Determining the top 100 NFL players is a tough task. While the choice at No. 1 overall might be simple, it isn’t easy to rank individuals who play different positions, especially since the league is full of talented players.
Pro Football Network’s NFL staff voted on the league’s 100 best players, ranking the most talented and productive athletes across the league.
From future Hall of Famers and perennial All-Pros to emerging stars whose best football is still ahead of them, here are the NFL’s top 100 players entering the 2024 season.
Pro Football Network’s Top 100 NFL Players
1) Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Already considered one of the best players in NFL history, Patrick Mahomes is the top player in the league heading into the 2024 campaign.
Through six NFL seasons, Mahomes is already a three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time league MVP. He is on a path to becoming the greatest of all time and leaving his name all over the NFL’s record books. Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid are on the verge of creating the league’s next indelible dynasty with the Kansas City Chiefs.
2) Myles Garrett, EDGE, Cleveland Browns
Although he somehow never received a single vote for Defensive Player of the Year until 2022, Myles Garrett walked away with the award after serving as the best player on the NFL’s best defense in 2023.
Garrett posted 14 sacks (tied for seventh-most in the league), 30 QB hits, and 89 total pressures, while consistently facing double teams, chip help, and other forms of attention from opposing offenses. The Cleveland Browns star is virtually unblockable and remains the NFL’s top defender heading into the 2024 season.
3) Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson became just the 11th NFL player to win multiple MVP awards after an electric 2023 campaign in which he appeared more comfortable as a passer than he had in several seasons. He ranked third in adjusted net yards per attempt (7.34) and fourth in QBR, punctuating his outstanding season-long performance with a five-touchdown outing against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.
Jackson flourished as a pocket quarterback but was still a threat on the ground, finishing with 200+ more rushing yards than any other signal-caller. Among all quarterbacks, Jackson ranked second in rushing success rate and third in rushing first downs.
4) Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
While Micah Parsons’ 14 sacks were tied for seventh-most in the NFL in 2023, pressures are more indicative of his performance than pure sacks.
Parsons led the league with 102 total pressures, per PFF. He finished first in pass-rush win rate (37%) despite being double-teamed at a higher rate (34%) than any other edge defender. That shouldn’t be possible.
5) Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
There’s Christian McCaffrey and then there’s the rest of the NFL’s running backs. The gap between McCaffrey and his peers is wider than the drop-off at any other position. CMC posted 2,023 yards from scrimmage despite sitting out Week 18; no other RB put up more than 1,600.
His 21 total touchdowns tied for the NFL lead, while he generated more first downs — both in the passing game (31) and running game (83) — than any other running back. While many NFL running backs are replaceable, McCaffrey is a true outlier at the position.
6) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Although he missed seven games with a hamstring injury, Justin Jefferson still finished the 2023 campaign with 1,074 receiving yards. He has recorded more receiving yards (5,899) through his first four NFL seasons than any player in NFL history.
Jefferson is the all-time leader in receiving yards per game (98.3) and is 12+ yards per game ahead of second-place Calvin Johnson.
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Jefferson won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2022 after leading the league with 128 catches and 1,809 yards, and he is now the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback after inking a $35 million per year extension in June.
7) Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill led the league in receiving yards (1,799) and receiving TDs (13) and finished second in receptions (119), despite running just the 41st-most routes of any wide receiver. His efficiency was astounding, as his 3.85 yards-per-route-run mark blew the modern record out of the water.
Hill streaking down the field and blowing past every defender for a score might be the defining image from the 2023 NFL campaign.
8) T.J. Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers
One of the NFL’s most dependable players, T.J. Watt led the league in sacks in 2020, 2021, and 2023 — only failing in 2022 while missing seven games due to an injury. He took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 after posting 22.5 sacks, which tied Michael Strahan’s single-season record.
A constant, unceasing threat from the edge, Watt is the most talented player on a star-studded Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
9) Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
Availability is the best ability, but talent is helpful, too. Luckily for the Las Vegas Raiders, Maxx Crosby offers both in spades. He was the only defensive lineman to play over 1,000 snaps in 2023, leading all defensive linemen in playing time for the second consecutive season.
Crosby is dynamite against the run, and he finished fourth among edge rushers with 86 pressures.
10) Trent Williams, OT, San Francisco 49ers
Although he’s 36 years old and just wrapped up his 13th NFL season, Trent Williams remains the best offensive tackle in the NFL. With 10 consecutive Pro Bowl berths and three straight first-team All-Pro nods under his belt, Williams has a Hall of Fame résumé.
Williams is still the most physically dominant left tackle in football, and his ability to wash out blockers allows the San Francisco 49ers to deploy a creative run attack.
11) Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Sixteen NFL QBs have posted at least 2,000 dropbacks over the past four years. While there’s a significant gap between Mahomes and Josh Allen (0.215) in EPA per dropback during that span, there’s another enormous chasm between Allen at No. 2 and the rest of the league.
Allen doesn’t have a Super Bowl ring or much personal hardware at this point, but he’s been among the league’s best signal-callers since the beginning of the decade.
12) Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
While injuries marred Joe Burrow’s rookie campaign and the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Bengals were a few plays away from winning the Super Bowl in 2021 and advanced to the AFC title game in 2022.
Burrow was utterly dominant in those two seasons. From 2021 to 2022, he led the NFL in touchdown rate (6.1%), ranked second in EPA + CPOE composite (0.143), and finished third in adjusted net yards per pass attempt (7.12).
13) Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year put up another phenomenal campaign in 2023. While Nick Bosa’s sack total dropped to 10.5 after posting a league-leading 18.5 sacks in 2022, he ranked first with 21 quarterback knockdowns and finished second to Parsons in total pressures.
Bosa was double-teamed at a 26% clip; only Parsons and Garrett saw extra attention more often.
14) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb has improved in every season of his four-year NFL career. In 2023, he set career highs across the board with 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns on a league-leading 135 receptions while earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Lamb can run any route from any alignment, and that versatility makes him the focal point of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive attack.
15) Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions boast one of the NFL’s most impressive offensive lines; Penei Sewell is the star of the unit and the best right tackle in the NFL entering the 2024 campaign.
The former No. 7 overall pick routinely shuts down opposing pass rushers with his size, strength, and technique, but Sewell is also more than athletic enough to make inconceivable run blocks in space.
16) Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Last season, Chris Jones occupied two blockers a whopping 73% of the time — the highest rate in the league. With offensive linemen focused on Jones, other Chiefs pass rushers like George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu were able to reach opposing QBs.
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Of course, Jones did alright for himself, posting 10.5 sacks in 16 games. His 42 sacks and 103 QB hits over the last four years rank first among all defensive tackles. Jones might have a better shot of winning a Defensive Player of the Year award now that Aaron Donald is out of the league.
17) Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase has been everything the Bengals hoped for and more since he entered the NFL in 2021.
He’s tied for second in receiving touchdowns (29) and ranks seventh in receiving yards (3,717) during that span. He should become one of the league’s highest-paid WRs on his next contract.
Only five receivers — including Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, and Odell Beckham Jr. — scored more touchdowns than Chase over their first three pro seasons.
18) Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Fred Warner can do it all. He can cover any type of receiver, take on blockers against the run, and blitz from the second level, making him the perfect modern linebacker.
Warner allowed just an 81.7 passer rating as the nearest defender in coverage, the best mark among linebackers with at least 300 coverage snaps in 2023. Also, he’s missed just one game through six seasons in San Francisco.
19) Dexter Lawrence, DT, New York Giants
There’s no other NFL player quite like Dexter Lawrence. He’s one of the league’s best pass rushers despite standing 6’4” and 340 pounds. While most defensive tackles his size merely take up space, Lawrence finished seventh among interior defenders with 65 pressures in 2023.
Lawrence managed that production despite playing most of his snaps in the A gap, aligned head-up over the center, where he was regularly double-teamed at a 71% rate. He already owns the top two QB-hit seasons (28 in 2022 and 21 in 2023) among players weighing at least 340 pounds.
20) Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only three defenders have earned first-team All-Pro nods in each of their first two seasons: Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, Parsons, and Sauce Gardner, who’s on an early Hall of Fame track with the New York Jets.
NFL quarterbacks were terrified to throw at Gardner last year. In 2023, he was the only cornerback to start at least 14 games and see fewer than 60 targets. Gardner only saw 55 targets in his coverage area last season as QBs avoided the former No. 4 overall pick’s zone. He has broken up 31 pass attempts through two NFL campaigns while allowing just two touchdowns.
21) Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Although Travis Kelce couldn’t match his 2022 statistics last year, he still ranked second among tight ends in yardage (984), third in receptions (93), and scored five touchdowns, continuing to add to his Hall of Fame résumé in his age-34 campaign.
Kelce’s unparalleled connection with Mahomes and his ability to find open space make him the NFL’s top tight end entering 2024.
22) Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions
Aidan Hutchinson’s sack production only increased from 9.5 to 11.5 from his rookie year to his sophomore season, but his underlying metrics do a much better job of illustrating his significant leap. The 23-year-old more than doubled his QB hits (from 15 to 33), and he went from 53 pressures as a rookie to 101 last year.
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Triple-digit pressure totals are rarified air. Future Hall of Famers like Donald and J.J. Watt hit that mark, while Crosby and Parsons reached 100+ pressures after the NFL added a 17th game in 2021.
23) A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
A true physical marvel, A.J. Brown remains one of the sport’s most terrifying gamebreakers. Since joining the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2022 draft-day trade, he’s become a more well-rounded wideout.
Brown has 18 total touchdowns and nearly 3,000 receiving yards in two seasons in Philadelphia. He received second-team All-Pro nods in both years, and the Eagles just gave him another new contract, making him the second-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
24) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
While the Lions don’t necessarily have a prototypical WR1 on their roster, Amon-Ra St. Brown more than fills the role.
