NFL Network's series on the top 100 players of 2012 has resulted in various websites compiling their own version of the rankings. Here on Pride of Detroit, for example, we're compiling a top 10 for Lions players in 2012, and sites like CBS Sports and FOX Sports have already compiled top 100 lists for the entire NFL.
With NFL Network's series concluding this week, SBNation.com took its own look at the top 10 and ranked Calvin Johnson sixth, three spots lower than where he was ranked by his peers.
It's hard to pick between Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but like NFL Network I give the nod to Johnson. The best way to describe him is a freak. Averaging 105 yards and one touchdown per game qualifies you as a difference maker and that's exactly what Johnson is. There's no easy trick in covering Johnson when you take into account his size and speed. He's a big reason Matthew Stafford eclipsed 5,000 yards passing last season.
I missed this when it was first posted back in May, but Pro Football Focus ranked its top 101 players in the NFL based on last season. Johnson came in at No. 4, but the other two Lions on the list were much farther down in the rankings. Stephen Tulloch was 76th, and Matthew Stafford was amazingly only 81st. Why he was that low I don't know, but at least they got Johnson's ranking correct.
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