New Orleans Saints Pro Bowler finally receives respect after a lack of it all offseason before 2024 season

The NFL Top 100 has caught plenty of flak over recent years. The rankings can sometimes raise some eyebrows. One of their latest choices, though, makes total sense. A New Orleans Saints legend got some deserved recognition for his elite talent and play.

Demario Davis ranked 44th-best player in the NFL

Davis' numbers during his Saints career show that he deserves this type of nod. He simply has not slowed down yet.

• 2 interceptions & pass deflections
• 29 sacks, 61 QB hits, 81 pressures, & 67 tackles for a loss
• 675 total tackles

Davis has been an All-Pro first team selection once, a four-time All-Pro second team selection, and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Annually, he is grabbing respect from the league. Not to mention, he's the unquestioned leader of New Orleans on defense. He and Tyrann Mathieu headline their group of veterans that must help young players take a step forward. They continue to hold them accountable.

The veteran LB somehow has not garnered much recognition during the offseason. In ESPN's positional rankings, voted on by NFL coaches, scouts, and execs, Davis was named the 8th-best LB in football . That was laughable.

The vet led all inside linebackers in sacks (6.5) and totaled 12 tackles for loss and four pass deflections while playing nearly 1,100 snaps in 2023. He can still roam in pass coverage, especially underneath, with the best of them.

Davis did get a nod from Pro Football Focus early in the offseason, ranked as the 3rd-best LB in the league.

3. DEMARIO DAVIS , NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Davis has quietly been one of the best linebackers in the NFL since arriving in New Orleans in 2018, and he finished 2023 with an 89.6 PFF grade that ranked third at the position. He was one of four linebackers to earn an 80.0-plus PFF grade in both run defense and coverage.

The star linebacker is under contract through 2025, so we can expect him in black and gold for two more seasons.

It's nice to see him get a major hint of respect from this latest ranking. Davis deserves it more than anyone.