Peering in with peers' perspective: The NFL's best

Every year somebody in the media is ranking players by position, and usually that somebody is either Prisco or me. Fortunately, we skipped it this summer, which means we also skipped getting skewered for a week.

But that doesn't mean we pass on the subject. When I visited training camps I decided to have some of the league's best and most experienced players compile lists of their own.

Peyton Manning could own every major passing record by the time he's done. (US Presswire)

What I told them was this: Let's say you own the league's 33rd club, and you're looking to draft players at your position. Who are the top three you take? And you can't include yourself.

Here's what they said:

Kurt Warner on QBs

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis: I think cerebrally he's as good as anybody I've seen at this game -- and I mean as far as understanding it. He has all the physical tools, yet he's been as consistent as anyone in this league over the years. He's just the whole package. He has everything you look for in a quarterback to make all the throws and to make all the reads. He sees the field extremely well. I think eventually he will go down as one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks to ever play this game.

2. Tom Brady, New England: He's here because of the way I've seen him grow and because of the leader that he is. You have to face up to what he's done, and to be able to lead a team to four Super Bowls is special. It doesn't come around very often. He's got the mental capacity to see everything. He has the physical capacity to do everything. And he's a great leader. It's a no-brainer to go with him at No. 2.

3. (tie) Drew Brees, New Orleans, and Tony Romo, Dallas: I like what these two bring to the table. When I look at Tony I like the fact that he's aggressive and very athletic. What I love about him is that he makes plays from the pocket -- and that's as a young guy in a new system. You have to like the guy who can stand in the pocket, make all the throws and put up the big numbers; but also the guy who, when things break down, can make plays. As far as Drew, he's extremely accurate and smart with the football, and he gives you a leadership and a toughness that I would love to build my team around.

The highest authority says Steven Jackson can do it all. (US Presswire)

LaDainian Tomlinson on RBs

1. Steven Jackson, St. Louis: He's versatile. He can run inside, and he can run outside. He can catch the ball well. He can block. He's experienced. Plus, he's right there at the prime of his career where he should become an elite guy every year, just because of the size and speed factor.

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota: I love his potential as far as running the ball. He still has a lot to learn as far as the passing game, but he'll develop that. But that's why I would make him second.

3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia: He's a guy who does so much for his team. I think he's the most underrated back in the business, no question about it. He's always there, he's tough and he can get the job done. He does everything you ask him to do.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh on WRs

1. Chad Johnson, aka Chad Ocho Cinco, Cincinnati
2. Steve Smith, Carolina
3. Anquan Boldin, Arizona

I don't want any one-dimensional players. All these guys can do everything. Steve Smith is probably the fastest, but all of them are good route runners and all can do a lot of things.

Jason Witten makes plays with and without the ball. (US Presswire)

Tony Gonzalez on TEs

1. Jason Witten, Dallas: With Antonio Gates hurt I'm going to take Witten because he represents the position right now, as far as blocking and catching. He's got everything. And he's also playing with some pretty good players around him.

2. Antonio Gates, San Diego: I mean, look what he's done: The guy in the red zone is money. I played with him at the Pro Bowl, and he can get open, he has great hands and he has great instincts.

3. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland: As far as the young and up-and-coming tight ends, he's pretty much it. He's coming into his prime as a player. He has a good work ethic and wants to be the best. Attitude is big with me; I think that's what separates great players from good players. And he's definitely got the attitude. He wants to be a superstar, and he's willing to work at it.

Kevin Williams is a Hawaii regular. (US Presswire)

Pat Williams on DTs

1. Kevin Williams, Minnesota: He has speed, strength and he will stop the run. And he will pass rush. Plus, he's my teammate.

2. Tommie Harris, Chicago: He plays the same way Kevin plays. He plays off the ball. He jumps the counts. And he likes chasing the ball down.

3. Jay Ratliff, Dallas: He gets off the ball so quick. It's like he reads the tackles quick, so he knows how to jump the counts, too.

Jared Allen on DEs

Aaron Kampman isn't just a sacker. (US Presswire)

1. Aaron Kampman, Green Bay: There are about five I would consider here, but I would have to go with Kampman. I just really like the way he plays, and he's strong against the run.

2. Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee: He never quits, and, like Kampman, he's strong against the run.

3. Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants: The guy has so much natural ability to rush the passer it's scary. He probably doesn't play the run the greatest, but that's why they have him on the edge.

Because I mentioned five players here, I want to make Dwight Freeney or Patrick Kerney a close fourth.

Shawne Merriman on OLBs

DeMarcus Ware is a force outside. (US Presswire)

1. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas: He's a good all-around player. I like his game because I think he can go out there and create some things.

2. Shaun Phillips, San Diego: He doesn't have a lot of notoriety, but he's an outstanding player. He's probably the best pass rusher at this position and definitely one of the top two or three pass rushers in the league. I'm talking about sheer technique, speed and all that stuff.

3. Lance Briggs, Chicago: I like him a whole lot. He's physical as hell. With him and (Brian) Urlacher it's a great combination, but he's the guy who created a lot of that. And he hasn't gotten a lot of attention for it. The Bears know that. That's why they paid him.

Nick Barnett provides the muscle. (US Presswire)

London Fletcher on ILBs

1. Nick Barnett, Green Bay: I think he does a great job playing the run and the pass. He's asked to do a lot in their system, including a lot of man-to-man coverage.

2. Patrick Willis, San Francisco: He is young and up and coming. His best years are ahead of him, and he's going to be a tackling machine.

3. Ray Lewis, Baltimore: You need a guy like him. He's a perennial All-Pro player, a great leader and he still makes a lot of plays for Baltimore.

Champ Bailey on CBs

Asante Samuel is a prolific picker. (US Presswire)

1. Asante Samuel, Philadelphia: He's very competitive, a great athlete and makes a lot of plays.

2. Antonio Cromartie, San Diego: Another very competitive guy who's a terrific athlete. He's a unique player to be able to move the way he does, and he can do a lot of things. Very versatile.

3. Terence Newman, Dallas: I like the way he plays because he's very aggressive. He's not very big, but he does a lot of things very well -- including tackling.

Darren Sharper on safeties

Bob Sanders makes a big impact. (US Presswire)

1. Bob Sanders, Indianapolis: I'm going to put him in the box. He's a guy who's going to slow down that run and make impact plays against the run. And he can cover well enough that he's not going to be deficient in that area.

2. Ed Reed, Baltimore: He's a ball-hawking safety back there to complement my in-the-box safety.

3. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh: I need a good cover guy, so I might go with him because he's a guy who can cover well against tight ends. Plus, he's a solid blitzer.

So with those three right there -- you got your ball-hawker, your guy who can play in the box and your guy who can pretty much do it all -- that's a good trio.