Wisconsin Football: Joe Thomas No. 23 on NFL 100 for 2016

Former Wisconsin football star Joe Thomas is the 23rd best player in the NFL according to his peers

It took several weeks, but we finally have a former Wisconsin football player in the NFL 100, a list of the 100 best players in the NFL right now as voted by NFL players.

10 players are announced each week, and the long wait means the first former Badger to hear his name called earns a spot in the 20s.

After coming in at No. 25 last year, Joe Thomas earns the No. 23 spot this season.

The NFL 100 list debuted in 2011, and since its inception, Thomas has never failed to make the list.

More from Badgers Alumni

Here’s how he’s fared each year:

2011: No. 43
2012: No. 82
2013: No. 28
2014: No. 18
2015: No. 25
2016: No. 23

Not only has he made the list each season, his peers have voted him a top 30 player for four straight seasons, a testament to his consistency.

Thomas has never missed an NFL game. He’s never missed an NFL snap. He’s never missed an NFL Pro Bowl.

He’s simply the most consistent player in all of the NFL, and opponents recognize that.

Thomas has been the highest-ranked lineman in each of the past four years (assuming he’s the top lineman this year – which is a safe bet since Tyron Smith came in at No. 42 and he’s widely considered the next best lineman).

He was the third lineman on the list in 2011 and the fifth in 2012.

Thomas will likely kick off a trio of Badgers in the rankings. It’s a good bet we see Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson next week when Nos. 11-20 are released (he was No. 22 last year).

Next: Ranking Current Badgers in the NFL

In two weeks we will see if J.J. Watt can be the first player in the history of the list to repeat as the No. 1 player in the NFL, as voted upon by NFL players.