By Mike Wilkening
Feb. 8, 2008

With the help of coaches, scouts, executives and personnel men from around the NFL, we present our list of the top 50 players of 2007 based on regular-season performance and each player's value to his club.

All comments were made on condition of anonymity.

Tom Brady, Peyton Manning

This year, you see more of the personality, more of his focus. You see the close-up shots of his face when they get down. There’s more to the guy than just an arm.

2. QB Peyton Manning | Indianapolis Colts

I don’t think there is anybody who does a better job of getting the ball to his playmakers than him, because he is not a scrambler.

3. QB Brett Favre | Green Bay Packers

Oh, man. Their coach (Mike McCarthy) is really good for him. He’s been more patient this year than in past years. Sometimes that comes from being more confident in your wide receivers and offensive line.

4. WR Randy Moss | New England Patriots

Winning will make you want to play some more, particularly with a guy like (Moss), who wants to excel. He went to a place where the lines were clearly drawn.

5. SS Bob Sanders | Indianapolis Colts

I think Bob Sanders is the gold standard. What he does for that football team is unique.

6. QB Tony Romo | Dallas Cowboys

Developed quite nicely. You like that he doesn’t have much of a conscience as a quarterback. When he’s on, he can make all of the throws.

7. QB Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers

(Pass rushers) got to him, but his forte is that warrior mentality, where he has two or three guys hanging off him and he gets the ball off down the field.

8. RB Brian Westbrook | Philadelphia Eagles

Just a playmaker. You always have to know where he is on the field.

9. RB LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers

His all-around ability sets him apart. Just a complete back.

10. DE Jared Allen | Kansas City Chiefs

Unbelievable. Certainly one of the top 10 players. Has strength, size. Kind of a mismatch. So many left tackles are ‘feet’ athletes, (and) he’s kind of a left end playing right end.

11. OLB DeMarcus Ware | Dallas Cowboys

Tremendous. Tremendous. He’s one that you would love to coach.

12. DT Albert Haynesworth | Tennessee Titans

He’s just so disruptive.

13. WR Reggie Wayne | Indianapolis Colts

Competitive guy. Athletic guy. The chemistry he’s built with his quarterback — there are no wasted steps with (Wayne and) Manning.

14. WR Terrell Owens | Dallas Cowboys

A special-type receiver. Still plays fast. Big, powerful. Has a knack for making the difficult catches.

15. RB Joseph Addai | Indianapolis Colts

Gives you everything you are looking for. Quick, really good change of direction (skills). Has tremendous vision.

16. RB Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings

Just a rare talent. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime running back. If he can maintain some semblance of durability, he will have a phenomenal career.

17. TE Antonio Gates | San Diego Chargers

He is an amazing guy. They do so much with him, flexing him out like a wide receiver. He kind of blocks you like Shannon Sharpe, where he’s athletic and knows leverage and does enough to get the job done.

18. CB Asante Samuel | New England Patriots

He makes plays. It’s not pretty at times, but he’s productive.

19. WR Larry Fitzgerald | Arizona Cardinals

You’re talking about a guy who has an uncanny ability to keep his focus, keep his eyes on the ball. Quite the specimen.

20. OLB Shawne Merriman | San Diego Chargers

Explosive speed, athleticism. All man. Great football player. Jumps out on film.

21. RB Willie Parker | Pittsburgh Steelers

He’s always been a hit-a-crease-and-go guy.

22. DT Kevin Williams | Minnesota Vikings

Has a feel where the play is going.

23. OLT Walter Jones | Seattle Seahawks

Had so much cushion (earlier in his career). (Was) so fast, so athletic. When he started to age, he still had a lot left in the tank. Sometimes when (tackles) get older, they don’t look as quick, but that’s because the game has slowed down for them.

24. WR Wes Welker | New England Patriots

Does a nice job working the slot. It’s a perfect role for him. Quick, gets separation, has excellent hands. After the catch, he puts his return-man ability to work.

25. QB Matt Hasselbeck | Seattle Seahawks

Has a really good feel for their offense.

