Every year since 2011, NFL Network has aired its NFL Top 100 series, where the players themselves vote on who they think are the 100 best players from the previous season. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward has been featured on the list a whopping nine times, including this season.
Despite consistently making the cut, the highest he has been ranked was 42nd overall back in 2022. As great as Heyward was that season, 2024 was arguably even more dominant despite being in his age-35 season. That made his 83rd overall ranking on this year's list all the more disappointing.
Call me biased if you must, but there were not 82 players better than Heyward in 2024. The multiple-time All-Pro was sensational as both a run defender and pass rusher, earning a career-high 85.9 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus. Being ranked this low by his peers is even more disrespectful than the national media's lack of praise.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Cameron Heyward still lacking respect late in his career
As of writing this, Heyward hasn't reacted to his tragically low ranking, but he has every right to be upset about it. His peers should know better than anybody that he hasn't slowed down at all despite his age, and if anything, he keeps finding ways to get better.
A big part of why he ranks so low is his lack of flash. Heyward is a no-nonsense, mauling interior defender who relies far more on his strength and technique than his speed or quickness. He isn't the athlete that guys like Chris Jones, Dexter Lawrence, or Jalen Carter are, but he is just as effective because of how powerful he still is.
It was fair to rank him at 98 last year, coming off an injury-marred season, but bumping him up just 15 spots despite showing he was the same guy that was ranked 45th the year before is baffling.
Perhaps his peers are hesitant to rank a player entering his age-36 season that high, and it is certainly possible that we finally see true regression for Heyward in 2025. But this list is meant to highlight the best players from the 2024 season, and they failed to give him the proper respect with his ranking this season.