Something that makes the state of New York unique is that it is home to three different NFL teams, in the form of the Jets, Bills and NY Giants. With this, there’s of course a big-time rivalry among the fanbases.
Obviously the Bills are currently on top of the New York landscape, as they have made the playoffs four out of the last five seasons, compared to the Giants, who last made the playoffs in 2016, and the Jets, who made their last appearance in 2010.
While some fans wish nothing but the best for each NY team, others look to be the best and wish nothing but the worst for the additional teams in the state. Regardless, it is always fun to compare and contrast the players between the three squads.
Despite the lack of success, there are still plenty of talented players on the Jets and Giants who can be considered some of the best in the state. Here’s our look at the best 10 best NY players right now.
Honorable mentions: Saquon Barkley, Quinnen Williams and D.J Reed
We had a VERY hard time leaving Saquon Barkley off of this list, as we know what he can do when fully healthy and behind an even decent offensive line. However, his lack of both playing time, and production when he does play, made it hard to justify putting him in the Top 10.
In the last two seasons, Barkley has only played in 15 games and ran for a measly 627 yards and two TDs. While obviously this is due to a lack of health and help on offense more than anything, it still makes it difficult to justify Barkley’s placement in the Top 10.
As for Quinnen Williams, who has been VERY solid thus far in his young career, his somewhat “down” season in 2021 made it difficult to put him over some of the other players on this list. While Williams has the potential to be one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL, he has yet to reach that potential and will need to turn some heads this season.
D.J. Reed is also an honorable mention, and this was arguably the toughest call to make. Reed emerged as one of the most underrated corners in the NFL this past season, only allowing 507 yards and 3 TDs on a mere 47.7% completion percentage, while also holding opposing QBs to a passer rating of 67.8 when targeted. Jets fans are fired up to see how he performs this season.
10. Jets OG Laken Tomlinson
After being one of the better guards in the NFL for the last couple of seasons, Laken Tomlinson was finally rewarded by making his first Pro Bowl in 2021 for the 49ers. However, after entering free agency, Tomlinson opted to sign with the Jets on a three-year, $40 million contract.
In 1,094 offensive snaps last season, Tomlinson only allowed two sacks while gaining a career high PFF player grade of 75.9. Tomlinson has always been a very good run blocker and solid pass blocker. Rookie Jets RB Breece Hall will surely be happy to see this big guy blocking for him.
It was somewhat difficult to put Tomlinson over his other Jets teammates on this list. However, his experience and positional value is what eventually put him over the edge and made him the first entry on our board.
9. Giants S Xavier McKinney
After missing the majority of his rookie season with a broken foot, Xavier McKinney broke out as not only one of the best young safeties in the league, but one of the better safeties in the NFL period. Last year, he tallied 93 tackles, five interceptions and 10 pass deflections. While there is certainly some room for improvement for the 22 year old, he’s turned heads.
McKinney nearly, and arguably should have, made the Pro Bowl in 2021. If he can improve upon his game in the upcoming season, it is likely the NY Giants will finally have the star player in their secondary that they so desperately need.
For the Giants to be as bad as they were this season, and to have not only one, but (spoiler alert) two players on the top 10 list is very promising. While there are certainly holes in the Giants roster, some of the young and budding stars must give fans a ton of hope for the future.
8. Bills OT Dion Dawkins
In four out of the five seasons since Dion Dawkins has entered the league, he has registered a PFF player grade of 70 or higher while only allowing 5+ sacks in two of said five seasons, making his mark as a franchise left tackle for the Buffalo Bills.
Similar to Laken Tomlinson, Dawkins was finally awarded for his success this past season, being selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2021.Dawkins has been a huge part to not only the Bills success, but the development of QB Josh Allen. It must be nice for Allen to have a bookend offensive tackle to keep making plays for him.
Dawkins has been one of the most consistent tackles in the NFL since being drafted in 2017. If Dawkins can continue his great level of success, it is likely that the28 year old goes down as one of the better offensive linemen in Bills history.
7. Giants OT Andrew Thomas
This may come as a surprise to some. While obviously Dawkins has been better for a longer period of time than Andrew Thomas, the NY Giant arguably had a better season than Dawkins last year, allowing two less sacks, and also having a higher PFF player grade. Now, it is worth keeping in mind that Thomas did play less snaps than Dawkins. However, When healthy, Thomas was the better player.
After a VERY rough rookie season, many fans were worried about Thomas and his ability to play at a high level. Despite this, Thomas quickly silenced the crowd and had a Pro Bowl caliber season his sophomore year.
If Thomas can continue his high level of play going into next season, it is likely that the question of who is better will be answered.
Keep in mind that the difference between the two tackles is very minimal and we really consider this to be a toss up between the two. In fact, we originally did have Dawkins higher than Thomas. However, after further evaluations, we decided to place the 23 year old higher on the list. Thomas should be in for another huge season in 2022.
