News: Pete Prisco’s Top 100 Players of 2020

[Kolemmitt]

I think we had 7 of the top 100 and went 8 and 8. I'm excited to see what new coaches can do with these guys.

Yep. Might finally have to coaching to match the talent.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Its not about it never working. Free agency isn't the solution. Your free agency needs to compliment your draft.

You're also listing some exceptions to the rule. Brees is a EXCEPTION to the rule. Tom Brady is 43 years old.

Then you listed guys like Waller, Hayward, Barrett, Demario, etc. who were not big time free agents. Ideally I believe this is the smartest way to go. Find these type of guys as opposed to finding the Byron Jones type of guys.

The Cowboys have been overly reliant on the draft the past few years.

Cooper was the rare exception. Jerry has been extremely sensitive to the criticism he received for trades (Joey Galloway, Roy Williams) and free agents (Brandon Carr) so they have mainly ignored the two avenues for about a decade. The Cowboys' back-and-forth stances and then rigid takes on things is, to me, the main reason this team hasn't truly contended for championships for 24 years.

My argument is and has always been, use every single aspect of team building. Draft first, significant free agency and trades next. We've gone: draft, minor trades, street guys, and UDFA. Only traded for Cooper in an act of desperation.

 

[Sydla]

Nelson at 15 and Martin at 50?

Eh...

Nelson is a beast, so not trying to discredit him but Martin has been a top guard since day 1 up to last year.

Nelson is probably the better OG at this point. 35 spots difference? Maybe not.

Frankly, you could argue that with Martin being just good and not great last year, Brandon Brooks might be a better OG.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The Cowboys have been overly reliant on the draft the past few years.

Cooper was the rare exception. Jerry has been extremely sensitive to the criticism he received for trades (Joey Galloway, Roy Williams) and free agents (Brandon Carr) so they have mainly ignored the two avenues for about a decade. The Cowboys' back-and-forth stances and then rigid takes on things is, to me, the main reason this team hasn't truly contended for championships for 24 years.

My argument is and has always been, use every single aspect of team building. Draft first, significant free agency and trades next. We've gone: draft, minor trades, street guys, and UDFA. Only traded for Cooper in an act of desperation.

They haven't been overly reliant on the draft. They just have striked out in free agency. That's free agency. You have to remember that free agency is full of players other teams didn't want. For whatever reason. Whether it was injuries, age or their respective teams not thinking they are worth the money. So when you have those type of players there you have to search for them. If Brady was 33 he would have not been a free agent. But instead he's 43.

Cowboys have the correct approach. Trade for Robert Quinn and Michael Bennett........sign Randall Cobb to 5 million.....its just a risky game. Free agency is risky. Sometimes you will hit sometimes you will not.

I love the Cooper trade....but you could argue the Cowboys probably shouldn't have made the trade especially if you know what Gallup would become and you'd get Lamb.

 

[John813]

Nelson is probably the better OG at this point. 35 spots difference? Maybe not.

Frankly, you could argue that with Martin being just good and not great last year, Brandon Brooks might be a better OG.

Yea, don't disagree with Nelson being the top dog now. But just don't see it being that big of a difference in overall rankings.
And I get it's super tough to rate all NFL players in one list.

True, last year wasn't his best, but did have a back injury. If this list was heavily favored towards 2019 play only, fine. If it takes into account the players past work+assumptions of 2020 play I still think Martin should be higher overall.

 

[KingintheNorth]

You have to remember that free agency is full of players other teams didn't want

Overly simplistic view. The Salary Cap means teams have a budget and have to make financial choices.

Cowboys have the correct approach

Yet, no appearances in Conference Championship games in 24 years?

I just don't agree. The Front Office, mainly Jerry and Stephen Jones, have way too rigid stances on player acquisition. Most importantly, there's no real consequences for their actions or in the case of impact free agency, lack of action.

 

[RS12]

I seem to remember a lot of us on the Grady Jarrett bandwagon in the draft zone back in the day. Looks like with good reason.

 

[RS12]

In Prisco's mind, McCarthy is inheriting a load of talent on offense.

 

[CowboyRoy]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...s-takes-top-spot-lamar-jackson-cracks-top-10/

1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Aaron Donald
3. Russell Wilson
4. Michael Thomas
5. Christian McCaffery
6. Stephon Gilmore
7. Lamar Jackson
8. Chandler Jones
9. Khalil Mack
10. Aaron Rodgers
11. Drew Brees
12. Cam Jordan
13. Joey Bosa
14. Julio Jones
15. Quenton Nelson
16. TJ Watt
17. Zeke Elliott
18. George Kittle
19. Tom Brady
20. Travis Kelce
21. Von Miller
22. Grady Jarrett
23. Ryan Ramczyk
24. Nick Bosa
25. Danielle Hunter
26. Jalen Ramsey
27. Ronnie Stanley
28. Za'Darius Smith
29. Chris Godwin
30. Lane Johnson
31. DeAndre Hopkins
32. JJ Watt
33. Cam Heyward
34. Tyrann Matheiu
35. Saquon Barkley
36. Chris Jones
37. Harrison Smith
38. Bobby Wagner
39. Calais Campbell
40. Alvin Kamara
41. Mitchell Scwartz
42. Jamal Adams
43. Tyreek Hill
44. Dalvin Cook
45. Mike Evans
46. Dak Prescott
47. Myles Garrett
48. Devante Adams
49. Derwin James
50. Zack Martin
51. Demario Davis
52. Tre'Davious White
53. Geno Atkins
54. Fletcher Cox
55. Brandon Brooks
56. De'Forest Buckner
57. Richard Sherman
58. Demarcus Lawrence
59. Marlon Humphrey
60. Bud Dupree
61. Eric Kendricks
62. Deshaun Watson
63. AJ Green
64. Odell Beckham Jr.
65. Joe Thuney
66. Keenan Allen
67. Lavonte David
68. Zach Ertz
69. Derrick Henry
70. Matt Ryan
71. Nick Chubb
72. Carlos Dunlap
73. Joe Mixon
74. Melvin Ingram
75. Patrick Peterson
76. Jason Kelce
77. La'el Collins
78. Justin Simmons
79. Darren Waller
80. Tyron Smith
81. Amari Cooper
82. Shaq Barrett
83. Casey Heyward
84. JuJu Smith-Schuster
85. David Bakhtiari
86. Kirk Cousins
87. Ryan Jensen
88. Josh Allen (OLB)
89. Preston Smith
90. Arik Armstead
91. Stefon Diggs
92. Kenny Clark
93. Jimmie Ward
94. Kevin Byard
95. Aaron Jones
96. Darius Slay
97. Cooper Kupp
98. DJ Chark
99. Darius Leonard
100. Mark Andrews

What no Dalton? Surely he got robbed from list as the Dak trolls are suggesting we cut Dak for the great Dalton.

 

[CowboyRoy]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...s-takes-top-spot-lamar-jackson-cracks-top-10/

1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Aaron Donald
3. Russell Wilson
4. Michael Thomas
5. Christian McCaffery
6. Stephon Gilmore
7. Lamar Jackson
8. Chandler Jones
9. Khalil Mack
10. Aaron Rodgers
11. Drew Brees
12. Cam Jordan
13. Joey Bosa
14. Julio Jones
15. Quenton Nelson
16. TJ Watt
17. Zeke Elliott
18. George Kittle
19. Tom Brady
20. Travis Kelce
21. Von Miller
22. Grady Jarrett
23. Ryan Ramczyk
24. Nick Bosa
25. Danielle Hunter
26. Jalen Ramsey
27. Ronnie Stanley
28. Za'Darius Smith
29. Chris Godwin
30. Lane Johnson
31. DeAndre Hopkins
32. JJ Watt
33. Cam Heyward
34. Tyrann Matheiu
35. Saquon Barkley
36. Chris Jones
37. Harrison Smith
38. Bobby Wagner
39. Calais Campbell
40. Alvin Kamara
41. Mitchell Scwartz
42. Jamal Adams
43. Tyreek Hill
44. Dalvin Cook
45. Mike Evans
46. Dak Prescott
47. Myles Garrett
48. Devante Adams
49. Derwin James
50. Zack Martin
51. Demario Davis
52. Tre'Davious White
53. Geno Atkins
54. Fletcher Cox
55. Brandon Brooks
56. De'Forest Buckner
57. Richard Sherman
58. Demarcus Lawrence
59. Marlon Humphrey
60. Bud Dupree
61. Eric Kendricks
62. Deshaun Watson
63. AJ Green
64. Odell Beckham Jr.
65. Joe Thuney
66. Keenan Allen
67. Lavonte David
68. Zach Ertz
69. Derrick Henry
70. Matt Ryan
71. Nick Chubb
72. Carlos Dunlap
73. Joe Mixon
74. Melvin Ingram
75. Patrick Peterson
76. Jason Kelce
77. La'el Collins
78. Justin Simmons
79. Darren Waller
80. Tyron Smith
81. Amari Cooper
82. Shaq Barrett
83. Casey Heyward
84. JuJu Smith-Schuster
85. David Bakhtiari
86. Kirk Cousins
87. Ryan Jensen
88. Josh Allen (OLB)
89. Preston Smith
90. Arik Armstead
91. Stefon Diggs
92. Kenny Clark
93. Jimmie Ward
94. Kevin Byard
95. Aaron Jones
96. Darius Slay
97. Cooper Kupp
98. DJ Chark
99. Darius Leonard
100. Mark Andrews

