The NFLs Best

+ Top 5 Offensive players at each position

This is a list of the top 5 offensive skill players at each position in the NFL. I have considered several different factors while compiling this list such as statistics, playoff performances and the players overall affect on the game while he is on the field.

Quarterback

1. Peyton Manning IND- Despite throwing a late 4th quarter interception that stopped any chance of a comeback in the Super Bowl, there is no other quarterback in the league I?d rather have under center than Peyton Manning.

2. Drew Brees NO- This man single handedly turned around a Saints franchise with a history of losing into Super Bowl Champions. Enough said.

3. Tom Brady NE- This 3-time Super Bowl winning quarterback now has one full season under his belt after having serious knee surgery. I fully expect him to return to pre-knee surgery form where the Patriots were regulars in the big game.

4. Philip Rivers SD- Initially, I was not a big fan of Rivers when he first entered the league. However, after watching him suit up and play in the AFC title game (2008) with a torn ACL in a loss against the New England Patriots, I have nothing but the upmost respect for him.

5. Aaron Rodgers GB- It seems Aaron Rodgers is bursting onto the scene this season. He has already graced the cover of ESPN the magazine and has some experts picking the Packers to win the NFC. I?m looking forward to seeing if Rodgers can live up to the hype. (Also Brett vs. Packers parts 3&4)

Wide Receiver

1. Andre Johnson HOU- Johnson is the complete package. At 6-3 225lbs, he has an incredible combination of size, speed and strength. There isn?t a more feared receiver in the NFL.

2. Larry Fitzgerald ARI- If Andre Johnson is the most feared receiver in the NFL, than Larry Fitzgerald is a close second. In the 2009 playoffs, Fitzgerald wasn?t just the best player on the Arizona Cardinals, but the best player in the entire playoffs. He caught 2 touchdowns in a losing effort in Super Bowl XLIII.

3. Reggie Wayne IND- Besides having a strong first name, Reggie Wayne has been consistently great for Peyton Manning and the Colts. He brings his hard hat and lunch pail to work every day and gets the job done.

4. Randy Moss NE- He was once the most dangerous receiver in the history of the league, with the exception of Jerry Rice. Now, at 33 years of age, Randy isn?t quite the deep threat he once used to be, but that doesn?t stop him from putting up big numbers. With Brady back at 100%, I expect Moss to have another monster season.

5. Brandon Marshall MIA- He has turned in 3 consecutive 100+ reception seasons and broke Terrell Owens single-game receptions record with 21 catches in a game against the Colts this past season.

Running Back

1. Chris Johnson TEN- A year ago, if I told you Chris Johnson was a better running back than Adrian Peterson, you would have told me that is crazy talk. But now, it isn?t so crazy. Johnson is lightening fast and almost impossible to stop in the open field. Fresh off of a 2,000 yard season, he is primed to continue putting up huge numbers.

2. Adrian Peterson MIN- He has a rare combination of speed and power which makes him a nightmare to tackle for opposing defenders. However, Peterson?s lack of ball security is a problem that cost the Vikings a chance to play in the Super Bowl.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew JAC- The new Pocket Hercules does it all. He runs inside, he runs outside, he catches the ball well out of the backfield and he has no problem blowing up guys twice his size in pass protection.



4. Ray Rice BAL- He is very similar in style and build to MJD. Last year, Ray Rice broke out and had a huge season for the Ravens. With the strong offensive line he runs behind, I expect Ray Rice to continue to thrive in with the Ravens.

5. DeAngelo Williams CAR- Putting Williams at 5 was a very tough decision. There are a lot of running backs like Michael Turner, Steven Jackson and Frank gore who are just as deserving to have this spot. However, when healthy, DeAngelo Williams is a lightening rod who can strike at any time. He is only one season removed from putting up 1500 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs.

Tight End

1. Jason Witten DAL- He may not play the most attractive style of football in the league, but the bottom line is he gets the job done day in and day out. There isn?t anything on the field he doesn?t do well. Some of the upper echelon tight ends in the league don?t enjoy blocking, but that is what Witten prides himself on.

2. Dallas Clark IND- He got off to a slow start in his career but has certainly picked things up the past 2 seasons. Last year he had a monster season where he put up a career high in receptions with 100 and there is no reason he won?t continue to put up big numbers with Peyton Manning under center.

3. Antonio Gates SD- The gap between Witten, Clark and Gates is about as narrow as it gets. The former Kent State basketball player has turned in quite the football career. He, like fellow teammate Philip Rivers, is a warrior on the field. The same game Rivers played with a torn ACL, Gates played with a torn tendon in his left big toe.

4. Vernon Davis SF- This is where the gap starts to widen. Vernon Davis had been a disappointment to 49er fans up until week 3 of this season where he exploded for 7 catches, 96yards and 2 TDS. After that game, Davis lived up to his 6th overall draft pick status of 2006. With the return of Alex Smith at QB, expect more consistency out of Davis form here on out.

5. Tony Gonzalez ATL- When he decides to retire, Gonzalez will most likely go down as one of the, if not the greatest tight end of all time. He is one reception shy of a 1000 for his career which is a record for tight ends in the NFL. At 34 years old, his play has declined and that is why he has fallen to 5 on this list.