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Jeremy Fowler
With 2025 NFL coaching camps on the horizon, the league’s true insiders are making 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 every part in between. That is the sixth version of those rankings, and as common, 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 research assist from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In whole, greater than 70 voters submitted a poll on at the least one place, and in lots of circumstances all positions. Extra voting and follow-up calls with these surveyed helped us break any ties.
Every part contains quotes and nuggets from the voters on each ranked participant — even the honorable mentions. The target was to determine the most effective gamers for 2025. This was not a five-year projection or a profession achievement award. Who’re the most effective gamers as we speak?
We’ll roll out a place per day over 11 days. The schedule: working backs (July 7), defensive tackles (July 8), edge rushers (July 9), safeties (July 10), tight ends (July 11), inside offensive linemen (July 12), offensive tackles (July 13), quarterbacks (July 14), off-ball linebackers (July 15), extensive receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
Probably the most uneven positional group of the highest 10 sequence, linebacker is top-heavy and void of consensus.
Three gamers appeared on at the least 70% of the ballots — normally that quantity is way greater — but 32 gamers earned at the least one vote.
The highest two is similar to final yr, however the remainder of the sector is jumbled, with 4 first-time honorees and an getting old participant returning to the checklist after a couple of years out of the combo.
A dearth of top-end expertise is an element.
“Not an elite group as a complete,” an AFC government mentioned. “Quite a lot of the great gamers are getting old and the up-and-comers are usually not particular, for my part. Most of them might be lumped collectively.” This results in surprises — and an entry level for oft-injured gamers whose capacity is plain.
Listed here are the highest ‘stack’ linebackers — inside linebackers or 4-3 exterior linebackers — by the lens of league executives, coaches and scouts.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 2
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: 1
Warner — recipient of 4 All-Professional first groups in 5 years — dominated the voting with greater than 80% of the first-place votes.
He is sturdy, solely sitting out one recreation in his seven-year profession. He has three straight seasons with at the least 130 tackles and 7 cross deflections, highlighting his pass-game prowess. He additionally has back-to-back years of 4 pressured fumbles.
He is thought-about the most effective defensive recreation supervisor within the NFL however has improved his all-around recreation.
“I believe Fred has gotten way more productive defeating core blocks and tackling with extra physicality,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “He is at all times been the most effective on the earth within the passing recreation — vary, instincts, ball manufacturing. However he was unbelievable final yr, and then you definitely issue that with the pressured takeaways, sturdiness, and all the opposite uncommon intangibles, he is the most effective.”
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 10
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: 2
To completely respect Smith is to look previous the numbers. He isn’t the basic stat-stuffer, with modest manufacturing within the passing recreation (4 deflections, one interception) and splash performs (one pressured fumble, 1.5 sacks). 4 of his 81 solo tackles have been for a loss.
However he is the kind of participant whom opponents — and even followers contained in the stadium or by the TV — understand as a real tone-setter, with blitz capacity, leverage and psychological edge.
Smith is coming off his second consecutive first-team All-Professional season, and his run-stop proportion of 5.6 (tackles at or behind the road of scrimmage on designed runs) was second amongst all linebackers and the most effective among the many high 10.
“Roquan is not essentially probably the most bodily gifted, however he is very productive in each phases, is the catalyst for his or her protection in the course of the sector and a man it’s important to account for in phases,” an AFC government mentioned. “If you issue all that plus the elite management he brings and perspective for his or her staff, I believe he deserves to be up there.”
One NFL defensive assistant says he believes Smith can elevate his recreation by enhancing his conditioning. Two of Smith’s votes have been at No. 10.
“I believe he must get in higher form,” the assistant mentioned. “Seems slightly sluggish at occasions.”
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: N/A
Baun is emblematic of what is nice concerning the NFL: a task participant making $3.5 million one yr can earn a $51 million deal the following, due to an surprising star flip.
Alternative met untapped expertise when Baun joined Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Vic Fangio’s scheme was preferrred for Baun, as soon as a rotational linebacker in New Orleans who earned All-Professional honors due to 151 whole tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 pressured fumbles and 11 tackles for loss.
He additionally appeared on almost 90% of the ballots.
As one NFC exec famous, Baun did not get a variety of defensive snaps in New Orleans (301 in 2023), so he seized the chance when given a full run in Philly. His 41% run-stop win price was first amongst linebackers on this high 10.
“Lastly got here into his personal,” an NFC government mentioned. “He is such a flexible defender that may have an effect on the sport in a number of ways in which his power was probably hindering him from reaching his ceiling early on in his profession. As a substitute [in 2024], he actually mastered stacked ILB and was in a position to construct up that basis to benefit from his athletic capacity and playmaking.”
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 25 | Final yr’s rating: 5
Bolton put collectively his most full season in 2024, boasting profession bests in sacks (3), cross deflections (6) and quarterback hits (7).
His recreation has shades of Warner’s, a real area common whose management qualities have been too good for Kansas Metropolis to cross up in free company. The Chiefs struck a three-year, $45 million extension on the eve of the tampering interval — a giant step for a staff that does not at all times hold home-grown defensive expertise.
