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Jeremy Fowler
With 2025 NFL coaching camps on the horizon, the league’s true insiders made their voices heard.
ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to assist us rank the highest 10 gamers at 11 completely different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. This was the sixth version of those rankings, and as normal, a number of gamers moved up or fell off final yr’s lists.
A reminder of the rankings course of: Voters gave us their 10 finest gamers at a place, then we compiled the outcomes and ranked candidates based mostly on variety of top-10 votes, composite common and dozens of interviews, with analysis and movie examine assist from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In complete, greater than 70 voters submitted a poll on at the very least one place, and in lots of instances all positions. Extra voting and follow-up calls with these surveyed helped us break any ties.
Every part consists of quotes and nuggets from the voters on each ranked participant — even the honorable mentions. The target was to establish the very best gamers for 2025. This was not a five-year projection or a profession achievement award. Who’re the very best gamers as we speak?
We’ll roll out one place per day over 11 days. The schedule: operating backs (Monday), defensive tackles (Tuesday), edge rushers (Wednesday), safeties (Thursday), tight ends (Friday), inside offensive linemen (Saturday), offensive tackles (Sunday), quarterbacks (July 14), off-ball linebackers (July 15), huge receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
The cash has spoken clearly — go rusher is pushing huge receiver for the sport’s second-most vital place behind quarterback.
A number of groups fastidiously budgeted for this offseason, bracing for a spike in salaries for go rushers on account of a number of elite sack masters negotiating new contracts.
The consequence by early summer season was a market exploding into the vary of $40 million per yr.
Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby received their new contracts within the spring. So did Danielle Hunter on a one-year deal. All three broke the $35 million annual threshold.
T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson entered the summer season with potential new offers on the radar. Aidan Hutchinson, two years from free company, is destined for large {dollars} finally, too.
The highest-tier defensive ends tilt the maths on the sector. Protections slide, offensive traces present double-teams, and the sacks nonetheless come.
This is likely one of the strongest place teams within the league, and the rankings bear that out. Even the honorable mentions have famous person potential.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 4
Age: 29 | Final yr’s rating: 1
Garrett’s Corridor of Fame profile continues to develop.
With one other 14 sacks in 2024, Garrett is the primary participant since particular person sack totals have been first tracked in 1982 with 4 consecutive seasons of at the very least 14 sacks.
“There is a quick checklist of men it’s important to shift your fronts to, and Garrett is the primary individual you consider with regards to how a lot of your sport plan he occupies,” an NFL coordinator stated. “Each single second on the sector you realize what he is doing, or what he would possibly do subsequent.”
Garrett’s maintain on the No. 1 rating is agency; he earned at the very least 70% of the first-place votes in back-to-back years. No person is faster off the ball. Garrett reached a mean “get-off” of 0.70 seconds, per Subsequent Gen Stats, tied for the quickest amongst edge rushers with at the very least 200 go rushes. That resulted in 40 fast pressures (beneath 2.5 seconds), which ranked second within the NFL.
“He has considerably refined his total sport over time,” an NFC personnel evaluator stated. “An excellent sort out used to have the ability to give him issues, however that is much less and fewer the case now. He is extra constant together with his go rush.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 3
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: 2
Watt is a worthy rival to Garrett within the AFC North. His 108 profession sacks rank third all time for a participant’s first eight seasons, behind Reggie White (124) and DeMarcus Ware (111). He is a near-lock for an All-Professional crew yearly. And he leads the NFL in compelled fumbles (10) over the previous two seasons, together with being second in sacks (30.5) and quarterback hits (63).
However he is caught within the No. 2 spot for the second consecutive yr whereas Garrett separates.
“He is nonetheless the gold customary for me,” a veteran AFC defensive coach stated. “He utterly wrecks a sport and he can do all the pieces.”
Watt’s play lacked splash late within the season, with seven complete tackles and nil sacks over his last 4 video games together with playoffs. His go rush win charge dipped from the low-20s to 18.5%.
“I believed he wore down a bit bit,” an NFL coordinator stated about Watt’s late-season clip. “However their entire protection did. I feel they only received drained, and the struggles on offense may have performed a task.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 6
Age: 25 | Final yr’s rating: 3
The numbers say Parsons has a compelling case for No. 1.
His 126 pressures and 31.0% pass-rush win charge since 2023 lead the NFL. He has finished this regardless of going through a 31.5% double-team charge in 2024, highest amongst edge rushers on this checklist. He generated a league-high 19.1% stress charge final season and led the Cowboys with a 24.2% stress share, the eighth-highest clip within the NFL. His go rush win charge of 25.3% ranked second total.
And, oh yeah, Parsons is the second participant in NFL historical past to provide 12 or extra sacks in every of his first 4 professional seasons (White is the opposite).
He has finished all this as a hybrid off-ball linebacker who transitioned to a pure pass-rushing position. His velocity and bend are apparent, however he does greater than that.
“He does it with counter strikes and the flexibility to complete,” an NFC personnel evaluator stated. “He hardly ever misses when he is inside arm’s attain of the quarterback. His run protection wants work, although.”
Added an NFL personnel director: “Explosiveness, motor, violence, can align inside and beat [interior offensive linemen] with first-step quickness. He is such a tone-setter that everybody else feeds off his power.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 6
Age: 27 | Final yr’s rating: 5
Crosby is making waves within the pass-rush pantheon, vaulting one spot in every of the previous three years. Outdistancing Nick Bosa and stealing votes from Watt and Parsons is hard. Almost half of Crosby’s votes landed within the high three.
Crosby’s relentless power exhibits up each Sunday. His 324 pressures since 2019 are greater than another participant — by 40 pressures.
“Relentless motor, expert rusher and by no means desires to go away the sport,” an NFL coordinator stated. “Retains getting higher and higher.”
An ankle damage did not cease Crosby from recording 100% play time in 9 of his 12 video games performed final season. He averaged 60.4 snaps per sport, most amongst edge defenders.
Crosby’s lack of help up entrance solely enhances his profile. Whereas Crosby has 59.5 sacks since 2019, no different Raiders participant has registered greater than 10 throughout that span.
“For him to play at that prime a degree with that quantity is unbelievable,” a high-ranking AFC personnel man stated.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 27 | Final yr’s rating: 4
Bosa is an eye-test go rusher. Whereas his 19.5 sacks over the previous two seasons signify gentle manufacturing for a top-five go rusher, Bosa’s disruption is apparent.
“His leverage, explosiveness, energy and polished rush arsenal are unmatched,” an NFL personnel director stated. “He has the identical rush strikes as [brother] Joey Bosa however with higher play energy to win in a wide range of methods.”
And Bosa posted a 22.2% go rush win charge, up practically 4 factors from the earlier yr. His 0.70 “get-off” in 2024 was the quickest in his profession and tied Garrett for the very best of the season.
Since 2021, Bosa has generated 121 fast pressures (beneath 2.5 seconds), the fifth most within the NFL throughout that span.
4 NFL gamers have at the very least 60 sacks and 10 fumbles since 2019 — Watt, Garrett, Bosa and Hendrickson.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 30 | Final yr’s rating: 9
To say Hendrickson carried the Bengals’ protection at occasions final season isn’t hyperbole.
His 17.5 sacks — his second consecutive season posting that quantity — comprised 49% of the crew’s sack manufacturing. He accounted for 32.2% of the crew’s complete pressures, making him the one defender to have recorded a stress share above 30%.
With 4 consecutive Professional Bowls and a first-team All-Professional berth, Hendrickson is undoubtedly one of many NFL’s finest free company signings of the previous decade. No marvel he sat out offseason exercises searching for a brand new contract.
“His means to get to the quarterback by any means essential is really spectacular,” an AFC scout stated. “He can beat you with method and relentless motor.”
Some voters imagine Hendrickson doesn’t possess the identical high-end traits as these within the high tier. However he is so wildly productive that they cannot hate on him.
“He is in all probability taken without any consideration a bit bit,” an NFL personnel evaluator stated. “Elite participant all the best way.”
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 24 | Final yr’s rating: 6
Typically, a severe damage can transfer an elite participant out of a high 10. Not the case with Hutchinson, who sustained his momentum regardless of lacking 12 video games due to a damaged leg.
The 5 video games he did play have been phenomenal, with Hutchinson main the NFL in sacks, pressures and win charge. His 7.5 sacks via the primary 5 video games of a season have been probably the most for a Lions defender since William Homosexual in 1982.
“He was on his technique to the highest three [with Garrett and Watt],” an NFC govt stated.
Hutchinson’s 35.0% go rush win charge was tops by a large margin. The subsequent closest, Danielle Hunter, completed practically 9 factors beneath him, although Hunter produced his quantity over a full season. And Hutchinson was on tempo for 48 incompletions created.
Added an AFC govt: “I believed he would have been a finalist for [Defensive Player of the Year] final season if he hadn’t gotten harm. Uncommon motor, distinctive size, nice mixture of athleticism and energy.”
