Contemporary names may be discovered throughout ESPN’s survey of the highest 10 gamers at each place. And meaning each top-10 rating had a minimum of one participant who fell from final yr’s charts, whether or not due to efficiency, harm or the power of the rankings. We collected these names right here as the highest 10 for every place was unveiled.
A reminder of the rankings course of: League executives, coaches and scouts gave us their finest 10 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. Greater than 70 voters submitted a poll on a minimum of one place, and in lots of instances, all positions. Further voting and follow-up calls with these surveyed helped break ties.
We rolled out a place per day over 11 days. The schedule: operating 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), large receivers (July 16), cornerbacks (July 17).
Cornerbacks
L’Jarius Sneed, Titans (No. 4 in 2024 preseason) — Obtained in a commerce with the Chiefs in March 2024 and subsequently signed to a four-year, $76.4 million contract, Sneed was restricted to 5 video games in his first season in Tennessee with a quadriceps harm. Sneed didn’t take part within the Titans’ offseason program, elevating doubts about whether or not he’ll dwell as much as the elite nook standing his wealthy contract suggests. “We’re ready for him to indicate us the participant that he is been,” Tennessee coach Brian Callahan stated of Sneed at minicamp.
Jalen Ramsey, Steelers (No. 5 in 2024 preseason) — As soon as on a brief record of the league’s finest corners, the 30-year-old Ramsey stays stable however has slipped a bit from his earlier top-tier standing. Ramsey performed in all 17 video games final season however was not named to the Professional Bowl, and final appeared on an All-Professional workforce in 2021. The Steelers obtained Ramsey within the Minkah Fitzpatrick commerce on June 30 and can hope he can reclaim his earlier standing.
Jaire Alexander, Ravens (No. 7 in 2024 preseason) — One other new AFC North face attempting to reclaim his earlier status, Alexander was launched by the Packers on June 9 after lacking 23 of a attainable 37 video games as a result of varied accidents over the previous two seasons (common season and playoffs). An All-Professional second-team decide in 2020 and 2022, the 28-year-old Alexander was signed to an incentive-laden contract by Baltimore on June 18.
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Vast receivers
Davante Adams, Rams (No. 5 in 2024 preseason) — Adams’ mixed 2024 numbers — 85 catches, 1,063 yards and eight TDs with the Raiders and Jets — have been sufficient for the Rams to ink Adams to a two-year, $44 million deal in March. However at age 32 and given his groups’ struggles in each Las Vegas and New York, Adams should show he can proceed to make the form of impression required of the league’s deep pool of elite receiver candidates.
Stefon Diggs, Patriots (No. 9 in 2024 preseason) — Diggs had his moments in his lone season with the Texans, logging 47 catches for 496 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns earlier than struggling a season-ending knee harm in opposition to the Colts in Week 8. The NFL’s chief in receptions from 2020-23 subsequently signed a three-year, $63.5 million cope with the Patriots however should show that he is previous the harm and the controversy surrounding his look in a viral boat video this spring.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers final August however couldn’t stay wholesome sufficient to dwell as much as it. Aiyuk had 25 catches for 374 yards with out a landing earlier than sustaining a season-ending knee harm in opposition to the Chiefs in Week 7. Aiyuk has been the topic of rampant commerce rumors this offseason, however the unsure standing of his return from harm — Aiyuk didn’t take part in minicamp and will open 2025 on the PUP record — probably complicates such a transfer.
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Off-ball linebackers
Matt Milano, Payments (No. 3 in 2024 preseason) — Milano adopted his All-Professional season of 2022 with a few injury-shortened campaigns which have restricted him to 12 whole video games (common season and playoffs) over the previous two years. A damaged tibia that ended his 2023 season in October was adopted by a torn biceps in 2024 coaching camp that saved Milano out till December. As soon as wholesome, Milano did contribute 17 tackles and two sacks to the Payments’ three-game playoff run, providing hope that the soon-to-be 31-year-old can contribute at a high-enough degree to return to his place’s prime tier.
Patrick Queen, Steelers (No. 4 in 2024 preseason) — Queen was named to the Professional Bowl after signing a three-year, $41 million contract with Pittsburgh earlier than final season, recording a team-high 129 tackles however not significantly distinguishing himself following a four-year profession with the Ravens. An absence of playmaking and missed tackles have been the largest culprits in Queen’s first season within the Metal Metropolis, and Queen has publicly acknowledged that he may have performed higher in 2024.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Browns (No. 6 in 2024 preseason) — Owusu-Koramoah is not going to play in 2025 — the Browns positioned him on the reserve/PUP record on Might 12 as he continues his restoration from a neck harm suffered in a scary collision with Ravens operating again Derrick Henry final Oct. 24. “I do not know what’s subsequent,” Owusu-Koramoah stated in a press release, “however I will proceed trusting my medical workforce, serving the group, and backing my brothers on the sphere.”
