Executives and coaches audit NFL Rank: Answering eight questions on what we got right and wrong in top 100 rankings

Which players will break out in 2022?

Miami safety Jevon Holland is a young player outside the top 100 several league execs believe will make the jump to elite status in 2023.

Miami knew it had something when opposing general managers and head coaches were stopping Dolphins personnel after games to rave about Holland, who was an honorable mention in ESPN's top 10 position rankings over the summer.

In 2021, Holland's 37.0% ball-hawk rate was among the league's best for safeties. He finished the year with two interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 11 pass breakups.

"He can cover, has exceptional range, can cover tight ends, can cover up ground on the back end and has the ability to blitz and tackle," said a high-ranking AFC executive. "He can do everything."

Another common name mentioned is Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has already broken out in the eyes of our top 100 voters (No. 32). "He might get 200 targets the way things are shaping up," said an AFC personnel man, referring to several injuries along Dallas' offense.

Battle for best L.A. roster: Rams or Chargers?

The Rams might be the most top-heavy roster in the NFL, with three players in the top eight (Aaron Donald at No. 2, Cooper Kupp at No. 4, Jalen Ramsey at No. 8), but also several starting roles filled by compensatory picks acquired when Los Angeles let talent seeking high-priced contracts walk in free agency.

The Rams' top-100 representation ends with Matthew Stafford at No. 30.

Meanwhile, the Chargers lead the NFL with eight players on the list, thanks to big hits on homegrown talent. Each player on the list, save Khalil Mack (No. 55), was drafted by general manager Tom Telesco since 2013. Six of the eight are playing under massive contracts, while Justin Herbert (No. 11) and Rashawn Slater (No. 52) are headed to the bank in future years.

"The Rams have constructed a great team but to me the difference is the offensive line -- the Chargers have more talent there," an NFC exec said. "The Rams are scheme-specific, so they can often find cheaper guys who can fit but aren't necessarily star players."

The Chargers have completely revamped their offensive line over the past two years with the selection of Slater and Zion Johnson in back-to-back first rounds, coupled with free agent acquisitions Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler. Linsley easily could have been the eighth Charger in the top 100.

The exec noted that the Rams probably don't get enough credit for developing mid-to-late-round picks into productive players, so even if they don't dominate the back end of the top 100, the champs' complementary-player game is strong.

Should any player from the Patriots, Jets, Jaguars, Giants or Lions have made the top 100?

One player spurred the most debate here.

"Matthew Judon," an AFC exec said. "He's a high-impact guy, can do a little bit of everything at a high level. But that would be the only one from my view."

The fact that just one Patriot is even considered for such a list tells a lot about the state of the team. Though New England's reign was built on the premise that no player is bigger than the team, star players helped close out crucial games. For every "just a guy," there was a Rob Gronkowski or a Stephon Gilmore. That doesn't seem to be the case now. The Patriots aren't void of talent but are far from loaded. And, oh yeah, they don't have an offensive coordinator. At least safety Kyle Dugger is considered a top-100 sleeper.

"If this Patriots team makes the playoffs, this will be one of Bill Belichick's best coaching jobs," an AFC scout said.

The Lions and Giants don't garner enough consideration here. Saquon Barkley regaining his 2018-19 form would change the conversation. And one AFC personnel man pointed out that the Lions' Jameson Williams, when healthy, will be elite, and Amon-Ra St. Brown will warrant consideration eventually.

The Jets have intriguing young players but not to this level yet; Mekhi Becton was on his way, pre-injuries. The Jaguars are counting on Trevor Lawrence or Travon Walker to get there.

"One of them will be by the end of the year," an AFC scout predicted.

Is Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt the better pass-rusher?

There's something alluring about draftmates battling in a positional pantheon for years to come. The 2017 NFL draft blessed us with the game's two best pass-rushers, separated by 29 picks. Garrett was the consensus No. 1 pick, the rare player who makes passing on a quarterback at the top of the draft palatable. Somehow, five more edge rushers went before Pittsburgh scooped up Watt at No. 30. Those five -- Haason Reddick, Derek Barnett, Charles Harris, Takk McKinley and Taco Charlton -- have combined for 98 career sacks. Watt, the reigning defensive player of the year, has 72 by himself.

