Counting Down the Top 50 NFL Players 50-41: Najee Harris Focal Point for Steelers

With the 2022 NFL Season closing in and rookies reporting to training camps this week, it’s the perfect time to look ahead at the top 50 players in the NFL.

There’s no perfect approach or metric to ranking players because of the disparity in positional importance. However, consulting the various odds markets available offers insight into who bookmarkers consider the most likely to win the AP Regular Season MVP Award, AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, and who will lead the NFL in passing, rushing, and receiving yards.

Here’s a look at the players ranked 50 through 41 with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Top 50 NFL Players: 50-41

50. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

After playing just 13 games in each of his first two seasons, Swift has reportedly bulked up during the offseason, which could prove to help his durability. He’s a dynamic threat on the ground and through the air, and while running back Jamaal Williams will remain involved, Swift’s more talented with the ball in his hands.

Offensive Player of the Year Odds: +10000, Odds to Lead NFL in Rushing Yards: +5000

49. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

While there’s a definite case that Elliott isn’t even the most explosive rusher on his own team anymore, sportsbooks are respecting the six-year veteran. Elliott topped 1,000 rushing yards for the fourth time in his career last year while scoring 12 times and suiting up for all 17 games. 

If the Cowboys mix in fellow RB Tony Pollard enough, Elliott will likely be a more effective rusher — but he’ll also struggle to make noise in either of the following betting markets.

MVP Odds: +30000, Odds to Lead NFL in Rushing Yards: +2500 

48. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Just one of two RBs to top 300 carries last season, Harris’ monster rookie workload also included 94 targets, which tied for a league-high mark amongst RBs. Offseason upgrades to the offensive line should help, and there’s probably a decent case Pittsburgh will be better off with quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and/or Kenny Pickett this season.

In fact, it’s hard to imagine the passing attack being worse after retired signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger threw for just 6.2 yards per attempt last year. That was tied for fourth lowest among qualified quarterbacks in the league.

MVP Odds: +30000, Odds to Lead NFL in Rushing Yards: +1800 

47. Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers

After sustaining an ACL tear during Week 2 of the 2020 season, Bosa made a statement return last season with 52 tackles (40 solo) and 15.5 sacks. Additionally, the 24-year-old defensive lineman probably still has his most productive seasons ahead of him.

The 49ers defensive line is among the best in the league, and current defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans looks like a future head coach, so the setup is great for Bosa.

MVP Odds: +20000, Defensive Player of the Year Odds: +1400 

46. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

Barkley’s dominant rookie season in 2018 seems like a distant memory, as he’s only topped 100 rushing yards once in the past two seasons. Still, new head coach Brian Daboll and an improved offensive line could prove to be tremendous boosts for the fifth-year RB.

If the plan to utilize Barkley more in the passing attack comes to fruition, he could easily return to being a weekly nightmare for opponents.

MVP Odds: +30000, Odds to Lead NFL in Rushing Yards: +5000 

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45. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

The 25-year-old wide receiver has established himself with three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving showings and topped out with 93 receptions last year. Moore is the clear-cut No. 1 target for the Panthers, and he’s proven capable to adapt to whoever’s throwing the ball his way.

Now, recently acquired quarterback Baker Mayfield could quickly prove to be the best he’s played with to this point of his career — a promising reality for Moore’s statistical upside.

Offensive Player of the Year Odds: +15000, Odds to Lead NFL in Receiving Yards: +3000 

44. Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Nursing both an ankle and a back injury that both required surgeries, Leonard’s status leading into Week 1 is a little murky. Still, he’s a game-changing linebacker who led the NFL in forced fumbles last season with eight and has piled up 538 tackles (343 solo) through his first four seasons in the league. 

Defensive Player of the Year Odds: +3000 

43. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Just how much of a step forward Hurts and the Philadelphia offense takes this season is one of the biggest questions of the offseason. The organization added WR A.J. Brown to bolster the offense, and Hurts have the dual-threat upside to propel the deep collection of skill-position talents to new heights. 

Don’t forget, the third-year quarterback also has one of the best offensive lines in the league protecting him.

MVP Odds: +2500, Odds to Lead NFL in Passing Yards: +4000

https://twitter.com/DraftKings/status/1546989030637572097

42. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Entering his sixth season at just 25 years of age, Mixon’s in an ideal setup to post another solid statistical season. Franchise quarterback Joe Burrow has three solid WRs to target, and the organization invested heavily in improving the offensive line during the offseason.

Mixon finished last season with career-high marks in rushing yards (1,205), yards from scrimmage (1,519), and rushing touchdowns (13).

MVP Odds: +20000, Odds to Lead NFL in Rushing Yards: +1600 

41. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

Hauling in an NFL rookie record 104 passes for 1,015 yards and six scores was an admirable freshman showing for Waddle. The passing attack added speedy WR Tyreek Hill, and while that might meanWaddle’s target volume might dip, opposing defenses will have their hands full with the tandem.

MVP Odds: +20000, Odds to Lead NFL in Receiving Yards: +5000 

Make sure to keep an eye on our Live Odds page throughout the week to get the best lines possible and connect with others in the SBR community on our popular sports betting forum.