Which Arizona Cardinals should be named to the Top 100?
Which Arizona Cardinals should be included in the NFL’s Top Players of 2016 list?
The NFL is in the process of revealing its annual Top 100 Players list. So far places 81-100 were revealed. Players of note that have been revealed so far include Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (100), Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (85), Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (94) and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali.
No Cardinal players have been revealed so far. Given the success Arizona had this past season, it makes sense for Cardinal players to be omitted this early in the list. That being said, let’s take a look at the Cardinals who will most likely be named to the top 100.
Honorable mention: Jared Veldheer, David Johnson
Mike Iupati, Guard
Mike Iupati joined the Cardinals as a free agent last season, and has proven to be one of the best free agent signings in recent memory. Iupati along with Jared Veldheer has anchored the left side of the offensive line.
Iupati made his Cardinal debut in Week 4 against the St. Louis Rams. In 13 starts, Iupati didn’t give up a single pressure and was named to the Pro Bowl and was also named a Second team All-Pro.
Perhaps Iupati’s biggest highlight as a Cardinal was not his ability to block, but rather his ball awareness and ability to catch and run. In a Thursday Night game against the Minnesota Vikings, Iupati made his first catch and for a first down at that.
Mike Iupati with the #fatman catch https://t.co/nX8Ac1okEN
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) December 11, 2015
Iupati has been one of Arizona’s most valuable contributors and there is a high chance that he will be in the top half of the Top 100 players of 2016 list.