Ranking the NFL's Top 200 Players of 2024: Tiers 6 and 7
We're counting down from No. 163 to No. 118 today
This is where things start getting tricky. Players in Tier 6 and 7 of the 2024 NFL Top 200 are all capable of authoring Pro Bowl seasons and ranking among the ten best players at their positions. Get ready for a lot of hair-splitting as we cover more than 45 players in the next 3,000 words.
Tier 7 is defined by several players attempting to bounce back from disappointing 2023 seasons. This includes players impacted by injuries, poor supporting casts, or aging/regression. It’s not a requirement for a player to fall into one of those buckets to be in Tier 7, but most do.
Tier 6 drops us off just outside the NFL Top 100. The tier features several former All-Pro offensive linemen and a handful of quarterbacks who generally rank from eighth to 14th in the position group any given week. I also included several young breakout candidates in this tier.
The NFL Top 200 is not based entirely on past performances. It’s my subjective projection of how players will perform in the upcoming season. Sure, past achievements play a role in my decision-making, but they’re just part of the larger process. Players are mostly interchangeable within their tiers.
Tier 7: Bounce Back Candidates & Co.
163. Alvin Kamara, RB New Orleans Saints
The days of Kamara averaging 4.5 yards per carry and nearly six yards per touch might be over, but the 29-year-old is slated to get a ton of volume this year. The offensive line being young and unproven doesn’t help the situation, but Kamara will power ahead for another season with 1,100+ yards from scrimmage.
162. Za'Darius Smith, Edge Cleveland Browns
Smith has flown under the radar since he stepped into more of an edge-two role with Cleveland and Minnesota over the past two years. During that time, he applied pressure on 15.65% of his rushes (138 total pressures). Smith has excellent power to load and drive through his massive frame, but offenses can’t sleep on his burst either.
161. Josh Jacobs, RB Green Bay Packers
Very few running backs can survive seasons with 300+ carries and nearly 400 total touches. That’s the volume Jacobs saw during his All-Pro season in 2022. Things bottomed out in 2023, but part of that also falls on the Raiders. Jacobs could experience a resurgence with Green Bay’s supporting cast, but it’s all guesswork right now.
160. Marcus Williams, S Baltimore Ravens
Williams missed seven games in 2022 and six games in 2023 with hamstring, pectoral, and wrist injuries. The soon-to-be 28-year-old generates consistent turnovers as a ballhawk who covers space better than most safeties in the league.
159. Sam Cosmi, RG Washington Commanders
Despite being a lighter player for the guard position, Cosmi has the play strength to move bodies in the run game. His lack of sand in the pants shows up more often in pass protection, where powerful interior linemen can knock him off balance or snap his anchor. Still, Cosmi’s strides during his first season as a starting NFL guard suggest the top 100 is within his reach.
158. Robert Hunt, RG Carolina Panthers
Hunt’s massive contract with the Panthers caught some people by surprise, but quality guards are some of the most underrated players in the league. The position is worth more than what it was getting paid previously. Hunt is a powerful people-mover who creates open running lanes and demolishes linebackers at the second level.
157. De'Von Achane, RB Miami Dolphins
There’s no way Achane can replicate what he did in 11 games last year across a full season…right? Injuries will always be a concern with the Texas A&M product because of his size, but very few players in the league can match his explosiveness and home run ability.
156. Leonard Williams, DT Seattle Seahawks
Williams never fulfilled the All-Pro potential he flashed early in his career, but he has developed into one of the NFL’s most consistent defensive linemen. Outside of 2022, when he missed five games, he’s never produced fewer than 46 pressures in a season and is applying pressure on 10.11% of his career pass rush attempts.
Williams authors a healthy number of dominant reps in the run and pass games each year. He’s deserving of a higher rank, but I’ve already moved him up almost 30 spots from my first draft of the top 200. There’s just no more wiggle room.
155. Taron Johnson, NB Buffalo Bills
It’s odd to think that a few years ago the Bills had three All-Pro-caliber defensive backs flanking Johnson, and now he’s the best member of Buffalo’s secondary. Johnson is on the short list of defensive backs capable of going toe to toe with CeeDee Lamb. Among the few nickels on this list, Johnson is arguably the purest in coverage.
154. Jonathan Allen, DT Washington Commanders
Allen is only a season removed from a three-year stretch where he was a shoo-in top 100 player. This past season was just an overall poor showing for the Commanders. Allen dipped to applying pressure on just 9.09% of his pass rush attempts after hitting 9.94% (2020), 13.73% (2021) and 9.75% (2022) in recent years.
