We’re deep into the offseason lull now, so it’s only right that we take some time to hand out some flowers across the league. We talk about NFL players a lot – obviously – and use terms like “best in the league” or “elite” frequently, but rarely do we actually quantify who the best players on each team are. Until now.
The criteria is pretty simple. We’re not projecting ahead and thinking long-term. This is strictly: who is the best player on each team right now? After finishing up with the NFC, we’re now moving over to the AFC, starting in the East.
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, Quarterback
The Bills are one of the best teams in the NFL, and while that hasn’t necessarily translated into the postseason success that the team is hoping for, it’s hard not to be impressed with the talent accumulated on the roster. Stefon Diggs is an elite wide receiver, Von Miller – before his injury – was on an absolute tear and once again looked like a pass rusher on top of the mountain, and guys like Matt Milano, Tre’Davious White, and Gregory Rousseau make the defense even better.
But the choice is obvious. This team goes as far as the arm of Josh Allen will allow them. Allen is a top 3 quarterback in the NFL. His arm is a fully-loaded cannon, and only Patrick Mahomes might have more arm talent than him in the NFL. He’s a freak of nature but has refined his game over the last few years to steady his accuracy and cut down the mistakes, all while retaining his big play threat.
On top of that, Allen remains one of the best dual-threats in the league. His 6-foot-5, 237lbs frame makes him a hard man to bring down when his legs are churning. He’s built like a linebacker. He’s one of a kind.
Miami Dolphins: Tyreek Hill, Wide Receiver
Speaking of one of a kind players, picking the best player on the Dolphins wasn’t that hard. Jalen Ramsey is still one of, if not the best, cornerbacks in the NFL, and guys like Jaelan Phillips, Jaylen Waddle, and Jevon Holland are all ascending to stardom, but Tyreek Hill remains the guy in Miami.
His game-breaking speed and agility – not just in a straight line either – are the main reasons why the Dolphins offense took such a big leap in 2022. Hill had a career-high in receiving yards (1,710) and built a solid connection with Tua Tagovailoa. Mike McDaniel’s offense gives Hill the chance to break inside into acres of space on intermediate and deep dig routes, but his elite separation gives him an advantage that every other receiver in the NFL just doesn’t have. Hill is one of the best in the game.
New England Patriots: Matt Judon, EDGE
The Patriots’ weird and not-so-wonderful experiment with Matt Patricia as offensive coordinator predictably didn’t pan out as the offense struggled to generate points at the best of times in 2022. However, the defense was elite. They were second in EPA per play on defense, per RBSDM, and third in DVOA. Much of the charge was led by their ability to force turnovers, but Matt Judon was the real leader of the defense and the team’s MVP in 2022.
He had a career-high 15.5 sacks and 69 pressures – he ranked eighth in the NFL in total pressures, per PFF, and fourth in sacks. Judon is all about versatility. He’s able to attack the quarterback from outside but has the strength and power to work inside on stunts. He’s not flashy, which means he’s perfectly a Patriot.
New York Jets: Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
Another tough one here. The New York Jets have high expectations for the 2023 season. A 7-9 record in 2022 doesn’t look all that successful on the surface, but the defense took strides to become one of the better units in the league, and the offense flashed in spurts, even if it was held back by poor quarterback play. Now, with Aaron Rodgers under center, the Jets are real contenders in 2023.
However, Rodgers might not be the best player on the Jets. He’s heading into his age 39 season and will be 40 in December. He didn’t show a sharp decline in 2022, but he took a step back. Rather than pick Rodgers, we’re going to pick a player who is still ascending. Sauce Gardner.
Gardner was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and one of the best cornerbacks in the league from the word go. He’s aggressive, super long, and athletic – plus, he was ridiculously battle-tested in 2022. If he gets any better, he’ll be the unquestioned best in the league.
-Thomas Valentine
Twitter: @tvalentinesport
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.