When it comes to choosing the best player in every current NFL division, some choices are much easier than others.
To be quite blunt, it's pretty obvious which player stands out from the rest as far as NFC North division players are concerned (more on that later). But what about a division like the AFC North, which is loaded with star pass-rushers, explosive wide receivers/running backs, lockdown corners and franchise-changing quarterbacks?
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In a division like the AFC South, do you go with an offensive star or a game-wrecker on the defensive side of the ball? It's time to settle the debates and dive into the best NFL player in every division heading into 2022.
8 AFC East: Josh Allen
Based off his last two seasons, you can make an argument that Josh Allen is the best all-around quarterback in the game right now. Quite frankly, no other player in the AFC East comes close to single-handedly taking over games like him.
Allen has tossed 73 touchdown passes over the last two years. He has grade-A accuracy, a slick arm and phenomenal mobility in the pocket. If he's not the best quarterback heading into 2022, he's easily top three.
7 NFC East: Zack Martin
Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Terry McLaurin all have arguments to be in this spot. But when it comes to offensive tackles/guards in the NFC East, nobody is close to Zack Martin's level.
Pro Football Focus graded the long-time Dallas Cowboys star as the No. 4 NFL player of 2022 at 94.3 overall. Per PFF, he only allowed one sack in 1,101 offensive snaps played last year. The 31-year-old is a virtual lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame with seven Pro Bowl and five First-Team All-Pro selections on his résumé.
6 AFC North: Myles Garrett
This one was the toughest decision. T.J. Watt, Ja'Marr Chase, Lamar Jackson, Marlon Humphrey and Joe Burrow are also worth mentioning. But it's pretty hard to go against Myles Garrett, who's by far the NFL's second-best defensive player.
The No. 1 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft has a ridiculous 58.5 career sacks and 11 forced fumbles in 68 career games. He was instrumental in helping the Browns end their 18-year playoff drought in 2020, and there's no reason to think he won't be a consistent 15-sack threat over the remainder of the decade. Possibly even longer.
5 NFC North: Aaron Rodgers
This was the easiest choice on the list. Not only is the NFC North relatively short in pure star power and future Hall of Fame talents, but Aaron Rodgers is coming off his second straight MVP season. Even without Davante Adams, there's no reason to think he won't remain the division's top player in 2022.
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Realistically speaking, only Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson has a chance of challenging Rodgers for this entry next season. It would take quite the year of regression from Rodgers to lose this spot, though.
4 AFC South: Derrick Henry
The 2020 Offensive Player of the Year could have totally won his third straight rushing title if a foot injury didn't sideline him for the final nine games. Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 rushing champion, averaged 106.5 rushing yards per game. Henry averaged 117.1 per game in the eight regular season games he played.
In other words, Henry is still the golden standard of NFL running backs. Again, the two rushing titles and 937 rushing yards in just eight games last season speak for themselves. If he's healthy, Henry should be considered the favorite to win the 2022 rushing title. He's simply in his own class when at full strength.
3 NFC South: Tom Brady
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Tom Brady's retirement was short and sweet, not that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are complaining. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is back for a 23rd season as the Bucs look to defend their NFC South division title.
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If Brady stayed retired, this choice would be much tougher. Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Kyle Pitts would've garnered consideration. But Brady was arguably the NFL's best quarterback in 2021, and he should continue to play at a Pro Bow level in 2022.
2 2. AFC West: Patrick Mahomes
Just how great was Patrick Mahomes from 2018 to 2020? So much to the point where 2021 was considered a "down" year, even though he completed 66.3 pass attempts for 4,839 yards and 37 touchdowns. Oh, and he led the Kansas City Chiefs to a fourth straight AFC Championship Game appearance.
Don't expect to see Kansas City struggle so much through the first half of 2022 like they did last season. This team is too talented, too battle-tested and too well-coached to start 3-4 again. Mahomes will regain his MVP-like form in 2022 and keep the Chiefs at or near the very top of the AFC.
1 NFC West: Aaron Donald
There's a case to be made that Aaron Donald is already the best defensive player ever. Though it's easy to get more caught up with players on the offensive side of the ball, it's tough to argue anyone being all-around better in the game of football right now than No. 99 on the Los Angeles Rams.
Don't believe me? Consider this: Since 2015, Donald has placed no lower than second in Pro Football Focus' final grades for the top 101 players of the regular season. That's how consistently dominant the three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl 56 champion has been since turning pro in 2014.
And to think he's only 31 years of age and still as good as ever. Good luck to the rest of the NFL in defending him over the next phase of his career.