He has Dak as the 7th best QB in the NFL.

-Dak is backup material
-Dak is average
-Dak is slightly above average

Well...………..trolls continue to take a beating.

 

[Risen Star]

He ranked Prescott ahead of Zack Martin.

That tells you all you need to know about the validity of this list.

 

[CowboyRoy]

5 qbs ahead of dak

2 of them are close to being in nursing homes..another one isn't far behind those 2

If Dak has a year like last year and the Cowboys make it to the championship game, the pundits will have Dak in the top 5.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Overly simplistic view. The Salary Cap means teams have a budget and have to make financial choices.

Yet, no appearances in Conference Championship games in 24 years?

I just don't agree. The Front Office, mainly Jerry and Stephen Jones, have way too rigid stances on player acquisition. Most importantly, there's no real consequences for their actions or in the case of impact free agency, lack of action.

Well in your list of guys...its not like those teams had much success last year. Rams got Jalen Ramsey and got worse.

My view isn't simplistic.

Let's be honest here..have we ever seen a guy go to free agency a team wanted? Chances are they would trade them first like Raiders did with Khalil Mack. They knew Khalil Mack wasn't tin their future but they weren't going to let him leave for nothing.

When I make the statement free agency is full of players team didn't' want its not based on skill. Its based on a few things but ultimately if a team wants a player they will clear the cap space to retain them if they deem the worth the hassle.

Cowboys lack of conference championship games shouldn't be accredited to them not being big time players in free agency.

In that span of 24 years they've had historically bad defenses, historically bad quarterback play(Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson), they've had piss poor coaching, mis management of the drafts......you can point to a lot of things.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He ranked Prescott ahead of Zack Martin.

That tells you all you need to know about the validity of this list.

He didn't even list the great Carson Wentz.........

 

[CowboyRoy]

He ranked Prescott ahead of Zack Martin.

That tells you all you need to know about the validity of this list.

I guess that tells you all we need to know about your player evaluation abilities.

If there was a draft, starting from scratch with entire player pool, Dak would be the #7 player drafted. Heck, with Brady and Brees being so old he would be the 5th player drafted.

Nah, but you would take Martin. LOL

Martin and Dalton!!!!

Go cheap at the QB position. Great strategy.

 

[Ranched]

Had to Google this Pete Prisco. Pft. He's just another sports writer for CBS. Whoopie!

 

[Redline360]

Very odd list.

 

[jterrell]

Ouch.

Also, I hope the fans here who swear "big time" free agency never works takes a look at that list. Great teams use every avenue of talent acquisition.

Seems a weird take based on list.
The top 20 has all of 1 guy that was a FA and joined their team before this season.

Brady is a shell of his former shelf and stupidly included here much less included as a top 20 guy.

 

[tyke1doe]

Lamar Jackson should be No. 2
Zeke does not deserve to be No. 17, not based on last year's production.
JJ Watts at 32? Didn't he get injured last year?
Ditto for Derwin James at 49?
Derrick Henry at 69 is way too low. He single-handedly (footedly?) put the Titans a breath away from the AFC Championship.

 

[jterrell]

Lamar Jackson should be No. 2
Zeke does not deserve to be No. 17, not based on last year's production.
JJ Watts at 32? Didn't he get injured last year?
Ditto for Derwin James at 49?
Derrick Henry at 69 is way too low. He single-handedly (footedly?) put the Titans a breath away from the AFC Championship.

Brady shouldn't be top 50, much less 20.

LJ has had one great season. Ditto for Derrick Henry.
They are both really good players but some skepticism is fair but I'd have DH higher.
Zeke was not a better player last year than Dak but again over 4 years Zeke can be placed higher.
No way I'd rate Zeke higher for 2020 though.

If the injuries weren't serious they probably have little effect on the rating for 2020 but JJ Watt has been injured 1180 times and I would downrate him for that going into 2020.