http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11892651
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: He won the MVP despite a slow start with knee troubles. He's still at the top of his game and has five good years left -- at least.
2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: He's right there with Manning, but missing last season drops him to the second spot. He's said to be all the way back, which Pats fans have to love.
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3. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Cowboys: One number says it all: 20. That's his sack total from 2008. He's the best pass-rushing linebacker in football. [/FONT]
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4. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: He's big, strong and corners can't handle him in single coverage. If Schaub stays healthy, his numbers should be huge. [/FONT]
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5. Drew Brees, QB, Saints: It's too bad he plays in an era with those two top guys. He's had an amazing three-year run in New Orleans with amazing numbers. Now he needs to win a ring. [/FONT]
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6. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: His playoff run stamped him as one of the top two receivers in the league. He's only scratching his potential, which is scary. [/FONT]
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7. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: He puts fear in defenses every time he touches the ball. Imagine if he had real help from the passing game. [/FONT]
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8. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders: Nobody throws at him. That's the ultimate sign of respect. He's finally getting some now. [/FONT]
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9. Jared Allen, DE, Vikings: He's an all-out player who never lets up. He creates problems with his power and his speed. Turning around his off-field problems has really helped. [/FONT]
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10. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: Two Super Bowl titles in five seasons is amazing. He seems to grow as a passer each season. The game can be won on his right arm, which he showed in the Super Bowl. [/FONT]
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11. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Commanders: When he's on the field, he's a game disrupter. The only concern would be how he plays after getting the big check from the Commanders. [/FONT]
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Ed Reed's big plays only partly show his value to the Ravens. (Getty Images) [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
12. Ed Reed, S, Ravens: He isn't the big hitter some of the other safeties can be, but he's the best playmaker of them all. And he's a willing tackler. [/FONT]
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13. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers: After a down season in 2007, he bounced back with a good one last season. His contract is an issue, but he will play in 2009. You wait and see. [/FONT]
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14. Shawne Merriman, OLB, Chargers: He missed all but one game last season with a knee injury, but he's on schedule to be back at 100 percent by the open of the season. He's a lot like Ware when he's healthy. [/FONT]
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15. James Harrison, OLB, Steelers: He's the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He can rush, and he showed in the Super Bowl that he could cover with his pick for a score. He plays a nasty game. [/FONT]
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16. Ryan Clady, T, Broncos: As a rookie in 2008 he allowed a half a sack. That's amazing. He's that good. He's the next great left tackle in a league with good ones. [/FONT]
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17. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: With Tom Brady back, his numbers should skyrocket. He can still run by defensive backs. [/FONT]
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18. Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts: He's a speed rusher who might be the most disruptive edge rusher when he's healthy. He has an impact on the game even when he's not getting sacks. [/FONT]
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19. Mario Williams, DE, Texans: The past two seasons have taught us that this is a premier pass rusher, even if his sack numbers went down last season. Still think he shouldn't have been the top pick? [/FONT]
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20. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: He carried the Chargers last season. They are now his team, not L.T.'s. Rivers really elevated his game last season. He's a tough guy. Some will see this as high, but I love this guy. [/FONT]
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21. Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings: He plays the run well and he can rush the passer as well as any inside player. [/FONT]
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22. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos: The chic thing is to say his skills are eroding. I don't buy it. He's still one of the best. [/FONT]
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23. Terrell Suggs, OLB, Ravens: He's in the prime of his career, and his rush ability is vital to the Baltimore defense. He can also play in coverage. [/FONT]
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Steve Smith averaged 18.2 yards for 78 catches in the '08 season. (Getty Images) [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
24. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: As the only true threat in the passing game, he sees way too many doubles and still puts up big numbers. Imagine if he had help. [/FONT]
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25. Steve Hutchinson, G, Vikings: After a drop in play in 2007, Hutchinson regained the top spot at the position last season. [/FONT]
