offGrid NFL Top 50: 10-1
We’ve finally made it down to the top ten in offGrid NFL’s Top 50 countdown of the standout players in the NFL ahead of the 2022 season.
After going through those listed 20-11, it’s time to look at who our writers believe are the very best performers in the league.
Let’s see who has made it number one…
10. Tyreek Hill – WR, Miami Dolphins
(Average Voting Position: 12.1)
No Mahomes? No problem for Tyreek. Infact, the star receiver put up his best season to date after transferring to Miami. Over 1,700 receiving yards from 119 receptions, with eight total touchdowns scored in 2022.
There might not be a wide receiver as elusive or as explosive as Hill. He was such valuable and consistent performer and absolutely deserves to be the highest-paid receiver in the league.
Breakaway speed, separation and safe hands. Hill has just continued his ascent to the top of the best weapons in the league with the Dolphins.
Danny Babbage, offGrid NFL contributor
9. Josh Allen – QB, Buffalo Bills Bills
(AVP: 10.7)
Josh Allen, and the Bills, are destined for the very top. He is right at the top competing with the best in QB rankings, with his impressive ability including a cannon of an arm, while being so effective as a runner.
One of the most impressive quarterbacks athletically, turnovers and ball security is Allen’s only real negative. But when you pass for 4,283 yards and 35 touchdowns, you can afford a few to go the other way.
With all the arm talent, strength and athleticism that Allen possesses, it puzzles me why he can’t get it done in the post season (bar a coin flip). He is an obvious leader and carries the fans expectations on his shoulders which I think often hinders his performance.
Ollie Butler-Henderson, Third and Long Podcast
8. Chris Jones – DT, Kansas City Chiefs
(AVP: 9.7)
Despite an epic 2022, Jones is still one of the most overrated players in the entire NFL. He’s a four-time All-Pro selection, has 26.5 sacks in his last 34 games, and is a bona fide postseason specialist, central to the Chief’s recent success.
A worthy candidate to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season, Jones will be looking to continue adding to his impressive resume in 2023.
“Overlooked for so long, finally we’re starting to see Chris Jones hit the headlines as one of the best players in the league.”
Jonny Bisby, offGrid NFL contributor
7. Jalen Hurts – QB, Philadelphia Eagles
(AVP: 9.1)
It might have been a breakout year, but Hurts proved the doubters wrong and was comfortably the NFC’s best quarterback in 2022. efore his shoulder injury in Week 15, Hurts had a 22-3 TD-INT line with a 68% completion rate, 108.4 quarterback rating, 686 rushing yards and 10 scores. In Super Bowl LVII, Hurts delivered an MVP-type performance, tying Super Bowl records for rushing touchdowns (three).
Big things are expected of Jalen, and he’s well primed to deliver.
Jalen made the leap before our eyes last season. He is the man to lead the Eagles for the next decade.
Robert Edwards, The Crash Ball Diaries Podcast
6. Travis Kelce – TE, Kansas City Chiefs
(AVP: 8.3)
One of if not the greatest tight end in NFL history, Travis Kelce is unstoppable. Without him, the Chiefs wouldn’t be the force they are today. Kelce caught 137 passes for almost 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns, including the postseason, gaining 2.3 yards per route run while remaining virtually impossible to slow down.
Two Super Bowl rings and is tied for the second-most receiving touchdowns (16) in playoff history, the 7x Pro Bowl star was dominant in 2022, despite it technically not being his best season in the league. He’s some player, and will continue to do so for a fair few years yet.
Kelce is the best tight end in the game and it doesn’t look like he is slowing down anytime soon. A clear top 10 pick he has created a great body of work over the years and with Patrick Mahomes at QB he should do it again this year.
