67. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
Tuesday August 9th, 2016
Cobb was forced more outside in 2015 as a result of the torn ACL that cost Jordy Nelson his entire 2015 season. He showed impressive aplomb, but the Packers are in their best shape when Cobb can manipulate coverage over the middle and down the seams as a speed slot weapon with an ever-increasing route awareness. Cobb's speed is his primary skill—he can foot-fake a cornerback into stopping at the first coverage point, and then blow right by him in embarrassing fashion. Even with a depleted receiver corps and some really questionable offensive playcalling last season, Cobb still caught 66 passes from the slot on 109 targets for 704 yards and six touchdowns. Not quite the transcendent slot season he had in 2014, but quite respectable under the circumstances. With Nelson back as his outside foil (and perhaps a few more route concepts stuck in Mike McCarthy's playbook), Cobb could be even better in 2016, especially if he gets over the focus drops that plagued him at times in 2015.
60. Danny Trevathan, LB, Bears
Wednesday August 10th, 2016
Between signing Jerrell Freeman and adding Trevathan, the Bears have rebuilt the heart of their 3–4 defense in one off-season. Initially a sixth-round pick in the 2012 draft (a pick Denver received in the Tim Tebow trade, for you trivia nerds), Trevathan gradually gained responsibility under Wade Phillips thanks to his versatility and reliability. In a pivotal late-season Monday Night Football win over Cincinnati, he stood up to the Bengals' bully ball, bringing down Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard a combined 12 times and earning a +4.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. Three wins later, he showed off his ability to rush the passer and drop back in Super Bowl 50, leading the team with eight tackles and a fumble recovery while helping to limit Cam Newton's No. 1 option, Greg Olsen, to 41 yards and his lowest catch-percentage since Week 4 of the regular season. Now we'll get to see what Trevathan is capable of under Vic Fangio, who built Bowman and Patrick Willis into the best inside linebacker duo in the league during his time with the 49ers. Among the many excited to see what he brings to Chicago? President Barack Obama, who told the ‘backer during his White House visit, "I can't wait to see you play with the Bears."
Here's the link to the full Top 100 NFL players: http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/08/11/nfl-top-100-2016-player-rankings-jj-watt-aaron-rodgers
Tuesday August 9th, 2016
Cobb was forced more outside in 2015 as a result of the torn ACL that cost Jordy Nelson his entire 2015 season. He showed impressive aplomb, but the Packers are in their best shape when Cobb can manipulate coverage over the middle and down the seams as a speed slot weapon with an ever-increasing route awareness. Cobb's speed is his primary skill—he can foot-fake a cornerback into stopping at the first coverage point, and then blow right by him in embarrassing fashion. Even with a depleted receiver corps and some really questionable offensive playcalling last season, Cobb still caught 66 passes from the slot on 109 targets for 704 yards and six touchdowns. Not quite the transcendent slot season he had in 2014, but quite respectable under the circumstances. With Nelson back as his outside foil (and perhaps a few more route concepts stuck in Mike McCarthy's playbook), Cobb could be even better in 2016, especially if he gets over the focus drops that plagued him at times in 2015.
60. Danny Trevathan, LB, Bears
Wednesday August 10th, 2016
Between signing Jerrell Freeman and adding Trevathan, the Bears have rebuilt the heart of their 3–4 defense in one off-season. Initially a sixth-round pick in the 2012 draft (a pick Denver received in the Tim Tebow trade, for you trivia nerds), Trevathan gradually gained responsibility under Wade Phillips thanks to his versatility and reliability. In a pivotal late-season Monday Night Football win over Cincinnati, he stood up to the Bengals' bully ball, bringing down Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard a combined 12 times and earning a +4.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. Three wins later, he showed off his ability to rush the passer and drop back in Super Bowl 50, leading the team with eight tackles and a fumble recovery while helping to limit Cam Newton's No. 1 option, Greg Olsen, to 41 yards and his lowest catch-percentage since Week 4 of the regular season. Now we'll get to see what Trevathan is capable of under Vic Fangio, who built Bowman and Patrick Willis into the best inside linebacker duo in the league during his time with the 49ers. Among the many excited to see what he brings to Chicago? President Barack Obama, who told the ‘backer during his White House visit, "I can't wait to see you play with the Bears."
Here's the link to the full Top 100 NFL players: http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/08/11/nfl-top-100-2016-player-rankings-jj-watt-aaron-rodgers