Hopefully, the 29-year-old will regain his dominant form in 2024 under new head coach Dan Quinn.
153. Dallas Goedert, TE Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert making the leap into the top 100 seems unlikely at this point. He’s a well-rounded player who contributes as a blocker and pass catcher, but there are too many mouths to feed in Philadelphia for him to top 700 yards consistently. Plus, he’s missed at least three games in three of his six seasons.
152. Mike Hilton, NB Cincinnati Bengals
Hilton developed into the slot corner prototype by the time he joined the Bengals. Despite his 5'9", 184 lb. frame, Hilton regularly makes plays behind the line of scrimmage in the run game. He’s also a menace against wide receiver screens. He’s getting a bit long in the tooth, but Hilton remains one of the league’s most important players that very few people talk about.
151. Kenneth Walker III, RB Seattle Seahawks
Walker runs with a boom-or-bust style. Sometimes he makes bad plays worse by retreating or stringing runs out horizontally instead of just getting downfield. However, this style also leads to some highlight reel moments. Walker makes sharp cuts to shake defenders but also packs the power to break tackles and generate yards after contact.
150. Drake London, WR Atlanta Falcons
Am I holding onto my pre-draft evaluations of London from two years ago? Absolutely. The 23-year-old’s game translates to the NFL, he just hasn’t played with a real NFL quarterback yet. Kirk Cousins, who is one of the steadier passers in the game, should right the ship and bump up London’s volume of catchable targets. The USC product still relies on contested catches, but he’s pulled down more than 50% of those throws in each of the past two seasons.
149. Tee Higgins, WR Cincinnati Bengals
Injuries to himself and Joe Burrow threw Higgins’ 2023 season into chaos. It just wasn’t a good year. The tape Higgins produced in 2021 and 2022 is more representative of his actual value. Whether the Bengals stabilize or not remains up in the air, but you can bet Higgins wants to ball out in a contract year. Expect him to set a career-high in targets and yards.
148. Landon Dickerson, LG Philadelphia Eagles
Dickerson has some reps in pass protection where he loses quickly, but he’s also capable of stacking together plays and drives with limited to no issues. He packs good finishing power and pop to thump linemen and create rushing lanes and has a mentality that coaches and fans appreciate. Dickerson and Jason Kelce were a special duo for Philadelphia. We’ll see if Kelce’s retirement impacts Dickerson’s play in 2024.
147. Marlon Humphrey, CB Baltimore Ravens
A couple of injury-shortened seasons have taken Humphrey out of the All-Pro discussion. He missed time during three different stretches last year, including Baltimore’s first four games and the Wild Card Round. Humphrey is a good-sized corner, but he plays even larger when the ball is in his sights. His arm length and physicality make him a menace in press.
146. Derwin James Jr., S Los Angeles Chargers
James has performed at an All-Pro level in all of his healthy seasons, except for 2023. The Florida State product took a significant step back in coverage and continued struggling to finish tackles. James could easily return to his top 50 form in 2024 if he brings back the athleticism, instincts, physicality, and versatility he became known for earlier in his career.
Tier 6: Game-Changing Pillars
145. Jermaine Johnson II, Edge New York Jets
Drafting Johnson in the first round drew some criticism from skeptics who questioned the Florida State product’s one season of college production. The move looks like a potential hit so far. Johnson finished in the top 30 among edge rushers with 56 pressures in 2023, applying pressure on 12.58% of his rushes. He can continue improving by working more hand counters and inside counters off his bull rush.
144. Alim McNeill, DT Detroit Lions
Aside from Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit’s defensive front lacked teeth entering 2023. McNeill changed that. The 24-year-old plays with a natural leverage advantage and showcases nice burst pursuing the ball carrier. McNeill is light on his feet and hammered home the point that he’s more than just a run defender. When McNeill hits the quarterback, he lays him out.
143. Christian Gonzalez, CB New England Patriots
It was only four games, but Gonzalez looked legit as a rookie for the Patriots. Losing Bill Belichick will impact Gonzalez’s development, but his talent isn’t in doubt. This ranking bakes in more projection than most, but I’m betting on Gonzalez’s splash plays canceling out some of the inexperienced mistakes he’ll make in 2024.
142. Greg Rousseau, Edge Buffalo Bills
Nagging injuries have slowed Rousseau’s ascent up the pass rusher ranks, but the former first round pick has firmly cemented himself as a franchise pillar. Rousseau plays into his long arms and generates speed to power to disrupt anchors. That arm length also helps him stack and shed blocks in the run game.
Rousseau applied pressure on 14.86% of his pass rush attempts in 2023. I’m very bullish on his long-term projection.
