Top 10 Individual Performers of the 2021 NFL Season That Missed the Playoffs
10) K Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens K: Image by Duane Burleson/AP via The Denver Post
I know I know… I’m starting this list with a kicker, what are you going to do about it? Coming into this season, Justin Tucker was already a guaranteed Hall of Fame place kicker. In his first nine NFL seasons, Tucker was selected to 4 First-Team All-Pro teams, 2 Second-Team All-Pro Teams, 4 Pro Bowls, and the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Somehow, Tucker just put up the best season of his career. Tucker led the league with a 94.6% field goal rate, as well as a perfect 100% kicking extra points. In week 3 against the Lions, Tucker nailed the longest field goal in NFL history to secure a walk-off win with no time left in regulation. This 66-yard nuke was 2 yards further than the previous record set by then-Broncos kicker Matt Prater. It would’ve been interesting to see how Tucker would’ve fared in the playoffs, given last season he kicked a poor 3 for 6 in the Ravens’ two playoff games.
9) CB A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons
A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons CB: Image by Butch Dill/AP via The Clemson Insider
At 23 years-old, A.J Terrell is the second-youngest player on this list (see number 4). After a mediocre rookie season, A.J Terrell made big jumps in year two. Over sixteen games, receivers covered by Terrell were targeted 86 times, or about 5 times per game. Why? Terrell was locking down his man every play. On balls thrown his way, Terrell gave up 50% completions, a 61.0 passer rating, and a mere 4.8 yards per target. These numbers go along with his trio of interceptions and sixteen passes defended. He was one of the few bright spots on a Falcons team who put up another disappointing season. This guy will be a lot of fun to watch for years to come.
8) TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens TE: Image by Patrick Smith/Getty via Sportscasting
The Baltimore Ravens is a team full of superstars and have the ability to make the playoffs in any given year. This year, the injury bug took hold of the team and drove it into the ground. In multiple games this season, the Ravens ran out of cornerbacks and had to play safeties at the corner position for the remainder of the games. One player who survived the injury plague was Mark Andrews, and he put up the best stats of any TE in the NFL this season. He totaled 107 receptions for 1361 yards and 9 touchdowns… on a team built around running the football. The next best Tight End, Travis Kelce, put up 15 less receptions and 236 less yards than Andrews. If Lamar Jackson didn’t miss a quarter of the season, Andrews could’ve had even bigger numbers than he did.
7) G Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns G: Image by Ken Blaze/USA Today via Akron Beacon Journal
The hardest position to judge on skill by the naked eye of a fan is the offensive guard position. There are no real stats we can use to analyze them, so it becomes hard for us to differentiate one player’s ability from another. Joel Bitonio was an exception to this. When watching any Browns game, it was clear to see that they leaned on running behind Bitonio when nothing else was working. The way he kicks defensive tackles out of a play and makes holes for his running backs is second to none. The Cleveland Browns had the highest YPC of any team this season at 5.1. Bitonio was ranked the second-best guard by PFF this season and was appropriately named a 2021 First-Team All-Pro. He even played a pretty solid game at RT while the team was hammered with COVID. I probably could’ve included Browns RG Wyatt Teller on this list as well, given how that middle of the Browns O-Line handled some of the leagues best nose tackles this season. Teller was named a 2021 Second-Team All-Pro.
6) QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers QB: Image by Gregory Bull/AP via Oregon Live
The best QB to be left out of the playoffs is Justin Herbert of the Chargers. Coming off an impressive Rookie of the Year campaign, Herbert looked to take the next step and take his team on a run deep into January. Unfortunately, they were one bad timeout-call from Brandon Staley from clinching a Wild-Card position. On a brighter note, Herbert followed up his 2020 season with another good year. He was second among all QBs in passing yards, 3rd in passing TDs, and 3rd in QBR. The Chargers leaned on him for success, and maybe a little too much so. Giving the inexperienced Herbert the second most passing attempts was an interesting strategy by the Chargers, that’s for sure. He tied for the third most interceptions in the league, but given all the good he was able to do, I thought he deserved a spot on this list.
