Pete Prisco, senior writer of CBS Sports, came up with the NFL’s list of top 100 players, days after minicamp ended for all 32 teams. The list carries four members of the New England Patriots, led by their veteran quarterback Tom Brady. Prisco placed the 41-year-old Brady at No. 6 on the list, despite the fact that he carried the Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl trophy with a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. Brady’s ranking was not received well by Patriots fans so Prisco had to make a lengthy explanation in his article about the veteran quarterback’s place on the list.

“Some might quibble with me having Tom Brady in the sixth spot, but he didn't have a great regular season in 2018 before lighting it up in the playoffs,” said Prisco. To prove his point, Prisco said Brady had just 56 more passing yards than New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and had a lower completing percentage (65.8 to Manning’s 66.0). Last season Brady threw 29 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions while Manning had 21 scores and 11 picks. “Manning was seared for his play last season, which gives you an idea of how Brady's regular season wasn't that special – which is why he's ranked sixth here,” added Prisco. The senior writer added that some might also question the high ranking that he gave Brady, but they shouldn’t.

Stephon Gilmore also makes it to the list

After Brady, Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore followed at No. 30, with Prisco describing him as the “he was the best corner in the league last season and carried it over to the postseason.” Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman landed at No. 90, mainly due to his four-game suspension last year.

Guard Shaq Mason made the cut at No. 100 due to his improved pass protection. Former Patriots defensive star Trey Flowers also made it to the list at No. 81. Prisco said Flowers’ play last season earned him a big deal from the Detroit Lions, who signed him to a five-year, $90 million contract in the offseason. Rams defensive player Aaron Donald was selected No.

1 by Prisco while Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was No. 2.

Brady works out with Josh Gordon

Brady recently posted a workout video on Instagram with suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was indefinitely banned by the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Brady accompanied the video with a caption: “Practice makes perfect”. Recently, Brady posted photos and videos of his private workout with Edelman and rookie wide receiver N’Keal Harry before he joined the Patriots three-day minicamp. In 11 games last season, Gordon caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns before he was indefinitely suspended. During their short time together, Brady had more success throwing to Gordon compared to any other target in his career, according to Pat Thorman of Pro Football Focus. Thorman said Brady posted a 149.3 passer rating while passing to Gordon while under pressure.
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