It’s safe to say Julian Edelman is respected by his peers.
The New England Patriots wide receiver missed seven games last season with a broken foot and still was voted into NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2016 list. An NFL media press release notes “this list is determined solely by the votes of current NFL players.”
Edelman, who was No. 91 on last year’s list, caught 61 passes for 692 yards with seven touchdowns in nine regular-season games in 2015. He added 17 receptions for 153 yards in two playoff games.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats and free-agent receiver Greg Jennings heaped praise on Edelman in the show, which aired Wednesday night and revealed picks No. 100 to 81.
“I love watching guys like that because they’re the smaller-statured guys,” Jennings said. “But their heart is bigger than anyone on the field.”
Some questionable selections were made ahead of Edelman on the list:
81. Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith
82. Tennessee Titans TE Delanie Walker
83. Jacksonville Jaguars LB Telvin Smith
84. Kansas City Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali
85. Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins
86. Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart
87. New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman
88. Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cameron Heyward
89. Jacksonville Jaguars WR Allen Hurns
90. New York Jets RB Matt Forte
91. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
92. Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck
93. Kansas City Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin
94. Cleveland Browns TE Gary Barnidge
95. Green Bay Packers DL Mike Daniels
96. Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins
97. Buffalo Bills OL Richie Incognito
98. Miami Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry
99. New Orleans Saints DE Cameron Jordan
100. Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr
The remaining 80 players on the list will be revealed on future shows, and Patriots players are sure to be included. Tom Brady (No. 3) and Rob Gronkowski (No. 10) also made last year’s list.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