5) LB Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks LB: Image by Elaine Thompson/AP via The Columbian
The last remaining player of the Legion of Boom Defense has had an astounding career. Eight straight pro bowl selections. Five straight First-Team All-Pro selections. 2013-2014 Super Bowl Champion. In 2021, Wagner didn’t show any sign of a decline. In sixteen games played, Wagner put up a career high 170 tackles in the middle. With Kuechly’s recent retirement, Bobby Wagner is a clear choice for top linebacker in pass coverage as well. He allowed a 97.9 passer rating when targeted in 2021, which wouldn’t be a bad number for a CB, let alone a linebacker. In his ten year career, this will only be his second season in which his Seattle Seahawks missed out on the playoffs.
4) WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings WR: Image by Bruce Kluckhohn/AP via Twin Cities
After the Eagles passed up on “J Jettas” for TCU’s Jalen Reagor with the 21st pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings weren’t going to let Jefferson fall any further. The team needed a replacement for Pro-Bowl WR Stefon Diggs who took his talents to Buffalo. He didn’t disappoint in his rookie season, with 88 receptions for 1400 yards and 7 TDs in a subpar 7-9 season from his Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson’s sophomore season was even more impressive than his first. He reeled in 108 receptions for 1616 yards and 10 touchdowns. The opportunity to watch this guy for another decade is truly a blessing.
3) DE Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears
Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears DE: Image by Chris Unger/Getty via Bleacher Report
Robert Quinn, the current 31 year-old veteran, recorded 19 sacks back in 2013. Since then, he hadn’t recorded more than 11.5 sacks in a season. In 2020, he had just 2 sacks in 15 games. With Khalil Mack active for only seven games over the 2021-2022 season, Robert Quinn stepped up in a big way. This season, he proved age is just a number with 18.5 sacks, a new Bears franchise single-season record. Offensive tackles had trouble keep him from flying off the edge and taking down QBs and RBs alike. It is a shame that we won’t be able to see Quinn in the playoffs for yet another year, as he has only played in two playoff games in his career. Hopefully with new coaching and a more experienced Justin Fields at the helm, he could find himself playing past Week 18 in the next couple years.
2) DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns DE: Image by David Richard/AP via Akron Beacon Journal
Let’s be honest, I could’ve put so many Browns players on this list. This team was built for the playoffs. I already mentioned Bitonio and Teller, but the Cleveland franchise also has guys like Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward, Kareem Hunt, and Jamie Collins. Oh… and Myles Garrett, the best defensive end in football. The former first overall pick was third in the NFL with sixteen sacks, along with 17 TFL, 33 QBHits, as well as a fumble recovery he took for six. He was a game-wrecker at that right-end position. Drawing double teams on almost every play, he freed up his teammate Jadeveon Clowney to have a nice comeback season with 9 sacks and 11 TFL, reminiscent of his days with the Houston Texans. I’m sure a lot of AFC QBs are at least a little grateful to not have to see Garrett in the playoffs. Sorry Mahomes, you get T.J Watt instead.
1) RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts RB: Image by Max Gersh via IndyStar
The best NFL player of the 2021-2022 season that did not make the playoffs is Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor. Taylor is being considered for the NFL MVP award along with Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, and for good reason. He was so much better than every other NFL running back that it’s almost concerning. He had 552 more rushing yards than second place Nick Chubb. He had three more rushing touchdowns than second place Damien Harris. He matched Nick Chubb and Miles Sanders for the most yards/attempt of any running back in the league. Only 7 running backs had more rushing yards than Jonathan Taylor had yards after contact! In all honesty, Jonathan Taylor shouldn’t be on this list. The Colts should be playing in the playoffs. An embarrassing loss to the last-place-in-the-NFL Jacksonville Jaguars is the only reason he is here. Get some rest top dog, you deserve it.
