Ranking the NFL's Top 200 Players of 2024: The Top 50 and More
The NFL Top 200 concludes with the 61 best players in the league entering 2024
We’re finally here! We’ll cover the league’s 61 best players in this final edition of the NFL Top 200 Players of 2024. Those 61 players are split across the final three tiers, including Tier 1: Hall of Fame Peaks. Determining the tier cutoffs proved difficult because all these players have All-Pro potential.
Tier 10 l Tiers 8 & 9 l Tiers 6 & 7 l Tiers 4 & 5 l Honorable Mentions
I created the Top 200 based on how I project players will perform in 2024. This includes taking into account coaching, injury risk, supporting casts, and the chance of regression.
This is the final installment in the NFL Top 200, which means regular draft content returns next week. You’ll start seeing multiple 2025 NFL Draft reports per week along with Stock Up articles every Monday.
Tier 3: Franchise Cornerstones
61. Tyler Linderbaum, C Baltimore Ravens
Linderbaum overcame his undersized frame to hear his name called in the first round two years ago. This may be premature, but I’ve bought into the hype and the tape. Linderbaum has the mobility and motor to get downfield and lead block and the power to help seal (or just run over) defensive linemen that outweigh him by 30 lbs.
60. Dak Prescott, QB Dallas Cowboys
Prescott turned his occasional spurts of All-Pro play into almost a full season in 2023. He is the most accomplished regular season quarterback who doesn’t get much attention when discussing the game’s elite passers. Prescott is firmly cemented in the league’s top ten quarterbacks.
59. Matthew Stafford, QB Los Angeles Rams
Even while being held together by Elmer's glue and duct tape, Stafford throws one of the best balls in the league. The 36-year-old’s durability concerns deserve their attention, but few offenses can match the firepower Sean McVay’s scheme captained by a star of Stafford’s caliber.
58. L'Jarius Sneed, CB Tennessee Titans
Sneed’s career took off when he became Kansas City’s primary slot defender, but he took his game to new levels when he kicked outside in 2023. He’s never been afraid of the dirty work, even challenging offensive linemen in the run game. Sneed was the defender who punched out Zay Flowers’ would-be touchdown in the most recent AFC Championship Game to save Kansas City’s season.
Sneed is aggressive in press and throws a nasty chop to knock potential receptions away from receivers. He closes quickly to contest or undercut in-breaking routes.
57. Quenton Nelson, LG Indianapolis Colts
Two things can be true at the same time. Tales of Nelson’s demise in 2021 were exaggerated and haven’t proven correct. However, Nelson hasn’t been as explosively violent at the point of attack the past three years as he was during his three consecutive All-Pro bids, and more defenders are finding success against his anchor in the passing game.
Nelson still has dominant games and strings together All-Pro-caliber play, but he’s not operating in the Hall of Fame fast track lane as often.
56. Jordan Love, QB Green Bay Packers
Love hasn’t put together a full 17-game season of top ten quarterback tape yet, but he had several performances in 2023 that hinted at a ridiculous season. Love is still in the stage of development where he relies heavily on tools, scheme, and his supporting cast. The next step is to sharpen his processing, understanding of defenses, and develop more autonomy within Matt LaFleur’s offense.
55. Mark Andrews, TE Baltimore Ravens
A cracked fibula and ankle ligament injury stemming from a hip-drop tackle limited Andrews to ten games last season. Injuries are a mounting concern for the former All-Pro, who has only produced 1,391 yards in the past two years after a 1,361-yard performance in 2021. Hopefully, Andrews remains healthy this season. He still projects as Lamar Jackson’s most reliable target.
54. Sam LaPorta, TE Detroit Lions
Rookie sensations are hard to judge, especially when they rely on touchdowns to boost their value. Throw in a hamstring injury, and you’ve got a real head-scratcher. My brain tells me this is a little too high for LaPorta, but my eyes tell me he could go even higher. The Lions had an odd target distribution last year, but, assuming Jameson Williams doesn’t have a massive breakout season, LaPorta should still see more than 100 balls in 2024.