141. Kevin Dotson, RG Los Angeles Rams
Dotson flashed potential early in his career with Pittsburgh but didn’t have the opportunity to be the best version of himself until the Rams let him own his preferred position at right guard. Dotson had a career-redefining season in Los Angeles thanks to his hand usage in pass protection and ability to impact the run game at both the first and second levels.
140. Dalton Kincaid, TE Buffalo Bills
I’m ready to plant my flag on Kincaid and Khalil Shakir ushering in a new era for Buffalo’s pass catchers. Kincaid isn’t a complete tight end. Try as he might, he’s usually not a viable in-line blocking option, but the receiving upside for the Utah product is enormous. Kincaid saw roughly 90 targets in 2023. That number should be between 110-130 this year.
139. Kolton Miller, LT Las Vegas Raiders
Miller and Davante Adams are the only established pillars on Las Vegas’ offense (keep eyes on the tight ends and Jakobi Meyers). Miller, who the Raiders recently activated off the PUP list, needed shoulder surgery in the offseason but should be ready to go. He plays with excellent range in pass protection, and his movement skills create a lot of opportunities in the run game.
Miller’s career peaked over the past three seasons, but I’m not closing the door on him potentially finding another level to his game. He’s just days away from turning 29 years old, and 29 might as well be the new 24 for offensive tackles.
138. Jaelan Phillips, Edge Miami Dolphins
Phillips is off the PUP list after tearing his Achilles in Week 12 last year. That’s why he ranks above teammate Bradley Chubb despite Chubb putting together a better year in 2023. Analysts thought Phillips might push for All-Pro honors last year after producing 70 pressures in 2022, but he didn’t play to that level early in the season. It just wasn’t a healthy year for Phillips.
When healthy, Phillips has the array of pass rush moves and counters to batter offensive tackles. I still believe he can be a perennial top 80 player in the league, but the first year back from late-season Achilles injuries is unpredictable.
137. Vita Vea, NT Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vea isn’t dominant on a rep-to-rep basis, but he knows when to turn it up and shut down the middle of the line. He has the upper body power and leg drive to displace and dump offensive linemen or reset the line of scrimmage in the run game. Vea’s play strength ranks among the best in the NFL.
136. Trevor Lawrence, QB Jacksonville Jaguars
We might as well start the toxic quarterback discussions in this tier. Lawrence hasn’t looked like the generational talent media members billed him as during his pre-draft process. However, he performed at the level of a top ten or 12 quarterback to close 2022. Injuries and horrendous play calling sabotaged him in 2023. Now we’re left guessing if Lawrence and his situation in Jacksonville will ever improve.
135. Brian Burns, Edge New York Giants
Burns isn’t a true edge-one, but there’s a chance he could perform at that level on a talented New York defensive line. He leans heavily into his explosiveness and speed but also has the athletic ability to deploy advanced moves and dodge the offensive tackle’s punches with sudden counters. Burns also excels at countering inside because only a few tackles can match his movement.
134. Brian O'Neill, RT Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins’ injury set the Vikings offense back in 2023, but Minnesota’s tackle duo is still one of the league’s best. Power gives O'Neill fits, but his agility and reactive quickness allow him to counter plenty of rush moves. Just because he doesn’t have the best anchor in pass protection doesn’t mean he won’t sit a defender down in the run game.
133. Tua Tagovailoa, QB Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa is a scheme-specific quarterback, but that doesn’t mean he won’t evolve into something greater down the line. Armed with a new contract, Tagovailoa should feel empowered to play looser and test it he can elevate the offense instead of just operating it. That potential existed when he was at Alabama. It’s got to be in there still.
132. Zach Tom, RT Green Bay Packers
Tom primarily played center and left tackle in college, but the Packers tasked him with operating on the right side in 2023. He has excellent mobility in pass protection to defend the entire arc and drive rushers up and around the pocket. His mobility translates to reach blocks or shoring up the backside of run plays. Tom has top 100 potential and was a Tier 5 candidate.
131. T.J. Hockenson, TE Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson will open 2024 on the PUP list as he works back from a torn ACL suffered deep into the 2023 season. The former eighth overall pick emerged as a perennial All-Pro candidate at the position over the past two years, stringing together back-to-back 900-yard campaigns. He’s lower on this list than usual because he’ll miss almost a quarter of the season and might not be in peak shape when he returns.
130. Wyatt Teller, RG Cleveland Browns
I spoke to Teller two years ago. He’s got the personality of an energetic husky trapped in the body of a grizzly bear, and that’s a compliment. Teller’s trademark physicality and desire to bury opposing players with his relentless motor make him one of the sport’s most imposing athletes.
