The NFL Network revealed players 30-21 on their annual top 100 list Wednesday night and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was ranked 21st overall. Last year, Roethlisberger was ranked 26th overall.
Even though he missed four and a half games last season due to a sprained left MCL, Roethlisberger still managed to throw for 3,938 yards and 21 touchdowns and completed 68% of his pass attempts. He also threw for more than 350 yards in six games in 2015, and over 300 yards in eight games.
“Backyard Ben, it’s going to be a long day for the defensive line because he does not have that normal quarterback clock,” said Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap during Roethlisberger’s video vignette. “He’s going to do whatever it takes to make a play and typically he’s got two and three guys hanging on him.
“Ben is looking for the best available pass,” added Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller. “He’s not really trying to run to get away from you, he’s trying to stay up, stay alive to make the best play, the best throw. And when have a home run threat like that, it’s incredibly tough.”
Roethlisberger became the third Steelers player to make this year’s top-100 list as he was preceded earlier in the countdown by defensive end Cameron Heyward (88th) and running back Le’Veon Bell (41st). He won’t be the last, however, as wide receiver Antonio Brown figures to be ranked somewhere in the top 5.
Roethlisberger will more than likely wind up being the fifth-ranked quarterback on this year’s list as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson all remain unranked.
