theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2015: 5 sophomores just make the cut

The Top 100 NFL Players of 2015 were selected by a panel of theScore's NFL editors including Arun Srinivasan, Dan Wilkins, David P. Woods, and Justin Boone based on the individual players' performance this past regular season.

theScore's Top 100 NFL Players of 2015

• 100-71
• 70-51
• 50-31
• 30-11
• 10-1

Cliff Avril, DE, Seahawks
47 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 FFs

Bookend pass rushers Avril and Michael Bennett, who also appears on this list, were one of the biggest reasons the Seahawks boasted an elite defense yet again. - Woods

Olivier Vernon, DE, Dolphins
61 tackles, 7.5 sacks

Vernon put together another strong season to have his value at peak height heading into free agency. His sack total didn't reach his career high of 11, but according to Pro Football Focus, he was second only to J.J. Watt with 30 quarterback hits. - Wilkins

Clay Matthews, LB, Packers
66 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT

Matthews may have ranked higher if he was playing his normal position, but a lack of depth forced him to once again move inside. It's a testament to his talent and athleticism that he continues to thrive wherever he lines up. - Boone

Trent Williams, LT, Redskins
2.5 sacks allowed

When he's on the field, Williams continues to be one of the NFL's best left tackles. The six-year veteran allowed just 2.5 sacks this season, while helping Kirk Cousins and the Redskins' offense reach new heights. - Boone

Jason Verrett, CB, Chargers
47 tackles, 3 INTs, 12 PD

Verrett was one of the lone bright spots for the Chargers, stabilizing the team's erratic defense. With Eric Weddle appearing to be on his way out, Verrett proved he can lead a group that's otherwise bereft of talent. - Wilkins

David DeCastro, G, Steelers
1.5 sacks allowed

Pittsburgh made DeCastro a first-round pick in 2012, and it's starting to pay off in a big way. The standout guard earned both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors this year for his efforts in anchoring an offensive line that lost its starting center and left tackle. - Srinivasan

Deone Bucannon, S, Cardinals
112 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF

Bucannon is the template for a new kind of defensive weapon: a hybrid safety/linebacker who can drop into coverage as well as deliver a thump. You'll be hearing a lot more about him in years to come. - Woods

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Patriots
61 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Hightower's final stats don't necessarily show it, but Pro Football Focus ranked him as the NFL's best blitzer and said he affected the quarterback on about 20 percent of his blitzes. He owns the "A" gap. - Woods

Cameron Jordan, DE, Saints
45 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 FF

It'd be a shame if the Saints' overall shortcomings on the defensive side affects the way Jordan's impact is viewed. He posted the second double-digit-sack season of his young career despite a relative lack of talent and structure around him. - Wilkins

Desmond Trufant, CB, Falcons
42 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 11 PD

Atlanta couldn't sustain the fast start to the year, but Trufant's play remained steady throughout. Constantly forcing opposing quarterbacks to look elsewhere, the 2013 first-round pick is on a path to become a legitimate shutdown corner. - Wilkins

Malcolm Jenkins, S, Eagles
109 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 FF, 10 PD

Jenkins wasn't just a key cog in the Eagles' defense; he made 23 more tackles than his next most productive teammate. Jenkins wasn't just a safety; he also played slot cornerback and was like a linebacker. - Woods

Damon Harrison, DL, Jets
72 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 FF

Harrison is everything teams look for in a 3-4 nose tackle, and he enjoyed his most productive season to date in leading New York's second-ranked run defense. He's poised to earn a lucrative long-term contract as he enters free agency for the first time in his career. - Wilkins

Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins
87 catches, 952 yards receiving, 11 TDs

Reed was the most consistent weapon in a surprisingly consistent Redskins passing game, providing Kirk Cousins with an excellent safety valve. - Srinivasan

Everson Griffen, DE, Vikings
44 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 1 FF

Griffen led the Vikings in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries for a second straight season. His best game came on the biggest stage, when he recorded two sacks to lift his team to a Week 17 win and a division title. - Woods

Darius Slay, CB, Lions
59 tackles, 2 INTs, 13 PD

Slay emerged as a potential shutdown corner in 2015. The 25-year-old was able to stifle opponents' No. 1 receivers most of the season, and earned Pro Football Focus' second-highest grade among cornerbacks. The Lions may have finally found a difference maker in their secondary. - Boone

Marcell Dareus, DT, Bills
51 tackles, 2 sacks

Although the Bills' defense regressed badly in 2015, Dareus starred as one of the best run-stoppers in the NFL. He remained relentless in pressuring passes, even if his raw numbers belie his impact against opposing quarterbacks. Possessing outstanding lateral ability for a man his size, Dareus is the core component of the Bills' talented yet erratic front seven. - Srinivasan

