Super Bowl XLIX player rankings

The biggest game of the NFL season requires a ranking that can match it in its intensity. So, as we have for the past several years, we have gone through the 53-man rosters of both Super Bowl participants and ranked every player 1-106.

Note that this is not a list of the most valuable players, although that naturally seeps into the perceptions of these players. Instead, this is a list of the best players overall, regardless of position. That's why our top five doesn't include either Tom Brady or Russell Wilson.

Who will be the best players on the field for Super Bowl XLIX? Here is our ranking of every player on the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. While Seattle occupies six of the top 10 spots, the top overall player belongs to New England.

1. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots: With all due respect to Tony Gonzalez, Gronkowski is on pace to become the greatest tight end of all time. He's a playmaker and matchup nightmare as a pass-catcher and is also an outstanding blocker. The Pats go as Gronk goes, which arguably makes him the most important player on the field Feb. 1, in addition to being the best.