The 200 best players of the modern NFL

From Pro-Football-Reference.

A work in progress, but they are trying to rate players across positions and eras using only statistics and pro-bowl/all-pro selections.

NOTE: the author of the algorithm that generated this list does not agree with the entirety of the list. He, in fact, acknowledges that it’s obviously wrong in spots. He does think it’s pretty respectable, given the difficulty of comparing players across positions and eras using only objective data. He also thinks it’ll give us something to talk about here in May.

Also a note from me: over the course of almost 40 years of NFL history some names repeat. There is a Jake Scott on the list, he was a DB in the 70s not a guard for the Colts. There is a Charlie Johnson on the value per season list he is obviously not the one that is currently playing (or hopefully not playing) for the Colts

They reward players with high peaks over extra long careers with this adjustment:

100% of his best season, plus 95% of his 2nd-best season, plus 90% of his 3rd-best season, plus, ….

Top 10

   1 Reggie White              159
   2 Jerry Rice                  154
   3 Dan Marino                148
   4 Bruce Smith               143
   5 Brett Favre                 141
   6 Rod Woodson              140
   7 John Elway                 136
   8 Anthony Munoz            135
   9 Peyton Manning           132
     Lawrence Taylor           132

 

(ex-)Colts players in the top 200

#9 Manning (#4QB, #1 active player)

#13  Marshall Faulk (#1RB)

#28 Marvin Harrison (#2 WR, #1 active WR, #4 active player)

#40 Edgerrin James (Tied-#5 RB, #1 active RB)

#95 Eric Dickerson

#146 Simeon Rice (He was a Colt, remember)

#153 Tarik Glenn

Approximate value per season played (minimum 6 seasons)

All the Colts on the total list make the per season top 200 with the addition of Jeff Saturday.

Top 10

LaDainian Tomlinson  17.1
Peyton Manning        16.7
Reggie White           15.9
Steve Young            15.7
Barry Sanders          15.5
Edgerrin James         15.5
Tom Brady              15.0
Lawrence Taylor       14.9
Ray Lewis               14.8
Trent Green             14.8