A genuine steal as a fourth-round selection back in the 2021 NFL Draft, St. Brown ranks fifth in receptions, sixth in targets, and eighth in receiving yards among WRs since entering the league. Only Hill and Lamb have generated more receiving first downs over the past two seasons.
25) Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams is still the best route runner in the game, and his release package is unparalleled. He earned three consecutive first-team All-Pro nods to begin the decade, but his production took a hit in 2023 (mainly due to the Raiders’ poor quarterback play).
He’s posted at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards in five of the last six years, including four straight campaigns. While Las Vegas’ QB situation didn’t improve this offseason, Adams should continue to receive plenty of opportunities. In 2023, he ranked first league-wide in air yards share (44.2%) and second in target share (33.1%).
26) Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A true Swiss Army Knife who can do just about everything, Antoine Winfield Jr. spent roughly 60% of his 2023 snaps at free safety but also played in the box and the slot.
He filled up the stat sheet for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the league with six forced fumbles while adding six sacks and three interceptions. The 25-year-old made plays all over the field, earning first-team All-Pro honors. This offseason, he became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history — the first safety to hold that distinction.
27) Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton joined Winfield as a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and displays the same sort of versatility as the Buccaneers’ safety. Hamilton played 465 snaps in the slot, 301 as a free safety, and 236 in the box, contributing in just about every phase of the game.
The Notre Dame product is an eraser in coverage who can keep up with all types of opposing pass catchers. But Hamilton also posted three sacks and 14 pressures despite rushing the passer fewer than 40 times.
28) George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Catching passes in San Francisco’s highly schemed offense, George Kittle posted 15.7 yards per reception; Kyle Pitts was the only other tight end with at least 40 targets to put up even 12 yards per catch.
Also, let’s not forget that Kittle remains the NFL’s best blocking tight end and could probably play offensive tackle if needed.
29) Roquan Smith, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Roquan Smith’s arrival in October 2022 redefined the Baltimore Ravens’ defense over the past year-plus, allowing the group to become one of the most dominant units in the NFL. He’s physical in the run game and can shed blockers as well as any linebacker.
Thanks to his outstanding football intelligence, Smith is also a savant at reading route combinations and disrupting passing lanes.
30) Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tristan Wirfs moved to left tackle in 2023 after beginning his career (and earning All-Pro nods) on the right side of Tampa Bay’s offensive line. He was just as good on the left side, which should only increase his market value.
Wirfs could surpass Sewell as the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackle when he signs an extension.
31) Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets
Quinnen Williams managed just 5.5 sacks in 2023 after putting up 12 in 2022, but those numbers don’t tell the entire story.
He finished third in interior pressures behind only Donald and Jones, and he ranked eighth among DTs in pass-rush win rate. Williams simply got unlucky when converting that pressure into sack production.
32) Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Will 2024 be Dak Prescott’s final season with the Cowboys? Jerry Jones and Co. aren’t in any rush to extend their franchise quarterback even after he led the NFL in touchdown passes (36) last season.
A second-team All-Pro in 2023, Prescott will have one more shot at increasing his value before potentially hitting the open market next offseason.
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One of the most intelligent signal-callers in the league, Prescott’s pre-snap diagnoses, post-snap awareness, and physical talent make him a consistent top-10 option under center.
33) Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II wasn’t quite as dominant in 2023 as he was in his 2022 All-Pro season, but that’s the life of an NFL cornerback — even an elite one. The Denver Broncos’ defense was a disaster early last year, and Surtain’s coverage numbers dipped during that stretch. Still, he’s typically as reliable as any corner in the league.
While he was mentioned as a speculative trade candidate as the Broncos pursued a rookie quarterback, Surtain was too valuable for Sean Payton and Co. to give up. He should rebound in 2024 if the rest of Denver’s defense plays up to par. Surtain’s perfect technique allows him to cover any receiver in the league.
34) Jordan Mailata, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Mailata had never played a down of football before the Eagles selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. After spending two years on injured reserve, the ex-Australian rugby player took over at left tackle in 2020 and hasn’t looked back.
A massive man at 6’8″ and 365 pounds, Mailata still managed to run a 5.12 40-yard dash at his 2018 pro day. That athleticism is apparent on tape. Mailata suffocates defensive linemen in pass protection, but he’s also magnificent in the run game.
35) C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud couldn’t have been more impressive throughout his 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. The No. 2 overall pick led the NFL in passing yards per game (273.9) and interception rate (1%), showing a rare blend of aggressiveness and patience while looking like a 10-year veteran under center and becoming the youngest NFL quarterback to win a playoff game.
36) Jalen Ramsey, CB, Miami Dolphins
While the Los Angeles Rams asked Jalen Ramsey to do a little bit of everything, he played almost exclusively on the boundary after being traded to the Dolphins in 2023. Ramsey tore his meniscus in training camp but returned in Week 8, and he looked like the same elite cornerback we’d seen in years past.
After returning from his knee injury, Ramsey allowed just a 53.8% completion rate and 51.1 passer rating. Few corners boast Ramsey’s superior blend of coverage and run-defense skills, which could make him an excellent safety when the time comes. However, a potential position change is likely still a few years away.
37) Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
Although Jaylon Johnson showed glimpses of brilliance over his first three NFL seasons, he put all the pieces together in 2023 and was arguably the league’s top CB. Last season, Johnson posted career bests in completion rate (55.2%), yards per target (4.8), and yards per completion (8.7).
When the former second-round pick was the nearest defender in coverage, he allowed only 195 yards and a 33.3 passer rating, both of which led the league.
38) Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk has steadily ascended over the past four years, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after hauling in 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Nearly every advanced metric liked Aiyuk’s production, as he ranked first in ESPN’s receiving tracking scores and sixth in yards per route run (2.65).
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Aiyuk was the only qualified wideout with an average depth of target (aDOT) of at least 13 yards who caught more than 70% of his targets.
39) Jessie Bates III, S, Atlanta Falcons
After five excellent years with the Bengals, Jessie Bates III joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and put up the best season of his career. He registered more ball production than ever before, finishing second among safeties with six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in a Week 12 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Bates truly thrives in a single-high role. He can sit back and read the quarterback’s intentions while driving on dig routes and defending the post. Atlanta is changing coordinators in 2024, but Bates fits any defensive system.
40) Laremy Tunsil, OT, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans’ offensive line dealt with plenty of injuries in 2023, and Laremy Tunsil wasn’t immune, as he only started 14 games. However, the veteran left tackle was an elite pass blocker whenever he was on the field, consistently shutting down opposing pass rushers and keeping Stroud upright. Tunsil has somehow never earned a first or second-team All-Pro berth.
41) Chris Lindstrom, G, Atlanta Falcons
Chris Lindstrom had always been a powerful run blocker, but his work in the passing game showed clear improvement in 2023. He allowed just 15 pressures and three sacks on more than 500 pass-blocking snaps.
Lindstrom’s spatial awareness and functional strength make him an asset on the inside of an underrated Falcons offensive line.
42) Lane Johnson, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
The definition of a technician, Lane Johnson has been the most dominant right tackle of his era. He’s a “set it and forget it” RT who’s been critical to Philadelphia’s success up front.
The Eagles are rolling with youth on the interior following center Jason Kelce’s retirement, making Johnson all the more important at tackle.
43) Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Did Jalen Hurts take a step back as a passer last year? Or was his 2023 regression the result of injuries and discord among the Eagles’ offensive coaching staff?
Hurts became the Eagles’ starter in 2021 and gradually blossomed from a run-first quarterback into a do-it-all threat. He finished second in MVP voting and came within a few plays of guiding the Birds to a Super Bowl title after the 2022 campaign.
With an excellent supporting cast and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in town, Hurts could rebound next season — and the Tush Push isn’t going anywhere.
44) Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hendrickson still seems to be underrated despite posting 17.5 sacks last season — tied for second-most in the NFL. Since signing with the Bengals in 2021, he ranks fifth in sacks, trailing only Watt, Garrett, Bosa, and Parsons.
Hendrickson is also sixth in quarterback hits during the same span, behind just that group and Crosby. He’s the most talented player on a Cincinnati defense that has to bounce back in 2024.
45) Demario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints
A late bloomer in the NFL, Demario Davis has become a genuine force since signing with the Saints in 2018.
While he’s entering his age-35 campaign, Davis is still among the most productive linebackers in the league. He has received a first- or second-team All-Pro nod in five consecutive seasons, and he has been named a Pro Bowler the last two. His 6.5 sacks in 2023 ranked second among off-ball linebackers.
46) Derrick Brown, DT, Carolina Panthers
Derrick Brown, the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has improved in every season of his career. Last year, he played the third-most snaps (938) among defensive tackles and was arguably as valuable as any interior defender in the league.
Brown set an NFL record for tackles by a defensive lineman (103) in 2023. He ranked first in ESPN’s run-stop win rate (47%) and posted more “stops” — tackles that result in negative EPA for the offense — than any other defensive tackle last season, per PFF.
47) Trent McDuffie, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
With L’Jarius Sneed playing boundary corner in 2023, the Chiefs primarily deployed Trent McDuffie in the slot. He was lethal from the inside and played a critical role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl win.
McDuffie broke up three passes and executed a perfect fourth-quarter slot blitz against San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy, enabling the Chiefs to get the ball back. He’s K.C.’s most valuable defender not named Chris Jones.
48) Charvarius Ward, CB, San Francisco 49ers
One of the league’s more physical corners, Charvarius Ward landed a free-agent payday with the 49ers in 2022 and has continued his feisty play in San Francisco. His 34 pass breakups are the second-most in the NFL over the past two seasons.
A 2023 second-team All-Pro, Ward has the length and explosion to continue flourishing under new Niners defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen.
49) Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions
Frank Ragnow has a lost campaign on his ledger (2021), but his five other seasons for the Lions have been outstanding. Ragnow’s power on the interior of Detroit’s offensive line has been transformative, and he’s been rewarded with three Pro Bowls and two second-team All-Pro nods since 2020.