53. Rashan Gary, Edge Green Bay Packers
A torn ACL in 2022 temporarily paused Gary’s rise through the ranks, but the former 12th overall pick returned strong last year. He applied pressure on 15.63% of his rushes in 2023 and had the second-fewest pass rush attempts among all edge defenders in the top 20 for total pressures.
We saw flashes of Gary’s speed and power in past seasons, but he’s getting closer to flirting with All-Pro levels.
52. Garrett Wilson, WR New York Jets
Wilson is finally getting out of the Terry McLaurin school of quarterback hell…I think. I’m gambling on Aaron Rodgers being an above-average starting quarterback, but even an average starter would easily be the best quarterback of Wilson’s NFL career. The dynamic 24-year-old is a natural separator with the twitch to create after the catch. He should see the volume to post borderline All-Pro numbers if Rodgers makes it through the year.
51. Frank Ragnow, C Detroit Lions
I picture Ragnow and Matthew Stafford one day sharing beers at the NFL retirement home while in full-body casts. The two active pillars of the pre-Dan Campbell Detroit offenses took their unfair share of punishment over the years. Despite all that, Ragnow remains one of the smartest people movers in the trenches.
50. Chris Lindstrom, RG Atlanta Falcons
Lindstrom thrived in Arthur Smith’s run-centric scheme. We’ll see if the coaching staff change challenges that, but Lindstrom has earned the benefit of the doubt. He’s one of the most athletic and explosive linemen in the game. The speed and reactive agility he showcases are insane and give offenses a much larger menu to choose from in the run game.
49. Zack Martin, RG Dallas Cowboys
This is the highest ranking for a guard in the top 200. Martin isn’t a lock to be the NFL’s best guard anymore, but I would rather be late to move off the future first-ballot Hall of Famer than early. Martin has earned the right to hold this spot until he suffers clear, irreversible decline (or just retires). Age and injuries have worn on the 33-year-old a bit, but his football IQ and mental processing are unmatched.
48. Justin Herbert, QB Los Angeles Chargers
If it’s not poor coaching, it’s below-average offensive line play, a lack of offensive weapons, the defense providing no support, or a series of unfortunate injuries. It's always something with the Chargers. At some point, Herbert needs to bear more of the burden for Los Angeles’ struggles, but that can wait. He just got back from a plantar fascia injury after all.
47. Andrew Thomas, LT New York Giants
Thomas overcame a horrendous rookie season to become one of the league’s best young linemen. Now he just needs to squash the injury bug. Thomas is a superb athlete with smooth movement skills and the open field athleticism to pick off second and third level targets. He sustains and finishes run blocks well and is nimble in pass protection to mirror rushers. Thomas is also stout enough that defenders struggle to play through his frame and fail to break his anchor.
Thomas is 25 years old, just like Christian Darrisaw and Rashawn Slater, who we covered in Tier 5. The new era of offensive tackles is shaping up well.
46. Christian Wilkins, DT Las Vegas Raiders
Wilkins sacrificed a bit of his run defense last year to chase pressures and earn a massive contract, but he’s a high-level run defender. The Clemson product, who played more than 80% of Miami’s defensive snaps in 2022 and 2023, totaled 58 pressures with nine sacks last season. He has one of the best swipes among interior linemen that pairs well with his freakish athleticism and burst.
45. Trey Hendrickson, Edge Cincinnati Bengals
Hendrickson has 53 sacks in the past four years, and I feel like not enough people are giving him credit for that. He might not be the most skilled or physically gifted rusher, but he has applied pressure on 16.53% of his pass rush reps across the past three seasons. That level of stable efficiency across a multi-year sample stands out.
44. C.J. Stroud, QB Houston Texans
Stroud’s rookie season raised (and maybe ruined) the bar for first-year quarterbacks. The scheme provided an assist, but Stroud displayed command of the offense and a rare understanding of defensive tendencies. His second season might be more of a lateral move than an ascension (development isn’t linear), but even that would easily secure him a spot in the top 100.
