Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett cracked the NFL Network's Top 100 Players list for the second straight year, checking in at No. 59 for 2016 after being 90th on last year's list.
It's just the latest recognition for Bennett, who in 2015 earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career, and who in February was named the Male Sports Star of the Year at the MTR Western Seattle Sports Star of the Year awards.
"He's really one of a kind," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of Bennett after the 2015 season ended. "Mike is an amazing kid. I really admire Mike. I admire him for his heart. He has a great heart and he cares so much about playing this game at a high level, he cares about his teammates so much, and yet in the meantime, he's having all the fun you can possibly have. I really admire the guy that he's so consistent throughout the season… He's an amazing kid with a great mind, and he's a lot fun."
Bennett signed with Seattle in 2009 as an undrafted free agent before establishing himself in Tampa Bay over the next four seasons. He returned to Seattle as a free agent in 2013, and along with defensive end Cliff Avril helped upgrade the Seahawks’ pass rush in a Super Bowl-winning year.
In 2015, Bennett piled up 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 52 tackles and 30 quarterback hits, making him a big reason why the Seahawks were able to lead the NFL in scoring defense for a fourth straight season, something that had never before been accomplished in the Super Bowl era.
"He's, in my opinion, probably the top defensive end in the NFL," 49ers defensive end Joe Staley said of Bennett at the Pro Bowl. "He does so many different things, so he's hard to prepare for. It's hard to describe it too, it's kind of a slipperiness. It's hard to get your hands on him. He does a good job of controlling his body and fighting off blocks and taking away your game plan against him."
Bennett is the third Seahawk to appear on this year's top 100 so far, joining receiver Doug Baldwin, who checked in at No. 72, and Earl Thomas, who was ranked 66th in the poll, which is voted on by NFL players.
