Jameson Williams and Brian Branch named honorable mentions in the NFL Top 100 list

The NFL Top 100 list continues to roll on, and it's been a while since the last Detroit Lions player was formally ranked in the 2026 iteration of the annual list.

On Monday, the NFL revealed on X the list of ten players that barely missed the cut. For the first time since linebacker Jack Campbell was announced as #88 at the end of June, a Lion as been ranked! It wasn't just one, either, as both safety Brian Branch (#108) and wide receiver Jameson Williams (#106) made the list of honorable mentions.

The NFL Top 100 is voted on by players beginning just after Thanksgiving, per the process breakdown by The Athletic's Jayna Bardahl. So the voting process, and subsequent player interviews, were just getting started when Branch ruptured Achilles injury in early December.

Prior to his injury, Branch recorded 75 combined tackles in 12 games, along with 2.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus graded Branch out at 77.5 for the season, which ranked 12th among all safeties.

Branch is expected to return early this season, but the timing of his injury could have affected his placement on this list. When healthy, Branch is considered one of the league's better safeties, but there's a lot of uncertainty on when a player returns from an Achilles injury and how they look when they return.

Williams poised to become a fixture on the NFL Top 100

By the time voting began, Williams was only just beginning his second-half breakout after offensive coordinator John Morton's play-calling duties were stripped. Prior to Morton's demotion, Williams was averaging just 44.4 receiving yards per game. Afterward, his yards per game surged to 84.7. Remove the game against the New York Giants, were he walked away with zero yards, and his per game average jumps to 95.25.

That number approaches elite status, with only Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua (107.2), Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba (105.5), and Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase (88.3) averaging more on the season than Williams' post-Morton 84.7 yards per game. All three were named First-Team All-Pro, which could be a great sign for things to come for Williams under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

READ MORE: Lions' Jared Goff could unlock a whole new level with Drew Petzing

Williams' breakout likely came too late for a spot of the NFL Top 100 for 2026, but he's very close to becoming a regular in the years to come. Given the hype he's already been generating during training camp, his potential debut on this list next season could be an extremely strong one.

If all works out well in his recovery, Branch could also be making his NFL Top 100 debut next season. And if both play to that standard, the Lions could be firmly back among the top Super Bowl contenders.

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