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In his second season playing primarily off the ball, linebacker Clay Matthews enjoyed another fine season for the Green Bay Packers. For his efforts, the NFL Network included him in their annual list of the top 100 players, ranking him number 57 overall.
Matthews, an edge rusher by trade, moved to inside linebacker midway through 2014. The Packers kept him there throughout last season, with Matthews showing significant improvement as a run defender and cover linebacker. Still, he finished second on the team in sacks with 6 1/2, adding an interception and a fumble recovery along the way.
NFL Network has included Matthews on the list during every edition to date. Last year, Matthews ranked 51st overall. He slipped six spots this year, and comes in one slot behind Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, who earned the 56th spot.
The Packers now have two players s far on the top-100 players list. Defensive lineman Mike Daniels landed at No. 95 during the list's first reveal show, the first top-100 nod of his career. The team should have a few more entries, as Julius Peppers (No. 71 in 2015) and Aaron Rodgers (No. 2) have yet to appear in the 2016 edition.