50) L’Jarius Sneed, CB, Tennessee Titans
One of the more versatile corners in the NFL, L’Jarius Sneed spent most of his time in the slot early in his career before playing almost every snap on the perimeter in 2023.
The transition took, as Sneed didn’t allow a receiving touchdown in his coverage area until the Buffalo Bills’ Khalil Shakir scored on him in the Divisional Round. Can he remain a lockdown CB1 after joining the Tennessee Titans this offseason?
51) Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert hasn’t achieved the same level of team success as other quarterbacks on this list, but he’s been a high-end passer in his own right despite the Los Angeles Chargers failing to optimize his offensive environment.
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Herbert posted a 60+ QBR in all four of his pro campaigns, setting a career-high 70.9 mark in 2021. One of the most physically talented QBs in the NFL, Herbert should finally get his flowers if and when the Chargers start winning games under Jim Harbaugh.
52) Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford looked cooked in 2022 but recovered for an exceptional 2023 campaign with the upstart Rams. He ranked second in PFF’s big-time throw rate while posting the fourth-best turnover-worthy play rate, a deadly combination that earned Stafford the second Pro Bowl nod of his career. Injuries will be a concern as he ages, but Stafford is one of the toughest players in the NFL.
53) Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Here’s how productive Mark Andrews has been over the past five seasons: Despite missing the back half of the 2023 campaign with injuries, Andrews still ranks second among tight ends in targets (513), receptions (347), yards (4,305), first downs (231), and touchdowns (37) since 2019.
Working as Jackson’s de facto No. 1 receiving option in Baltimore, Andrews should be in for another dominant season in 2024.
54) Josh Hines-Allen, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Hines-Allen ranked second in the league with 17.5 sacks, and his underlying metrics supported his production. He hit opposing quarterbacks 33 times while ranking third among edge defenders in pressure rate (19.6%) and eighth in pass-rush win rate (19.7%), according to Sports Info Solutions and PFF.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finally signed the former first-round pick to a long-term extension this offseason.
55) Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
In 2023, Brock Purdy was the NFL’s most efficient quarterback, as his 0.338 EPA per play lapped the rest of the league. Of course, EPA can often tell the story of a successful passing unit, and few signal-callers had as talented a supporting cast or better coaching than Purdy.
However, the former Mr. Irrelevant improved both as a distributor and an off-schedule playmaker last season, and it’s impossible to ding Purdy for flawlessly operating the offense put in front of him.
56) Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua’s 2023 receiving totals weren’t in the same dimension as any other rookie wideout. He had 500+ more yards and 20+ more receptions than Chiefs WR Rashee Rice, the next-best in both categories.
The BYU product’s statistics could only be compared to those of other high-end NFL receivers. Nacua ranked top six league-wide in targets (163), receptions (114), receiving yards (1,667), and yards per route run (2.75), all of which were new NFL rookie records.
57) Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Minkah Fitzpatrick is coming off his least productive season as a pro, but injuries were largely to blame for his down year. Provided Fitzpatrick stays healthy next year, the 27-year-old should return to his elite level of play. He has a nose for the football, but his coverage consistency is that of an elite free safety.
Fitzpatrick boasts the length, range, and trigger to cover serious ground on the back end, and he’s not afraid to come forward and hit, either.
58) Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
Coming into the season with just one pro start in relief of former Green Bay Packers starter Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love finished second in the NFL in touchdown passes (32), fifth in passing efficiency, and ninth in QBR while leading Green Bay to nine regular-season wins and a Wild Card rout of the Cowboys.
The Packers rewarded Love by making him the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback. Love signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension, which features $155 million in total guarantees and an NFL-record $75 million signing bonus that is due by December. In 2024, Love could become an MVP candidate while leading the NFL’s youngest offense.
59) Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
In 2021, Cooper Kupp won the NFL’s receiving triple crown with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries, age, and absurd usage have caught up to him as he enters his age-31 campaign.
He’s missed 13 games over the past two seasons and is now the second-best pass catcher on his own team. Still, he is a terrific weapon and has incredible chemistry with Stafford. Can Kupp stay healthy and rebound in 2024?
60) Joe Thuney, G, Kansas City Chiefs
Although the Chiefs’ offensive tackles struggled in 2023, the club’s interior line remained strong.
Joe Thuney’s 99% pass block win rate ranked first among guards, and he was only penalized twice on more than 1,000 snaps (neither was accepted). Mahomes is excellent at avoiding pressure, but having a guard like Thuney up front helps.
61) Creed Humphrey, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Thuney isn’t the only brute force helping to protect Mahomes in Kansas City. Creed Humphrey, a two-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2022, is arguably the NFL’s best center now that Jason Kelce has retired.
He could become the league’s highest-paid pivot, but center contracts are so stagnant that Humphrey may only land $14 million annually.
62) Christian Darrisaw, OT, Minnesota Vikings
Injuries — including two concussions in 2022 and ankle and groin issues in 2023 — have hindered Christian Darrisaw’s availability over three NFL seasons. But the Minnesota Vikings left tackle has been elite when healthy.
