Kelce comes in as the highest-ranked tight end in the Top 100 for the second consecutive season with 92 receptions for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Benefitting from a simpatico rapport with his quarterback, the Chiefs’ sure-handed TE is a model for consistency and seizes big moments to help maintain success in Kansas City. Entering his 10th season, Kelce, a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, is putting together a career of historic proportions at his position. The 32-year-old is approaching the 10,000-yard mark for his career (9,006) and would surpass Rob Gronkowski (9,286 yards; fourth all time among tight ends) and Shannon Sharpe (9,961, fifth all time) in 2022 should he reach that milestone. That’s Hall of Fame-worthy territory for an overlooked third-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2013.
Ramsey produced yet another All-Pro and Pro Bowl campaign during his second full season in L.A., garnering a five-spot improvement to earn his highest ranking in the Top 100 and the top spot for a corner this year. Notorious for closing off half the field for opposing quarterbacks, Ramsey tied his career high with four interceptions while adding 16 passes defensed, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2021, and did it all while playing with two injured shoulders. Ramsey’s boisterous bravado on the football field goes hand in hand with his elite skillset as a one-on-one cover man, which makes the 27-year-old the NFL’s premier corner. Following the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning campaign, wide receivers lining up across Ramsey are sure to be reminded who’s assigned to them.
Last year’s conqueror of the Top 100, Mahomes’ seven-spot drop is the largest decline among those with a top-20 ranking in 2021. It isn’t necessarily a regression for Mahomes, rather the continuation of a fruitless chase toward the numbers from his remarkable 2018 MVP campaign. Mahomes nearly became the third quarterback in NFL history to surpass the 5,000-yard mark a second time, producing 4,839 passing yards off a career-high 436 completions (37 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) in 2021 while posting career-high rushing totals (381 yards; two TDs). Through five seasons, Mahomes has become not only a gunslinging QB with a rocket arm, but one with a gumby-like escapability in and around the pocket which often ends with a seemingly impossible throw. After leading Kansas City to its fourth straight AFC Championship Game, the 26-year-old Mahomes is in the top 10 for the fourth straight year.
The NFL’s reigning champion rusher, Taylor’s second season was nothing short of amazing in an age where the league continues to thrive through the air. Not only did Taylor’s 1,811 rushing yards lead the league by a whopping 552 yards, but the 23-year-old found the end zone more than any player in 2021 with 20 total touchdowns (18 rushing).
