By Brian Kalchik @BrianKalchik on January 3, 2015
Ranking the Top 25 Players Who Missed the 2015 NFL Playoffs
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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
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25. Trent Williams
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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
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24. Lavonte David
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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
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23. Brent Grimes
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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
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22. Tamba Hali
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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
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21. Jeremy Maclin
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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
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20. Cameron Wake
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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
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19. Connor Barwin
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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
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18. Joe Thomas
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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
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17. Kyle Williams
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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
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16. Eric Weddle
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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
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15. Marcell Dareus
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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
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14. Mario Williams
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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
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13. LeSean McCoy
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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
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12. Julio Jones
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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
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11. Jimmy Graham
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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
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10. Robert Quinn
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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
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9. Odell Beckham
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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
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8. Joe Haden
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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
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7. Matt Forte
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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
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6. Drew Brees
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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
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5. Gerald McCoy
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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
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4. Arian Foster
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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
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3. Jamaal Charles
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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
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2. Justin Houston
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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
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1. J.J. Watt
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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+ .