Where does Muhammad Wilkerson rank on the “Top 100 Players of 2016″?
Muhammad Wilkerson is the 1st New York Jet player to appear on the “Top 100 Players of 2016″ list by the NFL network. But should he have been ranked higher by his peers who vote on the football players themselves?
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Wilkerson Named to NFL Network Top 100 Jets’ Pro Bowl Defensive Lineman Comes in at No. 39 on NFLN Top 100 |
| Source: www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-7/Wilkerson-Named-to-NFL-Network-Top-100/374085f3-0ab5-4bf2-a049-b1e59c040f21 | |
What a disgrace! It was revealed that defensive end Wilkerson came in at No. 39 on the “Top 100 Players of 2016″ list, which is appalling. He should be ranked as a top 10 player by his NFL comrades with how much he brings to the table. With his unique pass rushing abilities, he had 12 sacks in 2015, which were a career high along with 7 balls batted down. This is actually amazing considering that he plays as a 3-4 defensive end, who faces more double teams than an end in a 4-3 defense. (He was 2nd in the NFL in sacks as a 3-4 DL, which is even more impressive). Add that his underrated run blocking skills set a Jets record for least rushing yards per game in 2015 and you can see why he is the most complete DE in the game. His versatility is the main reason why he has made the “Top 100 Players” list for the 3rd year in a row and why he was selected to his 1st Pro Bowl last year.
10. Number 10. That is where Muhammad should have placed on the NFL list, if not higher. Obviously, he is not as dominant an end as J.J. Watt from the Houston Texans or Oakland Raiders’ Khalil Mack but then what DE is better than Wilkerson? You tell me. Hmmm? No one! “He’s a great leader for the D-line.” Even rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin is motivated by how Muhammad commands this team and sets an example for his fellow team mates.
Do you know what’s more disgusting than Big Mo ranking No. 39 and not making the top 10? Andy Dalton finishing ahead of him at the 35th spot. Andy Dalton?! Come on! Wilkerson eats that quarterback for lunch AND dinner. The Red Rifle is just an average player who still can’t get his team past the 1st round in the playoffs in the last couple of years. How can a mediocre QB be ranked higher than Mo? That passer belongs in the bottom 50 of the list and just goes to show that the other NFL players had a brain fart when they voted for Dalton over him. Muhammad’s abilities alone should put him above Andy in the rankings; he is on a different level than that QB.
Muhammad Wilkerson finally gets the recognition he deserves from his peers, rising from No. 74 in 2014 to 39 this year. His run defense, pass rush and leadership skills make him an all around player, which is rare. As his rival Eric Wood, center from the Buffalo Bills, agrees “I think the best part about him is that he can do everything. He lines up at end, he lines up at 3-technique, he lines up at nose. There’s not too many guys that can do it.” What a shame that Mo did not end up in the top 10 this year. There are few ends that are as dynamic a playmaker as he is and disrupt offenses when he gets on the field. Here’s hoping that in 2017, his peers vote him as the best DE in the Top 100.