43. Demario Davis, LB New Orleans Saints
Davis is 35 years old, but he has earned All-Pro honors in five consecutive seasons. The Arkansas State product is the third-highest ranked linebacker on the list. He could really make things interesting with another two or three All-Pro campaigns.
Davis recognizes and processes plays as quickly as anyone. He has elite closing speed and throws his full weight into blockers to create chaos at the point of attack. Davis is a rapid and violent football player who channels his speed into power to hammer ball carriers and blockers alike.
42. Jessie Bates III, S Atlanta Falcons
Bates quite literally won the Falcons games last year. No one on the offense or defense provided more clutch moments. Bates reads quarterbacks at an elite level when operating 15 to 20 yards off the ball, which opens the door for him to undercut routes. His instincts and processing to read and diagnose quick plays in under two seconds give him a huge advantage versus offenses. Bates also has the range to play a wide variety of coverages.
Bates stepped up his involvement in run defense last year to cover for Atlanta’s deficiencies at the first and second levels.
41. Tyron Smith, LT New York Jets
Last season was the cherry on top of Smith’s Hall of Fame career. He turned back the clock for his first All-Pro campaign since 2016 but still missed four games. Smith has missed 37 games over the past four seasons, which is alarming. However, the 33-year-old’s healthy stretches are dominant.
Smith pairs his terrific physical tools, the steady remnants of his incredible athleticism, and 13 years of technical development to beat the snot out of teams like Philadelphia with his mobility, play strength, jump sets, and snatch-traps.
40. Jalen Ramsey, CB Miami Dolphins
Ramsey is only 29 years old despite having eight seasons under his belt. We could see him return to All-Pro form now that he’s a full year removed from a knee injury that cost a significant chunk of the 2023 season (now he’s dealing with a hamstring issue). Ramsey has been a position-defining athlete since he entered the league. The Dolphins have rare versatility with him and Jevon Holland in the same secondary.
Ramsey’s vision and football IQ at this stage of his career help him bait quarterbacks into bad throws and disguise coverages when he’s not lined up as a traditional outside cornerback. He’s still a well-above-average athlete who has unique closing speed and full body fluidity. Ramsey’s length and vertical help him dominate at the catch point.
Ramsey’s size and physicality make him an asset in run defense.
39. Brandon Aiyuk, WR San Francisco 49ers
A few years ago, Aiyuk was in the doghouse in San Francisco. Now, he’s one of the sport’s best receivers. Despite having an average depth of target (ADOT) around roughly 14 yards downfield, Aiyuk caught more than 70% of his targets in 2023. Per PFF, no other receiver with at least 30 targets and an ADOT higher than 12.5 yards caught more than 70% of their targets.
DeVonta Smith, whose 12.5 ADOT tied for 38th in the category with these guidelines, was the closest after Aiyuk. DJ Moore (11.9 ADOT), Nico Collins (11.5), and Tyreek Hill (11.3) were the only other players with ADOT’s over 11 yards to meet these qualifications.
Additionally, Aiyuk was one of three receivers, joining Collins and Hill, to produce more than three yards per route run in 2023. For reference, that means every time Aiyuk ran a route during San Francisco’s more than 470 pass plays, he gained an average of three yards. To put it another way, if a team could guarantee 2.5 yards on every offensive play, they could drive the length of the field without ever punting.
38. Laremy Tunsil, LT Houston Texans
Tunsil has been an elite pass protector for years, but he used to just get by with his run blocking. Over the past two years, he has become more dedicated to making an impact on the ground. This has elevated the 30-year-old’s already stellar play.
Tunsil is a smooth operator with the quick feet to mirror and match rushers. He also has the anchor to absorb power rushes and the combative hands/upper body power to disrupt and stall rush plans. Tunsil’s athleticism translates to working in space and attacking second or third level defenders.