Coaches say Bolton is elite at making checks or changes on the line of scrimmage. “He permits [the Chiefs] to get all 11 gamers in the most effective name based mostly on all the info supplied by the scenario,” a veteran NFL defensive coach mentioned. “Very a lot a coach on the sector.”
Since 2021, Bolton leads all linebackers (minimal 1,000 snaps) in stuffing opposing rushers at or behind the road of scrimmage on 4.7% of his run protection snaps.
Highest rating: 5 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: N/A
Luvu’s first yr as a Commander vaulted him into the top-10 dialog. He acquired a couple of votes final yr however was largely a nonfactor within the voting. However this yr he appeared within the high 5 of many ballots.
Whereas some evaluators imagine No. 5 is wealthy for Luvu, he earned the votes and it is a composite rating.
“I’ve a lot respect for him — he is been top-of-the-line tone-setters within the NFL,” a veteran NFL defensive coach mentioned. “His manufacturing over the past three years is pretty much as good as anybody.”
Head coach Dan Quinn deploys Luvu considerably equally to Micah Parsons in Dallas, a hybrid linebacker with cross rush capacity off the sting. Luvu capitalized in a giant means with 8.0 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and seven cross deflections on his technique to second-team All-Professional honors.
“Versatile, playmaking within the run recreation, the cross recreation and with cross rush,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “His play model is everywhere in the tape.”
One knock on Luvu: He is a little bit of a scheme match. “Cannot play in each scheme. Cannot ask him to play in man protection persistently,” an NFC government mentioned.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 27 | Final yr’s rating: 7
Voters are blended on Edmunds, whose manufacturing would not at all times match his bodily instruments. He is 6-foot-5, 250 kilos with lengthy arms and may transfer. Scouts are likely to lean his means due to his scheme-transcendent traits.
“He has the prototypical physique, athletic capacity and pace that you just covet in an ILB in as we speak’s recreation,” an NFL personnel director mentioned. “He can diagnose taking part in downhill within the field, he can play sideline to sideline and has the protection capacity to match up in zone or man protection.”
However manufacturing has been a problem for Edmunds, who hasn’t made a Professional Bowl since 2020 and whose three tackles for loss final season marked a profession low, although his eight cross deflections have been his most since 2019.
“Good, however not as instinctive as you’d hope,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “For those who put his capacity with [teammate T.J. Edwards‘] instincts, you’d have an All-Professional.”
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 35 | Final yr’s rating: Honorable point out
David outdistanced his achieved mid-30s friends with a banner season in Tampa, ending with 5.5 sacks (his highest whole since 2013) and three pressured fumbles.
“Been sturdy, has nice instincts and his bodily instruments have not eroded a lot with age. Freak of nature,” a high-ranking AFC personnel man mentioned.
A couple of years in the past, some voters thought David was approaching the top. However he has remained productive and simply re-signed on a one-year, $9-million contract with the Buccaneers. He nonetheless has the fluidity to deal with himself in cross protection.
“I believe he was lastly wholesome [last year] — performed by some points the previous couple of years however was freed as much as make performs,” an NFL offensive coach mentioned. “He can nonetheless go at a excessive stage. So powerful.”
Highest rating: 4 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 24 | Final yr’s rating: not eligible (rookie)
Overshown wanted solely 12 NFL video games to persuade a wholesome variety of voters that he is a high-impact linebacker.
“He is completely superb,” a personnel exec with an NFL staff mentioned. “Ridiculous.”
“One of the crucial athletic linebackers I’ve ever seen,” a veteran NFL defensive coach mentioned. “He is the quickest man on the market. Can utterly take over a recreation and was actually beginning to get it.”
Added an NFC offensive coach: “He is the second man you are worried about in Dallas, after Micah [Parsons]. Large run-and-hit capacity, third-down pace to cowl.”
All that reward comes with a caveat: important harm issues. Overshown sat out his rookie season in 2023 due to an ACL tear in his left knee, then sustained a extreme harm to his proper knee in December 2024, tearing three ligaments (ACL, MCL, PCL). He plans to return in some unspecified time in the future within the 2025 season, and that is additionally Dallas’ hope.
A number of voters have critical issues about whether or not Overshown can keep a constant NFL profession due to the injury already executed. However his physique of labor in lower than a full NFL season was sturdy: 90 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 cross deflections, 1 interception, 1 pressured fumble, 1 fumble restoration. He led the highest 10 in common distance run on tackles (18.9 yards).
“He could be a stud however has to actually enhance in zone protection and when he has to disengage from a block,” a veteran NFL defensive coach mentioned. “He can play man-to-man on any RB or TE within the league however zone consciousness lacks. He does an ideal job utilizing his athleticism to slide below blocks but when they get palms on him, it is an issue.”
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: 9
Normally, a participant coming off an injury-riddled season wouldn’t keep his spot within the rankings.
