Teets
72. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Waller is still finding his place in the league, which is an exciting storyline for Raiders fans. After producing 18 receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns from 2015-2018, Waller reignited his career in the best way possible. It was a long journey for the former sixth-round pick to become a top 100 player, but Waller is one of the most exciting tight ends in football.
In his second season with the Raiders, Waller quickly became Derek Carr’s favorite target. He outproduced the team’s other pass catchers by leaps and bounds. No other Raider even sniffed his 90 receptions or 1,145 yards. Waller only scored three touchdowns, but that’s the biggest knock against his breakout campaign.
Waller finished second among tight ends in receptions and receiving yards last year, only trailing Travis Kelce in both categories. When Pro Football Focus created a tight end tier list, Waller fell in the same category as Mark Andrews and Zach Ertz. On this top 100, he outranks Andrews but falls short of Ertz.
71. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Allen didn’t take kindly to NFL Network ranking him below Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Tyreek Hill on the Top 100 Players of 2020. He took his frustration out on Twitter, voicing an opinion he’s been holding in for a while.
Ok I’m tired of biten my tongue...@cheetah @MikeEvans13_ @chrisgoodwin... ( and the list goes on) ARE NOT a better reciever than me! Faster than me...every day of the week but separation..CHILD PLEASE! https://t.co/rBQwJZWkE3
— Keenan Allen (@Keenan13Allen) July 27, 2020
Unfortunately for Allen, I’m inclined to agree with NFL Network in this instance. While the players voted Allen No. 77 in the official rankings, I moved him up a few spots. He’s still highly underrated by the general football fandom, but Evans, Godwin, and Hill have higher peaks. While Allen is a top ten receiver, he doesn’t crack the top five or six players at his position.
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Over the past three years, Allen didn’t miss the Pro Bowl and made 303 receptions for 3,788 yards and 18 touchdowns. Ever since overcoming the injuries that plagued him early during his career, Allen has been one of the league’s most reliable receivers. PFF gave Allen Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2018, but he hasn’t received the same accolades from the AP.