The NFL is rolling out its top 100 players list as week one approaches, and it's down to the top ten. Representing the Lions among the elite is running back Jahmyr Gibbs. After turning into the most explosive player in the league, it seemed like a given for Gibbs to be ranked as a top five player. Somehow, Gibbs came in at No. 9, falling behind two other running backs.
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II was ranked at No. 10 on Monday, so something was already amiss. The other running backs included are Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey. Offensively, quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen, along with wide receivers Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, are also featured. The other remaining players in the top ten are defensive ends Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons.
Why Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs should feel snubbed by NFL top 100 ranking
The most head-scratching aspect of the rankings is Parsons, who has yet to be named, meaning he will be among the top eight.
Heading into last season, Parsons was ranked No. 36 after recording 43 total tackles and 12 sacks in 13 games in 2024. In 14 games with the Green Bay Packers in 2025, he put up nearly identical numbers: 41 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. There is no logical reason for him to have moved all the way up to the top ten.
Even if one of them is the reigning offensive player of the year (Smith-Njigba), I don't think any receiver should be ranked higher than Gibbs. In 2025, Gibbs recorded 77 receptions, 616 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns as a running back.
Given the nature of where he lines up, most of his targets are near the line of scrimmage, or else he could easily put up over 1,000 yards. With all due respect to wide receivers, top end running backs are better all-around football players in my opinion, and Gibbs is the perfect example.
Surtain should be ranked higher than No. 10, but not above Gibbs. So, with Surtain, Parsons and both wide receivers out of the question, it's time to analyze the quarterbacks.
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Whether you still love him or want to forget about him as a Lions fan, Stafford is coming off an MVP season with the Los Angeles Rams. Prior to this list, the highest Stafford had been ranked was No. 27 following the super bowl victory in 2022.
If this list were about the best players from last season, then I would be fine with Stafford being above Gibbs. For 2026, however, I think Gibbs deserves the edge, as Stafford will likely show a slight decline. Allen is coming off another solid season with the Buffalo Bills, but it wasn't anything special.
Allen ranked outside the top ten in passing yards and completion percentage, and his 25 passing touchdowns was his least since 2019. The addition of DJ Moore could help the passing game, and he's arguably the best rushing quarterback in the league, but Allen has no business being in the top ten at this point in the year.
That leaves Garrett and the other two running backs up for debate. After his record-breaking season in 2025, Garrett could be the No. 1 player on the list, and deservedly so.
Regarding the running backs, I believe Gibbs and Robinson are neck-and-neck, but both should be ranked over McCaffrey. Similar to my Stafford argument, when it comes down to who will be the best in 2026, McCaffrey is the most likely to decline.
Gibbs also sets himself apart in the yards per carry category (5.3), as both Robinson (4.9) and CMC (4.5) are less efficient. Robinson (5,648) has Gibbs (5,029) beat in scrimmage yards, but both are miles ahead of McCaffrey (4,497). The number of games played is also worth noting, as Robinson leads all three with 51, with Gibbs close behind at 49 and the often-injured McCaffrey at 37.
It will be interesting to see where Robinson and McCaffrey come in on the official list. Robinson will likely land inside the top five, and McCaffrey should be between him and Gibbs, but it doesn't make much sense.
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