26. RB Marion Barber | Dallas Cowboys

He’s a beast. He runs the ball like it’s his last carry every time.

27. RS-WR Devin Hester | Chicago Bears

He does things like no one else can. He can break tackles, make people miss — make people look silly, really. He just changes your whole game plan.

28. WR Braylon Edwards | Cleveland Browns

Really coming into his own. I think his confidence has just risen, and that’s what’s really gotten him over the hump. Doing all the things you look for at wide receiver.

29. ILB Patrick Willis | San Francisco 49ers

He was quite a find for them.

30. MLB Lofa Tatupu | Seattle Seahawks

That’s the guru for that defense. He gets them lined up, gets them set.

31. CB Antonio Cromartie | San Diego Chargers

Has as much upside as anybody. He’ll keep getting better and better.

32. DT Pat Williams | Minnesota Vikings

Everywhere Pat goes, you can’t run the ball (against them).

33. OLB Julian Peterson | Seattle Seahawks

You look at San Francisco and you see him and you go, ‘How did you not hold on to him?’ It’s not rocket science.

34. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch | Tennessee Titans

No one in the NFL plays harder.

35. QB David Garrard | Jacksonville Jaguars

He makes really good decisions with the football. A perfect fit for them because of their running game.

36. OG Leonard Davis | Dallas Cowboys

He disjointed people.

37. DE Mario Williams | Houston Texans

He’s really good. To think he didn’t make the Pro Bowl is a shame. I think he’s special.

38. TE Jason Witten | Dallas Cowboys

Going to be a good one for a long time. He’s a weapon downfield, and he’ll block.

39. DE Jason Taylor | Miami Dolphins

He’s still an elite player. He didn’t drop off — the team dropped off.

40. WR Brandon Marshall | Denver Broncos

He’s that good. He did some things this year that make you say, ‘Man, this guy is going to be a player.’ Has some Rod Smith-like qualities where he is trying to make a play every time he has the ball.

41. QB Jeff Garcia | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You’re talking about a tough guy who kept stepping up and making plays.

42. TE Kellen Winslow | Cleveland Browns

Just like (Antonio) Gates in my mind. Now they have a quarterback who can get (Winslow and Edwards) the ball more often. He’s right up there. He’s really starting to show what he can really do.

43. DE Patrick Kerney | Seattle Seahawks

Hardworking tough guy.

44. CB Champ Bailey | Denver Broncos

He’ll play the whole game.

45. OLB Mike Vrabel | New England Patriots

His consistency (stands out).

46. DE Osi Umenyiora | New York Giants

Has gotten a little better every game.

47. OLT Jason Peters | Buffalo Bills

Quick, explosive, strong. Has everything the great ones have.

48. DE Aaron Kampman | Green Bay Packers

Has really long arms. He’s gotten playing with his hands figured out.

49. OLB James Harrison | Pittsburgh Steelers

His first game vs. Baltimore was an All-Pro type of game.

50. RB Fred Taylor | Jacksonville Jaguars

Had a phenomenal year.

FS Sean Taylor | Washington Redskins

Would have been one of the top three (safeties) in football. Had unique size and athletic ability. Was playing the game very, very well.

Browns QB Derek Anderson
Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha
Bears WLB Lance Briggs
Titans WLB Keith Bulluck
Panthers MLB Jon Beason
Saints QB Drew Brees
Giants WR Plaxico Burress
Eagles DE Trent Cole
Saints WR Marques Colston
Browns RS Josh Cribbs
Cowboys OLB Greg Ellis
Steelers OLG Alan Faneca
Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez
Cowboys C Andre Gurode
Cowboys FS Ken Hamlin
Packers CB Al Harris
Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Vikings OLG Steve Hutchinson
Rams RB Steven Jackson
Texans WR Andre Johnson
Bengals WR Chad Johnson
Raiders P Shane Lechler
49ers P Andy Lee
Browns RB Jamal Lewis
Redskins RB Clinton Portis
Ravens FS Ed Reed
Texans MLB DeMeco Ryans
Panthers WR Steve Smith
Browns OLT Joe Thomas
Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant
Patriots NT Vince Wilfork