The NFL Top 100 list for 2026 just wrapped up its player-voted rankings, and while the league has been milking this for months, what truly pops for us Emerald City die-hards is seeing our own Sam Darnold land at 21st overall, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba cementing his spot among the absolute elite receivers. Six players from the Detroit Lions made the cut this year, down from seven last season, but who cares when our Seahawks are repping at the top of the league? This list, built by the players themselves, just spilled the beans on where the real talent is, and it is clear some folks are about to get a rude awakening.
Darnold’s Surprise Climb Signals Seahawks’ Strength
Alright, let us talk about Sam Darnold. The man is ranked 21st in the entire league, period. Among quarterbacks, he is sitting pretty at 6th, right above Dak Prescott at 31st. Think about that: Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes are still TBD in the top eight, but Darnold is already ahead of guys like Drake Maye, who landed at 11th, and Mahomes at 18th. That is a massive statement from his peers. Last year, Jared Goff was 15th, and he dropped to 33rd this year, landing 7th among QBs. Our guy is not just on the list, he is charting a course for the Emerald City straight into the top tier, and that has got to get the 12s buzzing for what Mike Macdonald and Brian Fleury are cooking up this season.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Joins the WR Royalty
And then there is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While his specific rank is still TBD, the fact that he is listed *ahead* of Amon-Ra St. Brown, who came in at 22nd overall and 5th among receivers, speaks volumes. JSN is right there with Puka Nacua (TBD), Ja’Marr Chase (16th), and Justin Jefferson (19th), putting him squarely in the top five wideouts in the league as voted by players. You want to talk about a rising star? Our guy is already considered one of the absolute best in the game. St. Brown dropped two spots from 20th last year, but JSN is just getting started, already commanding respect from the guys who have to cover him. This kind of recognition means our offense, with Darnold slinging it to JSN, is going to be straight fire.
Lions’ LBs and EDGEs, But Our Guys Are The Real Story
Now, to round it out, the Lions did have a few other guys make the list, like Jahmyr Gibbs who surged from 27th to 9th overall, making him the 3rd best running back. Aidan Hutchinson climbed from 55th to 30th, ranking 7th among EDGE rushers. And Penei Sewell, despite dropping from 13th to 37th overall, is still ranked as the number one offensive tackle. Even Jack Campbell, not rated last year, jumped in at 88th, 7th among linebackers, though he is behind former Seahawks legends like Jordyn Brooks (67th) and Bobby Wagner (81st). But let us be real, the chatter around Detroit is cool, but for us, the biggest takeaway is seeing our own Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba get this kind of respect. It sets the stage for a season where the Seahawks are not just competing, they are demanding attention.
This is not just some preseason fluff, folks. These are player votes, telling us exactly who they fear and respect. With Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba earning these kinds of spots, the message is crystal clear: the Seattle Seahawks are coming for it all. Get ready to scream your lungs out at Lumen Field, 12s, because this season is shaping up to be legendary. It is time to show the league what the Emerald City is really made of!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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