# NFL Top 100 Players of 2021

NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 is the eleventh season in the NFL Top 100 series. It premiered on August 15, 2021, and concluded on August 28, 2021. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the number one player.

## Episode list

| Episode No. | Air date | Numbers revealed |
| 1 | August 15 | 100–91 |
| 2 | August 15 | 90–81 |
| 3 | August 15 | 80–71 |
| 4 | August 15 | 70–61 |
| 5 | August 15 | 60–51 |
| 6 | August 15 | 50–41 |
| 7 | August 22 | 40–31 |
| 8 | August 22 | 30–21 |
| 9 | August 22 | 20–11 |
| 10 | August 28 | 10–6 |
| 11 | August 28 | 5–1 |

## The list

| Rank | Player | Position | 2020 team | 2021 team | Rank change | Year accomplishments |
| 1 | Patrick Mahomes | Quarterback | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | Second consecutive AFC Championship 3rd Pro Bowl selection 1st Second-team All-Pro selection Became the fastest quarterback to reach 10,000 passing yards (34 games) Became the fastest quarterback to reach 100 passing touchdowns (40 games) Broke NFL records for career passing yards per game (307.7), career quarterback rating (108.7), and career interception percentage (1.4%, tied) by recording his 1,500th pass attempt |
| 2 | Aaron Donald | Defensive tackle | Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles Rams | 1 | NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 5) 3rd AP DPOY Award 6th First-team All-Pro selection 7th Pro Bowl selection |
| 3 | Aaron Rodgers | Quarterback | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers | 13 | 11th player to pass for 50,000 career yards Threw 400th career touchdown pass NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 13) NFC Offensive Player of the Month (December) Led league in touchdown passes (48, career high) 3rd AP MVP Award 3rd First-team All-Pro selection 9th Pro Bowl selection |
| 4 | Derrick Henry | Running back | Tennessee Titans | Tennessee Titans | 6 | 2x AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 6, 17) Led league in rushing yards (2,027) and rushing touchdowns (17) 8th 2,000 yard rushing season in NFL history 1st AP OPOY Award 1st First-team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 5 | Travis Kelce | Tight end | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City Chiefs | 13 | Broke single season tight end receiving yards record (1,416) Broke record for 1,000 receiving yards seasons by a tight end 3rd First-team All-Pro selection 6th Pro Bowl selection League leader among tight ends in receiving yards and touchdowns |
| 6 | Davante Adams | Wide receiver | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers | 51 | First team All-Pro selection 4th consecutive Pro Bowl selection Career high in receptions (115) Led league in touchdown catches (18) |
| 7 | Tom Brady | Quarterback | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 4) 7th Super Bowl championship 5th Super Bowl MVP award |
| 8 | DeAndre Hopkins | Wide receiver | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals | 0 | NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 10) tied career high in receptions (105) 2nd Second-team All-Pro selection 5th Pro Bowl selection |
| 9 | T. J. Watt | Outside linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers | Pittsburgh Steelers | 16 | AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2) 2x AFC Defensive Player of the Month (September, November) Led league in sacks (15) AFC Defensive Player of the Year 2nd First-team All-Pro selection 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 10 | Josh Allen | Quarterback | Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills | 77 | 4x AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Weeks 2, 9, 13, 15) 2x AFC Offensive Player of the Month (September, December) Career highs in completions (396), passing yards (4,544) and passing touchdowns (37) 1st Second-team All-Pro selection 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 11 | Stefon Diggs | Wide receiver | Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills | 43 | AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 16) Led league in receptions (127) and yards receiving (1,535) (both career highs) 1st First-team All-Pro selection 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 12 | Russell Wilson | Quarterback | Seattle Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks | 10 | 2x NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1, 3) NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September) Career highs in pass completions (384) and touchdown passes (40) Walter Payton Man of the Year 8th Pro Bowl selection |
| 13 | Jalen Ramsey | Cornerback | Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles Rams | 24 | 2nd First-team All-Pro selection 4th Pro Bowl selection |
| 14 | Alvin Kamara | Running back | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints | 28 | Tied NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a game (6) NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 16) Career highs in rushing yards (932) and touchdowns (16) 2nd Second-team All-Pro selection |
