4 Arizona Cardinals players make NFL Top 100 list for 2021

Four Arizona Cardinals players made the NFL Network’s annual Top 100 list this year.

Every year, the NFL Network interviews guys around the league and has them vote for the 100-best players of the recent season. This year features four Cardinals players, which is one less than last year’s amount.

Something that is noteworthy on this list is that Larry Fitzgerald did not make the Top 100 for the first time in his career. Prior to this year, Fitzgerald was the only non-quarterback to be on the list every year since its inception in 2011. 

So which current Arizona players were selected for this year’s version of the NFL Top 100 list?

Which Arizona Cardinals made the cut for the NFL Top 100 of 2021?

J.J. Watt – No. 66

The newest addition to the Cardinals, Watt signed a two-year deal with the team in March after coming off a disappointing 2020 season.

While he was with the Houston Texans in 2020, Watt finished with a career-low five sacks and 52 tackles.

Kyler Murray – No. 39

Murray increased his rank by 51 spots from last season, where he came in at No. 90. Murray’s 2020 season featured career highs in passing yards (3,971), rushing yards (813), and total touchdowns (47) in addition to also being the first quarterback in NFL history to rush and throw for a touchdown in nine straight games.

With the addition of AJ Green and drafting Rondale Moore to the Cardinals, Murray’s numbers could increase even more going into the 2021 season if head coach Kliff Kingsbury can make the right calls.

Budda Baker – No. 19

Baker is the highest-ranked safety on this year’s list. The All-Pro and Pro Bowl safety finished second in the NFL in tackles (118) behind Buffalo Bills star Jordan Poyer. He also finished with two sacks and two interceptions, which were both career highs.

Baker made a massive leap from last year’s list as well, where he was ranked 97 going into the 2020 season.

Deandre Hopkins – No. 8

Hopkins didn’t move any spots compared to last season’s ranking. And just like last year, he is ranked behind one other receiver.

Last year it was Michael Thomas, and this year it is Davante Adams.

While Thomas deserved to be ranked higher after leading the league in yards (1,725), and breaking the record for most receptions in a season (149), Adams only finished with more touchdowns (18) than Hopkins (six) in the 2020 season.

Hopkins also had a career-high in receptions (115) and first downs (75).