NFL

Ranking the Top 25 Players Who Missed the 2015 NFL Playoffs

Ranking the Top 25 Players Who Missed the 2015 NFL Playoffs

J.J. Watt Texans
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The 12 teams that made the 2014 NFL Playoffs have elite caliber players. Players like Richard Sherman, Rob Gronkowski and Calvin Johnson are the best players for their teams, but what about the teams that didn't make the postseason? Here are the top 25 players who missed the 2015 NFL Playoffs.

25. Trent Williams

Trent Williams Redskins
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25. Trent Williams

Trent Williams Redskins
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Despite a poor season surrounding the Washington Redskins, Trent Williams turned in another solid year as he earned his third straight Pro Bowl berth.

24. Lavonte David

Lavonte David Buccaneers
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24. Lavonte David

Lavonte David Buccaneers
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Tampa Bay had the worst record in the NFL, but not because of Lavonte David. David recorded 145 tackles, one sack, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

23. Brent Grimes

Brent Grimes Dolphins
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23. Brent Grimes

Brent Grimes Dolphins
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In just two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Brent Grimes has made the Pro Bowl twice. Grimes had an even better 2014 season with five interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown, and 13 pass deflections.

22. Tamba Hali

Tamba Hali Chiefs
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22. Tamba Hali

Tamba Hali Chiefs
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Tamba Hali earned his fourth Pro Bowl berth after recording six sacks, 59 tackles and three forced fumbles.

21. Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin Eagles
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21. Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin Eagles
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Jeremy Maclin had a career year in 2014 as he recorded 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.

20. Cameron Wake

Cameron Wake Dolphins
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20. Cameron Wake

Cameron Wake Dolphins
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Cameron Wake earned his fourth Pro Bowl appearance in the past five seasons with 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

19. Connor Barwin

Connor Barwin Eagles
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19. Connor Barwin

Connor Barwin Eagles
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Connor Barwin earned his first Pro Bowl berth after recording a career-high 14.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 64 tackles.

18. Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas Browns
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18. Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas Browns
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Joe Thomas earned his seventh Pro Bowl berth in his seventh season with the Cleveland Browns. Thomas' blocking helped both rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have solid seasons.

17. Kyle Williams

Kyle Williams Bills
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17. Kyle Williams

Kyle Williams Bills
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Kyle Williams earned his third straight Pro Bowl berth after recording 5.5 sacks and 42 tackles for the Buffalo Bills.

16. Eric Weddle

Eric Weddle Chargers
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16. Eric Weddle

Eric Weddle Chargers
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One of the best safeties in the NFL, Eric Weddle earned his second straight Pro Bowl berth after recording 114 tackles, two forced fumbles, eight pass deflections and one interception.

15. Marcell Dareus

Marcell Dareus Bills
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15. Marcell Dareus

Marcell Dareus Bills
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Marcell Dareus earned his second straight Pro Bowl berth after he recorded 10 sacks and 49 tackles at defensive tackle.

14. Mario Williams

Mario Williams Bills
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14. Mario Williams

Mario Williams Bills
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The final member of Buffalo's defensive line to make this list, Mario Williams earned his second Pro Bowl berth with the Bills after recording 14.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 42 tackles.

13. LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy Eagles
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13. LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy Eagles
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After leading the NFL in rushing last year, LeSean McCoy earned his third Pro Bowl berth in the past four seasons with 1,319 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

12. Julio Jones

Julio Jones Falcons
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12. Julio Jones

Julio Jones Falcons
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Atlanta's top playmaker, Julio Jones, earned his second Pro Bowl berth after recording 104 receptions for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns.

11. Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham Saints
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11. Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham Saints
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One of the best tight ends in the game, Jimmy Graham earned his third Pro Bowl berth after recording 85 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.

10. Robert Quinn

Robert Quinn Rams
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10. Robert Quinn

Robert Quinn Rams
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St. Louis' best defender, Robert Quinn earned his second straight Pro Bowl berth after recording 10.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and 46 tackles.

9. Odell Beckham

Odell Beckham Giants
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9. Odell Beckham

Odell Beckham Giants
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In just 12 games with the Giants, Odell Beckham recorded 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns.

8. Joe Haden

Joe Haden Browns
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8. Joe Haden

Joe Haden Browns
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One of the top corners in the game, Joe Haden had another solid season with three interceptions and 20 pass deflections.

7. Matt Forte

Matt Forte Bears
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7. Matt Forte

Matt Forte Bears
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Chicago's 2014 season was a disaster, but not because of Matt Forte. Forte ran for 1,038 yards with six touchdowns and recorded 102 receptions for 808 yards and four more touchdowns.

6. Drew Brees

Drew Brees Saints
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6. Drew Brees

Drew Brees Saints
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Despite not reaching the postseason, Drew Brees led the NFL in passing with 4,932 yards and 33 touchdowns.

5. Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy Buccaneers
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5. Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy Buccaneers
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Gerald McCoy once again proved that he was one of the NFL's top defenders in 2014. McCoy recorded 8.5 sacks in 12 games and also had three pass deflections.

4. Arian Foster

Arian Foster Texans
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4. Arian Foster

Arian Foster Texans
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In his first season under Bill O'Brien, Arian Foster had a nice bounce-back season with 1,246 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and 327 yards receiving and five touchdowns.

3. Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles Chiefs
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3. Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles Chiefs
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Jamaal Charles ran for over 1,000 yards for the fifth time in his seven NFL seasons with 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns. Charles also had 40 receptions for 291 yards and five more touchdowns.

2. Justin Houston

Justin Houston Chiefs
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2. Justin Houston

Justin Houston Chiefs
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If not for J.J. Watt, Justin Houston would have been the NFL's top defender. Houston recorded an NFL and franchise-high 22 sacks with four forced fumbles and five pass deflections.

1. J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt Texans
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1. J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt Texans
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J.J. Watt had one of the best seasons in NFL history with three touchdown receptions, 20.5 sacks and two defensive touchdowns among his many accomplishments.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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