The NFL’s annual “Top 100” list is often controversial. I guess that may be inevitable when you’re dealing with 32 fanbases who can’t possibly all end up happy, but there are some serious flaws in it.
For the Dallas Cowboys, the list has not been their friend this year, and perhaps that should have been expected.
The team struggled last year — you don’t need me to remind you of that — and this ranking is unforgiving to that kind of thing. It’s why there is so much fluctuation, and therefore, entertainment and storylines, every time the program runs.
Here, I’ll give you a quick rundown as to why one of the Cowboys top stars has fallen from previous seasons in the 2026 Top 100, and why a few will be left off the list entirely.
CeeDee Lamb & Co. Drop-Off: Elite Talent’s Falling Hard In ’26 Ranks
The most prominent guy in this discussion is Dallas’s star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who fell twenty spots from 35 to 55 in the NFL’s Top 100 this year.
It is still a high rank given the magnitude of the league, but you can understand why some fans may be upset with such a big name landing so many spots below his previous slot.
The fact is, Lamb struggled last year, both in health and, on occasion, in performance.
He played in a career-low 14 games, and delivered his worst statistics since his rookie season. This, of course, coincided with the arrival of George Pickens, who is expected to land in yet-to-be-revealed top-50 of the list.
In addition to Lamb, we are now two years removed from DaRon Bland being on the list; this one is really hard to argue with, as the former All-Pro is facing the most important season yet in regards to his future.
The “Interception King” appeared in the 2024 Top 100 at 31st overall, one year after former Cowboy Trevon Diggs’s only appearance in 2023.
Since then, Bland has dealt with a slew of injuries and performance issues, all while netting a massive contract that Dallas is surely regretting, at least somewhat, right now. It is really starting to feel like a repeat of the Diggs situation.
Now, in the case of Dak Prescott, we have the opposite going on.
The veteran quarterback and 2023 MVP runner-up seems poised for a massive spike on the list, as he has still not been named after appearing at 79th in 2025.
Prescott’s season was fantastic, so I’m expecting him to land in the top-30, far surpassing guys like Jalen Hurts.
Was this helpful?
Comments