| 15 | Tyreek Hill | Wide receiver | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City Chiefs | 7 | AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 12) Career highs in receptions (87) and touchdowns (15) 3rd First-team All-Pro selection 5th Pro Bowl selection |
| 16 | Myles Garrett | Defensive end | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Browns | 64 | AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 4) AFC Defensive Player of the Month (October) 1st First-team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 17 | Xavien Howard | Cornerback | Miami Dolphins | Miami Dolphins | NR | Led league in interceptions (10) (2nd time in career) and passes defensed (20) 1st First-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 18 | Deshaun Watson | Quarterback | Houston Texans | Houston Texans | 2 | AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 11) Career high in completions (382) Led league in passing yards (4,823) 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 19 | Budda Baker | Free safety | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals | 78 | NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 6) NFC Defensive Player of the Month (October) Tied career high in sacks (2) 2nd First-team All-Pro selection 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 20 | Dalvin Cook | Running back | Minnesota Vikings | Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 2x NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 8, 9) NFC Offensive Player of the Month (November) Career highs in rushing yards (1,557) and rushing touchdowns (16) 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 21 | Fred Warner | Linebacker | San Francisco 49ers | San Francisco 49ers | 49 | NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 16) Career high in interceptions (2) 1st First-team All-Pro selection 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 22 | DK Metcalf | Wide receiver | Seattle Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks | 59 | Career highs in receptions (83), yards (1,303), and touchdowns (10) 1st Second-team All-Pro selection 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 23 | Khalil Mack | Outside linebacker | Chicago Bears | Chicago Bears | 4 | 1st Second-team All-Pro selection 6th Pro Bowl selection |
| 24 | Lamar Jackson | Quarterback | Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore Ravens | 23 | First NFL quarterback to have multiple seasons surpassing 1,000 rushing yards |
| 25 | Bobby Wagner | Middle linebacker | Seattle Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks | 12 | NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 8) 6th First-team All-Pro selection 7th Pro Bowl selection |
| 26 | Nick Chubb | Running back | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Browns | 10 | Career high in rushing touchdowns (12) 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 27 | DeForest Buckner | Defensive tackle | Indianapolis Colts | Indianapolis Colts | 29 | AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 15) AFC Defensive Player of the Month (December) Tied career-high in forced fumbles (2) 1st First-Team All-Pro selection |
| 28 | Devin White | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NR | Career highs in tackles (97), sacks (9) and passes defensed (4) 2x NFC Defensive Player of the Week (7, 15) Super Bowl champion (1st time) |
| 29 | Julio Jones | Wide receiver | Atlanta Falcons | Tennessee Titans | 18 | |
| 30 | Aaron Jones | Running back | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers | 3 | Career high in rushing yards (1,104) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 31 | Jamal Adams | Strong safety | Seattle Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks | 4 | Career high in sacks (9 1/2) 2nd Second-Team All-Pro selection 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 32 | Joey Bosa | Defensive end | Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles Chargers | 2 | 2nd First-Team All-Pro selection 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 33 | Quenton Nelson | Guard | Indianapolis Colts | Indianapolis Colts | 4 | 3rd First-Team All-Pro selection 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 34 | Chris Jones | Defensive tackle | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City Chiefs | 18 | Tied career high in sacks (13) 2nd Second-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 35 | Darren Waller | Tight end | Las Vegas Raiders | Las Vegas Raiders | 64 | 1st Pro Bowl selection Career highs in receiving yards (1,196) and touchdown receptions (9) Led league in receptions among tight ends (107) |
