Champ Bailey ranked No. 46 in NFLN’s Top 100

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey was named the 46th-best player in the NFL by NFL Network on Wednesday.  Bailey jumped up two spots from 2011, when he ranked 48th overall.

Bailey is the fifth Bronco to make the network’s list — joining quarterback Peyton Manning (50th), outside linebacker Von Miller (52nd), defensive end Elvis Dumervil (68th) and running back Willis McGahee (98th) — and will likely be the last Bronco ranked this year.  The players are voted onto the list by fellow players, according to the network.

“I still don’t know one player that voted for that list,”  Tweeted defensive end Robert Ayers on Tuesday.  Regardless, Bailey is on the list and deserves the recognition. 

Bailey holds an NFL cornerback record of eleven Pro Bowl selections and was named an all-decade player of the 2000s.  During his fourteen year career, Bailey has recorded 50 interceptions (32 as a Bronco, the fifth-most in franchise history).

“He’s a great pro, true pro veteran. You can learn a lot from a guy like Champ,”  cornerback Drayton Florence said earlier in the month.  “As you get older, people expect you to fall off,”  Bailey told the network in 2011 after being ranked 48th.  “I feel like I should be among the top, whether I’m at the top or not it doesn’t really matter.  It’s a pleasure to be on the list.”

Bailey is ranked above cornerbacks Patrick Peterson (55), Nnamdi Asomugha (79) and Cortland Finnegan (93).  Fellow corners Asante Samuel and Darrelle Revis are still expected to be ranked.

What do you think about the ranking?  Should Bailey be ranked above Asomugha?  Should he be ranked higher?  Dish out your thoughts in the comments below!