The NFL‘s annual Top 100 reveal began Monday, and two veterans who had disappeared from the rankings for years immediately found their way back.New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan checked in at No. 100, while Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson landed at No. 99 in the player-voted list. For both players, the selections mark their first appearances since 2023 and 2022, respectively.Jordan’s inclusion carries extra weight. Less than a week after re-signing with New Orleans, the eight-time Pro Bowler posted a video ending with the phrases “one team” and “one final season.” Now, NFL players have rewarded him with another spot among the league’s top performers.
Cameron Jordan’s late-career resurgence helped put him back among the NFL’s best
Jordan entered the 2025 season facing questions about whether his best years were behind him.Instead, he delivered one of his strongest campaigns in recent memory. The Saints veteran finished with 47 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles across 17 games.According to NFL Network, those 10.5 sacks were Jordan’s highest total since 2021. NFL Pro Insight also noted that his 30 quarterback pressures were his most since 2023, while his 9.4% pressure rate was his highest since 2020.The recognition represents a significant turnaround. Jordan combined for just six sacks across the 2023 and 2024 seasons before bouncing back in 2025.Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride praised the veteran defender during NFL Network’s Top 100 feature.“I just think he plays with a lot of heart. He plays with a lot of passion.”Jordan, who turns 37 on July 10, enters his 16th NFL season ranked 17th on the league’s all-time sacks list with 132 career sacks.
Quenton Nelson’s consistency finally earned another trip back to the rankings
Unlike Jordan, Nelson’s case was never about a comeback season. It was about recognition.The No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has made the Pro Bowl in all eight NFL seasons, yet this is only his fourth appearance on the NFL Top 100 and his first since 2022.Nelson remained one of the league’s most reliable interior linemen in 2025. He played 1,039 snaps and allowed only one sack, according to Pro Football Focus. NFL Network also noted that his 96.7% playtime rate was the highest among Colts offensive players.His impact showed up across Indianapolis’ offense. The Colts finished in the top 10 in both total yards and points, while ranking among the league’s better rushing teams and allowing one of the NFL’s lowest sack totals.The 2026 NFL Top 100 rollout still has months to go, but Jordan and Nelson have already accomplished something notable. After years away from the rankings, both veterans are back on a list decided by the people who line up against them every Sunday.
