NFL 2015: Finding the best player from all 32 teams

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) waves to the crowd after the Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) waves to the crowd after the Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions

Yep, it’s not Calvin Johnson. Last year, Johnson began to sustain the type of nagging injuries that can plague and slow down a player who is beginning to age into the latter stages of his career. So, while his track record is certainly undeniable, DeAndre Levy is getting the love after a tremendous 2014 season.

Levy was second in the league with 151 tackles to go with an interception and 2.5 sacks from his outside linebacker spot. This is the third time that Levy has managed to crack 100 tackles in a season, all of those years coming over the last four campaigns. With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley gone, Levy will have even more tackles to make.

Honorable mention: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson

Chicago Bears

Chicago has been down in the dumps over the last few seasons, suffering through the horrific Marc Trestman Experience. However, one of the players able to thrive in that chaos was running back Matt Forte, who is quietly one of the most complete running backs the NFL has to offer.

In 2014, Forte rushed for over 1,000 yards for the third consecutive season while catching 102 passes to lead the team, generating 808 additional yards and 10 total touchdowns. The Bears have plenty of weapons on offense, but none match Forte.

Honorable mention: Alshon Jeffery

Next: Saints & Panthers