Eric Decker, WR, Jets
80 catches, 1,027 yards, 12 TDs

Decker produced among the league's top receivers despite taking on a role as the clear No. 2 target behind Brandon Marshall. The 28-year-old could've posted career highs in all categories were it not for some early-season injury issues. - Wilkins

Marcus Peters, CB, Chiefs
60 tackles, 8 INTs, 1 FF, 26 PD

A lot of teams look foolish for passing over Peters in the draft due to character concerns. Peters kept his nose clean as a rookie and quickly established himself as an elite playmaker. His league-leading eight picks earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. - Woods

Derrick Johnson, LB, Chiefs
116 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FF

Despite being elected to the Pro Bowl four times, Johnson has failed to become a household name. Coming off Achilles tendon surgery, Johnson returned to form, starting all 16 games and leading the team in tackles. - Boone

Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns
79 catches, 1,043 yards, 9 TDs

One of the breakout stars of the year, Barnidge escaped from anonymity by becoming the Browns' top offensive weapon in 2015. It's unclear whether he has staying power, but he should be rewarded for an excellent campaign and becoming a red-zone dynamo. - Srinivasan

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
74 catches, 1,206 yards, 3 TDs

Evans established himself as Jameis Winston's go-to target, building a rapport with the quarterback that should frighten the NFC South for years to come. It's terrifying that Evans is still improving his route-running ability, and at 22, the Buccaneers' second-year star is only tapping into his enormous potential. - Srinivasan

Carlos Dunlap, DE, Bengals
55 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 2 FF

Playing alongside a star defensive tackle, Dunlap gets lost in the shuffle at times. He possesses multiple moves at the line of scrimmage, making it difficult for tackles to judge his plan of attack. Finally harnessing his rare combination of speed and size, Dunlap will no longer sneak up on opponents and is poised for true stardom in 2016. - Srinivasan

Charles Woodson, S, Raiders
74 tackles, 5 INTs, 1 FF

In his final season, Woodson proved he's still an upper-echelon safety and was the anchor of a young, developing Raiders secondary. With little else to accomplish, Woodson's play recognition ability remained second to none. - Srinivasan

Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins
4,166 yards passing, 29 TDs, 11 INTs

Cousins kick-started the Redskins' offense early in the season and closed out the year with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions over the last three games. Whether you believe he's a talented passer or simply a product of Jay Gruden's system, it's impossible to overlook his league-leading completion percentage or his 29 touchdowns. - Boone

Delanie Walker, TE, Titans
94 catches, 1,088 yards receiving, 6 TDs

Aside from rookie Marcus Mariota, Walker was perhaps the lone bright spot on one of the NFL's worst offenses. Despite facing double teams thanks to a near-total lack of receiving talent around him, Walker became just the ninth tight end in NFL history to record 90 catches in a season. - Woods

Zack Martin, G, Cowboys
2 sacks allowed

Though Martin has been in the league just two seasons, there are already few guards who have a more significant impact in the trenches. The Notre Dame product earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance after helping Dallas field the NFL's ninth-ranked rushing attack. - Wilkins

Eli Manning, QB, Giants
4,432 yards passing, 35 TDs, 14 INTs

The Giants may have struggled this season, but Manning had another strong campaign throwing a career-high 35 touchdowns. He's excelled in Ben McAdoo's system, showing improved efficiency, while taking full advantage of the all-world talents of Odell Beckham Jr. - Boone

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos
105 catches, 1,304 yards receiving, 6 TDs

The Broncos' top target overcame shaky quarterback play to eclipse 1,300 yards for the fourth straight year. Thomas fills the stat sheet like a star receiver, but despite his lofty totals, he struggled with drops this season and even disappeared at times. He'll need to take over more games in order to remain in the conversation as one of the elite players at his position. - Boone

Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins
110 catches, 1,157 yards receiving, 4 TDs

Few players pose as much of a threat in all three phases of the game as Landry, who continued to be the fulcrum of the Dolphins' offense. Landry is the Dolphins' marquee receiver and displayed massive improvements in his route running. He's also arguably the NFL's most dangerous kick returner. - Srinivasan

Richie Incognito, G, Bills
3.5 sacks allowed

Despite being out of the league for a full season, Incognito didn't miss a snap and played the best football of his career. The Bills averaged 6.58 yards per carry on plays run behind Incognito this year - the best by any team in nearly a decade. - Woods