Updated: January 24, 2008
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Tom Brady, Osi Umenyiora and Logan Mankins are ranked among the top 10 Super Bowl XLII players.
New England Patriots quarterback
Tom Brady
is this season's Most Valuable Player, so it stands to reason that he
would top our rankings of the Super Bowl XLII participants. But what
about the other 105 players who are expected to suit up Feb. 3 in
Glendale, Ariz.? Who follows Brady? And who's No. 106?
In determining our rankings, we took into consideration the player's
current performance, as well as his play throughout the season. A
player's special teams contribution also influenced our decision.
The process was very difficult, and we had to make some tough calls. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to let us know.
Brady is without question the best quarterback in the NFL and is
arguably the most outstanding player going into Super Bowl XLII.
Moss is coming off a historic regular season, and every defense has to game plan around him.
He was one of the toughest defensive ends to block this season. His
combination of size, strength and athleticism draws many double-teams.
He is a big, physical force inside, but his stats don't really reflect his importance.
Strahan had an outstanding season as a run-stopper and pass-rusher. Plus, he still has great quickness off the edge.
His great athleticism and size make him difficult to cover. The
Patriots likely will put extra defenders on him in the Super Bowl.
Mankins sets the tempo while putting pressure on defensive fronts with tenacity and strength.
Samuel has excellent quickness, tremendous ball skills and an outstanding ability to react well out of zone coverage.
He is one of the most versatile players in the NFL. His instincts,
short-area quickness and toughness make him tough to game plan for.
Snee is an effective interior lineman who has the grit and strength to set the tempo in the trenches.
He is a load inside who works with a low center of gravity. He also pushes the pocket well as a pass-rusher.
12. DE Ty Warren -- Patriots
Warren has been an effective pass-rusher off the edge but also shows natural power for holding the point.
The Patriots' leading receiver in the playoffs. He often is Brady's X
factor in the passing game because he can turn short routes into first
downs.
He is a steady competitor who shows great athleticism as a
pass-blocker. Plus, he has great patience and technique as a
run-blocker.
Manning is turning into a true leader and is having a tremendous
postseason. He is making great decisions with the football and, most
importantly, not throwing interceptions.
He has been an unsung hero on the Giants' defensive front, which has created havoc all year.
Koppen is solid in the middle of the offensive line. He has great instincts, toughness and consistency.
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Linebacker Antonio Pierce (ranked No. 20) has been a key component of the Giants' defense.
His play has been outstanding ever since he was called upon to tote the
football late in the season. He has great vision, agility and strength.
Jacobs is the most physical runner in the NFL and has an excellent combination of size, power and agility that moves the chains.
He has been making solid plays on a consistent basis and controlling the Giants' complex defense all season.
Wilson is a good-sized free safety who attacks plays going downhill. He
is a sure tackler who has excellent measurables and a great nose for
the ball.
Bruschi is the heart and soul of New England's defense. He has a huge
motor and makes plays on hustle, desire and instincts. He is like a
coach on the field.
Diehl is a good athlete for the position who protects Manning's blind
side and has the ability to mirror the elite pass-rushers. He is a
finesse blocker with body control.
Harrison is a downhill safety who plays better the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. He plays with an attitude.
He is a smart, athletic center who knows how to keep body position and
rarely allows himself to get out of control. He uses his hands very
well and knows angles.
McKenzie is a massive tackle who simply overpowers opponents. He hits
with a pop that can rock opponents onto their heels. He has nimble feet
and good range.
Thomas is an explosive edge rusher who has great first-step quickness
with a burst to pressure the pocket and get to the quarterback. He has
unusual strength for a linebacker.
This sly veteran understands how to read coverages, has excellent
hand-eye coordination and is willing to do the little things to help
his team win.
Faulk is a great third-down back who runs the ball fairly well but
really excels when catching the ball out of the backfield. He is a
heady player who does everything well.
Watson is an excellent all-purpose tight end. He can line up either up
tight, flexed out or as an H-back. He has soft, natural hands and can
advance the ball after the catch.
Ross is a very athletic corner who has the size to match up with bigger
wide receivers, but he also can line up over the slot receiver. Plus,
he supports the run better than most corners.
