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NFL Network still has plenty of players to reveal in their Top 100 Players of 2014 countdown, but only one more Denver Broncos player will make the cut. You guessed it: Peyton Manning.
The 38-year-old reigning MVP quarterback will be the eighth and final Bronco to be named to the list, according to the network (special thanks to NCBroncomaniac for pointing that out in the comments of a previous story). The eight Broncos representing the team mark a three-player improvement from last year.
In 2013, Manning, Von Miller, Wes Welker, Champ Bailey, and Demaryius Thomas made the cut. This year, Manning, Miller, and Thomas are back on the list, with five more players joining them:
- 97. Louis Vasquez (Video)
- 82. T.J. Ward (Video)
- 79. Aqib Talib (Video)
- 76. Von Miller (Video)
- 73. Wes Welker (Video)
- 56. DeMarcus Ware (Video)
- 49. Demaryius Thomas (Video)
- TBA Peyton Manning
Notable omissions for the Broncos this year include left tackle Ryan Clady (who missed last season due to injury), cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (who remains one of the most underrated players in the NFL), tight end Julius Thomas (who is set to receive a new contract), and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (who has recently taken up acting). Harris and Knighton both made ProFootballFocus.com's Top 101 Players list.
Manning came in at No. 2 overall last year, trailing only then-MVP Adrian Peterson. After breaking countless records and winning another MVP award last season, it's hard to imagine Peyton being ranked anything but No. 1 this year.