129. Kirk Cousins, QB Atlanta Falcons
Several narratives haunted Cousins during his Washington and early Minnesota days. He put many of them to bed in recent years with stellar performances and improved mental fortitude. A torn Achilles is still a torn Achilles. Cousins, who recently turned 36 years old, could easily outperform this ranking. I’m going to play the waiting game.
128. Joel Bitonio, LG Cleveland Browns
Nearing his 33rd birthday, Bitonio is in the veteran, sage era of his career. The five-time All-Pro looked like he lost half a step and some power last season, but injuries across Cleveland’s offensive line, inconsistent quarterback play, and losing Nick Chubb might account for the dip in performance. No one is questioning Bitonio’s hustle, leadership, and deep bag of clubs to use in pass protection.
Personally, I’m pulling for Bitonio to perform at an All-Pro level in 2024. I want the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters to hear his case down the road.
127. Trey McBride, TE Arizona Cardinals
I thought McBride was awesome as the focal point of Colorado State’s offense in college, but there were some legitimate concerns about his agility and arm length. McBride put those issues to bed in 2023 with a breakout season. He (2.03) and George Kittle (2.22) were the only tight ends with 30 or more targets to produce more than two yards per route run.
126. Trevon Diggs, CB Dallas Cowboys
Diggs intercepted 11 passes in 2021, but he was actually a better player in 2022. Unfortunately, a torn ACL ended his 2023 campaign after just two games. Diggs could be in for a big season if he picks up where he left off in his development curve. Plus, he gets to face Daniel Jones and rookie Jayden Daniels twice each. That’s a recipe for ball production.
125. DeVonta Smith, WR Philadelphia Eagles
Smith felt less reliable in 2023 than he was in 2022, but most of his numbers were pretty stable. He saw roughly 20 fewer targets in 2023, which hints that Philadelphia’s offense and Jalen Hurts’ slide in efficiency played a role in his down year. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore might get things back on track. Either way, Smith is more of a high-end WR2 than a true WR1, which prevents him from climbing higher on this list.
124. Chris Godwin, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is moving Godwin back to the slot, where he played most of his snaps from 2019-22. Those years were the best of his career. Per PFF, Godwin only caught 67.5% of his targets in 2023. He hadn’t dipped below 75% since moving to the slot in 2019. This is the right move and should help Godwin finish around his 2021 totals this coming season.
123. A.J. Terrell, CB Atlanta Falcons
Terrell destroyed offenses in 2021, feasting from zone coverages. The 2022 season was a rocky return to Earth, but Terrell stabilized in 2023. Terrell is stickier in man coverage than when he entered the NFL, and his calm but disruptive approach at the catch point looks more refined.
Cornerback is a naturally unstable position that goes through a lot of highs and lows. Terrell arguably has the highest ceiling among the corners not in the top 100.
122. Brian Branch, NB Detroit Lions
Take everything that makes Mike Hilton great and put it in a 6'0", 203 lb. 22-year-old. That’s Branch. The Alabama product is instinctive in coverage and fights for every blade of artificial turf. He can be a one-man wrecking crew and displays a relentless motor. Branch is a perfect culture fit for Dan Campbell’s team.
121. Chris Olave, WR New Orleans Saints
With a top-ten quarterback, Olave might have a legitimate shot at averaging 90 receiving yards per game. He wins at all three levels of the field and has the fluid athleticism to separate consistently. Play strength concerns will follow Olave throughout his playing days, but they haven’t stopped him from authoring consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start his career.
120. Kyren Williams, RB Los Angeles Rams
Williams led the NFL in rushing yards per game last year with 95.3. Despite drafting Blake Corum and conversations in the media about preserving Williams, Sean McVay and the Rams appear ready and willing to ride the Notre Dame product as far as he can take them. It all comes down to how healthy Williams stays at his size with one of the league’s heaviest workloads.
119. Elgton Jenkins, LG Green Bay Packers
The Packers finally have the bodies up front to let Jenkins play and develop at left guard. It took them half a decade to get here, but better late than never. When healthy, Jenkins displays impressive range in the run game and the grip strength to frame and sustain blocks in pass protection. Jenkins can succeed in the NFL at tackle, but playing in a phone booth maximizes his traits.
118. Jared Goff, QB Detroit Lions
This might be high for Goff in a vacuum, but he and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have one of the best symbiotic relationships in the league. Throw in added mental maturity, a stellar offensive line, and dynamic weapons and Goff should perform at the level of a top 13 quarterback at worst.