Five years later, Watt and Garrett sit at Nos. 6 and 9, respectively, in our top 100.

From the perspective of NFL front offices, there is no clear-cut answer as to who's better. Watt has been more productive. His 35.5 disrupted dropbacks (sacks, interceptions, batted defended passes) led all NFL defenders last year. But Garrett might be the league's most feared player save Donald.

So, it depends how the question is asked. Who's the best player right now? It's Watt. Who will have the bigger year? Those answers slant more toward Garrett.

"He's really close to having that signature year," an AFC exec said. "And his defense around him will be the best he's had there. Early in his career, he would disappear a bit against good tackles, but he's figured a lot of that out. Outside of Aaron [Donald], he's the guy who probably commands the most attention from opposing offenses."

Added an NFC exec: "I was having this conversation with someone the other day. Is Myles Garrett a Hall of Famer? He's on that track. He's been more productive than I thought after I looked at the numbers."

Garrett has 58.5 sacks in five seasons, including a career-high 16 last year.

Meanwhile, Watt improves every year, which is why some evaluators wouldn't be surprised if he gets the single-season sack record that he currently co-owns with Michael Strahan at 22.5.

"Every year he finds a way to improve," an AFC scout said. "Just a complete player, and somehow probably still underrated."

Justin Herbert or Joe Burrow?

The NFL found two cornerstone players out of the 2020 class, popular quarterbacks set up for success for the next decade-plus. Herbert and Burrow have playmaking around them and the talent to maximize it. This competition is incredibly close.

"I feel like if you had these quarterbacks switch teams, the offenses would look exactly the same," an AFC scout said. "Both can take advantage of what they have and what they are asked to do."

Burrow edged Herbert by two spots (fifth to seventh) in our top 10 quarterback rankings this summer, but this debate seems similar to Garrett-Watt. Herbert, like Garrett, has superior physical gifts, one of the game's best arms with ideal size. Burrow, like Watt, has physical ability and arm talent, too, but he also wins with instincts, football smarts and technique.

"If I'm building a team now, I'm probably taking Herbert -- very close, though," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "Because it's not like Herbert doesn't have instincts, too. He does. And he's got everything else."

Teams I've talked to believe the Chargers could -- or should -- play more of a vertical passing game with Herbert in 2022. His arm is too good, and the Chargers have too many playmakers on the perimeter, not to try.

Burrow supporters point out the Bengals already were committed to that last year, despite subpar offensive line play. Burrow's 15 completions of 40 or more yards tied for second in the NFL despite Burrow absorbing contact from defenses on nearly 20% of his dropbacks.

"He operates the game so damn well mentally and is so accurate that he has a good chance to remain a top-five quarterback for a while," an NFC scout said.

Is Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson the better wideout?

While this debate might rage on for years -- neither player is eager to relinquish supremacy and both are poised to produce massive numbers -- most NFL personnel believe this is fairly clear-cut.

Chase gets the nod.

"Ja'Marr is faster and stronger and can do more with the ball in his hands," an NFC personnel director said. "Jefferson is an elite route-runner and is relentless, but he's missing that elite physical trait that Chase has. You're not scared of him taking the top off your defense, even if he's going to get 11 for 150 on you."

Added an NFL personnel evaluator: "Both are incredibly tough, but Chase has that Steve Smith toughness, only with more physical gifts."

Which rookie will crack next year's top 100?

The first response I got to this question was pretty funny: "A guy who won't even play," said an NFC exec with a chuckle.

He was talking about Eagles offensive lineman Cam Jurgens, a second-round pick who lit up the preseason but plays behind a stout and experienced Philadelphia line.

There's not much consensus here, but there are plenty of good candidates. Most agree that the top two picks, Jacksonville's Walker and Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson, look ready to contribute in a big way. Their preseason work impressed, with Walker in particular generating more pressure than his Georgia tape suggests he would.

"Those guys will both be big-time players for years to come," an NFL scouting director said.

One AFC scout went a different direction: Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, figuring he sees the field for extended action at some point in 2022.

"He looks in command, like not much fazes him," the scout said.