Highest rating: 6 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 25 | Final yr’s rating: honorable point out
Anderson is a traditional go rusher with the prototypical mixture of measurement (6-foot-4, 243 kilos), ability, velocity and energy.
“He is received an entire ability set,” an AFC govt stated. “And he is solely getting higher. Solely two years within the league. Will preserve enhancing.”
The Texans are glad with the draft-day commerce two years in the past that moved the crew up 9 spots to No. 3, pairing No. 2 choose C.J. Stroud with Anderson as cornerstones on both sides of the ball.
In Yr 2, Anderson completed high 10 in sacks (11, tied for tenth) and go rush win charge (21.3%, seventh, minimal 200 speeding makes an attempt). His means to complete additionally improved, as he transformed 19.0% of his complete pressures (58) into sacks (11). As a rookie, his sack conversion charge was 10.9%.
“What I like about him is he does not have a variety of obtrusive weaknesses,” an NFL personnel evaluator stated. “He can rush, set a tough edge and play the run.”
Highest rating: 6 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 30 | Final yr’s rating: 8
Many will argue Hunter as Houston’s higher go rusher over Anderson, who has benefits in upside and age. However Hunter was downright dominant in his ninth NFL season, rating first in go rush win charge (26.4%) amongst gamers with a minimal of 200 snaps. He additionally ranked first in pass-rush wins (77) and incompletions credited (36). Within the latter class, no different participant is inside seven incompletions created.
Hunter overcame neck points and scheme transitions late in his Minnesota tenure to provide 28.5 sacks during the last two seasons with the Vikings and Texans.
“That is why they name him ‘Cyborg,'” an AFC govt stated. “He is at all times been an unbelievable athlete, and he is realized to develop his pass-rush means and might win in a wide range of methods.”
As a Texan, Hunter discovered methods to beat offensive tackles with a bull rush — or an NBA-style euro step right into a spin.
Hunter’s 4 pass-rush interceptions created have been tied for first.
“He can get a couple of extra double-digit-sack seasons,” the manager stated. “He has the physique sort that may age effectively.”
Highest rating: 6 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 24 | Final yr’s rating: not eligible (rookie)
Verse, coming off Defensive Rookie of the Yr honors, defeated Brian Burns and Nik Bonitto in a tiebreaker for the tenth spot.
Verse is a troublesome analysis due to his lack of manufacturing. His 4.5 sacks and 17.5% go rush win charge are modest. He did not seem on many ballots in consequence. However this description of Verse from now-retired offensive sort out Terron Armstead is considerably widespread across the league.
“I by no means received to see that man once more”@T_Armstead72 stated @JaredVerse1 made it straightforward for him to retire 😂 (through @SiriusXMNFL) pic.twitter.com/rJvN8vgUtw
— NFL (@NFL) June 18, 2025
When posing tiebreakers to league execs, the responses have been swift: VERSE!
Similar to you’ll be able to’t train top in basketball, you’ll be able to’t train Verse’s energy.
“He is a person,” an NFC personnel govt stated. “Very distinctive energy.”
Verse was credited with 24 incompletions and three interceptions created, each high quality numbers. And his 23.3% double-team charge was fourth on this checklist behind greats Parsons, Garrett and Crosby.
Competitors on the deep NFL place is the one factor working to Verse’s drawback.
“It is not that he isn’t ascending right into a premier rusher, however he isn’t forward of a number of the others who’re extra productive or higher run gamers proper now,” stated an NFC govt who does not suppose Verse ought to be within the high 10.
Honorable point out
Brian Burns, New York Giants: “He is nonetheless received premier means, somebody it’s important to account for on each snap. If this was a skill-set dialog solely, he’d be high 5. He is received all the pieces you need from that standpoint. However he simply hasn’t had the constant manufacturing.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos: “Younger, athletic, upside, velocity rusher, can affect sport — small and common towards the run, however very productive total.” — AFC govt
“He can actually cowl, too, which helps his profile.” — NFC govt
Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings: “Elite motor with a extremely good rush. One of the productive guys the final two years.” (Greenard has recorded 24.5 sacks over the previous two seasons.) — NFC govt
George Karlaftis, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: “Fast off the ball, has excellent hand utilization and mixes strikes very effectively. He is at all times harmful within the run sport.” — NFC govt
Additionally receiving votes: Josh Hines-Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers), Rashan Gary (Inexperienced Bay Packers), Travon Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars), Montez Sweat (Chicago Bears), Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Payments), Chop Robinson (Miami Dolphins)