37. Josh Hines-Allen, Edge Jacksonville Jaguars
Hines-Allen finished fifth in the NFL with 90 pressures in 2023 while applying pressure on an insane 17.54% of his rushes. He’s a fantastic athlete who has the speed to fly around would-be blockers and the bend to finish at tight angles. The arrow has continued pointing up for Hines-Allen in each of the past three seasons. Let’s see if he can threaten the big five at his position.
36. Aidan Hutchinson, Edge Detroit Lions
Hutchinson’s ascent seemed inevitable based on his overwhelming college tape and advanced move set. According to James Foster’s in-depth breakdown of pressure data from 2023, Hutchinson applied twice as many pressures on spin moves as any other notable edge rusher in the league. Hutchinson’s 101 pressures only trailed Micah Parsons’ 103 for the league lead.
35. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Detroit Lions
Keenan Allen, Brown, and CeeDee Lamb were the only receivers to amass more than 1,200 yards who played over half their snaps in the slot. Brown’s average depth of target was by far the lowest of those three players, but his combination of agility, speed, and toughness make him an ideal yards after the catch (YAC) threat. Brown led all receivers in YAC last year, narrowly topping Lamb.
34. Davante Adams, WR Las Vegas Raiders
Age and quarterback play aren’t on Adams’ side as he comes off his first season without a First Team All-Pro selection since 2019. Many of his key metrics, like yards per route run and average YAC after the catch, fell significantly in 2023. As crazy as it sounds, Gardner Minshew and second-year Aidan O’Connell should provide more stability for Las Vegas and help Adams pull his numbers back up.
Tier 2: Perennial All-Pro Candidates
33. Jaylon Johnson, CB Chicago Bears
Johnson broke onto the scene as a full-fledged star in 2023 and was arguably the league’s best cornerback. He started seeing and processing the game at a new level last season, allowing him to sink underneath deep to intermediate routes in zone or drive to contest short routes at an elite level.
Johnson doesn’t have freakish size, but he’s willing to scrap with receivers in press coverage. His natural feel for the position is hard to put into words. Receivers just couldn’t find room to breathe against him in 2023. He was constantly in someone’s hip pocket in man coverage and played with exceptional patience and balance.
32. Kyle Hamilton, NB Baltimore Ravens
Remember when Hamilton ran a crooked 40-time at the NFL Combine and everyone freaked out? How about that time he gave up a big pass in training camp as a rookie? None of that crap ever mattered. Hamilton is a 6'4", 224 lb. former blue-chip prospect. That’s a linebacker’s finishing power combined with the instincts and range of a center field safety and movement skills of a traditional slot defender. Hamilton has quickly matured into a perennial All-Pro.
31. Trent McDuffie, CB Kansas City Chiefs
McDuffie drew criticism in the pre-draft process in 2022 because of his small frame, but he’s quickly evolved into a dominant defensive back with slot and outside versatility. McDuffie played the majority of his snaps last year in the slot but will kick outside in 2024 to make up for the loss of L'Jarius Sneed.
McDuffie’s motor, instinctive play, and technical refinement make him a nuisance for even the league’s best offenses. He plays much larger than his frame and with great effort in every area of the game.
30. Travis Kelce, TE Kansas City Chiefs
Playoff Kelce is still a top 20 player in the league, but that’s not the player we see during the 17-game regular season anymore. The Chiefs and Kelce, who dipped below 130 targets last year for the first time since 2017, know the regular season is a formality. Their goal is to win Super Bowls.
If you count regular and postseason production, Kelce would’ve led all tight ends in yards last season and almost beat out Trey McBride (2.03) with 2.02 yards per route run (minimum 30 targets) for the top rank in YPRR.
29. Creed Humphrey, C Kansas City Chiefs
Humphrey’s prowess in the run game was on display in college, but NFL teams didn’t buy in until the Chiefs nabbed the Oklahoma product toward the end of the second round. What a steal. Humphrey’s mobility, power, and demeanor make him a perennial All-Pro candidate and, potentially, the league’s next Hall of Fame-level center.
