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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 totally 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 12 months’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 whole, greater than 70 voters submitted a poll on at the least one place, and in lots of circumstances all positions. Further 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 one of the best gamers for 2025. This was not a five-year projection or a profession achievement award. Who’re one of the best gamers at present?
We’ll roll out one place per day over 11 days. The schedule: working 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), extensive receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
The backs are again.
Handing the ball off 30-plus occasions per Sunday is fashionable once more. Dashing offenses pumped huge numbers into the 2024 season, with seven groups averaging at the least 140 speeding yards per sport. That is up from three groups the earlier 12 months.
“The very best play in soccer remains to be the flexibility to easily hand it off to your greatest athlete on the sphere and make everybody else look silly attempting to deal with him,” a veteran NFC scout mentioned. “Elite quarterback play 12 months in and 12 months out is, and all the time can be, a rarity reasonably than the norm.”
Dashing success tales have been all around the NFL map. The working again in Philly galvanized a Tremendous Bowl run. The working again in Baltimore fully modified the Ravens’ offense. And younger backs in Detroit and Atlanta confirmed main star energy.
This 12 months’s high 10 featured some perennial favorites — and some surprises.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 2
Age: 28 | Final 12 months’s rating: 4
Barkley acquired grasping in 2024. He clearly needed each first-place vote in our 2025 ballot. And he acquired all however one in all them.
Barkley’s Tremendous Bowl-inspired run in 2024 harkens again to then-New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman taking critical warmth for choosing a working again with the second general decide regardless of loads of good quarterbacks out there within the 2018 draft. Barkley was simply that good. And simply perhaps, that decide wasn’t so unhealthy and Gettleman seems to be good?
Let’s simply say scouts across the league who as soon as forecast Barkley as a transcendent participant can admire these previous scouting reviews with a low-key fist pump.
“It was nearly like this was anticipated — he was all the time anticipated to be this,” an NFL personnel director mentioned. “You may name it affirmation bias. Everyone thought he was an amazing participant [at Penn State] and he proved what individuals thought he can be. It simply took some peaks and valleys. And he was in a foul offense [in New York].”
When together with the common season and playoffs, Barkley’s 2,504 rush yards and 7 scrimmage touchdowns of 60-plus yards are essentially the most in a season in NFL historical past. His velocity was consistently on show, reaching at the least 20 mph on 9 landing runs, per Subsequent Gen Stats. No different participant had greater than two.
“He can go one other few years with high-level play behind that [offensive] line,” the director mentioned.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: 6
Age: 31 | Final 12 months’s rating: 9
Mr. Laughs at First Contact nonetheless refuses to go down.
Henry’s 830 speeding yards after contact in 2024 — his first season with the Ravens — have been 191 greater than the next-closest participant (Josh Jacobs). His 3,634 yards after contact since 2020 is 945 greater than the second-ranked participant (additionally Jacobs). All of that is nothing new. Tackling Henry has ceaselessly been an arduous process. However coming off 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns, Henry seems averse to the working again cliff to which most 30-somethings succumb.
“He’ll decelerate sooner or later, however he is acquired elite physique composition and elite work ethic,” an AFC govt mentioned. “He is a monster. Nobody desires to deal with him, after which when he wears you down, that is when he breaks off that huge run.”
One way or the other, Henry is proving extra environment friendly with age. Henry’s 5.9 yards per rush final season represented the best mark by a participant with 250 carries in a season since Adrian Peterson in 2012 (6.0). And his 13 profession video games with 150 speeding yards and two speeding touchdowns ties Jim Brown for essentially the most in NFL historical past.
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: 9
Age: 23 | Final 12 months’s rating: 8
“Sonic” narrowly outdistanced 2023 draft mate Bijan Robinson for the third spot due to his 20-touchdown season, which led the NFL.
The earlier Lion to steer the NFL in scrimmage scores? Barry Sanders with 17 in 1991.
Gibbs’ uncooked velocity at 5-foot-9 and 200 kilos can “flip the sport the wrong way up” on one play, per an NFC scout. And his 6.4 yards per contact final season was the best mark by any participant with 250 touches in a season over the previous decade.