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26. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: Coming off arm problems, he's back throwing again, which is why he's this high. When he's healthy, he might be even higher. Bashers take note: Brady stays in the second spot coming off his injury, so Palmer stays this high. [/FONT]
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27. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: He has been the Colts' go-to guy the past two seasons and with Marvin Harrison gone, there isn't a doubt. He's undervalued by most. [/FONT]
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28. Patrick Willis, ILB, 49ers: He's a tackling machine. In two years, he's established himself as one of the league's best defensive players. [/FONT]
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29. Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals: At his age, he remains a big-time passer. His ability to stand in against the rush is as good as any. It's a treat watching him carve up defenses, but it's even better talking to him. [/FONT]
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30. Adrian Wilson, S, Cardinals: He showed his value to the nation last year during the Cardinals' Super run. He's a violent tackler and excels in the blitz game. He is Mr. Cardinal. [/FONT]
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31. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons: Even at 33 he continues to put up huge numbers. Now that he's in an offense with a good quarterback, those numbers will be even better. He has three Pro Bowl type years left. [/FONT]
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32. Michael Roos, T, Titans: He doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he's one of the best. Forms half of the best tackle tandems in the game with David Stewart. [/FONT]
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33. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: He's a great threat in the middle of the field and has improved as a blocker. Tony Romo loves him and with T.O. gone he might be even more of a factor. [/FONT]
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34. Darnell Dockett, DT, Cardinals: He is quick and relentless and was a big reason the Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl. His contract issue is clouding things heading into this season, but he'll play. [/FONT]
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35. Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers: He bounced back from a sub-par 2007 season to have a good 2008 season. He has improved in pass coverage greatly from his early days. [/FONT]
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36. Kris Jenkins, DT, Jets: He rejuvenated his career after being traded to the Jets. He's a large man who anchors in against the run. [/FONT]
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Clinton Portis has six 1,000-yard NFL rushing seasons at age 27. (Getty Images) [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
37. Clinton Portis, RB, Commanders: He just keeps on putting up huge numbers. Hard to believe he's only 27. [/FONT]
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38. Bob Sanders, S, Colts: The only thing that has held him back has been the injuries. If he can stay healthy, he can be as good as any at this position. [/FONT]
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39. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos: When he's on the field, he puts up huge numbers. The off-the-field stuff is a concern. [/FONT]
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40. Jahri Evans, G, Saints: Most don't pay enough attention to this athletic, strong guard. He should be in Pro Bowls. Scouts rave about him. [/FONT]
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41. Chris Snee, G, Giants: He's much more than the son-in-law of coach Tom Coughlin. He's a mauler in the run game. [/FONT]
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42. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers: He wasn't the same last season as injuries bothered him. If he's healthy, he's higher on this list. [/FONT]
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43. Vince Wilfork, NT, Patriots: Over the past two seasons, he has developed into a top nose tackle. He is entering a contract year, so look for a big one. [/FONT]
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44. DeMeco Ryans, LB, Texans: He's an every-down linebacker who keys the Houston defense. As the team gets more exposure, so will he. [/FONT]
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45. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: He had a huge season in 2008, rushing for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 5.5 average shows his big-play ability. [/FONT]
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46. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Titans: He's a short corner, but he plays big. He doesn't back down. He's a good cover player and a good tackler. [/FONT]
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47. Darrelle Revis, CB, Jets: In his second season in 2008, he emerged as a premier cover player. He'll be a Pro Bowl player for a long time. [/FONT]
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48. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: He answered a lot of questions last season as to whether he could be a feature back. Now he has to show he can do it again. [/FONT]
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49. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: He bounced back from his benching to have a big season in 2008 and a very good postseason. With a lot of weapons on board now, plus a big line, I think he will be even better in 2009. [/FONT]
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50. Justin Tuck, DE, Giants: He's a dominant pass rusher who emerged as a Pro Bowl player last season. Getting back Osi Umenyiora on the other side will help him be even better [/FONT]