28. Patrick Surtain II, CB Denver Broncos
Denver recently made Surtain the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. The 24-year-old entered the league as one of the most natural, technically-refined cornerbacks in the sport. All of the potential and characteristics he put on film while at Alabama translated to the next level. His combination of size, play strength, arm length, and speed (which is the weakest of those traits) makes him an athletic outlier at corner.
Surtain can jam and mirror receivers in press coverage or play off the line and make a play on the ball at the top of the stem. His football IQ, play recognition, and processing are incredible for a young player.
27. Quinnen Williams, DT New York Jets
In 2023, Williams didn’t have the same sack production as his 2022 All-Pro campaign, but he produced 18 more pressures, finishing with 70 total, and made more plays in the run game. Williams applied pressure on 15.05% of his rush attempts. His combination of burst and power allows him to dominate opponents.
26. Lane Johnson, RT Philadelphia Eagles
Johnson allowed a sack in 2023 for the first time since 2020. He’s fought through a number of injuries in recent years that, along with Jalen Hurts’ being banged up, made a minor dent in his elite play this past year. A full offseason for the Eagles as an organization to heal from the horrors of 2023 should get everyone back on track.
Johnson has an explosive kick step that he pairs with dominant play strength, a powerful anchor, smart but violent hand usage, and clean, controlled footwork. Similar to players like Tyron Smith and Trent Williams, Johnson has every club in his bag. Johnson is also a menace in the run game who plays classic smashmouth football while still covering significant ground on pulls.
25. Antoine Winfield Jr., S Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winfield falling to the midpoint of the second round in 2020 is still puzzling. He played far above that value during his rookie season. The 26-year-old looks like he’ll exceed his father’s terrific career in about half the time.
Winfield isn’t tall, but he’s densely built. This helps with making an impact as a blitzer and stop running backs in the backfield. Winfield’s play strength and understanding of run fits help him operate near the line of scrimmage, but he also offers value in deeper alignments because his closing burst makes sure he’s never too far away from the ball.
Winfield knows how to turn the ball over. He plays it well in the air and has 11 forced fumbles in his career.
24. George Kittle, TE San Francisco 49ers
Injuries limited Kittle during the middle of his career, but he was mostly healthy in both 2022 and 2023. Those two seasons revived a potential Hall of Fame case for the soon-to-be 31-year-old. Kittle was the only 1,000-yard tight end in 2023 and led all players at the position with at least 30 targets in yards per route run (2.22) during the regular season. For reference, second place was 2.02, and only five tight ends got over 1.76.
23. Roquan Smith, LB Baltimore Ravens
The top tier on this list features the league’s 18 best players and is titled “Hall of Fame Peaks.” Smith is one of the few Tier 2 players with a legitimate claim to belonging in that class. He’s a four-time All-Pro and a math changer on the defensive side of the ball. Since arriving in Baltimore, his playstyle has reached a near transcendent level that elevates his teammates and the defense’s performance as a whole.
22. Ja'Marr Chase, WR Cincinnati Bengals
Chase’s outlook hinges on Joe Burrow’s health, which puts him in an unstable situation. At face value, the LSU product is one of the league’s five most talented receivers, but he hasn’t put together a campaign strong enough to match his All-Pro rookie season. Maybe this is finally the year that both Burrow and Chase stay healthy.
21. A.J. Brown, WR Philadelphia Eagles
The Titans knew Brown was a talented receiver when they traded him to Philly two years ago, but they clearly had no idea how high his ceiling actually was. Brown is coming off back-to-back Second Team All-Pro seasons with more than 1,450 yards. Brown, Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, and Jaylen Waddle are the only receivers with 30 or more targets to top 2.5 yards per route run in each of the past two seasons.
20. Joe Burrow, QB Cincinnati Bengals
When healthy, Burrow is a Tier 1 quarterback with Hall of Fame-level play. The only thing holding the potential All-Pro back from earning that ranking is his pesky wrist injury. It’s an uncommon injury for quarterbacks, so, even though Burrow says he’s ready to go, I’m going to display cautious optimism.
