The Best Player at Every Position in the NFL: Gurley, Whitworth, Donald

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Nice but special teams should have been all Rams. To read the whole list click the link below.
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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2781251-the-best-player-at-every-position-in-the-nfl#slide2

The Best Player at Every Position in the NFL

GARY DAVENPORT


The definition of "best" may vary from position to position, but one thing is for sure: There are some players who stand above all others as the guys you want on the field when the game is on the line.

Whether it's the league's most successful quarterback, the game's gold standard at receiver, terrific pass-rushers or even a punter (punters are people too), these are the best players at every position.

Running Back: Todd Gurley II, Los Angeles Rams

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Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

This was the most difficult decision on the list. There are a fistful of worthy candidates.

David Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals was impressively consistent two years ago, setting an NFL record with at least 100 yards in the first 15 games of the season. But Johnson sat out almost all of 2017 with a fractured wrist.

Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys might be the best fourth-quarter grinder in the NFL. But Elliott's passing-game chops aren't as good as some backs', and sometimes "best" means spearheading a comeback.

Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers is as dangerous as any tailback when he has the ball in his hands. However, he's not the best choice to help milk the clock late to seal a win.

That leaves Todd Gurley II of the Los Angeles Rams.

Yes, Gurley's had only one huge year. But what a year it was—he averaged 4.7 yards per carry, caught 64 passes, scored 19 touchdowns and won the Offensive Player of the Year award.

Offensive Tackle: Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams

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Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

This much can be said for Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams: There isn't a more valuable player in the NFL at his position.

Before the 13th-year veteran arrived in La La Land, the Rams offensive line was a hot mess. As a result, young quarterback Jared Goff spent far too much of his rookie season running for his life.

It's rather hard to develop as a passer and flee in terror simultaneously.

The impact of Whitworth's arrival can't be overstated. The Rams jumped a full 20 spots in pass protection, per Football Outsiders, from 2016 to 2017. Todd Gurley II went from looking like a bust to the Offensive Player of the Year. And Goff went from lost as a rookie to second-year sensation.

Plus the Rams won the NFC West, if you're into that sorta thing.

Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

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Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Some calls in this piece were difficult.

This was not one of those calls.

There are some really good defensive tackles in the NFL. And then there's Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams.

From the moment Donald took the field, he's been one of the most disruptive defenders in the league. The 6'1", 280-pounder's first step is the stuff of legend. Sometimes it almost appears as if Donald's waiting in the offensive backfield for the ball to be snapped.

Twice in his four NFL seasons, Donald's recorded 11 sacks. His average stat line is 51 tackles and 9.8 sacks per season—ridiculous numbers for an interior lineman.

He's also faced double-teams all the time, too. With Ndamukong Suh now playing beside him in L.A., it's possible the best is yet to come for Donald.

Don't bet against him to bring home a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018.

He's dominant. He's relentless. He never, ever stops.
 

Merlin

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After this season Peters will be listed too I think. Can't imagine him not having an elite year under Wade this year.
 

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Kicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens:cautious: ****(He is good, but GZ is better)

Tucker is as close to automatic as kickers get in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, he has missed only four of his 76 field-goal attempts. In each of those seasons, the 28-year-old booted a 57-yarder. And the next time Tucker misses an extra point will be the first.

If he takes the field with the game on the line, turn out the lights.

The...party...is...over.:redcard::redcard:



Punter: Marquette King, Denver Broncos ****(This dude can't hold Hekkers JOCK.)
:eek:
Yes, King is something of a chucklehead who antic-ed his way right out of Oakland.

But he's also an excellent young punter who has averaged over 47 yards a kick in three separate seasons. Per PurplePTSD.com, King was also effective on "short field" kicks.

On punts from his own 40-yard line or closer to the opponent's goal line, King's kicks covered 77.8 percent of the available yards.

In other words, he's really good at pinning opponents deep. :redcard::redcard:

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