6. Bills LB Von Miller
This is where Bills fans get to shine.After winning a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, former All Pro Von Miller signed a HUGE six-year, $120 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, making their pass-rush even better.
While this is not the Miller of old, he is still a very good player. In 15 games last season, Miller tallied 50 combined tackles, 9.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and 17 QB hits. The Bills have aspirations of winning a Super Bowl, so adding a player like Miller on a massive contract makes a ton of sense.
We saw Miller really pick up his play during his Super Bowl run with the Rams. He tallied four sacks, four QB hurries, three QB knockdowns and six tackles for loss in four postseason games. If Miller can continue his great level of play for the Bills next season, the team could be in for a very successful year. Especially with the other playmakers you’re about to read about.
5. Bills S Micah Hyde
These next couple of players show why the Bills had arguably the best defense in the 2021 regular season. Last season was arguably Micah Hyde’s best in the NFL. In 17 games, he tallied 74 combined tackles, five interceptions and 10 pass deflections. He was a Second-Team All Pro.
Hyde has been one of the better safeties in recent years, making one Pro Bowl and two All-Pro teams. Hyde has been one of the most consistent safeties in the NFL. In an article written by Sam Monson at PFF. Monson ranked Hyde as the third best “all around” safety in the NFL.
The combination of Hyde, and the other safety who is up next on the list, make for arguably the best safety duo in the NFL. If these two can continue their elite level of play, which is expected, Buffalo is going to showcase from Week 1 why they’re considered the Super Bowl favorites.
4. Bills S Jordan Poyer
Up next is Bills safety Jordan Poyer, who is coming off of arguably his best season in the league. Poyer was First Team All Pro, and was ranked as the best coverage safety in the NFL according to PFF.
In 16 games played this season. Poyer tallied 93 combined tackles, five interceptions, nine pass deflections, and eight tackles for loss. In addition to this, Poyer also only allowed 245 yards and one T., holding opposing QBs to a 55 percent completion rate and a passer rating of 42.2 when targeting him.
Poyer has been one of the best coverage safeties in the NFL for quite some time now. The combination of him and Hyde is something that the Buffalo faith love to see in action.
The addition of these two safeties in 2017 helped thrust the Bills into the postseason and now Super Bowl contention. The Bills are truly one of the best examples of how to properly rebuild a team through both the draft and free agency.
3. Bills CB Tre’Davious White
Talk about a total stud. In his last two healthy seasons (2019 and 2020) Tre’Davious White made the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro honors in both years.
Despite still performing well enough to make a Pro Bowl and All-Pro team in 2020, White’s 2019 season is one of the best we’ve seen out of a corner in a while. In 15 games played, White snagged a league-high six interceptions. In addition to this, White also only allowed 590 yards and 0 TDs on a mere 50 percent completion rate. It is also worth noting that he held opposing QBs who targeted him to a 43.3 passer rating. Extremely impressive.
White was still very impressive in 2021 before going down with a torn ACL, only allowing 328 yards and 0 TDs in 11 games. White may still be battling back from his serious knee injury, but there’s no question he’s one of the best CBs in the game.
2. Bills WR Stefon Diggs
After being a standout receiver for the Minnesota Vikings over the course of five years, Stefon Diggs has really upped his game after he made his way to the Buffalo Bills.
In his first season with the team, Diggs caught a league-high 127 passes, for an also league-high 1,535 yards and eight TDs. Diggs made the Pro Bowl that year and was obviously a First Team All-Pro selection.
The 2021 season saw similar success for Diggs, as he caught 103 passes for 1,225 yards and 10 TDs. This led to another trip to the Pro Bowl. While the 2021 postseason was somewhat lackluster for Diggs, as he only caught 6 passes for 67 yards and 0 TDs, it is worth noting how often he was used as a decoy.
He would draw double teams to open up space for his other receivers like Gabriel Davis, who was a star for the Bills in the Divisional Round game vs. the Chiefs. Diggs has been consistently one of the best receivers in the NFL over the last four seasons and more of the same is expected from him this fall.
1. Bills QB Josh Allen
Coming in as the best player in New York football is Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen. Last season, he threw for 4,407 yards, 36 TDs and 16 interceptions. Alongside this, Allen also ran for 763 yards and six TDs.
While this is not as impressive as his 2020 season, in which he came in second for MVP voting, it is still enough to be considered the best player in NY football. In the last couple of seasons, Allen has emerged as one of the best QBs in the entire league. Making one ridiculous play after another, Allen is one of the most dynamic players the league has seen in a while.
Since being drafted in 2018, Allen has led the Bills to the playoffs every year except his rookie season. He helped the team make the AFC Championship Game in 2020, and he nearly powered KC to an epic win over KC last winter. That game will go down in history as one of the best of all time, with the Chiefs winning a thriller.
The craziest part about all of this? Allen is only 26 years old and it doesn’t seem as if he will be slowing down anytime soon. If he manages to keep this up, it only seems as if an MVP and maybe even a Super Bowl is in the future for the young phenom.