This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson deftly pivoted from disbelief to determination upon addressing his notable snub from the NFL’s Top 100 Players list.
Johnson started by saying things like “It’s bull—” and “Ain’t no way” to: “It is what it is. At the end of the day, I know the truth, and it’s OK. I’ve got some more for ‘em.”
That’s the spirit, Jaylon, especially when it comes to a ranking made for debate and voted on by players who truly have their say during a season that kicks off in a month.
Here’s a look at five players who deserved to be on the Top 100 list, whether they sounded off about it or not.
JAYLON JOHNSON, CHICAGO BEARS CB
“I don’t know how you make Pro Bowl, All-Pro and [are] not one of the Top 100 guys,” Johnson said. “I mean, I could have been 101, I guess, but Aaron Rodgers didn’t even play in the season, and he was voted [92nd].”
To be fair, Rodgers took the snap on four plays before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in his first season as New York Jets quarterback.
Also to be fair, Johnson sparked the defensive backfield for a team that tied for the league high with 22 interceptions and earned the best rating for coverage defenders from Pro Football Focus.
“I mean, hey, everybody makes mistakes,” Johnson said.
WILL ANDERSON JR., HOUSTON TEXANS
If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that Anderson Jr. stands to be a perennial Top 100 selection for many seasons to come.
Still, he had plenty of merit to be on the 2024 list after matching the hype of his No. 3 draft selection in 2023. Anderson Jr. made the Pro Bowl and was voted AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording seven sacks and 67 pressures.
He added 10 tackles for loss while starting 13 games.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. credits: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK Second-year offensive players have a right to get defensive about being left off the Top 100, too.
Gibbs quickly transformed into a reliable weapon that helped the Lions to an NFC North title and a run to the conference championship game.
He averaged 5.2 yards per carry, scored 10 rushing touchdowns during the regular season, and had TDs in each of Detroit’s three postseason games. As with his fellow Alabama product, Anderson Jr., Gibbs ought to be a mainstay on the list moving forward.
JAVON HARGRAVE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers DT
Javon Hargrave signed with the San Francisco 49ers last season, and has been a problem for opposing QBs ever since. source: Getty Images San Francisco boasted the league-best eight players on the list, one more than fellow NFC contenders Dallas and Philadelphia, so there may not be as much backing for a snub here in many places beyond the Bay Area.
Still, the logic seems iffy for a guy who ranked No. 98 on last year’s list to fall out completely after recording a career-high 11 sacks in 2023.
Then again, logic may not be the best driver of this ranking. Just ask the next guy on our list.
TRENT McDUFFIE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CB
McDuffie displayed durability and a penchant for playmaking during his second season in the league, attributes that made him one of three Chiefs All-Pro selections.
And no, neither of the others sport “Mahomes” or “MaAuto” jerseys on commercials.
Working alongside fellow youngster L’Jarius Sneed, who was also worthy of Top 100 status, McDuffie played in 97% of the two-time defending Super Bowl champs’ available defensive snaps. He proved effective in coverage and on the perimeter, with nine quarterback hits, five forced fumbles and three sacks.
