Patriots chances of winning in the AFC East look even more bleak now

As we near the reveal of the NFL's annual Top 100 Players list heading into the new season, it's a harsh reminder for Patriots fans just how far the team has fallen over the last few years. Typically, the roster would have a handful of players make the final list, but instead, they'll be lucky if one is voted by his peers this year, no matter how right or wrong that might be.

Because we have to wait a bit longer to see who might make it this year, CBS Sports continued with their tradition of writer Pete Prisco putting together who he believes are the best 100 players in the league.

It's all subjective, of course, but he had just one Patriots player listed at No. 70, which was Christian Barmore. He is certainly a player who is good enough to be considered one of the best in the league, so that's great to see him be recognized for his rise to stardom in recent years.

However, the rest of the list is bad news for New England, specifically regarding their chances in the AFC East.

Nine AFC East players make CBS' list of Top 100 players, which is bad news for the Patriots

As if their chances hadn't already been considered low, Prisco named nine players in the division among the best 100 players, the highest of which is Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who came in at No. 4.

A few spots lower at No. 6 is Bills quarterback Josh Allen, which is the furthest thing from a surprise, considering he has become the best QB in the division over the last four years. The rest of the list contains Jets' Sauce Gardner, Aaron Rodgers, Quinnen Williams, Garrett Wilson, Dolphins' Jevon Holland, Jalen Ramsey, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jaylen Waddle.

The silver lining, if there really is one, is that only Josh Allen made the list for the Bills. It might not help the Patriots' chances of taking them down this season, but it looks like the other teams in the division are more loaded and ready to compete than Buffalo.

It's clear the Dolphins and Jets will be harder to beat this season, especially with Rodgers returning to New York's lineup.

Although the Patriots aren't expected to be a competitive team this year, it's still better to see they can hang against the teams they meet twice a year rather than getting completely demolished by those who know them best.

Hopefully, that won't be the case in 2024, even with a rebuilding roster. And maybe next year, more New England players will be considered some of the best in the league, setting them up for a more promising future.

More Patriots coverage: