May 01, 2018
That yearly 'NFL Top 100' series began this week on NFL Network, and right off the bat, two Philadelphia Eagles players landed on the list, though they were placed comically low.
Malcolm Jenkins actually finished lower than he did a year ago at No. 96, while Lane Johnson, who was the best offensive tackle in the NFL last season, laughably came in at No. 95.
(You may have to click the video twice, as the NFL forces you to watch it on YouTube for some dumb reason)
“He’s so instrumental for our defense. He is the vocal
leader, and not only does he talk about it, he’s about it, delivering big hits.
He’s going to get his message across and everybody understands what he’s about.”
- Lane Johnson
“He’s one of those rare DBs that you can basically plug in anywhere. He can cover running backs out of the backfield, he can line up over slot. When you have a player like that you can move him around and it creates advantages for the rest of your players.”
- Tyrann Mathieu
"When Carson went down, obviously that’s a huge loss. Everybody was saying what happened with the Packers is going to happen with the Eagles, and hey, Malcolm (said), ‘Not so fast.’ I don’t think we’d have a Super Bowl without him.”
- Lane Johnson
Jenkins is one of the most underappreciated players in the NFL, and the Eagles' defense would not be the same without him. Jenkins seemed to think he should be higher:
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) May 1, 2018
I agree with that emoji. And this too:
Well deserved but should be way higher, he’s plays pretty much every position on defense!! https://t.co/BWgWvgFmaU
— Chris Maragos (@ChrisMaragos) May 1, 2018
How he finished at No. 96 is beyond me. Maybe Brandin Cooks just has a lot of friends?
“I was looking forward to playing him, but that’s going to bring a bitter place in my heart because we lost to the Vikings. And we were supposed to go on to play the Eagles. Yeah, but I heard Lane Johnson is pretty good!”
- Cameron Jordan
"That position overall is becoming a bigger value because you’re seeing so many pass rushers now on the left side of the defense. The right tackle has to be just as good as the left tackle."
- Eric Winston
"Going against him this year, he did a wonderful job protecting his quarterback. Hat’s off to Lane. I’m not an Eagles fan, so I don’t want to talk about that too much."
- Demarcus Lawrence
"He’s one of those players who likes to finish you. Don’t come around and slip, because he will finish you. You need linemen like that to set the tone for you. I just love the way he plays. He’s the type of guy I’d want on my team."
- De’Vondre Campbell
96?!? GTFOH. I've said this repeatedly, but Lane Johnson was the best offensive tackle in the NFL last season. Not "right tackle," to be clear. Just the best tackle, period. He was better than Tyron Smith, Trent Williams, or any other name you might throw out.
Lane Johnson faced the following stud edge rushers this yr, and shut them all out: Kerrigan x2, Justin Houston, JPP x2, Bosa, Von Miller, DeMarcus Lawrence, Michael Bennett, and Khalil Mack. He allowed just 1 sack on the season, to the 49ers' Leger Douzable. That is amazing.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) January 5, 2018
Chris Long agrees.
I’m not big on complaining about a list this inconsequential, but cmon. Best tackle in the NFL last year. https://t.co/YJzWdZdvbC
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) May 1, 2018
There will surely be a bunch of offensive tackles who make this list who are rated higher than Johnson, all of whom will be completely undeserving. So far, the Packers' David Bakhtiari landed at 91, and Andrew Whitworth came in at 87.
Kirk Cousins landed at 94 on the list, by the way. Kirk Cousins.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski.
Like Jimmy on Facebook.
Like the new PhillyVoice Sports page on Facebook.
