Scout Inc. and ESPN Insider’s Matt Williamson ranks the top 200 NFL Players for the 2012 season with 10 Green Bay Packers players listed, nine of which are in the top 150. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the league’s reining MVP, is of course No. 1 on the list.
Rodgers received a scouts’ grade of 97 based on his phenomenal performance last season and what he is expected to do this year. Every single publication that ranks NFL players has Rodgers No. 1 on their list due to the anticipation of another big season and no evidence of the 28-year-old slowing down, especially considering he is surrounded by the same outstanding playmakers.
Here is what Williamson had to say about Rodgers under the player analysis:
“Rodgers has good size with excellent arm strength and athleticism. His vision, instincts and anticipation are tops in the league.
He has a quick release and can fit the ball into tight spots. He has excellent accuracy and rarely throws into coverage. He can avoid and improvise to make plays downfield. Rodgers has become an outstanding leader and is considered one of the best signal-callers in the NFL.”
The analysis is spot on and briefly explains why Rodgers is considered the best quarterback and arguably the most valuable player to any team in the entire league. He can make every single throw anywhere on the field and his ability to convert an accurate pass on the move outside of the pocket which makes him very difficult to defend. Rodgers also has the football intelligence not to try and fit the ball in a tight spot as most quarterbacks do, and instead looks for the open receiver.
Rodgers beat out Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Calvin Johnson, and Darrelle Revis (who make up 2-5) for the top spot. It does not come to a surprise the top three players are quarterbacks with Johnson coming in right behind them. However, it does amaze me a bit that Revis is No. 5 as I believe several other players could be worthy of that position.
Here is the list of the 10 Packers players and where they rank in the top 200:
No. 1 QB Aaron Rodgers
No. 27 OLB Clay Matthews
No. 40 WR Greg Jennings
No. 66 TE Jermichael Finley
No. 88 S/CB Charles Woodson
No. 94 G Josh Sitton
No. 122 CB Tramon Williams
No. 136 T Bryan Bulaga
No. 148 WR Jordy Nelson
No. 153 NT B.J. Raji
