The NFL Top 100 this year prominently featured the AFC West. Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders‘ star pass rusher, should have ranked higher in the NFL’s Top 100, surpassing some of the featured Kansas City Chiefs.
A spot on the annual countdown is one of the most coveted honors. The fact that other league players vote for this honor adds some legitimacy. This year the top ten added a lot of controversy, with number one being Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill.
Three Chiefs players, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and others, reside in the top ten. This must have been a bitter pill for Raider Nation and other AFC West fanbases.
All three are outstanding assets to their team, but Crosby should at least be ahead of two of them.
2023 campaign for Maxx Crosby…
Last season for “The Condor” was by far his best yet, as he posted career highs in multiple facets. He totaled 14.5 sacks, 90 tackles, and 23 tackles for loss on his way to being a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Sadly, Crosby was not the winner of the award, but it was the most recognition he has received to this point in his career.
Raiders fans know that Crosby has been one of the most dominant players for a long time. The success of his team as a whole is what holds him back. He was the only top 10 player who missed the playoffs. Furthermore, what holds him back is that defensive players are rarely ever in the top five for this specific list.
NFL Top 100: How should we rank the best in the AFC West?
In general, the list isn’t too bad, but that’s primarily because the other players have more prominent names. Without a doubt, Crosby would rank higher on this list, if not for that notion—the team’s success (or lack of) should not dampen the player’s individual success.
Travis Kelce is one of the best tight ends to ever play the game of football. However, this past season was one of the worst of his career. It was filled with many dropped passes and his touchdowns were cut in half from the season before. The “all-time” discussion is a different story, but from last season there is no doubt Crosby was the better player.
Many other players are debatable such as Chris Jones or one of the two edge rushers, but it’s understandable. Jones is absolutely a top interior player. You could argue he’s one of the best to ever do it. Simultaneously, Crosby does not even substitute out of every game and is still dominant. Although Crosby’s ranking in the top 10 is impressive, he deserves a better honor.
*Top Photo: Associated Press
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