19. Ahmad Gardner, CB New York Jets
Gardner played the second-most man coverage snaps among cornerbacks in the AFC East last season. What he accomplishes in man coverage is crazy for a player his size. He uses his massive arms to jam and re-route receivers in press coverage, which makes it nearly impossible for the receiver to separate later in the play.
Gardner isn’t quite as fluid as other corners in the top 50, but his elite athleticism helps him transition from his half-turn or backpedal and drive on routes breaking back down the stem.
Tier 1: Hall of Fame Peaks
18. Dexter Lawrence II, NT New York Giants
Lawrence generates pressure from a 0-tech alignment at a historic rate. In 2022 (counting playoffs), he more than tripled the defender with the second-most pressures as a 0-tech, per Next Gen Stats. Lawrence is strong enough to overpower Quenton Nelson and put offensive linemen on their butts.
Lawrence is a game-changing force who totaled 65 pressures in 2023, tied for fourth-most among all interior linemen. He applied pressure on 14.57% of his pass rush attempts.
17. CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys don’t have receiving options to funnel targets to outside of Lamb, who recently signed a massive extension. He’s going to see insane volume for the second straight year, which should clear the path for another 1,500-yard season. It also helps that Dak Prescott is in a contract year and needs a strong showing to blow the market away next spring.
16. Tristan Wirfs, LT Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wirfs shifted from right to left tackle in 2023 and didn’t skip a beat. The 25-year-old is in line to eventually take over for Trent Williams as the NFL’s preeminent left tackle. His powerful strikes halt rushers in their tracks, and his anchor allows him to sit on power rushes.
Wirfs has the natural athleticism to carry rushers up the arc and drive them around the pocket. He uses his quick hands and monster grip strength to establish leverage in pass protection. There just aren’t many players with Wirfs’ combination of power and movement.
15. Penei Sewell, RT Detroit Lions
Lane Johnson deserves the chance to defend his crown as the NFL’s best right tackle, but it’s inevitable that Sewell will surpass him sometime in the next few years. Sewell is one of the thickest offensive linemen on this list, and the power he drives through that frame is absurd. Few players (if any) latch and drive with the same destructive strength as Sewell.
Despite his size and exceptional power, Sewell still pulls across the entire formation with excellent speed and natural athleticism. He and Trent Williams are the most dominant run blockers in the sport today, creating instant displacement.
Sewell isn’t a slouch in pass protection either. He has the anchor to absorb power and the explosiveness to even match wide-9 rushers up the arc.
14. Lamar Jackson, QB Baltimore Ravens
Jackson is the third of three unicorn quarterbacks in the top 200. His 2023 season was one of the weakest MVP campaigns on record, but he is performing at a Hall of Fame level. Durability will always be a concern for Jackson, but the 27-year-old has already set new standards for mobile quarterbacks and how the league evaluates the position.
13. Maxx Crosby, Edge Las Vegas Raiders
Crosby finished fourth in the NFL among edge rushers with 94 pressures last year. Over the past three seasons, he has 276 pressures. Crosby is also an elite run defender who rarely leaves the field. In many other eras, he would be a perennial All-Pro, but he happened to cross paths with multiple Hall of Fame rushers in their prime.
Crosby’s development as a pass rusher makes him one of the game’s most complete defenders. His hand usage is first class.
12. Fred Warner, LB San Francisco 49ers
Not many linebackers can bail from a mugged up look to cover an All-Pro slot receiver down the seam, but Warner is the exception to most of the position’s rules. He possesses exceptional range and coverage abilities, rare football IQ and instincts, an insane motor, and still fits gaps at an elite level.
11. Nick Bosa, Edge San Francisco 49ers
Bosa has 260 pressures, including 44.5 sacks, over just the past three years and is a pillar of the NFC’s best team. He’s more than just an elite pass rusher. Bosa also has the burst and power to make an impact in the run game. Very few offensive tackles have the hand precision and power to stall Bosa, who bull rushes blockers or slips past them.
