Three Tennessee Titans lately made ESPN’s listing of the highest 100 gamers within the NFL for 2022, however every of them had been criminally underrated.
The listing, which is compiled by the votes of fifty NFL specialists and primarily based on how good they suppose gamers will likely be this coming season, has working again Derrick Henry at No. 61, security Kevin Byard at No. 83, and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons at No. 92.
Contemplating all three gamers are among the many finest — if not the very best within the case of Byard and Henry — at their respective positions, these rankings are far too low.
Henry, who managed to complete within the high 10 in dashing makes an attempt, yards and touchdowns in 2021 regardless of lacking the ultimate 9 video games, falls behind two different backs on the listing in Jonathan Taylor (No. 18) and Nick Chubb (No. 47).
Previous to an injury-shortened season that proved to be the one protection that may cease Henry, the Alabama product gained back-to-back dashing titles and was some of the dominant forces in all the league.
Waiting for 2022, Henry is totally wholesome and there’s no purpose to suppose he gained’t return to his elite type. As we’ve mentioned time and time once more, let’s see Chubb or Taylor outproduce Henry over the course of a full season earlier than crowning them higher.
Byard was arguably the very best security within the NFL final season, so it comes as a shock that not solely is he ranked this low, however that six different gamers on the place are ranked larger.
The listing consists of Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 23), Derwin James (No. 43), Justin Simmons (No. 57), Jordan Poyer (No. 58), Budda Baker (No. 66) and Antoine Winfield (No. 77).
Byard earned Professional Bowl and First-Group All-Professional nods in 2021, and was within the dialog for Defensive Participant of the Yr at one level. He posted elite protection and total Professional Soccer Focus grades, each of which had been tops amongst safeties. At 29, Byard is in his prime.
Simmons’ rating is egregious as a result of he emerged as among the best inside defenders within the NFL in 2021, notching a career-high 8.5 sacks. Simmons additionally confirmed up on the nationwide stage, tallying three sacks in a playoff loss.
Regardless of all that, there are 4 inside defensive linemen ranked forward of him, together with Aaron Donald (No. 2), Chris Jones (No. 40), DeForest Buckner (No. 62), and Cameron Heyward (No. 82).
The one one who we’ve no argument in opposition to being ranked larger than Simmons is, in fact, Donald, who was the one participant ranked forward of Simmons when ESPN listed their high 10 defensive linemen in July, which was primarily based on votes by execs, coaches, scouts and gamers across the NFL.
That is simply the newest high 100 listing the Titans trio has made. NFL Community’s listing, which was voted on by gamers across the league, did a significantly better job.
Henry landed behind Taylor as soon as once more there, however at the very least he was ranked twelfth total in what’s a way more correct rating. Byard landed at No. 34, however at the very least he was the highest-ranked security there. Simmons was additionally very underrated on NFL Community’s listing, coming in at No. 54.
The excellent news is the season is about to start out and we gained’t need to see foolish lists like these for an additional yr.