He is a seasoned veteran who always has been able to make the big play
and has a great nose for the ball. He is better going forward as a
blitzing linebacker than dropping into space.
Madison is a fluid, smooth athlete with above-average speed for a
cornerback. He uses his hands well to control receivers and does a
great job of reading routes.
He is a little undersized for the position but plays with an attitude
and is fearless. He has excellent feet and good distance speed.
However, his size does get him into trouble versus taller wide
receivers.
Sanders is a little undersized but is a good athlete for the position.
He plays with good instincts, understands defensive schemes and has
excellent range over the top in coverage.
He is a very good athlete for a right tackle. He relies on athleticism
and technique more than brute strength. He has quick feet and does a
good job of positioning his body.
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Patriots tackle Nick Kaczur (ranked No. 36) is part of arguably the NFL's top offensive line.
Green is a very good athlete for a five-technique defensive end. He is
slightly better at rushing the pocket than he is at stopping the run
but can do both. He is not overpowering but plays with strong hands.
Neal is a very athletic guard who relies on foot agility, body control
and technique more than size or brute strength. He uses his hands very
well to control and steer opponents.
Mitchell is big, fast and active. He can struggle when he has to change
directions, but he does a good job of closing on plays once he gets
realigned. He is not great at defeating blocks.
Bradshaw is an explosive, exciting ball carrier. He lacks the size to
be an every-down player but is explosive through the hole and is very
elusive once he gets past the line of scrimmage.
He is a veteran receiver who is really the third option, despite being
a starter. Although inconsistent, he still is a big-play threat who
benefits from the double coverage on Moss.
He is a veteran coming off back-to-back solid seasons for the Giants.
Robbins is primarily known as a run-stuffer, but he has had 12 sacks
over the past two seasons, due in part to being single blocked because
of the excellent line on which he plays.
Seubert is a solid backup and spot starter. He is a smart, blue-collar
player and a very good technician. You love him on your team because of
his versatility.
He is a rookie receiver who has elevated his level of play after the injury to tight end
Jeremy Shockey. Smith has developed a nice rapport with Manning while playing out of the slot.
He is a former second-round pick who was buried on the Giants' depth
charts prior to injuries at the cornerback position. He is playing as
well as he has at any point during his short NFL career.
Butler is a starting free safety who has solid size and range. He is
serviceable but gets out of position at times. The Patriots will try to
find him in coverage.
He is a young backup player who is versatile enough to take reps at
both at defensive tackle and defensive end. He is an important role
player who provides depth.
He is the fourth receiver, but he still gets reps in this offense. He
is a role player who has made the most of his opportunities and could
produce in the Patriots' system if asked to play a bigger role.
He has filled Shockey's shoes very nicely. He is not as good a receiver
or run-blocker, but he does something the Giants didn't ask Shockey to
do: pass block. Boss is solid at it, allowing Manning more time in the
pocket.
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Tight end Kevin Boss (ranked No. 49) is a solid pass-blocker, giving Eli Manning additional time to find other receivers.
He is a backup linebacker and solid special teams player who has made some plays when inserted into the lineup.
He has never really reached his full potential and is a bit of a
tweener, but he is solid on special teams and has good overall speed
and range.
He is 21-of-24 for the season and 3-of-5 from 40 to 49 yards out.
However, he has not had many pressure kicks, and that could be a
concern in a tight game.
He is an excellent blocking tight end who is physical at the point of
attack. But he is limited as a receiver at this point in his career.
When he has been healthy, he has made plays. He is a solid sub-package player who has a knack for being around the football.
He is a very good veteran special teams player.
He is a fourth receiver and does not see a lot of time on offense.
However, he is one of the best special teams players in the NFL.
Evans is a versatile fullback who saw time as a runner when the
Patriots were beat up at running back. He is a role player who produces
when they need him.
He is the Giants' starting fullback, but they do not run out of the I
formation too often, so he is more productive on special teams.
He is a hybrid cornerback-safety. He is a backup who can fill in at
every spot. He is another one of those Patriots backups who is in and
out of the lineup but has a knack for coming up with big plays in key
moments.
He is a rookie who played more toward the end of the season. He has a
ton of potential but has taken some time to pick up the schemes.
He was a starter prior to being injured late in the year and started
again in the wild-card game. He is an average cover guy who might not
get his job back.