| 36 | David Bakhtiari | Offensive tackle | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers | 26 | 2nd First-Team All-Pro selection 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 37 | Shaquille Leonard | Outside linebacker | Indianapolis Colts | Indianapolis Colts | 13 | Career high in fumbles recovered (2) AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 17) 2nd First-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 38 | Marlon Humphrey | Cornerback | Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore Ravens | 48 | Career high in tackles (68) Led league in forced fumbles (8) 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 39 | Kyler Murray | Quarterback | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona Cardinals | 51 | 3x NFC Offensive Player of the Week (5, 7, 15) Career highs in completions (375), passing yards (3,971) and touchdown passes (26) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 40 | Bradley Chubb | Outside linebacker | Denver Broncos | Denver Broncos | NR | 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 41 | Jaire Alexander | Cornerback | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers | NR | 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 42 | Trent Williams | Offensive tackle | San Francisco 49ers | San Francisco 49ers | NR | 8th Pro Bowl selection |
| 43 | Lavonte David | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 57 | NFC Defensive Player of the Month (September) Super Bowl champion (1st time) 2nd Second-Team All-Pro selection |
| 44 | Christian McCaffrey | Running back | Carolina Panthers | Carolina Panthers | 38 | |
| 45 | Justin Simmons | Free safety | Denver Broncos | Denver Broncos | NR | Career highs in tackles (75) and interceptions (5) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 46 | Cameron Jordan | Defensive end | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints | 23 | NFC Defensive Player of the Month (November) 6th Pro Bowl selection |
| 47 | Stephon Gilmore | Cornerback | New England Patriots | New England Patriots/Carolina Panthers | 38 | 4th Pro Bowl selection |
| 48 | Mike Evans | Wide receiver | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 18 | Career high in touchdown receptions (13) Super Bowl champion (1st time) Record 7th consecutive season with 1,000 yards receiving |
| 49 | J. C. Jackson | Cornerback | New England Patriots | New England Patriots | NR | Career high in interceptions (9) |
| 50 | George Kittle | Tight end | San Francisco 49ers | San Francisco 49ers | 43 | |
| 51 | Za'Darius Smith | Outside linebacker | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers | 3 | NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 4) 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 52 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | Free safety | Pittsburgh Steelers | Pittsburgh Steelers | 17 | Career high in tackles (60) 2nd First-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 53 | Justin Jefferson | Wide receiver | Minnesota Vikings | Minnesota Vikings | NR | 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection 1st Pro Bowl selection PFWA All-Rookie Team |
| 54 | Grady Jarrett | Defensive tackle | Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta Falcons | 37 | 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 55 | Keenan Allen | Wide receiver | Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles Chargers | 22 | Tied career high in touchdown receptions (8) 4th Pro Bowl selection |
| 56 | Justin Herbert | Quarterback | Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles Chargers | NR | 2x Offensive Rookie of the Month (October, November) AP Offensive Rookie of the Year PFWA All-Rookie Team |
| 57 | Cameron Heyward | Defensive tackle | Pittsburgh Steelers | Pittsburgh Steelers | 27 | Recorded first interception of career (Week 1) 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection 4th Pro Bowl selection |
| 58 | Tyrann Mathieu | Safety | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City Chiefs | 19 | Career high in interceptions (6) 3rd First-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 59 | Jason Pierre-Paul | Outside linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NR | Career high in interceptions (2) Super Bowl champion (2nd time) 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 60 | Corey Linsley | Center | Green Bay Packers | Los Angeles Chargers | NR | 1st First-Team All-Pro selection |
| 61 | Chase Young | Defensive end | Washington Football Team | Washington Football Team | NR | NFC Defensive Player of the Month (December 2020) AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 1st Pro Bowl selection PFWA All-Rookie Team |
| 62 | A. J. Brown | Wide receiver | Tennessee Titans | Tennessee Titans | NR | Career highs in receptions (70), yards (1,075) and touchdown catches (11) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 63 | Fletcher Cox | Defensive tackle | Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | 6th Pro Bowl selection |
| 64 | Demario Davis | Inside linebacker | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints | 3 | 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection |
| 65 | Calvin Ridley | Wide receiver | Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta Falcons | NR | Career highs in receptions (90) and yards receiving (1,374) 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection |
| 66 | J. J. Watt | Defensive end | Houston Texans | Arizona Cardinals | 21 | Recorded 100th career sack (Week 9) |
| 67 | K. J. Wright | Outside linebacker | Seattle Seahawks | Las Vegas Raiders | NR | |