Adam Martin, The Franchise Tag Podcast
5. Nick Bosa – EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
(AVP: 8.2)
The defensive side of the NFL game simply hasn’t been the same since 2019, the year Nick Bosa entered the league. His AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award that year has now been followed up with a 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year prize, such was the sheer ferocity of Bosa’s play over the course of the season. Bosa hasn’t flinched since returning from an ACL injury in his sophomore year, instead playing with even more strength, power and dominance.
The 25-year-old let it rip in 2022 with NFL-high 18.5 sacks alongside 51 tackles (41 solo) and 48 quarterback hits. The San Francisco 49ers allowed the fewest points and yards per game this season, much thanks to the efforts of Bosa. He also ended the season tied for first in the NFL with 90 pressures alongside Micah Parsons.
An Ohio State product, Bosa will look to help the 49ers take the next step in 2023 and land that coveted Super Bowl. Opposing QB’s have been warned that Bosa is showing no signs of slowing anytime soon.
David Cartledge, ESPN UK
4. Micah Parsons – EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
(AVP: 7.6)
Is Parsons the best defensive player in the NFL right now? That’s the opinion of our writers, and it’s very hard to argue against it. Parsons ranked sixth in PFF’s pass-rushing productivity (11), led the NFL in defensive pressures (106) and recorded 13.5 sacks last year. There is no question, he is the best pass rusher in the NFL.
As he makes the transition to defensive end this season, we should expect more chaos and disruption from this incredible young superstar.
It’s worth remembering that this was Parsons’ first full-time season as an edge rusher. He was immediately one of the best in the game, dominating lesser opponents and beating some of the best tackles for their first sacks allowed this season.
James Fallows, offGrid NFL contributor
3. Justin Jefferson – WR, Minnesota Vikings
(AVP: 6.2)
My word, Justin Jefferson is some player. By far the best receiver in the league, Jefferson took his game to a whole new level last year; THAT catch against the Bills was enough to earn those plaudits! And it’s all the more impressive considering he’s not catching passes from one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.
Jefferson is on an early path toward being among the all-time NFL leaders in receptions and receiving yards. It’s no joke when I say we are witnessing someone truly historic in the making.
Still just 23-years old there’s plenty of juice left in the tank for Jefferson. He can beat opposing DBs nearly any way, his route running is superb, he’s got good speed and his body control is exceptional. He’s a wideout of the highest calibre and this looks like it could be another massive season for #18.
Sam Farley
2. Joe Burrow – QB, Cincinnati Bengals
(AVP: 4.5)
After just a few years, you could argue that Joe Burrow has already become the Bengals best player in franchise history. He, along with a few assets around him, has transformed the fortunes of the team, while putting himself up there with the very best in his position.
As long as he’s under centre in Cincinnati, the Bengals are a Super Bowl contender.
“Last year, Burrow and the Bengals came back from an 0-2 start, to finish 12-2 on the back of his 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns. His icy demeanour emerged once more in the postseason as the Bengals upset the favoured Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, before falling to the Chiefs in an AFC title rematch. When asked about the Bengals’ window to win a Super Bowl, Burrow said: ‘The window is my whole career’ – and the former LSU superstar isn’t wrong heading into 2023.“
Andrew Gamble, Author of ‘The Special Relationship: The History of American Football in the UK’
1. Patrick Mahomes – QB, Kansas City Chiefs
(AVP: 1)
Who else? Not one of our writers put Mahomes anywhere other than No.1 in this series. He’s by far the best NFL player today and he’s on a trajectory to be one of the best players in NFL history.
Despite being just 27, Mahomes is shattering NFL records for passing yards, wins, touchdowns and passer rating through his first 80 career games. 2022 was one of his best years to date, with more than 5,000 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns plus four rushing, with an overall passing rating of 105.2. Those numbers don’t even reflect his best statistics as a pro.
There’s more to come from Mahomes, you’d be a fool to bet against him and the Chiefs winning another Lombardi Trophy next season.
“Simply put, Mahomes is the best all-round player I’ve seen so far in my lifetime.“
Jonny Bisby, offGrid NFL Editor