He is an experienced backup player who has very good versatility at both offensive guard and center.
He is a versatile, smart backup player who can play both guard and center.
Washington is a backup receiver who contributed mainly as a core
special teams player throughout the year and finished with 18 tackles.
He is a backup inside linebacker and core special teams player.
No directional punter in the NFL is better than Feagles at placing punts inside the 20-yard line.
He is a backup corner who contributes in substitution as the "money" (fourth corner in dime packages) and handles punt returns.
He is the Giants' primary kickoff returner, and he had a 74-yard return for a touchdown against the Patriots in Week 17.
O'Callaghan is a backup who can be effective as a run-blocker due to his size and functional strength.
He is an experienced backup who contributes in the Giants' short-yardage and goal-line packages.
He has good leg strength and has made some big kicks over his career, but he still needs to be more consistent.
Hanson is a left-footed punter with great power and hang time. He also has been to a Pro Bowl.
Alford is a backup rotational defensive tackle who contributes mainly
in regular defensive schemes. He also handles the short snaps for field
goals and extra points.
He is a backup who started one game and still is developing.
He is a backup SLB and special teams player who handles the long snaps on punts.
Woods is a backup role player who leads the Patriots in special teams tackles this season.
He is a backup role player who contributes mainly on special teams.
He is the No. 2 tight end and a special teams player who contributes mainly in the Giants' 12-personnel grouping.
He has been a very consistent snapper on field goals and punts throughout his career.
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The Patriots' Mel Mitchell (ranked No. 81) contributes on special teams.
He is a backup fullback who has contributed mainly on special teams.
Mitchell is very good on special teams and has value in a reserve role. However, he isn't starting material.
This veteran, do-it-all, consummate Patriot is on his last legs, but he
is the type of guy who still could come through in a big game.
He is the undersized younger brother of Santana Moss (Washington
Redskins) and has quickness and explosiveness, but he has not
transitioned to the NFL as well as was expected.
Blackburn is a backup linebacker who was thrust into action and
performed well during the 2006 season. Plus, he is a core special teams
player.
Jackson is a talented young player who has gotten lost in all of New
England's wide receiver acquisitions. He also has battled injuries
since joining the league.
Moore is a big, powerful player who flashes at times, but he is far too inconsistent in just about every phase of his game.
Tollefson is good enough to fill in and finish a game, but he is
nowhere near the threat off the edge that those above him on the depth
chart are.
Britt has been forced into action at times but isn't a massive
liability. He is a smart player who knows his deficiencies but never
will be a starter.
He is a big run-plugging defensive tackle who has valuable starting experience, but he is in the latter stages of his career.
Johnson is a rookie and has been a pleasant surprise while filling in
as the starting strong safety due to injury. He has good size and is
aggressive.
Cassell didn't start at USC, and he surely will not start in New England unless the unthinkable occurs.
Wright has had moderate success in the league, but if Manning goes down, the Giants are in huge trouble.
He is a backup strongside linebacker who has recorded just one tackle
on the season. However, he has contributed on special teams.
He is an intelligent backup guard who is a project at this young stage of his career.
Pope is a very young player who primarily is a depth player without
much upside. However, he could be thrust into action with the rash of
injuries in the Giants' secondary.
He is a core special teams contributor who tries hard and can fill in at safety in an emergency.
Smith has some upfield ability and flashes at times, but he is a borderline roster player.
He is an athletic backup left tackle who needs to get stronger, but he is a suitable backup to Diehl at this point.
He is a backup offensive lineman who lacks quickness and overall
athletic ability. If by chance Koets plays in the Super Bowl, he will
need a lot of help.
As third-string quarterbacks go, Lorenzen is fine, but he never has shown he can be someone New York can win with.
Ware was a late addition to a Giants team that is loaded at the position. He should be used only on special teams.
He is a blocking tight end with size and got his shot due only to Shockey's injury.
Wright has ability. He entered the league through the supplemental
draft as a Miami Dolphin, but he has continually disappointed.
The Patriots' third-string signal-caller is a big-time project, but he has shown little to date.
He is a second-year, third-string tight end who could very well luck into a Super Bowl ring.
He is buried on the depth chart but had one tackle in the regular season. Ironically, it was against the Giants in Week 17.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
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