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In this series on Stampede Blue, I’m going to break down each player on a 50-100 Madden-style scale each week to help identify and illustrate which players are the best and most valuable players on the team. Please take note that these are current values and don’t think into account the value or future potential (or regression) of a player. Here is a breakdown of the tiers:
Tiers
95 to 100 — One of the 3, 4 best players at his position in the NFL
90 to 94 — An elite, top 10 NFL player at his position in the NFL
85 to 89 — A borderline elite player who will make plenty of plays in each game
80 to 84 — An above average starter
75 to 79 — An average starter who won’t hurt you
70 to 74 — An average starter who should only be used in small spurts
65 to 69 — A below average starter and above average backup
60 to 64 — An average backup
60 or below — A borderline roster player
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers — 87 (-1)
Jacoby Brissett — 75 (-1)
Jacob Eason — 68
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor — 85 (+3)
Nyheim Hines — 82
Jordan Wilkins — 74
Marlon Mack — 79 (Injured Reserve)
Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton — 88 (+1)
Zach Pascal — 77 (-2)
Michael Pittman Jr — 76 (+1)
DeMichael Harris — 69
Marcus Johnson — 68
Ashton Dulin — 67
Dezmon Patmon — 61
Parris Campbell — 77 (Injured Reserve)
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle — 78
Mo Alie-Cox — 76
Trey Burton — 71
Noah Togiai — 60 (Injured Reserve)
Offensive Line
Quenton Nelson — 97 (+1)
Braden Smith — 82 (+2)
Ryan Kelly — 81
Mark Glowinski — 80 (+1)
Jared Veldheer — 70 (+1)
Danny Pinter — 65
Will Holden — 63
Chaz Green — 61
Anthony Castonzo — 85 (Injured Reserve)
Le’Raven Clark — 60 (Injured Reserve)
Defensive Line
DeForest Buckner — 98
Grover Stewart — 87 (+1)
Justin Houston — 85
Denico Autry — 79
Al-Quadin Muhammed — 76
Kemoko Turay — 74 (+1)
Tyquan Lewis — 73
Taylor Stallworth — 70
Ben Banogu — 67
Linebackers
Darius Leonard — 98
Bobby Okereke — 81
Anthony Walker — 74
Zaire Franklin — 69
E.J. Speed — 67
Matthew Adams — 64
Jordan Glasgow — 63
Secondary
Kenny Moore III — 90
Xavier Rhodes — 81 (-1)
Julian Blackmon — 77
Khari Willis — 77
TJ Carrie — 75 (+1)
Rock Ya-Sin — 69
George Odum — 68
Tavon Wilson — 67 (+1)
Isaiah Rodgers — 64
Tremon Smith — 62
Malik Hooker — 70 (Injured Reserve)
Special Teams
Rigoberto Sanchez — 83 (+1)
Rodrigo Blankenship — 78 (-2)
Luke Rhodes — 78
Biggest Climbers
Jonathan Taylor
Taylor had, easily, the best game of his young career rushing over 250 yards and completely destroying the putrid Jaguars defense. He has been running extremely well since Week 11 after a rough start to his career. He is peaking at the right time this season and could be instrumental against the Bills and a potential playoff run.
Braden Smith
It’s good to have Braden Smith back who makes a huge difference along the offensive line. He hasn’t allowed a sack all season and he shored up his side of the offensive line against the Jaguars with little issue. He’ll be crucial for the playoffs.
Biggest Droppers
Zach Pascal
Pascal had a couple of drops and was not on his game. Considering he’s the most reliable receiving option for the Colts after Hilton, he needs to be on his game for the Bills game, otherwise, the Colts won’t have any offensive firepower.
Rodrigo Blakenship
Blakenship’s leg strength is an issue. He came short on a 50-yard kick earlier in the season and he came a couple of yards short on a 56-yard field goal indoors. He then doinked a 49-yard kick. While reliable under 45 yards, if Hot Rod can’t make kicks over 45 yards then it will be tough to trust him and it will force the Colts to go for it a lot more when between the opponent’s 30 and 45-yard line.