5 Best Big Ten Players in the NFL Today

The Big Ten consistently produces top-level NFL talent, and that was evident in the 2020 NFL Draft when Michigan, Ohio State and Clemson all ranked among the top-5 schools for most players selected.

Unsurprisingly, that also means some of the NFL's best players have come from the Big Ten. Here are the league's five best current players that played their collegiate football in the Big Ten.

Ohio State should be on upset watch for these three matchups next season ⤵️https://t.co/P6jXe5ysxb
— The Duel (@TheDuelSports) May 12, 2020

Best Current NFL Players from Big Ten

5. Joey Bosa, DE, Los Angeles Chargers (Ohio State)

Joey Bosa has quickly become one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Despite some contract issues in his rookie season and some injuries, Joey Bosa has been an absolute force through four NFL seasons. He's racked up 40.0 sacks, 53 tackles for loss and 82 quarterback hits across 51 games played. Already with an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and two Pro Bowl appearances to his name, Bosa looks set to be a force in the NFL for a long time.

4. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers (Iowa)

George Kittle is arguably the best tight end in the NFL. / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The debate over the best tight end in football is really a two-player race between Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Breaking out as a sophomore in 2018, Kittle has averaged 5.8 receptions and 81.0 yards per game over the last two years, scoring 10 touchdowns in 30 contests. He also contributes as an elite run blocker at the position.

3. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Wisconsin)

Russell Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. / Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

While Russell Wilson never gets the respect he deserves in the MVP race, he's still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Since he was drafted in 2012, Wilson has the fifth-most passing touchdowns (227) and seventh-most yards (29,734) in the NFL, while adding another 3,993 yards and 19 TDs on the ground.

2. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints (Ohio State)

Michael Thomas is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. / Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Michael Thomas just set the NFL single-season reception record with 149 in the 2019 season, and he's now led the league in receptions in each of the last two years. He's averaged 1,378 yards and 8 touchdowns on 117.5 receptions per season over four years in the NFL.

1. J.J. Watt, DL, Houston Texans (Wisconsin)

J.J. Watt is still one of the best defensive players in the NFL. / Scott Halleran/Getty Images

J.J. Watt has struggled to stay healthy, but he has been a First-Team All-Pro selection in each of the last five seasons that he has played a full 16 games. Despite missing 32 regular-season games due to injury over his career (all of which have come in the past four seasons), Watt's 158 tackles for loss are 23 more than anyone else has recorded since 2011, and his 265 quarterback hits are 49 more than anyone else. When healthy, Watt may be the best defender in football.

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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.