Andrew Luck makes NFL Network top 100 list at number 51

The NFL Network countdown of the top 100 players from the 2016 season continued tonight with numbers 60 through 51 being revealed, and another Colt has made the list: quarterback Andrew Luck checked in at number 51.

Luck is the second Colt to appear on the countdown, joining wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who was ranked number 61. Luck has made the list in each of his NFL seasons, as he was 23rd in 2012, 30th in 2013, 7th in 2014, and 92nd in 2015.

Luck had an absolutley terrific season in 2016, as he completed 346 of 545 passes (63.5%) for 4,240 yards (7.8 yards per attempt), 31 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions for a passer rating of 96.4. He also rushed for 341 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Despite being one of the most-sacked/hit quarterbacks, dealing with drops, and playing for a bad team with a terrible defense, Luck ranked sixth in the NFL in passing yards per game, fifth in touchdown passes, tenth in yards per attempt, eighth in passer rating, and seventh in QBR. There’s no way around it: Luck was very, very good last year.

So it should reasonably be expected that Luck be in the top 50 at least when ranking the best players from the 2017 season, but that obviously isn’t the case. We should have mentioned it more last week too, but T.Y. Hilton appearing on the list at number 61 seems a bit low too. Luck not even making the top 50 is ridiculous, however. But it’s pretty clear that this list is far from the best way to evaluate the best players from last year, as Adrian Peterson even made it despite playing in three games and averaging 1.9 yards per carry!

It’s a fun offseason discussion for fans to follow, but don’t let it deceive you: Luck was better in 2016 than this ranking suggests. Far better. Either way, though, it’s a nice honor and very well-deserved for the Colts’ quarterback.

You can check out the full list, as far as it’s been revealed, here.