Demario Davis, Saints (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) — Davis stays a productive participant at age 36, however noticed his streak of consecutive All-Professional first- or second-team citations finish at 5 in 2024. Davis’ 136 tackles have been a career-high however he completed with two sacks, a career-low since arriving in New Orleans in 2018. Davis is within the last yr of his contract with the Saints however has stated he’d prefer to play three extra seasons.
Foyesade Oluokun, Jaguars (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Oluokun joins the record of Jaguars gamers coming off disappointing seasons, because the linebacker missed 4 video games with a foot harm suffered in Week 3 in opposition to the Payments and struggled to make an impression following his return. The soon-to-be 30-year-old Oluokun remains to be seen among the many sport’s prime tacklers and has an opportunity to return to the High 10 with a more healthy yr.
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Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud, Texans (No. 7 in 2024 preseason) — After showing on MVP ballots as a rookie in 2023, Stroud skilled one thing of a sophomore droop hastened by a number of components outdoors of his management. The Texans had horrible harm luck at large receiver — Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell missed a mixed 19 video games — and the offensive line struggled to persistently shield Stroud. Nonetheless, his accuracy and decision-making have been extra components that led to Stroud’s drop from the highest 10, and 2025 can be a telling yr because the league tries to find out the right tier for the 2023 No. 2 decide.
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) — Rodgers proved he may nonetheless play at age 40 and coming off an Achilles harm, with fairly spectacular trying conventional numbers (3,897 yards, 28 TD, 11 INT) and a handful of classic Rodgers performances. However he additionally completed twenty fifth in QBR, and the Jets have been completed by October, so a spot outdoors the highest 10 is greater than applicable for the long run Corridor of Famer. Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers in June and stated 2025 would possible be his last NFL season.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Prescott adopted the signing of a $240 million contract extension final September by beginning slowly, throwing 11 landing passes and eight interceptions for a 3-5 workforce earlier than a hamstring harm and subsequent surgical procedure sidelined him for the ultimate 9 video games. Prescott’s 45.3 QBR in a partial season trailed the likes of Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams. As is mostly the case with any Cowboys quarterback, Prescott’s efficiency can be closely scrutinized in 2025.
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Offensive tackles
Ronnie Stanley, Ravens (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Stanley appeared in all 19 video games (17 in common season, 2 in playoffs) and reached his second profession Professional Bowl as a member of the AFC North-leading Ravens, however he fell off in favor of recent entry Dion Dawkins of the Payments (No. 8). A second straight wholesome yr — Stanley performed in each sport for the primary time in his nine-year profession, may get the 31-year-old Stanley again on the record.
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Inside offensive linemen
Joel Bitonio, Browns (No. 5 in 2024 preseason) — The popular and well-respected Bitonio thought of retirement after his eleventh season in Cleveland produced a 3-14 file, however he opted to return after an offseason shake-up of the Browns’ offensive coaches. Ranked twenty ninth within the league in dashing a yr in the past, Cleveland is predicted to indicate larger dedication to the run in 2025, which may play to the five-time All-Professional Bitonio’s strengths and presumably land him again on this record subsequent season, when he’ll be 34.
Word: The Cowboys’ Zack Martin (No. 1 in final season’s rankings) and Lions’ Frank Ragnow (No. 8) each retired throughout the 2025 offseason.
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Tight ends
Dalton Kincaid, Payments (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) — Like many on this record, Kincaid’s 2024 drop-off had loads to do with accidents, as Kincaid handled points in each knees in addition to a collarbone harm that he performed via. Whereas nonetheless rating second on the Payments in targets (75) — not an insignificant element in a season when his quarterback received the MVP award — Kincaid went from 73 catches to 44, and 673 yards to 448 in a season when he missed 4 video games. The 25-year-old is a bounce-back candidate in 2025.
Evan Engram, Broncos (No. 9 in 2024 preseason) — Engram was due some regression after his career-best 114-catch season with Jacksonville in 2023, and the accidents that have been a theme of his time with the Giants (2017-21) resurfaced. Engram missed eight video games with a hamstring harm and a torn labrum, and was launched by the Jags after accumulating a career-low 365 yards on 47 catches. The 30-year-old Engram was inked to a two-year, $23 million deal by Denver in March.
Dalton Schultz, Texans (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Schultz had a stable 2024 during which his numbers (53 receptions, 532 yards, 2 TD) have been solely barely beneath his normal profession manufacturing, however he fell off a High 10 record that needed to make manner for names comparable to Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and Isaiah Seemingly. At age 29, Schultz stays a stable and reliable possibility for C.J. Stroud over the center.
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Safeties
Jevon Holland, Giants (No. 5 in 2024 preseason) — Holland took a step again throughout a 2024 season with the Dolphins during which he handled a damaged bone in his hand, although Holland missed simply two video games. The Giants, who awarded the 25-year-old free agent a three-year, $45.5 million contract, are banking on Holland returning to the shape that put him within the prime half of those rankings a season in the past.
Kyle Dugger, Patriots (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) — Dugger struggled to dwell as much as the four-year, $58 million contract extension he signed final April, batting a excessive ankle sprain in Week 4 that sidelined him for 4 video games and visibly restricted him upon his return. If wholesome, the 29-year-old Dugger has an opportunity for a resurgence below first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
Talanoa Hufanga, Broncos (No. 9 in 2024 preseason) — Hufanga was one in all a number of key members of the 2024 49ers to have his season restricted by accidents, lacking 10 video games as a result of knee, ankle and wrist issues. The 2022 first-team All-Professional has missed main parts of the previous two seasons — a torn proper ACL price him the ultimate 10 video games of the 2023 season in San Francisco. Hufanga signed a three-year, $45 million contract with Denver in March.
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Edge
Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars (No. 8 in 2024 preseason) — Hines-Allen did not strategy the manufacturing of his 17.5-sack season of 2023, however he did log eight sacks, second on the workforce in 2024 behind Travon Walker’s 10.5. The general weak point of the Jags’ protection — which completed final in go rush win price — helped stop Hines-Allen from returning to the highest 10, however there’s hope that the Travis Hunter-featured Jacksonville D will make some enchancment in 2025.
Brian Burns, Giants (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Burns was undeniably productive in his first yr as a Big, tallying 8.5 sacks, recording profession highs in tackles (71) and go deflections (8), and rating fourth at his place in go rush win price. However the general struggles of the Giants throughout their 3-14 season might need damage Burns’ profile amongst execs and scouts.
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Defensive tackles
Christian Wilkins, Raiders (No. 6 in 2024 preseason) — Wilkins rolled snake eyes in his first yr in Las Vegas, lacking the ultimate 12 video games with a Jones fracture in his left foot suffered Oct. 6. It was a disappointing flip for a participant who signed a four-year, $110 million cope with the Raiders in March 2024. Wilkins, 29, was sidelined throughout minicamp as he continues his restoration from the harm.
Derrick Brown, Panthers (No. 7 in 2024 preseason) — Contemporary off signing a four-year, $96 million extension, Brown tore his left meniscus in Carolina’s season-opening loss to the Saints and didn’t return in 2024. The 27-year-old Brown participated in walk-throughs throughout 2025 minicamps however has not been cleared to return.
Kenny Clark, Packers (No. 9 in 2024 preseason) — The sturdy Clark began all 17 video games for the third straight season however was unable to construct on a robust statistical 2023 that noticed him file a profession 7.5 sacks and attain his third Professional Bowl. Clark instructed reporters in June that he performed your complete 2024 season via a foot harm sustained Week 1 in Brazil. Set to start his tenth season with the Packers, the 29-year-old Clark seeks a more healthy journey in 2025.
Javon Hargrave, Vikings (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Hargrave suffered a torn triceps three video games into his second season with the 49ers, present process surgical procedure and never returning to the sphere earlier than being launched in March. The 2-time Professional Bowler subsequently signed a two-year, $30 million contract with Minnesota, the fourth workforce for the 32-year-old since he entered the league in 2016.
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Working backs
Breece Corridor, RB, Jets (No. 2 in 2024 preseason) — Corridor was second behind solely the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey on final yr’s record, however took a step again in dashing yards (876), catches (57) and touchdowns (8) because the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets offense didn’t ignite. Corridor, 24, may probably be in for a greater season in 2025 although new coach Aaron Glenn seems poised to make use of a committee strategy.
Nick Chubb, RB, Texans (No. 3 in 2024 preseason) — After struggling a severe knee harm early within the 2023 season, Chubb returned to the sphere for the Browns in 2024 however was restricted to 332 yards in eight video games earlier than his season-ending damaged foot in Week 15. Chubb, 29, signed a one-year, $2.5 million cope with the Texans this offseason.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jaguars (No. 10 in 2024 preseason) — Etienne didn’t ship a 3rd consecutive 1,000-yard season for the struggling Jags in 2024, dashing for 558 yards and two touchdowns on a career-low 3.7 yards per carry. How first-year coach Liam Coen integrates Etienne into the offense can be among the many storylines value watching in 2025 coaching camp.
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