10. Trent Williams, LT San Francisco 49ers
Williams enters the 2024 season with limited time spent in pads this summer, but if there’s anyone who has earned the benefit of the doubt, it’s Williams. Outside of 2019, when he didn’t play a snap, Williams has made 11 consecutive Pro Bowls and earned First Team All-Pro honors in three straight seasons.
Williams is a perfect fit for San Francisco’s wide zone scheme. His quickness to the sideline and climbing to the second level is insane for a 36-year-old with his size. Guys just don’t move like this, and Williams has been doing it since his time in Washington. Williams has the strength to create consistent displacement against defensive linemen and send smaller defenders flying.
Father Time might be starting to wear on Williams’ abilities in pass protection, but he still has the hand usage, anchor, and explosiveness to be an elite blindside protector.
9. T.J. Watt, Edge Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt finished seventh in pressures among edge rushers last year but led the NFL in sacks for the third time in four years. He finished in the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting in four of the last five seasons. Watt has developed a wide array of counters to complement his speed and bend. He can pop defenders with his hands too.
Like many of the players in this tier, Watt is capable of taking over games and single-handedly carrying his team to victory.
8. Chris Jones, DT Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Donald’s retirement makes Jones the NFL’s preeminent interior lineman. He applied pressure on 15.56% of his rush attempts last year. Jones is athletic enough to rush from several alignments and has rare closing speed. His hand usage is also excellent.
Jones has 67 sacks and five All-Pro selections over the past six seasons. The only thing that prevents him from climbing higher is his tendency to bypass run defense at times or lose control of his gap. He still makes plenty of plays in run defense with his burst and loose lower half.
7. Micah Parsons, Edge Dallas Cowboys
Parsons led the NFL’s edge rushers with 103 pressures last year while applying pressure on 20.08% of his rushes. The Penn State product is in the discussion for being the best pound for pound athlete in the league. His bend, burst, and loose movement are freakish. Offensive tackles just can’t mirror a defender like Parsons.
Parsons eventually winning a Defensive Player of the Year award feels inevitable.
6. Tyreek Hill, WR Miami Dolphins
Hill is one of the few players in the NFL who changes the math for defenses. His agility, twitch, and speed make him lethal in one-on-one coverage and a bully in catch-and-run situations. He’s a cheat code in Mike McDaniel’s offense and produced 3.82 yards per route run in 2023. Theoretically, this means the Dolphins would never see a fourth down if they just ran pass plays with Hill on the field.
5. Christian McCaffrey, RB San Francisco 49ers
After two years spent mostly riding the bench with injuries, McCaffrey has strung together back-to-back impressive seasons. He led the NFL in touches (which is always concerning), yards from scrimmages, and total touchdowns last year. McCaffrey is already dealing with a calf injury (which is also concerning), but things will clear up by Week 1.
4. Josh Allen, QB Buffalo Bills
Allen’s ability to absorb contact, keep the play rolling, and then place a pinpoint pass 60 yards downfield makes him unique, even among the three unicorn quarterbacks in the NFL. This year, he faces the toughest challenge of his time as an elite quarterback because of Buffalo’s turnover among its playmakers.
3. Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s quarterback situation was always going to be a mess this year, but it can’t get much worse than in 2023 after Kirk Cousins went down. Maybe Jefferson won’t average more than 100 yards per game for the third consecutive season, but he should still finish in All-Pro contention.
2. Myles Garrett, Edge Cleveland Browns
Garrett is the best and most complete edge rusher in the NFL. He tied with T.J. Watt for the seventh-most pressures in the NFL last year and had some unforgettable games, like his takeover performance versus Indianapolis. Garrett faces a constant array of chips and double teams but gets home anyway.
Garrett’s ability to turn speed to power and win through different gaps is unmatched, and his pass rush arsenal is deep enough that he always finds a way to eventually make a play. There are only so many NFL players that big, explosive, fast, and strong.
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes’ most statistically dominant season is several years in the rearview mirror, but he’s actually improved significantly since then. Once a player relying on Hall of Fame coaches and skill players and his raw tools, Mahomes now stands as a juggernaut in the professional sports landscape.