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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 standard, 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 greatest gamers at a place, then we compiled the outcomes and ranked candidates primarily based on variety of top-10 votes, composite common and dozens of interviews, with analysis and movie research assist from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In complete, greater than 70 voters submitted a poll on a minimum of 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 at this time?
We are going to roll out a place per day over 11 days. The schedule: working backs (7/7), defensive tackles (7/8), edge rushers (7/9), safeties (7/10), tight ends (7/11), inside offensive linemen (7/12), offensive tackles (7/13), quarterbacks (7/14), off-ball linebackers (7/15), extensive receivers (7/16), cornerbacks (7/17).
Younger stars are injecting new life into the offensive line rankings.
The retirements of Zack Martin and Frank Ragnow opened two prime spots on this yr’s high 10. A place that had gotten stagnant so far as top-end expertise now options 5 gamers between the ages of 24 and 26 years previous within the high seven.
There is a new No. 1… and No. 2… and No. 5. Three gamers are making their top-10 debut.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have the strongest presence on this checklist, which solely accentuates the disappointing Tremendous Bowl efficiency (enjoying a guard at left sort out explains a number of the challenge). And, as soon as once more, the Philadelphia Eagles have their imprint all around the voting.
We take you contained in the motion from the trenches, courtesy of the folks inside the sport that coach from the sidelines and scout the motion.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 10
Age: 26 | Final yr’s rating: 7
Final yr, Humphrey made the case as the very best total middle since Jason Kelce. Now, he is the highest inside linemen due to consistency within the voting. He is the one one to seem on each poll and was a top-three recipient on the vast majority of them.
Humphrey’s 96.2 go block win fee final season ranks sixth amongst all inside offensive linemen. He is the lead communicator for a championship-level offense. And his intangibles are well-known across the league.
“He is nice in go safety, nice toes and instincts,” an NFL coordinator stated. “Not a mauler within the working sport however can get it executed sufficient. Offers with chaos effectively and might navigate loads of shifting elements for that offense.”
Whereas Humphrey’s 73.2 run block win fee is strong if unspectacular, he did curb the snapping challenge that plagued him in 2023. His play within the Tremendous Bowl suffered partially as a result of Joe Thuney sliding to left sort out pressured him to assist extra in safety.
“Should you can isolate him one-on-one, you possibly can kick his ass just a little bit,” the coordinator stated. However that is not true more often than not. Humphrey didn’t permit a fast stress (underneath 2.5 seconds) throughout 653 pass-blocking snaps through the common season.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 24 | Final yr’s rating: Honorable point out
Changing Martin in Dallas is a tricky process, however Smith has the flexibility to just do that.
The thrill surrounding Smith popped within the voting. He wasn’t on each high 10 poll, however a lot of the votes he did get had been for first or second place.
“Most bodily gifted guard within the league who may legitimately be a high starter at LT in the event that they wished to play him there,” an NFL common supervisor stated. “Sturdy, athletic, nasty, and reduce his holding penalties in half final yr.”
One knock is overaggressive (which will get him uncontrolled at occasions), however his penalties dropped from 10 to 2 year-over-year, based on Professional Soccer Reference. Both means, groups can reside with Smith’s aggressiveness as a result of “if he will get his arms on you, it is over,” an NFL coordinator stated. Most personnel-based voters rely closely on traits and what a participant will be. Smith suits that invoice.
Smith held up effectively in go safety, with three sacks allowed on 614 snaps on passing downs.
“Finest guard in soccer,” an NFL line of defense coach stated. “Perennial Professional Bowl man. Fast explosive, violent, sturdy arms, above-average go professional, can attain second stage.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 29 | Final yr’s rating: 2
Nelson competed with Martin for the highest spot over a number of years, and now that Martin is retired, Nelson takes his place because the highest-ranked guard or middle with a minimum of seven NFL seasons within the NFL.
Nelson is constructing what may grow to be a Corridor of Fame case, making the Professional Bowl yearly since 2018. The Colts thought Nelson bounced again with a resurgent 2023 after a down 2022 (for his requirements), and he remained strong in 2024 with a 94.4 go block win fee and 77.1 run block win fee, the latter tying for first among the many high 10 inside linemen.
