QBs are the most important. Then pass rushers. Then pass protectors. Then pass catchers. Then DBs, RBs and linebackers. The first three get the biggest salaries and are what you really need to locking at. The market has a pretty good way of showing how is the best. A player's salary is more often than not going to be a pretty good indication.

Cam has been great this season, and with the nature of his position his value is as high as possible. He'll probably win MVP as well. But the strength of Carolina is their defense. Let's say there are about 5-10 QBs I'd rather have than Cam, but no linebackers I'd rather have than Keuchley. But. Linebacker isn't near as valuable as QB so while Cam isn't a top 5 player at his position, and Keuchley is... Cam is still the "better" player, IMO.

I like to think of it this way. If I had a giant fantasy draft of players just this year, what would I do? I can't take the best at every position, and I have to know that the team matters. So I like to think of it in terms of would I rather gave player A teamed with an average compliment or player B with an average compliment. Would I rather have Gronk to match a decent ground game or Adrian Peterson and a decent tight end. I'd take Gronk no question. Would I rather have Earl Thomas and a decent linebacker in front of him, or a Luke Kuechly and an average safety behind him? Not really sure that's tough. Would I rather have Dez Bryant and some average guy opposite opposite him or Richard Sherman and some average guy opposite him? Probably Dez because I love the Cowboys, but it's close.

As far as the SEC goes... Since pass rusher/pass protector are the only thing as valuable as a QB, those three things are the only things I can look at to decide who is better. Would I rather have Andrew Whitworth and a top 10-15 QB, or Cam Newton and a top 10-15 left tackle? I'd take Whitworth. But he's probably the only SEC tackle. After that, Greg Hardy is the only pass rusher. The SEC has a lot of great DTs in the NFL, but not as many DEs.

So as far as best NFL player from the SEC, I think he's definitely up there, but the concept of "no close second" is silly.