The NFL Network Era's Top 10

Rich rolled out his Top 10 players of the NFL Network era, version 1.0, and the list was a who's who of quarterbacks, pass rushers, and one-of-one talents who defined the last two decades of the sport.

Number 10 kicked off with LaDainian Tomlinson. Third on the all-time touchdowns list at 162, a Walter Payton Man of the Year winner in 2006, and the rare back who paired Hall of Fame volume with Hall of Fame class off the field.

Number 9 was J.J. Watt. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and Rich made sure to note Watt won all three in his first five seasons. Five-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro, and the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2017. Two records still standing: 39 tackles for loss in a single season, and two seasons of 20 or more sacks.

Number 8 went to Drew Brees. Super Bowl MVP, two-time Offensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, four-time passing touchdowns leader, seven-time passing yards leader, six-time completion percentage leader, two-time passer rating leader, and the 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year after leading the Saints back from Katrina.

Number 7 came down to Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson, and Rich picked Moss. Four-time first-team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, fourth on the all-time touchdowns list at 157. One of the best he's ever seen.

Number 6 was Aaron Donald. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time first-team All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler, ring included.

The top five got heavier. Number 5 was Aaron Rodgers. Super Bowl MVP, four-time league MVP, 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro, four passer-rating titles, and the highest career passer rating of all time at 102.2.

Number 4 was Ray Lewis. Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team All-Pro, and three-time league leader in tackles and solo tackles. Rich's take was direct: he's never seen anybody like him.

Number 3 was Peyton Manning. Two Super Bowl wins, a Super Bowl MVP, and the all-time MVP record with five.

Number 2 was Patrick Mahomes. Three Super Bowl wins, two league MVPs, two-time first-team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, two-time passing touchdowns leader, and Rich made a point of noting Mahomes did all of it before he was 30.

Number 1 needed no discussion. Tom Brady. Rich's frame was the one only he could use. When NFL Network covered its sixth Super Bowl, Brady had already played in half of them. When they covered the 18th, he was in half of those too. Brady is the player who stitched the entire NFL Network era together.

The list is a version 1.0, and Rich left the door open for the inevitable 2.0 conversation. The pushback is easy to see coming. Calvin Johnson over Randy Moss. Lawrence Taylor timeline quibbles. Ed Reed somewhere in the mix. A closer look at Troy Polamalu.

For now, this is the starting lineup. Ten players. Twenty-plus years of the sport. And a reminder of how thick the upper tier of the NFL has gotten during the network's run.