The Colts are constantly a high quality working staff regardless of the dearth of quarterback stability, and Nelson is an enormous a part of that.
“Actually, no one else has actually taken the highest spot from him,” an NFC government stated. “I do not suppose there is a dominant inside OL proper now. He is the closest factor.”
And his sturdiness needs to be recommended. Nelson has performed a minimum of 16 video games in each season however 2021, when he performed 13 video games.
“He is extra susceptible with edge stress than he used to at this stage of his profession,” a veteran NFL defensive coach stated. “However he is nonetheless actually sturdy and stout on the level of assault.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 26 | Final yr’s rating: 9
That Kansas Metropolis franchise tagged Smith at $23.4 million says loads in regards to the high quality of the participant. The Chiefs are sometimes wage cap-strapped and are not afraid to let marquee free brokers stroll… however Smith is simply too distinctive to flee the Chiefs’ facility.
“Energy, brute energy, physicality — he is a people-mover and a people-stopper,” an AFC government stated.
Smith was a first-round expertise in 2021 however fell to the seventh spherical as some groups weren’t comfy together with his medical profile, resulting from a coronary heart situation detected whereas at Tennessee. He has overcome that to grow to be a premier participant.
Smith’s 75.1 run block win fee ranks third amongst this group, and he acquired a number of first-place votes due to it. As one NFL coordinator stated, “He is received elite arms, and he’s nice at ending his blocks.”
To make sure, Smith had a tough Tremendous Bowl loss in opposition to Philadelphia. However your entire Chiefs line struggled that evening, and that sport will hardly outline him.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 26 | Final yr’s rating: 7
Dickerson wasted little time establishing himself alongside Philadelphia’s vaunted line, incomes a Professional Bowl nod in every of the previous three seasons.
“Explosive energy — holy smokes,” a veteran NFL offensive line coach stated. “Power, sturdiness. He is constructed to final. The organized mass he will help create is top-notch.”
Evaluators noticed premier standing for him coming into 2024, which largely proved true since Dickerson helped lead Philadelphia to a championship.
However one oddity accompanied his profile — ESPN stats attributed 11 sacks to Dickerson, essentially the most of any participant in our high 10. An Eagles supply was shocked to listen to that quantity, including Dickerson was at no level a legal responsibility within the go sport. Additional analysis exhibits Dickerson struggled early with six sacks allowed within the first seven weeks however picked it up late, averaging a powerful 97 go block win fee from Week 8 by means of the Tremendous Bowl.
Dickerson was coping with a knee challenge through the championship run. He performed by means of it.
“He was banged up some, and it seemed like he performed a bit heavier [in 2024],” an NFL coordinator stated. “He performed effectively, however I truly suppose he’ll be even higher subsequent yr.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 32 | Final yr’s rating: 4
Certainly one of most spectacular soccer feats of the 2024 NFL season was Thuney, at 6-foot-5 and 304 kilos, efficiently transitioning from guard to left sort out late within the season. The Chiefs had been in a bind, and the offensive line wanted assist, and Thuney stabilized it. Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded the transfer, saying Thuney by no means complained — and he held his personal extremely effectively.
Thuney is all the time among the many greatest statistically — his 96.4 go block win fee is tied for first amongst guards with Denver’s Ben Powers — however his versatility was on full show final yr.
“Full package deal: Velocity, athletic capability, hand placement, toughness, instincts,” an AFC government stated. “I believe energy is a slight deficiency. Versatility is not.”
Coaches say he has received elite grip energy — as soon as he’s hooked up to a defensive lineman, he’s exhausting to shake.
“All method, instincts and smarts with Joe,” a separate AFC government stated. “Bodily expertise are on the decline.”
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: 2
Lindstrom falling 5 spots is a bit curious, as a result of most evaluators say his play hasn’t dipped dramatically. He is an elite zone run blocker who is not as expert as a go blocker however has proven indicators of slight enchancment. His 92.4 go block win fee is respectable.
“I believe he’ll be even higher with Michael Penix Jr., as a result of the boot sport will decide up together with his athleticism and that can assist [Lindstrom] within the passing sport,” an NFL coordinator stated. “He is by no means going to be nice in go professional however he is all-world within the run.”
Lindstrom has made three consecutive Professional Bowls and helped information Atlanta to a No. 10 rating in speeding offense.