“He is rather a lot like Reggie Bush, simply with a bit bit extra energy,” an AFC govt mentioned. “Dimension will all the time be a bit bit extra of a difficulty with him, however his velocity and instincts and talent to alter the sport are an issue and could also be one of the best within the league.”
Some evaluators agree Gibbs is greatest utilized in a 1-2 combo, like he’s in Detroit with David Montgomery. Because the AFC exec put it, Gibbs can function a major again however “would possibly put on down quicker” if requested to soak up too many hits between the tackles as a result of his dimension. However he runs with toughness, so it isn’t like he would not be up for the problem. And Gibbs did simply effective in three video games with out Montgomery late final season, totaling 365 yards on 64 carries.
Highest rating: 1 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 23 | Final 12 months’s rating: 6
After spotty utilization in his rookie 12 months, Robinson earned major again standing in 2024. It is no shock that his sport subsequently took off with 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns on 304 carries.
Robinson entered the league with appreciable expectations and has largely met them. He is one in all three gamers in NFL historical past to supply 2,400 speeding yards and 100 receptions in a participant’s first two seasons, becoming a member of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson.
“Dimension, velocity, acceleration, move sport, worth, breaks tackles, can hit house runs,” an NFL coordinator mentioned. “He is a nightmare to organize for.”
Robinson was voted among the many high three on half the working again ballots forged for these rankings, however fell simply in need of Gibbs.
His 365 touches final 12 months ranked second behind Barkley (378). Younger Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will want comparable reliability in 2025. Given all this, Robinson is completely justifiable as a No. 1 or No. 2 decide in fantasy drafts.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 29 | Final 12 months’s rating: 1
Sturdiness is the one factor holding McCaffrey again. He has missed 10 or extra video games in three of his previous 5 NFL seasons.
“He is an amazing participant, however he is all the time had sturdiness points, even in school,” an NFL personnel govt mentioned. “He is an elite coach and takes nice care of himself. He is simply not an enormous physique and can lose a step finally.”
A return to 2023 kind would put McCaffrey again within the MVP dialog. When he is wholesome, he all the time produces.
In actual fact, McCaffrey has 4 seasons with at the least 1,800 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. The one gamers with extra are all Corridor of Famers: Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton (5 every).
Since 2006, two gamers have at the least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns in a season (plus playoffs): McCaffrey in 2023 and Tomlinson in 2006.
“He is nonetheless the prototype — and one of the best participant on the sphere at occasions,” an NFC scout mentioned.
Highest rating: 3 | Lowest rating: 10
Age: 27 | Final 12 months’s rating: 7
Many individuals contained in the league perked up when the Packers gave Jacobs a $48 million free company deal in 2024. The transfer confirmed that Inexperienced Bay, not identified for spending huge on tailbacks, was all-in on bolstering Jordan Love and the offense with a top-shelf again.
Jacobs rewarded that religion with 1,329 speeding yards and 15 touchdowns, returning to his 2022 kind after a down 2023 season through which he missed 4 video games with a quad damage and rushed for 805 yards.
“Elite stability, power, imaginative and prescient, toes and dedication with the ball in his fingers,” a high-ranking NFC personnel govt mentioned. “He catches it effectively. True difference-maker. And he performs each week. Availability. I are likely to lean towards well-rounded backs which can be elite runners and large threats within the passing sport, and Jacobs suits that invoice.”
Jacobs is the lone NFL participant to eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards and 5 touchdowns in every year since 2019. He is one in all 4 gamers in Packers historical past to supply 1,500 scrimmage yards and 15 speeding scores in a season, becoming a member of Aaron Jones, Ahman Inexperienced and Jim Taylor.
Highest rating: 2 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 26 | Final 12 months’s rating: 5
Taylor’s dropping two spots from final season is a curious case. He pumped out 1,432 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024 regardless of uneven quarterback play. His velocity remains to be elite. He turned 26 in January. And he is the primary again since Adrian Peterson (2007-11) to supply 6,000 speeding yards and 50 speeding touchdowns by his first 5 NFL seasons.
Whereas his contract dispute in 2023 stalled momentum, he has by no means underwhelmed when taking part in a full season.