Last year, Darrisaw ranked fourth among tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grades in true pass sets, which exclude play action, screens, quick game, and other tactics that make life easier on offensive linemen.
63) Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens
Generating pressure up the middle is a priority for NFL defenses, and Justin Madubuike is one of the best gap shooters in the game. He was an interior terror for the Ravens last season, posting career highs in sacks (13) and QB hits (33).
Baltimore franchise-tagged the former third-round pick in March before making him the NFL’s third-highest-paid DT on a four-year extension.
64) Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Tight end is such a demanding position that they often have trouble adjusting to the NFL during their rookie season, but don’t tell that to Sam LaPorta.
After being drafted No. 34 overall by the Lions in 2023, LaPorta broke the league record for receptions by a rookie tight end (86). His 10 touchdowns led all tight ends, while his 889 receiving yards ranked fifth.
65) Quincy Williams, LB, New York Jets
Quincy Williams has transformed into a Pro Bowl linebacker since joining the Jets as a 2021 waiver claim.
In 2023, Williams led the NFL with 80 defensive stops, but he wasn’t a pure run-stopping linebacker. He also finished second among linebackers in pass breakups (10) and played the third-most LB snaps from the slot.
66) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9) and touchdown rate (6.3%) in 2022 and paced the league in passing yards (4,624) in 2023. His statistics suggest an MVP candidate who should comfortably rate among the NFL’s highest-paid players.
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Tua is undoubtedly aided by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s dynamic scheme and the presence of superstar wideouts Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Miami clearly believes in Tagovailoa, as they signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million extension that makes him the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid quarterback.
67) Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
A lock to enter the Hall of Fame when he eventually retires, Zack Martin is arguably the best NFL guard of the past two decades. He’s beyond sound in pass protection, and his athleticism is regularly on display in the Cowboys’ run game. Martin has more Pro Bowl selections (nine) than holding penalties (eight) in his NFL career.
The Cowboys will heavily rely upon Martin, a six-time first-team All-Pro, as they work in two rookie offensive line starters in 2024.
68) Khalil Mack, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers
Talk about turning back the clock. After averaging just eight sacks per season from 2019 through 2022, veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack racked up 17 sacks for the Chargers in 2023 while playing solid run defense.
His production wasn’t a fluke, as he ranked ninth in pass-rush win rate. While Mack will be 33 years old next year, you’d never know it based on his recent production.
69) Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
While Derrick Henry has played exclusively in the AFC South, he already feels like an AFC North type of running back. He has led the league in rushing attempts in four of the last five years, including in 2023.
Capable of true brute force, Henry has managed double-digit touchdowns six times and crossed 1,000 yards in five seasons. In 2020, he topped 2,000 yards, led the league in rushing TDs (17), won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award, and earned a first-team All-Pro nod. Henry and Jackson will form a dynamic rushing duo in Baltimore.
70) Christian Wilkins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Wilkins had always been a productive player heading into 2023, but he stepped up his game during his fifth NFL season.
After posting 11.5 sacks and 27 QB hits from 2019 to 2022, Wilkins put up nine sacks and 23 quarterback hits in 2023 alone. The Raiders liked what they saw and made the former first-round pick the NFL’s second-highest-paid DT this offseason.
71) Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Houston Texans
Although he just finished his eighth NFL season, Danielle Hunter entered the league at such a young age that he’s still only 29. Still, that makes him one of the elder statesmen on a revamped Texans defense that includes reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
Hunter undoubtedly overperformed his underlying metrics en route to a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023, but he still finished ninth among edge rushers in pass-rush win rate while posting a 12% pressure rate.
72) Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Few NFL wideouts are as versatile as Deebo Samuel, who can line up out wide, in the slot, in motion, or in the backfield. Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme puts Samuel in the right position, but Samuel creates more yardage for himself than any receiver in the NFL.
Samuel led all WRs with 8.8 yards after the catch per reception in 2023. He ranked eighth in YAC/R league-wide, and every player who finished ahead of him is a running back. Samuel also ranked first in yards after the catch over expectation (235), suggesting few players could have generated as much extra yardage given the same opportunities.
73) Matt Milano, LB, Buffalo Bills
The NFL’s poster child for safety-to-linebacker converts, Matt Milano has always been a solid coverage defender because of his defensive back history. The Bills LB earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 after posting 99 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 pass breakups.
Milano suffered a season-ending leg fracture last October, but he should be ready to return in Week 1.
74) Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the most consistent players in NFL history, Mike Evans has famously eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in every season of his decade-long career.
In 2023, Evans led the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns, ranked fifth in contested catches (30), and was the only receiver in the league to average 2+ yards per route run while posting a 15+ yard aDOT.
75) DaRon Bland, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Sure, DaRon Bland can be beaten at times. But he posted nine interceptions and an NFL-record five pick-sixes while earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2023.
Shifting from the slot to the perimeter after fellow Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs’ season-ending injury, Bland was among the most dangerous defensive backs in the game. He’s a turnover waiting to happen.
76) Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Don’t judge Bijan Robinson on his counting statistics alone. While he didn’t clear 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie campaign, the Falcons only asked him to carry the ball 214 times. With fellow RB Tyler Allgeier handling 186 carries, Robinson didn’t have the opportunity to put up gaudy rookie-year numbers.
However, he still managed 1,463 total yards, more than any other rookie RB in 2023. Robinson passed the eye test every week and could be an All-Pro with Atlanta’s new coaching staff planning to give him more touches in 2024.
77) Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Despite battling injuries in 2023, Jaylen Waddle still went over 1,000 receiving yards for the third straight season and ranked eighth in the NFL with 2.52 yards per route run.
He’s been overshadowed by Hill in Miami, but the elder Dolphins wideout turned 30 in March. Waddle, who led the league with 18.1 yards per catch in 2022, is only 25 years old. As Hill ages, Waddle could see an increased target share.
78) DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
While Parsons is the more dynamic Cowboys pass rusher at this stage, don’t forget about DeMarcus Lawrence. He’s the hidden gem of Dallas’ defensive front.
Lawrence’s relentless hustle is the key to his mauling run defense, and he’s earned Pro Bowl nods in each of the last two seasons.
79) Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins
Jevon Holland might have given us the most comical play from the 2023 NFL season when he intercepted Jets QB Tim Boyle’s end-of-half Hail Mary attempt and returned it for a 99-yard touchdown.
That was Holland’s first pick-six and fifth interception of his career, but that ball production understates his ability as a center-field safety. Set to play in his third scheme in as many seasons under new Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Holland needs to stay healthy after missing five complete games and parts of others with knee issues in 2023.
80) Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
It is almost impossible to predict how Aaron Rodgers will perform in 2024. While he won back-to-back MVPs as recently as 2020 and 2021, Rodgers is now 40 years old, coming off a torn Achilles, and still trying to get his New York Jets stint off the ground.
The talent is probably still there, but Rodgers’s myriad question marks –- punctuated by his mercurial personality and odd offseason -– make the legendary QB a total mystery.
81) Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans
Although he missed the final five games of the 2023 season with a knee injury and ended the year with just 5.5 sacks, Jeffery Simmons remains one of the NFL’s most fearsome interior defenders.
A bully on the interior, Simmons earned back-to-back second-team All-Pro nods for the Titans in 2021 and 2022.
82) T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
T.J. Hockenson was in the midst of a career-best season (95-960-5) before tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 16. A reliably explosive athlete, Hockenson posted 13 catches of 20+ yards, second-most among tight ends. He’s not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
How Hockenson recovers — and meshes with Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy — will determine where he lands on the 2025 version of PFN’s Top 100.
83) Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
After a bounce-back Pro Bowl campaign in 2022, Saquon Barkley struggled in 2023. The former No. 2 overall pick missed three games with an ankle injury, rushed for just 962 yards, and lagged in efficiency, finishing fourth-worst in the league in rushing success rate.
Playing behind the Giants’ porous offensive line certainly didn’t help matters. Now that he’s working with one of the NFL’s best offensive lines in Philadelphia, will Barkley look like his old self again?
84) Tyron Smith, OT, New York Jets
Injuries have always been an issue for the 33-year-old Tyron Smith, who hasn’t completed a full slate of games since the 2016 campaign.
However, he’s typically excellent when available. Smith handled one-on-one pass-blocking situations on 84.5% of his snaps last season, the third-highest among left tackles, per Next Gen Stats. His 6.7% pressure rate allowed on those snaps was the best mark in the NFL.
85) Brian Burns, EDGE, New York Giants
The New York Giants added Brian Burns this offseason, giving up a package centered around a second-round draft pick to acquire the pass rusher from the Carolina Panthers.
An athletic marvel, Burns was incredibly consistent for the Panthers, posting at least eight sacks and 18 QB hits in four straight years. Big Blue will blitz less often under new DC Shane Bowen, so they need Burns to help incumbent EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux get after opposing quarterbacks.
86) Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
Health is the only reason Nick Chubb isn’t ranked higher. He suffered a gruesome knee injury last September, tearing his MCL and damaging his ACL, and seems unlikely to be available for Week 1. How quickly can Chubb recover and return to the field?
Chubb, 28, topped 1,000 rushing yards and exceeded five yards per carry every season from 2019 to 2022. He earned Pro Bowl nods each year during that stretch and a second-team All-Pro berth in 2022.
87) Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans
Stefon Diggs’ 2023 statistics were undoubtedly concerning. He posted his fewest yards (1,183) and yards per reception (11.1) since 2018, his second-to-last season with the Vikings. Diggs went from seventh to 31st in yards per route run from 2022 to 2023; he slipped from fourth to 67th in ESPN’s tracking metrics.
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The Texans, perhaps knowing they needed to motivate the four-time Pro Bowler, altered Diggs’ contract upon acquiring him this offseason, ensuring he’ll become a free agent next spring. With a chance at one more significant payday on the horizon, Diggs should be locked in.
