Gridiron Greats: The NFL's Best Players
#13 Steven Jackson
If there's any time that's seen more injuries than baseball in April, it's the St. Louis Rams and Steven Jackson is at the forefront. When healthy however, the running back can punish for over 1,000 yards rushing. Problem is, he needs to find a way to get into the red zone more.
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15:
Larry Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald's receptions may be on the decline as the Arizona Cardinals can't find a solid quarterback, but the wide receiver always seems to be able to make plays on his own which showed last year as he averaged 6.4 yards after the catch, nearly doubling his total in 2010.
14:
Matt Forte
"Da Bears" are still trying to find a way to make it back into the Super Bowl and they may be able to do so with Matt Forte, a running back with exceptional skills that can do damage once given the right openings.
13:
Steven Jackson
If there's any time that's seen more injuries than baseball in April, it's the St. Louis Rams and Steven Jackson is at the forefront. When healthy however, the running back can punish for over 1,000 yards rushing. Problem is, he needs to find a way to get into the red zone more.
12:
Cam Newton
Newton may have only been a rookie last year, but the runner-up for the cover of Madden 13 exceeded expectations throwing over 4,000 passing yards. His touchdown numbers while with Carolina? 17 passing to go along with running back-esque 14 on the ground.
11:
Rob Gronkowski
Critics can argue, but the Patriots primary receiving target may be the NFL's best tight end in the past two decades. In two seasons, the 23-year-old has grabbed 27 touchdowns and almost 2,000 receiving yards while only fumbling the ball once.
10:
Peyton Manning
After spending his entire career in Indy, Peyton Manning will now venture off into the land of the Broncos, but with a thin receiving core and having not played during 2011, it's hard to say if Manning can audible his way out into another 4,000+ yard season.
9:
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson may be headed down the gloomy path of where running backs go to die as last year's totals were merely half of what he finished with three seasons ago, but he still has pop and power left. With new teammates this year, he should be able to find it.
8:
Andre Johnson
One of the best receivers in the game, Johnson's had a tough time trying to win in Houston but the Florida native is still able to be outstanding, when healthy of course. In both 2008 and 2009, Johnson totaled over 1,500 yards receiving. Fun fact: he's never once in his career recorded more than 10 touchdowns in a single year.
7:
Tom Brady
Maybe it's the hair or the trophy wife, but Tom Brady will go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. Eclipsing 5,000 passing yards last season, Brady added to his career totals as this season, he'll hit the 40,000 mark.
6:
LeSean McCoy
The Eagles greatest running back since Brian Westbrook's better days, LeSean McCoy is a timebomb on the field which fully suits Philadelphia's run and gun style. In 15 games last year, McCoy hit the end zone running 17 times.
5:
Calvin Johnson
There's always been potential with Calvin Johnson, it's just now he has a quarterback to actually throw him the ball. In 16 full games last season, the Georgia Tech alumni recorded 1681 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.
4:
Arian Foster
Running backs tend to come and go with their dominant seasons and with others falling behind, the Texans back has exploded with his heavy frame, punishing defenses to rake in rushing and receiving yards that rival a healthy Adrian Peterson.
3:
Drew Brees
Age is catching up to Brees but his leader qualities are literally juicing up his talent as the years go on. Last year, the Saints QB broke Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards and also hit the red zone for 46 touchdowns.
2:
Ray Rice
Though he may be only 25, Ray Rice has shown he's a workhorse, not only eclipsing 1,200 rushing yards mark for three straight seasons, but only finding the end zone through receptions by showing he's a running back that can rake in 700 yards receiving for the Ravens.
1:
Aaron Rodgers
Ever since taking over the reins of the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers has been silent with his actions but loud on the stat sheet. Nearly touching over 4,000 passing yards a season for four straight years, the quarterback has shown better control and leadership making the Packers one the league's best.