“He is underrated,” an AFC govt mentioned. “Extremely productive and may put on you down earlier than breaking off an enormous run.”
Taylor’s 24 video games of 100 speeding yards since 2020 path solely Henry’s 37.
Highest rating: 4 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 25 | Final 12 months’s rating: honorable point out
Prepare dinner entered the highest 10 after a 16-touchdown season in 2024, vaulting from honorable point out to No. 8 and pushing Taylor for the seventh spot. He is now tied with O.J. Simpson (1975) for essentially the most speeding touchdowns in a single season in Payments historical past.
Prepare dinner’s 3.1 yards per rush earlier than contact was the fifth-highest mark of any qualifying again.
“Harmful and explosive,” an NFL personnel govt mentioned.
Added an AFC exec: “He is good for that offense, with a quarterback that spreads issues out. He is good within the passing sport, catches the ball rather well, good in open house. Unsure he is elite but, however he is actually, actually good.”
He is averaging 222 carries per season because the starter, and a few groups are interested by how he would maintain up as a 300-carry No. 1 again at 5-foot-11 and 190 kilos. However both approach, he has earned leaguewide respect at a time when he is searching for a contract extension from Buffalo.
Highest rating: 5 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 28 | Final 12 months’s rating: honorable point out
Mixon appeared rejuvenated in Houston after the Texans acquired him in a commerce with Cincinnati in March 2024. He isn’t a house run hitter, with a profession common of 4.1 yards per carry over eight seasons. However he is acquired nearly every part else.
“Actually good imaginative and prescient, toes, contact stability — a hammer within the run sport,” an NFL personnel evaluator mentioned. “Seemed worn down on the finish of the season, however general that was a extremely good commerce for Houston.”
Mixon is the NFL’s solely participant with at the least 1,300 scrimmage yards and 9 touchdowns in every of the previous 4 seasons. His 94.6 scrimmage yards per sport final 12 months trails solely Arian Foster (2014) and DeAndre Hopkins (2015, 2018) in Texans historical past.
Highest rating: 7 | Lowest rating: unranked
Age: 29 | Final 12 months’s rating: honorable point out
A premier again in our rankings for years, Kamara fell to honorable point out final 12 months after a number of down seasons. Although some evaluators see slight decline, Kamara fought his approach again to the highest 10 due to 1,503 scrimmage yards final 12 months. Kamara appeared on practically 60% of the voting ballots however none within the high six.
“A number of the elite traits are nonetheless there,” an NFL offensive coach mentioned. “He did not have a lot of an offensive line or supporting forged final 12 months. However he can nonetheless take a display screen for large yardage and nonetheless has nice contact stability.”
Kamara has eclipsed 600 speeding yards and 400 receiving yards in all eight seasons of his profession. That is already tied for essentially the most such seasons in NFL historical past, alongside Faulk.
Regardless of lacking the ultimate three video games of final season, Kamara nonetheless accounted for 26% of New Orleans’ scrimmage yards in 2024, the seventh-highest mark within the NFL.
Honorable point out
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Mixture of velocity, quicks and call stability. Heck of a runner. Not often goes down on first contact.” — NFL coordinator
Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings: “Traditional slasher. Darts by run lanes. Performs huge on the objective line. A twin risk. Love every part about him, however sturdiness and age [30] are points.” — NFL personnel evaluator
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: “Elite velocity and explosion. May put on down as a result of he is small. Much like Gibbs. He simply will get banged up. Runs very exhausting for a way small he’s and may get out on the perimeter extra as a move catcher.” — AFC govt
Breece Corridor, New York Jets: “He is been the most effective within the league at factors. I simply have not felt the identical approach just lately. I do know the accidents have been a difficulty.” — NFL coordinator
“That is not all his fault. He was in a foul offense. Nonetheless has good lower-body stability and residential run juice.” — veteran AFC personnel govt
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals: “He is a load to carry down. Quick strider with fast toes to slide tacklers, discover slices of daylight. Good second-level burst. Runs behind his pads. Finisher. Underrated participant.” — NFL personnel evaluator
Additionally receiving votes: Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams), David Montgomery (Detroit Lions), Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington Commanders), Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers), D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears), Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks)