No matter when they voted, NFL players missed on their ranking of Von Miller

While it is illegal per NFL laws, for players to consume marijuana or other recreational drugs, the NFL’s player rankings would suggest otherwise. A grave mistake has been made as Von Miller is merely fifteenth in the NFL’s top-100 rankings. A list voted on by NFL players each offseason for NFL Network.

The Super Bowl 50 MVP was announced as the fifteenth player on the list as players 11 through 100 have been announced, but we still await the top 10. Miller is likely the last Bronco to make an appearance on the list and seventh Denver player in the top 100 rankings.

Unusually, Miller is behind fellow defensive players such as Josh Norman (11th),  Khalil Mack (13th) and  Aaron Donald (14th). The top ten is bound to have other defenders in it including J.J. Watt who Miller himself probably wouldn’t argue with, the other three however are surprises ahead of number 58.

Before I go on a rant, it must be noted that the voting for the list was conducted at the end of the regular season and not after Von Miller’s magical playoff run. Still, it is undeniable that Miller has been overlooked by his peers, what he did after the ballots were in speaks for itself.

After all, what arguments can you make against the Broncos star edge rusher? You could say he wasn’t as dominant throughout the season as he was during the playoff run, which is fair, but Von’s always been at his best when the lights shine the brightest. Outside of that, what argument can you truly make that keeps Von out of the top ten? Miller has always been an elite pass rusher, there’s no debating that. He also has evolved his game and become more complete, even making huge plays in coverage and becoming a much more sound run defender. So what gives?

Longevity or consistency is not the issue with Von. In 72 career games, Miller has totaled an impressive 60 sacks (regular season stats only), he’s had double-digit sacks in every season aside from his injury and suspension-plagued 2013. He’s been one of the NFL’s best pass-rushers since the moment he’s arrived in the league and he’s only gotten better. Regardless of whether or not Von is a top-ten player, there should be little doubt as to who is the best outside rusher in the AFC West.

Khalil Mack is a terrific player, no fan base understands this more than the Broncos who had to watch Mack take the Broncos lunch money to the tune of five sacks and a Brock Broncos defeat last season. But let’s not forget those five sacks came against Michael Schofield and Ryan Harris (Harris allowed one Schofield the rest), not exactly the NFL’s best.

You could also argue that Mack isn’t the well-rounded player Von’s blossomed into, not affecting the game in all areas like the Broncos star does.

Let’s also not forget, Mack hasn’t done anything in the NFL yet, Miller has made the playoffs every single year he’s been in the NFL (when voting was in he was arguably the best player on the AFC’s number 1 seeded team). Without even taking into account the last playoffs, in which he absolutely tore up the league’s two best offenses and has finished up one of the most epic defensive playoff performances the NFL’s seen since Lawrence Taylor.

The same could be said about every other defensive player ahead of Miller on this questionable list. Norman had a terrific year, undoubtedly, but it’s only one year. When you compare playoff impact or career success and production, it’s not even close. Donald has never been on a winning team in the NFL, let alone a Superbowl contender or champion. Need I say more?

While some have tried to spin this as some negotiating advantage, the Broncos have gained with Miller being ranked so low. This absurd list ranked the new richest man in football (aka Andrew Luck) 92nd and the new highest paid defender Fletcher Cox 49th. Meaning that argument has about as much logic as ranking Miller 15th.

There’s no doubt that after the playoff run Von had, his colleagues would have ranked him higher. While Brady and Cam will see their names in the top ten, they’ll know that Mr. 15 was the reason their championship hopes were denied.