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American Football

NFL begins countdown of top 100 players for 2023 season with Eagles wide receiver

Philip Marsh
NFL begins countdown of top 100 players for 2023 season with Eagles wide receiverGetty Images

Ahead of the start of each new season, the NFL announces their list of the top 100 players for the following campaign.

To help build suspense, the players are revealed in groups of 10 every weekday, beginning with those ranked 91-100.

This year the group of players ranked 11-20 will be announced on Thursday, August 3 before the top 10 are revealed the following Monday.

The 'Top 100' has been an annual tradition for the last 12 seasons, with only Tom Brady topping the piling on more than one occasion - he did so four times!

Just the first 10 players announced for the 2023 season has caused huge debate, and it has included a couple players whose ranks from 2022 have dramatically fallen.

#100 - DeVonta Smith

The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver was the first name announced for the 2023 season.

Smith had 95 receptions for 1,196 yards in 2022, and was the perfect partner for the team's other wide receiver AJ Brown.

The 2021 first round pick will be hoping to take another step forward in 2023, and help the Eagles go one step further than last season.

#99 DeMarcus Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has been in the NFL since 2014 but continues to be one of the best at the position.

Last season Lawrence made six sacks and forced three fumbles, while also registering 43 solo tackles.

Those numbers are the highest of Lawrence's career, all achieved at the age of 31.

#98 - Tristan Wirfs

One of the big fallers from the 2022 'Top 100' is Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Wirfs drops from 41st down to 98th, but the 24-year-old is still one of the league's better tackles at his young age.

The Iowa product has not allowed more than 2.5 sacks against him in either of his two seasons as a pro, so remains a key piece in the Tampa offense.

#97 - Harrison Smith

At the age of 34, Harrison Smith is back in the NFL's 'Top 100' list for the sixth time in his career.

The safety is the longest-serving Minnesota Viking currently with the franchise, and tied his career-high interceptions with five in 2022.

In 2023 Smith will yet again be a key player on defence for the Vikings, who now have Brian Flores as defensive coordinator.

#96 - Trevor Lawrence

lawrence-20210814-getty-ftr(Getty Images)

Perhaps the most debated name on the list so far is Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

That is not because he does not belong in the NFL's 'Top 100', but many believe he should be far higher up the list.

After an average rookie campaign, Lawrence showed what all the hype was about in 2022, but has left room to improve again going into 2023.

#95 - Jamaal Williams

What a season it was for Jamaal Williams in 2022, leading the NFL for rushing touchdowns with an eye-watering 17 - four more than anyone else.

That was with the Detroit Lions, but now Williams has a new home in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints.

Williams will now have veteran running back Alvin Kamara and rookie Kendre Miller to compete with for touches, but after last season he deserves his first appearance on this list.

#94 - Terry McLaurin

There is no denying the talent of Terry McLaurin, the biggest thing holding him back from being a superstar has been questionable quarterback play.

Despite the chopping and changing at quarterback, McLaurin recorded his third-straight 1000+ yard receiving season in 2022.

He will now have sophomore Sam Howell under centre, but McLaurin's talent demands targets from whoever is throwing the ball.

#93 - Erik Kendricks

After eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, linebacker Erik Kendricks has a new home in the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kendricks made a career high 87 solo tackles in 2022, a figure which has never dropped below 63 in his career.

In a division against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers will be needing more of the same from their new man.

#92 - Marlon Humphrey

The first Baltimore Raven on the list in Marlon Humphrey, who continues to be an elite cornerback after six seasons in the NFL.

After back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns in 2019 and 2020, Humphrey had a quieter 2021 by his standards but returned to form in 2022.

Humphrey's 71 tackles was his second most while he also tied his career high of three interceptions in 2022.

#91 - Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook ftrJonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Free agent running back Dalvin Cook still makes the 'Top 100' for 2023 despite currently not having a team - although that is reflected in the fact he is 60 places lower than in 2022.

The Minnesota Vikings cut Cook at the end of last season despite another campaign with 1000+ rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

If Cook and a team can agree on a fair price for his services, he will be an immediate asset for the upcoming season.

DAZN will deliver the NFL Game Pass International service from the 2023 season across the world (except the U.S. and China), find out more here.

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