Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 60-51
By Samuel Teets
52. Za’Darius Smith, OLB, Green Bay Packers
After an 8.5-sack season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Smith signed a four-year, $66 million deal with Green Bay. While he’s making the same amount of money per season as Chandler Jones, Smith is underpaid based on his breakout 2019 campaign. The 27-year-old earned a First-Team All-Pro selection from PFF for his incredible production.
While Smith produced respectable numbers in 2018, the former fourth-round pick took his game to a new level last year. Smith started every game for the Packers, finishing 2019 with 13.5 sacks, 37 quarterback hits and 50 pressures. Even compared to standout players like Bosa and Hunter, Smith separated himself as one of the most productive defenders this past year.
Smith benefited from playing alongside Preston Smith, who finished 2019 with 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 34 pressures according to Pro Football Reference. Preston didn’t crack the top 100, but he played a role in creating opportunities for Za’Darius, who capitalized with a monstrous campaign.
51. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles
The top center in the NFL deserves significantly more recognition than he’s received over the past three years. He only came in at No. 98 on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2020. When the players voted for the list, center probably wasn’t the first position they thought about including. That doesn’t make overlooking Kelce alright.
Kelce dominated his position over the past three seasons, receiving First-Team All-Pro honors from the AP and PFF each year. However, he only made one Pro Bowl during that time, showing that the fans didn’t recognize his accomplishments. Surprisingly, Kelce also missed out on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Instead, Alex Mack and Maurkice Pouncey received selections.
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At 32 years old, Kelce is in the second to last year of his current contract and could retire after the upcoming season. Let’s enjoy his greatness while we can.