88) Trevon Diggs, CB, Dallas Cowboys
The Diggs brothers are as close in PFN’s rankings as they are in reality. The No. 51 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Trevon Diggs was a first-team All-Pro in 2021 after leading the league with 11 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
While he tore his ACL during a September 2023 practice, Diggs should re-emerge as one of the league’s most minacious defensive backs in 2024.
89) DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
DJ Moore established an instant connection with Justin Fields in his first season with the Chicago Bears, setting career-high marks across the board while ranking sixth in the NFL in receiving yards and success rate. We’ll see if Moore can duplicate that success with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
One of the league’s more underrated and dynamic wideouts, Moore has ranked inside the top 20 in average yards after the catch in four of the past five years.
90) Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander’s high-end play is as good as nearly any NFL corner’s, but injuries have kept him off the field. A shoulder sprain cost him 13 games in 2021, while another shoulder issue kept Alexander on the sidelines for all but seven games in 2023.
However, he earned second-team All-Pro nods in 2020 and 2022, allowing a sub-70 passer rating in both seasons. If he can stay healthy, Alexander is the best player on a rebuilt Packers defense.
91) Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
While the Eagles’ defense was one of the more disappointing units in the league in 2023, the team’s overall performance didn’t stop Jalen Carter from posting an outstanding rookie season.
Carter posted six sacks, second among first-year interior defenders, trailing only the Rams’ Kobie Turner. However, Turner also rushed the passer 70 more times than Carter. Among all NFL DTs, Carter ranked sixth in pass-rush win rate (16%) and 15th in pressures (50).
92) Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
While Trevor Lawrence hasn’t necessarily turned into the generational quarterback he was billed as in 2021, he ranks 12th in adjusted net yards per attempt and 14th in EPA + CPOE composite over the past two seasons after being mercifully released from Urban Meyer’s vice grip.
Injuries hindered Lawrence down the 2023 stretch and eventually kept the Jaguars out of the playoffs. He still has all the traits of a high-end NFL QB, but Lawrence has to become more consistent on a down-by-down basis and limit turnovers to reach his full potential. The Jaguars believe in Lawrence, signing him to a five-year, $275 million contract extension this offseason.
93) DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith might be even more revered around the NFL if he weren’t fighting Brown for targets in Philadelphia.
Despite playing as an overqualified WR2, Smith has still posted at least 80 catches, 1,000 yards, and seven TDs in each of the past two seasons. A technician as a route runner, Smith is also surprisingly physical despite his 170-pound frame.
94) Christian Barmore, DT, New England Patriots
Always a dependable interior presence, Christian Barmore broke out in 2023, setting new career highs in sacks (8.5), tackles (64), tackles for loss (13), and QB hits (16).
He’s still ascending and could emerge as an even more dominant force in his fourth NFL season. The New England Patriots saw enough to hand Barmore a four-year, $84 million extension in April.
95) Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
The Harbaugh-led Chargers plan to build through their offensive line and left tackle Rashawn Slater and rookie right tackle Joe Alt will be the faces of that effort. Slater has sandwiched two elite campaigns around an injury-ridden 2022 campaign.
Although he’s undersized at 6’4” and 315 pounds, Slater’s flawless technique allows him to hold up despite his physical limitations.
96) Xavier McKinney, S, Green Bay Packers
Xavier McKinney should be an immediate upgrade for a revamped Packers spine. The Alabama product played the best football of his career in 2023, spending time deep, in the box, and manning the slot while playing over 1,000 defensive snaps.
Among safeties with at least 200 coverage snaps, McKinney allowed the fifth-lowest passer rating (52.1).
97) Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Denzel Ward was one of the more consistent players for an uber-elite Browns defense under coordinator Jim Schwartz.
While Ward missed time with a shoulder injury last season, he still made his third career Pro Bowl after allowing a 56.2 passer rating and one touchdown on 66 targets. Run defense isn’t the most essential trait for an NFL corner, but Ward looked better in that area after struggling with tackling in 2022.
98) Cameron Heyward, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Cameron Heyward finally showed signs of aging in 2023, missing six games and posting just two sacks — his fewest since 2012.
However, when healthy, the 35-year-old is still an effective pass rusher and stout against the run. Heyward totaled 20.5 sacks from 2021 to 2022 and has earned four All-Pro nods since 2017.
99) Tyler Linderbaum, C, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lost 60% of their starting offensive line over the offseason, making center Tyler Linderbaum all the more critical as the club considers its front-five plans for 2024.
Already a strong run blocker during his 2022 rookie campaign, Linderbaum improved as a pass protector last year, helping Jackson win his second MVP. With two new guards and a rookie right tackle in the cards for Baltimore next season, Linderbaum is the glue of the team’s offensive line.
100) DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts
One of the most effective interior defenders of his generation, DeForest Buckner recorded 52 sacks over the past five seasons; only Aaron Donald had more among DTs.
Buckner, Garrett, and Jones are the NFL’s only players with at least seven sacks in each of the last six years. Buckner also led all defenders with seven batted passes in 2023.