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 26 | Final yr’s rating: Honorable point out
Meinerz entered a brand new stratosphere in Yr 4, incomes All-Professional first-team honors together with a four-year, $72-million extension. He was considered one of 5 inside offensive linemen to seem on a minimum of 75% of the ballots.
“He is gone from D-III to a top-two-to-three OG,” an NFL personnel director stated. “He has discovered that he does not should destroy folks each play. He is athletic and powerful sufficient that if he performs managed, the losses might be few and much between.”
The numbers bear that out: His 96.6 go block win fee led all offensive linemen with a minimum of 800 snaps performed.
Meinerz is emblematic of the Broncos’ tradition. In 2021, nook Pat Surtain II and Meinerz had been two of the primary three draft picks of the GM George Paton period in Denver. Each gamers have been signed to huge extensions already.
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 29 | Final yr’s rating: 10
Not many gamers embody “positional flexibility” greater than Jenkins, who can deal with all 5 positions on the road.
He was drafted as a guard, solely to fill in at left sort out when David Bakhtiari received injured, then swung over to proper sort out for a stint and performed largely left guard final yr — however Jenkins is slated to man the middle place in 2025.
Final season, Jenkins logged 942 snaps at left guard, 68 at middle, one at proper guard and three at proper sort out. His go block win fee was greater at middle (96.6) than at guard (92.4). ESPN attributed two sacks to Jenkins all season, and he added 316 run-block wins.
“The man is so underrated,” an NFL coordinator stated. “Can play wherever, powerful, bodily, sensible.”
Jenkins is a candidate to carry in or maintain out of coaching camp resulting from a contract challenge. His four-year, $68-million deal has two years left with assured cash, and with a looming swap to middle full-time, he would love extra safety within the type of ensures.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 25 | Final yr’s rating: Unranked
The Ravens, referred to as one of many higher draft-and-develop groups, have chosen two offensive linemen within the first spherical since 2010: Ronnie Stanley (2016) and Linderbaum (2022).
Stanley is a long-time top-10 recipient amongst tackles, and now Linderbaum joins the get together.
Linderbaum — who gained a tiebreaker with Carolina guard Robert Hunt — runs the present up the center for the Ravens’ top-ranked offense.
“Can do something you need within the run sport,” a veteran NFL defensive coach stated. “Possibly the very best middle within the NFL by way of that. A bit restricted in go professional, however you felt him within the run sport — sturdy and bodily.”
It is exhausting to argue with Linderbaum’s 96.5 go block win fee, although some evaluators say his shorter arms (31⅛ inches) present up in one-on-one settings.
“Preliminary quickness, angles, each intangible, takes psychological stress off [Lamar Jackson],” a senior NFL scout stated.
Honorable mentions
Robert Hunt, Carolina Panthers: “Absolute mauler. Higher than you suppose. Downhill, hole scheme, two-back type of run sport. As a go protector, above-average huge man, good arms. Can get over-extended due to aggressiveness.” — veteran NFL personnel man
Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints: “He is been one of the crucial constant facilities within the league. He was simply damage final yr. However he is actually bodily and units the tone for that staff.” — veteran AFC scout
Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns: “Undoubtedly slight decline as he ages, however nonetheless a extremely good participant who grades out effectively. Nonetheless a really constant participant in comparison with the remainder of the sphere, which is one thing I actually worth at an error prevention place.” — AFC government
Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia Eagles: “A poor man’s Kelce. Aggressive, undersized participant, good at level of assault, good on the transfer, above common in go professional.” — NFL coordinator
Peter Skoronski, Tennessee Titans: “Thought he had an uneven begin to his profession, however he is improved and was enjoying effectively down the stretch [last season]. Arrow pointing up.” — NFL personnel director
Additionally receiving votes: Steve Avila (Los Angeles Rams), Ryan Kelly (Minnesota Vikings), Kevin Dotson (Los Angeles Rams), Kevin Zeitler (Tennessee Titans), Cody Mauch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Alijah Vera-Tucker (New York Jets), John Simpson (New York Jets), Dominick Puni (San Francisco 49ers), Zach Frazier (Pittsburgh Steelers), Sam Cosmi (Washington Commanders), Drew Dalman (Chicago Bears)