However Greenlaw’s free company instructed the story. A number of league evaluators mentioned he was probably the most thrilling free agent, regardless of a torn Achilles in Tremendous Bowl LVIII that price him all however two video games in 2024.
And when the Broncos signed him to a three-year, $31.5 million deal, the sensation of regret out of San Francisco was actual. “One-million %,” a staff supply mentioned.
“He is a complete savage,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “A top-five linebacker when wholesome.”
He confirmed simply that in his late season return vs. the Rams, racking up eight tackles in 30 snaps whereas giving up one reception for eight yards in 13 protection alternatives. The yr earlier than, Greenlaw completed with 120 tackles (5 for a loss), 4 passes defended and 1 sack.
“He is acquired to remain wholesome and re-prove it, however he is a badass, good, sturdy, will knock the s— out of you,” an NFL defensive coach mentioned. “I see how he stays harm a lot, as a result of he performs with a lot explosion.”
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: Unranked
Age: 28 | Final yr’s rating: Honorable point out
Williams backed up an All-Professional season in 2023 with one other sturdy efficiency, incomes a number of top-three votes. He held off a number of high opponents, together with future Corridor of Famer Bobby Wagner, for the tenth spot.
“Zero to 100 closing pace sideline to sideline,” an NFL defensive coach mentioned. “Will strike you. Canine.”
Williams lives within the backfield, combining for 41 tackles for loss since 2022. His cross deflections decreased from 10 to 4 yr over yr.
“He is a Professional Bowl-caliber participant, elite pace and burst to shut, performs bodily and greater than he’s — however to be elite it’s important to persistently take the ball away and he hasn’t executed that,” a veteran NFL defensive coach mentioned.
To that time, Williams has one profession interception, which got here in 2023. However he did power 4 fumbles in 2024.
Honorable point out
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns: Earned sufficient votes for the No. 6 linebacker slot however has been declared out for the 2025 season due to a neck harm. “He was high three within the league earlier than he acquired harm. Such a weapon in [Jim Schwartz’s] protection. TFL machine, tremendous impactful.” — NFL personnel director
Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders: “The bodily abilities have declined, however he can compensate with all-world instincts.” — AFC exec
“Nonetheless nice at getting bounce on a play, doing every part you need out of a LB, good, instincts, is aware of what everyone is doing. Move protection is the place you see slightly little bit of a dip, which is to be anticipated at this stage.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers: “He is at all times been a bit up and down. Did not suppose final yr was top-10 worthy.” — AFC government
“He is at his finest as a quick circulation run-and-hit WILL backer. I anticipate him to be higher in his second yr in Pittsburgh.” — NFC scout
“Has good pace, can shut and may blitz, however when he runs backdoor he would not at all times get there as a lot as you want.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints: “Extraordinarily bodily, get him on a again, he wins that matchup. Straight line, he is nonetheless nice. Blitzing, smarts, instincts. Change-of-direction stuff is the problem at this stage.” — NFL coordinator
Matt Milano, Buffalo Payments: “Considered one of my favorites when wholesome. He is so vital to Buffalo. Nice communicator, nice in cross protection. Simply cannot keep on the sector.” — NFL coordinator
Logan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals: “Excessive-level performer in all aspects of the place. I believed his run protection took a step again, however shedding DJ Reader and the play of their DT’s final yr harm them. Higher in zone than man-to-man vs. tight ends and working backs, however his capacity to play off QB and anticipate routes is superb and efficient blitzer when referred to as upon.” — NFC personnel evaluator
Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions: “Large and violent. Higher in overage than given credit score however not nice there. A key-and-diagnose participant. Good match for Dan Campbell.” — NFL personnel evaluator
“He is a riser. Unsure he is there but however will likely be quickly. Protection wasn’t all the way in which there.”– NFC government
Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars: “Strong professional. Tackling machine. Would not have an ideal playmaking ingredient to his recreation however might be schemed as a rusher on inside pressures.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets: “Ascending participant. He is a bullet. Was one among my favourite [pending] free brokers again in March.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts: “Blue collar, final motor man that may get a variety of tackles and set a great tone. Not dynamic so far as playmaking within the open area or the backfield.” — NFC government
Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings: “Extraordinarily good, scheme versatile, can put on the inexperienced dot or flip to WILL, good getting folks aligned, performs with appropriate persistence and timing, which masks his athleticism, however he is quick and may cowl plus add to the frenzy, has good vary. Could not keep wholesome in New York so it took him time to get his footing, however he has discovered his place and may proceed ascending.” — NFC scout
Additionally receiving votes: T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears), Terrel Bernard (Buffalo Payments), Jordyn Brooks (Miami Dolphins), Daiyan Henley (Los Angeles Chargers), Drue Tranquill (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs), Robert Spillane (New England Patriots), Christian Harris (Houston Texans), Pete Werner (New Orleans Saints), Kaden Elliss (Atlanta Falcons), Ernest Jones (Seattle Seahawks), Nakobe Dean (Philadelphia Eagles)