| 68 | Josh Jacobs | Running back | Las Vegas Raiders | Las Vegas Raiders | 4 | Career high in rushing touchdowns (12) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 69 | Ryan Kelly | Center | Indianapolis Colts | Indianapolis Colts | NR | 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 70 | Eric Kendricks | Linebacker | Minnesota Vikings | Minnesota Vikings | 13 | Career high in interceptions (3) |
| 71 | Baker Mayfield | Quarterback | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Browns | NR | AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 7) |
| 72 | Michael Thomas | Wide receiver | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints | 67 | |
| 73 | Trey Hendrickson | Defensive end | New Orleans Saints | Cincinnati Bengals | NR | Career highs in tackles (22) and sacks (13 1/2) |
| 74 | James Bradberry | Cornerback | New York Giants | New York Giants | NR | Career high in passes defensed (18) Tied career high in interceptions (3) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 75 | Laremy Tunsil | Offensive tackle | Houston Texans | Houston Texans | 9 | 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 76 | Tyler Lockett | Wide receiver | Seattle Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks | 11 | Career highs in receptions (100) and touchdown catches (10) |
| 77 | Quandre Diggs | Free safety | Seattle Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks | NR | Career highs in passes defensed (10) and interceptions (5) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 78 | Jeffery Simmons | Defensive tackle | Tennessee Titans | Tennessee Titans | NR | AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9) Career highs in tackles (24), sacks (3) and passes defensed (3) |
| 79 | Terron Armstead | Offensive tackle | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints | NR | 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 80 | Adam Thielen | Wide receiver | Minnesota Vikings | Minnesota Vikings | NR | Career high in touchdown receptions (14) |
| 81 | Chris Godwin | Wide receiver | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 43 | Super Bowl champion (1st time) |
| 82 | Garett Bolles | Offensive tackle | Denver Broncos | Denver Broncos | NR | 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection PFWA All-AFC Team |
| 83 | Ryan Tannehill | Quarterback | Tennessee Titans | Tennessee Titans | 15 | Career high in touchdown passes (33) |
| 84 | Leonard Williams | Defensive end | New York Giants | New York Giants | NR | 2x NFC Defensive Player of the Week (13, 17) |
| 85 | Zack Martin | Guard | Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys | 30 | |
| 86 | Marshon Lattimore | Cornerback | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints | 10 | Career high in tackles (52) 3rd Pro Bowl selection |
| 87 | Allen Robinson | Wide receiver | Chicago Bears | Chicago Bears | 6 | Career high in receptions (102) |
| 88 | Shaquil Barrett | Outside linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 56 | Recorded 1st Career safety (Week 3) NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3) Super Bowl champion (2nd time) |
| 89 | Tristan Wirfs | Offensive tackle | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NR | Super Bowl champion (1st time) PFWA All-Rookie Team |
| 90 | Jessie Bates | Safety | Cincinnati Bengals | Cincinnati Bengals | NR | Career highs in tackles (78), passes defensed (15) and interceptions (3) 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection |
| 91 | Corey Davis | Wide receiver | Tennessee Titans | New York Jets | NR | Career highs in receiving yards (945) and touchdown catches (5) |
| 92 | Jason Kelce | Center | Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 4th Pro Bowl selection |
| 93 | T. J. Hockenson | Tight end | Detroit Lions | Detroit Lions | NR | Career highs in receptions (67), yards (723) and touchdown catches (6) 1st Pro Bowl selection |
| 94 | Jarvis Landry | Wide receiver | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Browns | 33 | 6th Pro Bowl selection |
| 95 | Tre'Davious White | Cornerback | Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills | 48 | 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection 2nd Pro Bowl selection |
| 96 | Cole Beasley | Wide receiver | Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills | NR | Career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (967) 1st Second-Team All-Pro selection |
| 97 | Kyle Juszczyk | Fullback | San Francisco 49ers | San Francisco 49ers | NR | Career highs in rushing yards (64) and rushing touchdowns (2) |
| 98 | Brandon Scherff | Guard | Washington Football Team | Washington Football Team | NR | 4th Pro Bowl selection 1st First-Team All-Pro selection |
| 99 | Brandon Graham | Defensive end | Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia Eagles | NR | |
| 100 | James Robinson | Running back | Jacksonville Jaguars | Jacksonville Jaguars | NR | Offensive Rookie of the Month (September 2020) PFWA All-Rookie Team |

### Sources

* 2021 Pro Bowl rosters:
* 2020 All-Pro Team:
* PFWA All-Rookie Team:

## Reception
### Players

Arizona Cardinals tackle D. J. Humphries criticized the list and its voting process, disagreeing with the placement of players such as J. J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins.