Here is my very subjective list in order of their relative "eliteness"
Reference: In my list you have to be considered top 3 at your position.
1. Gronk - The single most impactful non-QB offensive player in the league. Not just the best TE in the league
2. Brady- Still one of the top 3 QB's in the league
3. Revis - Still one of the top 3 CB's in the game
4. McCourty - The 2nd best S in the game and if you think he doesn't "impact" the game enough, you just have to look at how few times he been targeted the past year to see how DC's view him.
5. Volmer - When healthy, easily a top 3 RT.
6. Gotkowski - In a league where there are very good kickers, the Ghost stands out not only for his FG accuracy, but for his booming KO's
That's it. The 2012 version of Wilfolk would have been #3 on this list, but the chances of us seeing that version is slim and none. Even if he could come back and be a top 3 run stuffing NT. The problem with that is that we don't play that defense anymore. My hope for Vince this year is that he's a very good run stopper on situational defenses. Anything more than that is just being hopeful
Next level
a. Chandler Jones - He really needs to develop a bull rush move this season.- Riser, who should be on this list eventually.
b. Jerad Mayo - He'd be on the list if it were top 6-10. He's very good, but has hit his ceiling, and not "elite" as we define it.
c. Nate Solder - Not there yet, though I expect him to eventually make the list. Right now probably a top 12 guy.
d. Logan Mankins - Still very good, but on the down side.
e. Steven Ridley - Ridley has elite talent. There is still plenty of time for him to put it all together.
f. Mathew Slater - A top 3 special teamer, but hard to put a special teamer as an elite player. Even Gotkowski is a stretch.
g. Julian Edelman - The best punt returner in the game. I have always wondered why he doesn't do better on KR's
h. Rob Ninkovitch - His tackle numbers are off the charts, His pass rush numbers are good. And even though he'll never be "elite" his is vastly under rated by this board. If you had 53 Rob Ninkovitch's you'd win the superbowl every year.
Honorable mention - Jamie Collins - doesn't deserve to be on either list as of this moment, but has the athletic talent to get to elite status in a few years. I'm expecting to see enough THIS season to elevate him into the "next level" category. He's my rising star.