Top 100 Players of 2024, Nos. 70-61: Jaylen Waddle among four Dolphins; Brandon Aiyuk debuts

Cooper finished 10th in receiving yards (1,250) in the NFL in 2023, a total he posted while playing with five different starting quarterbacks in his second season in Cleveland. No matter who was throwing the ball, Cooper was a reliable target for his QBs. Cooper, who’s entering the final year of his reworked contract, has even his NFL peers believing he is “the most underappreciated receiver” in the league.

Kupp dropped 22 spots from last year’s Top 100 list, as the Rams WR’s 2023 campaign was slowed by a hamstring injury and an ankle sprain. In 12 games, Kupp had 59 catches for 737 yards and five touchdowns. Looking forward, the 31-year-old believes he can reclaim his triple crown form with an emerging star in Puka Nacua by his side in 2024.

Coming off his second consecutive Pro Bowl season, Hunter has been one of the league’s consistent pass rushers since he entered the league in 2015. In his final season with the Vikings, Hunter had a career-high 16.5 sacks, 83 tackles and a league-leading 23 tackles for loss. He also contributed 22 QB hits and four forced fumbles. Hunter will be with a new squad in 2024 after he signed a two-year, $49 million contract with the Texans.

Armstead makes his second straight Top 100 appearance despite only playing in 10 games. Armstead dealt with injuries to his ankle, back, knee and quadriceps during the 2023 campaign, but remained one of the top offensive tackles in the league regardless. Armstead earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod and is returning to the Dolphins on an adjusted contract for his 12th season.

After his best season, Aiyuk appears on the Top 100 list for the first time. He led the talented 49ers offense with 1,342 receiving yards, which was seventh in the league. Aiyuk also ranked second amongst his peers with 17.9 yards per reception. Having unsuccessfully sought an extension, Aiyuk has requested to be traded. Though his future in the Bay Area is uncertain, his past season drew high ranks from his peers.

Poyer reached the 100-tackle mark in 2023 for the first time since the 2020 season. A key figure in Buffalo’s defense since he arrived in 2017, the safety arrives in the Top 100 for the third time in his career. His ball-hawking instincts have made him one of the top at his position. However, the Bills defense will look different after it released Poyer in a salary cap-cutting move. Poyer stayed in the AFC East, signing with the rival Dolphins this offseason.

One of the Ravens’ brightest spots on defense, Queen produced his best season in 2023, racking up 133 tackles (nine for loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. Queen was named to his first Pro Bowl and garnered second-team All-Pro honors. The 24-year-old linebacker has never missed a game in his four-year NFL career, starting in all 67 regular-season games since he was drafted. Queen will be on a different team in 2024 after signing a three-year, $41 million deal with the AFC North rival Steelers. 

Since entering the league in 2021, Waddle has developed into one of the best deep ball threats in the league. The 25-year-old, who has three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, was a major part of Miami’s hot offense in 2023 alongside fellow wideout Tyreek Hill. Waddle’s speed makes him a threat to score whenever he gets the ball. Waddle makes his third-straight Top 100 appearance after the Dolphins rewarded their young receiver with a three-year, $84.75 million extension.

Whether you were a quarterback or running back who went against the Dolphins, Chubb’s presence in the trenches was potent. He led the league with six forced fumbles while also recording 73 tackles, 22 QB hits, 11 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He reached the double-digit sack mark for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. Chubb suffered a torn ACL late in the 2023 season and there hasn’t been a timeline on when he’ll return for the 2024 campaign, but he certainly left his mark last year.

Madubuike showed significant improvement in his fourth season with the Ravens. The Baltimore defensive tackle led the team with 13 sacks, 33 QB hits and 12 tackles for loss, which earned him his first Pro Bowl honor. His career year resulted in the pass rusher receiving a big payday with a four-year, $98 million extension. Madubuike’s breakout performance culminates with his Top 100 debut, with more accolades anticipated in the years ahead.