
Introduction | #100-#91 | #90-#81 | #81*-#71 | #70-#61 | #60-#51 | #50-#41 | #40-#31 | #30-#21 | #20-#11 | #10-#1
Welcome back to part 2 of TPL100, our answer to the NFL's top 100 of 2012.
Today's installment features a bevy of young stars who have every chance of shooting up this ranking were we to do it in 2013 rather than falling out.
As ever, any comments and questions are welcome either on-site or via twitter (@PullingLinemen). The best and funniest will make it to our TPL Top 100 mailbag. Enjoy!
#90 - Earl Thomas, S, SEA [TD = 68, PG = 83, GS = --]

#89 - Joe Haden, CB, CLE [TD = 93, PG = 58, GS = --]
Haden was the first ever true freshman to make an opening day start at corner for the Florida Gators, and his stellar college career propelled him to the top of draft boards in 2010, leading him to be a 7th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns (poor guy). So far he's lived up to that billing.

#88 - Eric Berry, S, KC [TD = --, PG = 49, GS = --]

There's little doubt that Berry has all the tools to be a top safety in the future and could well be in for a stellar 2012, provided he's fully recovered from the ACL injury of course.
#87 - Fred Jackson, RB, BUF [TD = 82, PG = --, GS = 65]

2011 was something of a breakout season for Jackson, who's only topped 1,000 yards once in his career. The issue for Jackson, who was given a 2 year extension which will keep him in Buffalo through 2015, is that in his absence CJ Spiller was able to show off his talents. Just how will that affect Jackson's productivity in 2012?
#86 - Jordy Nelson, WR, GB [TD = 97, PG = --, GS =51]

Surprisingly, those numbers weren't enough for Pro-Bowl or All-Pro considerations in 2011, but the Packers thought it good enough to hand him a 3 year, $13.35 million contract extension. With the dangerous Greg Jennings still lining up opposite him, Nelson should continue to get favourable match-ups in 2012.
#85 - Jerod Mayo, LB, NE [TD = 45, PG = --, GS = --]
So it seems like the others don't agree with me about Mayo's talents. Well that's understandable, given how poor the Patriots defense has been the last few years.
Mayo, the 10th pick in 2008, has already had himself a great career. Winning defensive rookie of the year as an athletic tackling machine next to vet Teddy Bruschi, Mayo went on to lead the NFL in tackles in 2010 en route to a 1st team All-Pro selection. The one thing that had been missing from his game were interceptions. Despite consistently getting in great position Mayo's stone hands had kept him off the INT board until 2011 when he was finally able to hold onto 2 of them.
Mayo is the QB of Bill Belichick's defense, and with the addition of young talent on that side of the ball in the 2012 draft it should improve a lot.
#84 - Brent Grimes, CB, ATL [TD = --, PG = --, GS = 43]
Brent Grimes has been a thorn in Josh Freeman's side ever since the latter entered the league, which is probably why Gur has him rated much more highly than the rest of us.

Grimes was given the franchise tag by the Falcons this off-season, so clearly they like his production. And with 6 interceptions and 37 passes defensed in the last 2 seasons you can see why. He has also been in the top 10 of various cornerback charting done by footballoutsiders.com over the last 2 seasons.
Publicity and hype around Grimes should pick up as his level of play, and that of his teams, increases.
#83 - Mike Iupati, LG, SF [TD = 52, PG = 92, GS = --]
Finally I get to talk about a lineman!!! Iupati is an absolute tank of a man at 6 foot 5, 331lbs. A first rounder in 2010; Iupati has superb athleticism for his position, allowing him to get up to the second level and make blocks in space. It also greatly aids the 49ers power run game as Iupati is able to pull down the line with devastating affect.

#82 - Frank Gore, RB, SF [TD = --, PG = 68, GS = 75]

Gore has been an absolute hammer of a back since entering the league in 2005. His only problem has been staying healthy, Gore has only played all 16 games just twice in his career. But even with that in mind 5 1,000+ yard seasons, at 4.6 yards a carry to go with 8.4 yards a catch isn't anything to turn your nose up at.
With a young offensive line in front of him which should continue to improve 2012 should be another productive season for Frank Gore. But with Kendall Hunter and now LaMichael James also in 49ers colours Gore could see his touches decrease. Especially as he fast approaches that 30 year-old barrier that running backs seem to struggle with now a days.
#81 - Cliff Avril, DE, DET [TD = --, PG = --, GS = 40]
Another franchise tag recipient in this off-season, the Lions decided that at $10.6 million, Avril was worth keeping around, despite the money and high picks already invested in the defensive line with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.
At just 25, Avril has been increasing his sack total year on year, from 5 as a rookie in 2008 to 11 in 2011. While his skills have improved, so too have his opportunities. Teams that face the Lions now need to pass a lot more in order to keep up with their high powered offense, as well as focus blocks inside to hold up Suh. All of that means it's open-season on QB's for Avril as lining up at left end he doesn't have to deal with the behemoth left tackles either.
However, the failure of the Lions to address their secondary needs this off-season could see Avril's sack chances hampered as opposing WR's will be able to get open quickly, and maybe before Avril can leave a QB-shaped hole in the Ford Field turf.
Make sure you're back same time tomorrow for #80=#71, which will include a Heisman trophy winner, some sack masters and just perhaps a controversy or two!
- Toby Durant (@TDonSport)
- The Pulling Linemen
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