Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 50-41

42. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints

In his first six years in the NFL, Jordan experienced up and down seasons, producing 46.5 sacks, 94 quarterback hits, and 299 tackles. However, he developed into a perennial All-Pro candidate over the past three years. During that time, Jordan amassed 40.5 sacks, 74 quarterback hits, and 164 tackles. Pro Football Reference also credits Jordan with 92 pressures since the website began tracking that statistic in 2018.

Jordan’s presence is largely why PFF’s Ben Linsey believes New Orleans possesses the third-best edge defender duo in the NFL. According to Linsey,

"Jordan absolutely should be mentioned in every conversation about the league’s best edge defenders. The only three edge rushers in the NFL with 90.0-plus grades in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were Jordan, Von Miller and Khalil Mack. He was one of just three players at the position with run-defense and pass-rush grades above 80.0 during the 2019 regular season, joining Mack and T.J. Watt."

For his contributions since entering the NFL, the Pro Football Hall of Fame gave Jordan a spot on the 2010s All-Decade Team. Each of the defensive end’s three AP All-Pro selections came during the past three years.

41. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

In 2019, Hill posted his worst receiving totals since his rookie season. Injuries kept the former All-Pro out of four games and hampered him several other weeks. He also played without Patrick Mahomes when the MVP went down with a dislocated kneecap. Hill finished the year with 58 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns.

While Hill turned over punt return duties to Mecole Hardman last year, the former fifth-round pick is still one of the NFL’s fastest players. Placing Hill among the league’s top receivers is easy. He’s clearly in the top seven and even claims the fifth-highest receiver spot on this top 100. However, placing Hill among the league’s elite players proved difficult.

In 2018, Hill earned First-Team All-Pro bids at the flex position from the AP and PFF. That year, he made 87 receptions for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s by far his best receiving season. While Hill averaged over 90 receiving yards per game in 2018, he hasn’t averaged more than 80 in any other season.

The jury remains out on how high Hill should climb on the top 100. His Super Bowl performance (nine receptions for 105 yards) made a strong case for a spot in the top 40.