2016 all-retirement team: 22-man roster of NFL players who retired

ByJEREMY FOWLER
July 27, 2016, 9:00 AM

— -- This old-timers' game is going to be epic.

The amount of star talent retiring from the NFL this offseason has grown into a stellar 22-man roster that might still make the playoffs as the league's 33rd team in 2016. Hey, it's not too late.

We put together the list. It's a heckuva squad. Loaded with playmakers. And there are a few battles at big positions.

From Megatron to Manning, every position is filled by a capable player who decided to walk away. For some, the ability to compete at the highest level dissipated. Father time prevailed. Injuries mounted.

Others, however, left good, productive years on the table because the grind became too much.

Whether the raw volume is a symptom of the concussion era is still unclear, but what is clear: Most of these players made enough money to quit comfortably. And good for them.

Here's our team, featuring players who account for nearly 70 Pro Bowl appearances.

Quarterback: Peyton Manning

Top five dead or alive. From beginning to end, Manning's quarterback career couldn't have been built better in a lab.

Running back: Marshawn Lynch

"Beast Mode" was instant production, leading the league in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. He probably had one more quality season left, but after nine years playing a bruising style, it's understandable why Lynch walked away.

Wide receiver: Calvin Johnson

This one is still the most shocking since Megatron was considered a top-five receiver when he retired in March after nine seasons in the NFL. He was simply fed up.

Wide receiver: Greg Jennings

Former Charger Malcom Floyd held this spot for a while, but Jennings was so darned good in Green Bay from 2008-10 that he instantly joined this roster after he announced his retirement earlier this week.

Slot receiver: Percy Harvin

Based on his immense talent, Harvin's career feels strange and incomplete. He overstayed his welcome in two cities and retired at age 28 with one Pro Bowl to his name.

Tight end: Heath Miller

Miller finished his 11-year career with 592 receptions, good enough for second in Steelers history. He also left with a ton of street cred in "Stiller Gang" folklore.

Offensive tackle: D'Brickashaw Ferguson

The former top-five pick never missed a game in 10 seasons and made three Pro Bowls. At 32, Ferguson walked away from at least one more serviceable season.

Offensive line: Logan Mankins

One of the pillars of Bill Belichick's championship teams in New England, Mankins was an All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler. But it was time.

Offensive line: Manny Ramirez

Ramirez played 10 years and was a consistent, if unspectacular, performer.

Offensive line: Phil Loadholt

Loadholt started 89 games for the Vikings before suffering a torn Achilles last preseason. The former second-round pick was a solid run blocker.

Offensive tackle: Eugene Monroe

Monroe never played like a No. 8 overall pick, but he was a decent tackle over seven seasons before retiring last week.

Defensive end: Jared Allen

Allen sits ninth all-time in sacks with 136, plus he rode a horse during his retirement video. One of the league's true characters will be missed.

Defensive tackle: B.J. Raji

Raji could return to the league in 2017, but for now he's semi-retired, and it wasn't that long ago the 30-year-old was shaking his hips in State Farm commercials.

Defensive tackle: Darnell Dockett

Dockett, who retired as a Cardinal this week, would split time with Jason Hatcher, who also put in 10 years on the defensive line. These two combined for 75 sacks.

Defensive end: Justin Tuck

Tuck was a key cog in the Giants' two Super Bowl teams and an exemplary leader in NFL locker rooms. He finished his career with 66.5 sacks in 11 seasons.

Linebacker: Jon Beason

Beason posted 706 tackles and made three Pro Bowls in 10 seasons, and then it was time to go.

Linebacker: Jerod Mayo

Injuries cut short what could have been a historic career as an anchor of New England's defense. Mayo got out after eight seasons.

Linebacker: A.J. Tarpley

After retiring at age 23, Tarpley didn't leave behind much of an NFL legacy. He has eight career tackles and one sack. But we needed another linebacker, so he makes the squad.

Cornerback: Charles Tillman

Tillman, who mans one corner for a deep all-retirement secondary, will always be known for the " Peanut Punch," which helped him log a ridiculous 44 forced fumbles over his career. He also had 38 interceptions.

Cornerback: Rashean Mathis

Mathis was one of the game's quality cover corners for years in Jacksonville, and he stayed healthy for most of his 13 NFL seasons.

Safety: Charles Woodson

Woodson was so good and so respected that his looming retirement in 2015 felt almost like a Kobe farewell. He will be wearing a Hall of Fame blazer soon.

Safety: Husain Abdullah

Abdullah and fellow retiree Walter Thurmond can split time at safety. Abdullah had more production over seven NFL seasons than Thurmond did in six. Both are solid safeties who walked away early.