Advertisement

The Packers' Aaron Rodgers is voted No. 3 on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2022 list

The NFL has released the Top 100 Players of 2022 — the league's annual poll is voted on solely by current NFL players.

Despite being the number one overall seed in the NFC last season, the Packers only placed two players on the list; quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. Wide receiver Davante Adams also made the list. Though he is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, he was recognized for the season he had with the Packers.

The poll is conducted by the NFL in the off-season, and players rank their peers based on how they performed in the most recent season.

At No. 3 is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The back-to-back MVP received praise from his peers, with many saying he was their vote for No. 1, after being voted No. 3 last year. The 38-year old completed his fourth straight season with 4,000 plus passing yards. He put together a 37-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and tossed 37 touchdowns.

"You can have the best pass rush, best coverage as a defensive back, it's irrelevant to him," said Washington Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.

"When you have a guy that's that mobile in the pocket, you've gotta be aware of where he's at at all times," said Allen. "And any mistake you make, he's gonna make you bail on it. Even cross body, rolling to his left as a right handed quarterback is usually a big mistake, but for a guy of this caliber, it's a touchdown every time."

A four-time MVP, Rodgers isn't a stranger to accolades. He also earned First Team All-Pro honors last season from the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News following a year in which he set the touchdown passing record in the Packers long, storied history.

"He makes it look easy. His arm talent's amazing. I think he's definitely a top three quarterback to ever live," said Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Others went a step further, like former Packers receiver and teammate (current Chiefs receiver) Marques Valdez-Scantling.

"I don't think you can replicate this if you're anybody else," said Valdez-Scantling. "This man is the best quarterback I've ever seen in my life, no questions about it man."

"He can do it all. A quarterback that can scramble, extend plays and turn plays that seem like nothing to touchdowns," said Steelers defensive lineman Tyson

The guy who caught the majority of passes from Rodgers was receiver Davante Adams. In fact, Rodgers and Adams linked up for the most touchdowns between a duo in Packers history during the receivers time in Green Bay. The First Team All-Pro receiver was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, per his request, but not before posting his best career season to date. It landed him at No. 7 on the Top 100 list.

The former second round pick hauled in 123 passes for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also became the first receiver in NFL history to post back-to-back seasons with 115 receptions, 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was Rodgers most sought after target (Adams was targeted 169 times) and Rodgers has since said that around 80% of the offense circled around Adams.

"He's the best receiver in the league and that's how he practices, that's how he plays. Like, 'you better put 11 on me to stop me, I'm just that guy.' He wants to win every rep...He practices hard. He competes," said Packers corner Rasul Douglas, Adams former teammate who often had to practice against him.

Coming in at No. 49 is linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, named to the list for the first time in his career. A fourth-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 out of the University of Minnesota, Campbell played four seasons with Atlanta and one with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Packers in 2021.

"Many guys of that size, that build, not real good in coverage. But, I feel like he a real good cover guy and I feel like that's what he thrives at the most," said Super Bowl champion and Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David in a video announcing Campbell to the list. 

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) celebrates his interception during the fourth quarter of their game Monday, September 20, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 35-17.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) celebrates his interception during the fourth quarter of their game Monday, September 20, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 35-17.

Campbell accumulated two interceptions and five passes defended in 2021. He also led the team with 145 total tackles, which ranked seventh in the NFL, and added two sacks, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

"Have a guy like that in the middle of the field, controlling everything. Somebody ... making sure everybody is right where they need to be. ... He got a big payday," David said. Campbell signed a 5-year, $50 million contract in March. 

Campbell earned first-team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press last season. He is the first Green Bay inside linebacker since Ray Nitschke in 1966 to be named to the first-team, although linebacker Nick Barnett was a second-team selection in 2007.

More: Packers' All-Pro tackle David Bakhtiari has 'ambitious' goals after being activated from injury list

More: Packers rookie receiver Christian Watson taking small steps in recovery, including picking Aaron Rodgers' brain

A few other players with Wisconsin connections were named to the Top 100 list. Former Wisconsin Badgers' quarterback Russell Wilson, a member of the Denver Broncos, was voted to the No. 61 spot.

Although a member of the Los Angeles Chargers last season, former Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley was voted No. 60. He was also voted No. 60 last season, the year for which his play was recognized as a member of the Packers.

Pewaukee native and former Badger T.J. Watt was voted No. 6 this season. The veteran member of the Pittsburgh Steelers was the highest ranked linebacker on the list.

Former Badgers' running back Jonathan Taylor, a member of the Indianapolis Colts, was voted No. 5. Taylor was the highest ranked running back on the list.

Last year, six Green Bay Packers made the list: Za'Darius Smith, Jaire Alexander, David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones, Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald was voted No. 2. Quarterback Tom Brady came in at No. 1.

Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers' Aaron Rodgers voted No. 3 on NFL's 2022 Top 100 Players list