Bleacher Report released their rankings for the top 1,000 players in the NFL from 2015 this week and when a list is of this ilk is created, there are bound to be critiques. Matt Miller of BR maintains that these rankings are solely dependent on a player’s production from 2015, not any of the years prior or their potential future production. Each player is given a score based solely on scouting. “No narratives, no fantasy football points, no quarterback rating.” And just for good measure, ties are broken subjectively by asking, ‘Which player would I rather have on my team?’
Now that the rules are out of the way, where can we find the New York Giants?
Two Giants cracked the top ten players of 2015. Odell Beckham Jr. was ranked 5th for his play last season. Placing above him were J.J. Watt, Joe Thomas, Tom Brady and Aaron Donald, making him the top receiver on the list. OBJ’s 96 catches for 1,450 yards and 13 TDs earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl. Antonio Brown was the second receiver named in their top 1,000.
The other Giant in the top ten is a bit of a surprise to most readers, but probably not Giants fans. Center Weston Richburg ranks as the 9th best player from 2015. Richburg had a tremendous season and was Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded center despite being denied a trip to the Pro Bowl. BR has Richburg as the top center from 2015 ranking ahead of the Cowboys’ Travis Frederick.
Newly-acquired Olivier Vernon ranked 33rd on the list which was 5th among defensive ends. Vernon had 7.5 sacks last year with the Miami Dolphins. Damon “Snacks” Harrison, who will be playing alongside Vernon, ranked 183rd.
Janoris Jenkins, another new addition to the Giants, can be found much lower in these rankings at 480th. Recently-departed Prince Amukamara ranked much higher at 137th.
Now, wait one minute, where is the franchise quarterback Eli Manning? Manning was not looked upon favorably by the staff at Bleacher Report as he can be found ranked 270th. Manning had his best career statistically and was a replacement at the Pro Bowl, yet finds himself ranked lower than the likes of Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota and a slew of other quarterbacks. Tony Romo is ranked 158th despite barely making it on the field in 2015.
What say you about these rankings?