*Giants DT Damon "Snacks" Harrison was ranked on the NFL's annual "Top 100 Players" list: *
Never tell Damon Harrison what he can or can't do.
In the wake of the 2017 NFL Draft, it's only fitting the once-upon-a-time undrafted defensive tackle from William Penn University was just voted one of the best players in the league.
For the seventh consecutive year, current players filled out ballots to determine the top 100 players in the NFL, and Harrison made his debut on the list after his first season with the Giants and fifth overall. He came in at No. 96, one spot ahead of Steelers guard David DeCastro.Â
The weekly series premiered Monday night on NFL Network, with back-to-back episodes revealing players ranked No. 100-81. The show will continue through June 26 as 10 players are unveiled each episode. This year's list received the most votes from current NFL players in the seven-season history of the series.
After four years with the Jets, Harrison was part of a major free-agent haul last offseason. He started all 16 games for the fourth consecutive year – plus his first postseason appearance -- and led all defensive tackles with a career-high 86 tackles, nine more than runner-up Linval Joseph, a former Giant and current Viking. Harrison also added a career-high 2.5 sacks.
For his stellar play, Harrison picked up first-team All-Pro honors along with teammate and safety Landon Collins. They were the organization's first AP All-Pro first-team selections since defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul in 2011. Together, they helped the Giants defense rank second in scoring (17.8 points per game) while allowing a league-low 25 offensive touchdowns. Against the run, where Harrison makes his living, the Giants were second in yards per carry (3.6) and tied with the Super Bowl LI-winning Patriots for third in rushing yards per game (88.6 yards).
Last season, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 10) and quarterback Eli Manning (No. 47) represented the Giants in the "Top 100" following Pro Bowl campaigns. Â
Beckham placed higher than any Giant in the six-year history of the list, beating defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul's ranking of No. 24 in 2012 following the Giants' Super Bowl XLVI title run. It was Beckham's second appearance in the "Top 100" in as many seasons, while it was the third for Manning.
So who else will make it this year?
Aside from Harrison, the Giants have six more players coming off All-Pro and/or Pro Bowl seasons: Collins (first-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl), cornerback Janoris Jenkins (Pro Bowl, second-team All-Pro), Beckham (Pro Bowl, second-team All-Pro), cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (second-team All-Pro), defensive end Olivier Vernon (second-team All-Pro), and special teamer Dwayne Harris (Pro Bowl).
Regarding the No. 1 spot, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is looking to defend his title. Last year, he dethroned Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who was the first defensive player to top the list. Other No. 1's include quarterbacks Peyton Manning (2014), Aaron Rodgers (2012) and Tom Brady (2011), and running back Adrian Peterson (2013).
