Jalen Ramsey debuts at number 17 on NFL Top 100 Players for 2018

Star cornerback Jalen Ramsey checks in the top 20 in his initial ranking on the NFL Top 100 in 2018.

When the annual countdown of NFL Network’s Top 100 players of 2018 began, it was a given that the wait to see Jalen Ramsey‘s name would be a long one. While it did turn out that way, the wait wasn’t quite as long as expected, however.

The now third-year cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars was announced as the 17th best player heading into the 2018 season:

Already on his way to becoming one of the greatest players in franchise history, the 2016 first-round draft pick had five interceptions and 18 pass break ups last season. The corner’s performance in 2017 was worthy of first-team All-Pro accolades.

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While debuting in the top 20 is certainly nothing to brush off as insignificant, and Ramsey was personally honored by the appearance, being slotted at number 17 is actually a surprise. The defensive back has a résumé worthy of the being at the pinnacle of his position in the entire league. I fully expected Ramsey to be considered at least a top 15 player by his fellow peers.

In fact, with the six Jaguars who made the list having now all been announced, it was actually defensive lineman Calais Campbell that was the highest rated player on the team at number 14. Campbell was undoubtedly a monster in his first season with Jacksonville, and is also completely deserving of a top 20 nod, but I would have put money on Ramsey being the one to put a bow on the Jaguars’ participation in the ranking.

Jalen Ramsey is primed to only get better, as unbelievable as that seems. His number 17 ranking in 2018 is probably the lowest the Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback will appear on the list for a long time moving forward.