San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was voted No. 81 on NFL Network's "The Top 100 Players of 2013." The ranking places him 14th among quarterbacks.
Is that a fair assessment for a quarterback with just seven regular-season starts under his belt?
If anything, Kaepernick is too low on the list.
Even if we can expect a slight 2013 regression as defensive coordinators adjust to the read-option and pistol formation, Kaepernick showed enough in the 49ers' Super Bowl run to accept that he's going to be a top-10 quarterback going forward.
In fact, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski thinks Kaepernick has the all-around ability to one day emerge as the league's top quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who was the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, thought Kaepernick was "all hype" before the Super Bowl induced a full-blown conversion.
"I hate quarterbacks, but that kid is the truth and I have the upmost respect for him," Suggs told the "Jim Rome Show" not long after the game. "I don't think he needs to hold his head down at all because he's going to play in a few (Super Bowls)."
Top 100 Players of 2013
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It's not just Kaepernick's cannon arm and crazy legs that will keep him afloat. It's become evident this offseason that he already is one of the hardest workers on the team and an emerging offensive leader. It's no small advantage, also, to be placed in the hands of one of the most creative offensive coaching staffs in the league.
It will be a major surprise if Kaepernick does not become a mainstay on the Top 100 list.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling
