Tag: Jalen Hurts

We made it. NFL training camps have begun in earnest this week, and I’m happy to share with you all my most detailed, descriptive, digestible and highest quality Top Players list I’ve ever created.

It’s easy to get worked up over the ranking, which is a tough, but fun exercise. But I really want you all to look at this as a preseason almanac for the league’s best players and teams. In this exercise, I really dig into player roles and scouting reports, as well as team schemes and league trends. Most of the scouting is descriptive notes from myself, with some aggregation of league experts and analysts mixed in to give you the best preseason guide there is.

As you’ll notice, I decided to create this year’s list in bullet form. Each player blurb contains more quick-hitting notes that include key stats and efficiency metrics, along with scouting lingo and overall team talk.

Additionally, I’ve added another slot to make this list my Top 101 NFL players. It’s a tough exercise, so figured, why not? Let’s add another player as an extra piece of content.

In the past, I’ve highlighted a 70/30 rule in deciding my ranking that entailed: 70 percent of my decision to place a player on my list is based off that player’s last two or three seasons of play, and 30 percent is based off their potential in 2022. To make things simpler this time around, I’m basing this year’s ranking strictly off of where I think these players rank for Week 1 and onward this September.

I’m a NFL historian, analyst and fan at heart. But just like anyone else, I have my biases. But I tried to check myself on those when ranking the players. Whenever I felt my bias getting in the way because of player styles I tend to value more, I applied more research to the players involved and attempted to make a sound decision.

This is also the first list I’ve created not involving Tom Brady, the NFL’s all-time greatest player. Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are a reason I love the game so much. With my family being from New England/the northeast, I latched on via My dad as a Patriots fan in 1999 at age 8. So as far as the Patriots dynasty and the 21st century of football, I’ve seen it all. Growing up, I studied preseason magazines, almanacs, broadcasts, player rosters/depth charts, played Madden/ESPN NFL 2K5, played football, and did just about everything I could to become an expert in the game.

I forged a career in sports media (have worked for NFL dot com, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub, etc.), because of my love for the Patriots and the NFL in general. Now that I’m working full-time in a sports tech/start-up business role that is adjacent to sports media/publishing, I don’t quite have the time to write as often as I once did. But I took the time to create this. I hope you value my list as a project I put a lot of time and effort into.

Below you can find links to my prior five lists. And with that, let’s get to a few more notes/takeaways, and then onto the list, which is my best one yet. Thank you all ❤️ 🏈

Top 100 NFL Players of 2022

Top 100 NFL Players of 2021

Top 100 NFL Players of 2020

Top 100 NFL Players of 2019

Top 50 NFL Players of 2018

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— It’s extremely tough to leave some names not only off the list, but off the ‘next 25 mentioned’ section. Players such as Von Miller and Kyler Murray won’t be ready for Week 1, while former Top 100 players such as Khalil Mack, Devin White, A.J. Terrell or Chase Young have fallen out of contention due to age or decline. One of the toughest things to analyze is who gets in at the skill positions? I don’t deem Justin Fields or Tua Tagovailoa as worthy yet, and Deshaun Watson hasn’t had a good season in some time. At running back, it was tough leaving Aaron Jones without a mention, as it was for D.J. Moore, Amari Cooper and Christian Kirk at receiver. Heck, T.J. Hockenson and Darren Waller at tight end may be my most glaring omissions. It’s a tough tough exercise.

— On top of the switch in format to bullets, you’ll notice a X, Z or Slot designation next to wide receivers. Many have multiple. This is to give you a clearer picture of what type of receiver you’re reading about. Here is the way I look at it:

X-receiver – Tall, fast, supreme athlete who plays primarily on the outside/boundary and on the line. He is usually a threat going vertical and beating press coverage. (Think: Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, D.K. Metcalf, etc.)

Z-receiver – A fast, shifty, versatile route-runner who can play on the perimeter or in the slot, and essentially moves around the formation. Plays on the line or off, and sometimes comes in pre-snap motion. Can be a deep threat or intermediate/underneath high-volume receiver. Comes in all shapes or sizes. (Think: Antonio Brown, Stefon Diggs, Tyler Lockett, Julian Edelman, etc.)

Slot receiver – This receiver used to resemble only a Wes Welker-type as an underneath option route-runner. In the past half-decade or so, this role has evolved as teams put many of their top players in the slot when matchup hunting on third down. But we’ll stick to the receivers who play many/most of their snaps in the slot here. They can be ‘Big’ slots, who win with physicality over the middle (Michael Thomas), speed slots who win on downfield or intermediate routes (CeeDee Lamb), or your classic high-volume slot who wins over the middle with a mix of possession catching, route-running and YAC ability (Amon-Ra St. Brown).

Gadget – Let’s also not forget about your ‘gadget’ type players who can do everything from playing in the Wildcat role, to catching screens, running reverses in pre-snap motion or even just playing plain running back to go along with their receiver duties. (Think: Deebo Samuel, Kadarius Toney, etc.)

– My two main takeaways as far as league trends go are the increase in talented running backs despite the devaluation of them in terms of contract negotiations and salary, and the increased importance of having an elite pass rusher in the interior. The top-level interior defenders are now getting paid like EDGE defenders, as team’s are relying on inside pressure to disrupt some of the game’s top quarterbacks. Additionally, the Vic Fangio trend of two-high safety looks is leaving defenses lighter in the box, meaning teams need to have stout run defenders at defensive tackle and nose that can occupy two gaps, or a “gap and a half.” 

— I don’t think it’s much of a surprise that the Eagles and 49ers lead this list with the most players. Each team is absolutely loaded. The Cowboys, Seahawks and Lions are the next best rosters to me in the NFC. Had I extended this list to 200 players, you would have seen those three clubs get many more players on this list. In the AFC, the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs are building out their team with sound drafting and careful cap-maneuvering decisions surrounding bigger contracts like Patrick Mahomes’. They’re turning into a much more complete team than people think. The AFC is stacked as a conference. Maybe more than any conference I’ve ever seen. But the Bengals, Dolphins and Jets make sense as star-heavy clubs and fleshed out rosters (maybe not the Jets) that can challenge with talent alone. Elsewhere, I expect the Ravens and Jaguars to challenge for division titles and perhaps stand out amongst the crowd come January.

 

— Here are the teams with the most players on my list: 

Philadelphia Eagles (8)

San Francisco 49ers (7)

Kansas City Chiefs (5)

Cincinnati Bengals (5)

Miami Dolphins (5)

New York Jets (5)

Dallas Cowboys (5)

Los Angeles Chargers (4)

Las Vegas Raiders (4)

Baltimore Ravens (4)

Cleveland Browns (4)

 

— Here are the number of players selected for each position:

Quarterback (9)

Running Back (9)

Wide Receiver (17)

Tight End (4)

Tackle (10)

Guard (7)

Center (2)

Defensive Interior (11)

EDGE (13)

Linebacker (5)

Cornerback (8)

Safety (6)

(NOTE: Micah Parsons was registered as an EDGE after being labeled a LB in my list last year.)

 

— Here were the 25 players that nearly made my list, but were squeezed out in the evaluation process:

Rashan Gary, EDGE, Green Bay Packers

DeAndre Hopkins, WR (X/Z), Tennessee Titans 

Tyler Lockett, WR (Z/Slot), Seattle Seahawks

Brandon Aiyuk, WR (Z), San Francisco 49ers

DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys 

Mike Evans, WR (X), Tampa Bay Buccaneeers

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings 

Travon Walker, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Marcus Williams, S, Baltimore Ravens

Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, New York Giants

Darius Slay, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, New York Jets

Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Montez Sweat, EDGE, Washington Commanders

Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings

David Bakhtiari, OT, Green Bay Packers 

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions

Ryan Ramczyk, OT, New Orleans Saints

Derrick Brown, DI, Carolina Panthers

Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints

Kyle Dugger, S, New England Patriots

Kyle Hamilton, S/LB, Baltimore Ravens

Tyson Campbell, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

And now, without further ado, the list…

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101.Amon-Ra St. Brown — WR (Slot/Z), Detroit Lions (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25)

• A tough, route-running maven with inside-outside ability, but is best used in the slot on underneath routes and intermediate digs/crossers designed to maximize his YAC-ability.
• He’s a little bit of Golden Tate crossed with Julian Edelman, with more of Edelman’s route tree.
• Among WRs with 100+ targets, no one had more snaps facing a LB in coverage (26%) than St. Brown last year. The Lions virtually use as much 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) as any team in the league, but also love to run the ball. Stressing defenses with the illusion of running the ball to put St. Brown in an advantageous position in the passing game is one of the key concepts of the Lions offense.
• With RB Jamaal Williams (18 rush TDs in 2022) gone, and deep threat WR Jamison Williams suspended for the first six games of the season, St. Brown — 196 receptions are the most of any player ever in their first two seasons — will be relied upon heavily again by Jared Goff.
• Per Pro Football Focus, St. Brown ranked second among WRs in overall play (90.7 grade), third among his peers in receiving grade (90.4), and second in run blocking (77.1) in 2023. He’s a throwback style of receiver with new-age nuance as a middle-of-the-field operator. Similar draft prospects to his style, combine testing and tape/film might not fall to the 4th round again, like he did in 2021.

100.Talanoa Hufanga— S, San Francisco 49ers (Last year: NR)

• Played a mix of snaps as a two-deep safety and rover in the box in Cover 3 looks for the 49ers in 2022.
• Hard not to think of Troy Polamalu when he flies around the middle of the field making plays and delivering hits. He’s also extremely effective in blitzing situations from the slot.
• A nice snapshot of what he brings to the table comes in his diverse and robust statline for 2022 — 66 tackles, nine passes defended, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks, a 57 %/31%/12% split as a free safety, box safety and slot defender.
• His play tailed off as the 2022 season progressed, as his aggressive style was exposed in coverage too often in December and January, but similar to talented defensive playmakers like Buccaneers LB Devin White (just missed my list this year), you take the bad (inconsistent play) with the good (enforcer/playmaker/unique talent), and hope to build more consistency around him at other spots to offset.
• Pairing him with Fred Warner in zone coverage is about as rangy as it gets when it comes to duos defending the pass in the middle of the field together in the NFL.

99.Tariq Woolen — CB, Seattle Seahawks (Last year: NR)

• He demolished expectations last year as a rookie. The 2022 fifth-round pick tied for the league-lead in interceptions (6) and proved a perfect fit as a boundary CB in Seattle’s Cover 3-heavy system that also features other zone looks, such as Quarters (Cover 4).
• At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, he was essentially made to play cornerback in Seattle.
• Since Seattle is so zone-heavy, Woolen is rarely going to leave his post on the outside. Per PFF, he played 1,081 snaps last year on the boundary, and just seven in the slot.
• Long, lean and physical, he was also fourth in the NFL in passes defended (16) and second in fumble recoveries (3).
• The Seahawks drafted Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick in the draft to start opposite Woolen at cornerback. Witherspoon is not Woolen’s size, but is lengthy enough (6-foot-1, 180 pounds), and should compliment nicely as Seattle quickly builds up their roster into competing with the depth and talent on other NFC contenders such as Philadelphia, Dallas and San Francisco.

98.   Dalvin Cook – RB, New York Jets (Last year: 62)

• He’s still one of the premier stretch zone RBs in the game due to his one-cut/cut-back ability, patience, and vision.
• His perceived down year in 2022 still culminated in 1,173 rush yards (6th in NFL) and 10 total TDs on 4.4 yards per carry.
• Many believe he’s a very good back that fits in only one scheme, but The 33rd Team’s Andy Benoit (former Los Angeles Rams assistant to Sean McVay/Special Projects) says Cook has possibly had some surprising inside-zone and gap run success: “82 percent of Cook’s runs in the last five years have come in under-center formations, most of which are zone runs,” said Benoit. “He is second in total attempts and yards under center behind only Henry. That said, on first- and second-down shotgun runs, which feature more inside designs and gap scheme (i.e., man-to-man blocking), Cook has actually averaged 5.3 yards per carry – significantly more than his under-center 4.6.”
• “You don’t see guys of this talent available at this time of the year,” Patriots Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh said of Cook at training camp. “It’s a unique situation.”
• (Edit: This piece was published before Dalvin Cook signed with the Jets.)

97.Rhamondre Stevenson — RB, New England Patriots (Last year: NR)

• A bigger back (6-0, 230 lbs) with a rare combination of size, vision and “Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge” ability.
• In all seriousness, the Patriots gust-filled victory in Buffalo on Monday Night Football in 2021 was the first real evidence of Stevenson’s unique ability to pick up six-to-nine yards a pop even with 10 and 11-man boxes.
• “Downhill power, light feet, explosive play ability, and pass game upside,” ESPN‘s Matt Bowen said of Stevenson, via Twitter.
• He fared well last year as the Patriots bellcow running back, their first in a bit. He went past the 1,000-yard mark on five yards per carry and hauled in 69 catches.
• He did seem a bit overworked down the stretch, so with James Robinson gone before training camp, the likes of Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris, two 2021 draft picks, may duke it out for a role that steals a few carries away from him during the season. And Ty Montgomery may be in line for the team’s passing back role unless he moves full-time to slot receiver.
• In all, Stevenson is now one of the best running backs in the league, and Bill O’Brien’s return as offensive coordinator bodes well for his ability as a lead back in what should be a power-running gap scheme with shotgun inside zone elements mixed in.
• (Edit: This piece was published before the Patriots traded Pierre Strong and signed Ezekiel Elliott to serve as a complimentary early-down RB to Stevenson.)

96.Michael Onwenu — OG, New England Patriots (Last year: NR)

• A massive interior presence at 6-foot-3 and 350 pounds,  Ownenu is an old-school, mauling power-running guard that excels in gap-scheme run blocking. He’s also improved mightily as a pass blocker in each of his three seasons, which included some superb play (all things considered) at right tackle in his rookie year.
• PFF has him grading out as the third-best guard in the league in 2021, and fourth-best last season. They also graded him in the top 10 in both pass blocking and run blocking last season among fellow guards.
• He struggled some last summer in training camp/preseason and in September when the Patriots ham-handedly tried to incorporate more outside-zone running concepts to its offense under Matt Patricia. That’s not Onwenu’s style.
• Under Bill O’Brien, New England should lean on under-center gap runs and shotgun inside zone runs with projected Top-10 back Rhamondre Stevenson. Onwenu should flourish.
• Like Joe Thuney did in 2020, Michael Onwenu may price out of New England in 2024 free agency. And the Patriots already appear to be bracing themselves for that considering their drafting of three interior offensive lineman in Rounds 4 and 5 this April.

95.Dallas Goedert — TE, Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR)

• Goedert is the perfect Y-TE for the Eagles’ looks in both 12 personnel (1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR) and 11 personnel (1 TE, 1 RB, 2 WR).
• “Probably the most well-rounded of all the tight ends,” an AFC scout said of Goedert to ESPN. “He’s probably one of few guys who ranks highly in every phase — size, athleticism, speed and blocking make him rare.”
• Although he excels in traditional tight end route concepts like post and seam routes, he’s also sneaky good in yards after catch mode on screens and quick pop passes (led all TEs w/ 7.8 YAC per reception in 2022), which blends nicely with Jalen Hurts looking his way on RPOs. And when Hurts does carry the rock on zone-read looks, Goedert is still a capable blocker.
• He passes the eye test on the field, and analytics love him. He leads all pass catchers over the last two seasons in yards per target (10.6), and PFF graded him third among TEs in receiving and fourth in overall play in 2022 (also was graded second-best TE overall by PFF in 2021).
• Goedert also led all tight ends in total receptions over expected, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. He ended up catching 80.9 percent of his 68 targets, and Philly QBs posted a 124.4 passer rating when throwing to him in ’23.
• He’s missed 13 games in the past three seasons, so durability can be a factor. But when on the field, he’s a matchup dominator in the middle of the field with heavy attention being paid to receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who Goedert is spending time with this offseason to help refine his route-running.

94. Kolton Miller — OT, Las Vegas Raiders (Last year: NR)

• Miller, a former first-round pick, struggled out of the gate in his first three seasons, but he’s now found his footing as one of the league’s better blind side protectors at left tackle, with PFF grading him fifth and sixth over the past two seasons in overall play among his peers.
• Standing at 6-foot-9, his length could unlock an extra level of potential improvement going forward.
• He’s received heavy praise from NFL offensive line aficionado/film guru Brandon Thorn, who took time to cut up clips of Miller’s pristine ability to pick up and pass off opposing rushers.
• With plenty of ’22 clips being shared on his improved pass blocking, it’s easy to forget that he can act as a mauler in gap running schemes, which makes him a solid fit for Josh McDaniels’ power running scheme, which features a blocking fullback in former New England Patriot Jakob Johnson, for more context. Miller led all offensive tackles in run block win rate (81.7%) last season.
• In all, he’s  improved mightily in both pass blocking and run blocking, with the latter being evident in Miller helping spring Josh Jacobs’ 1,653-yard rushing title campaign in ’22.

93. Antoine Winfield Jr. — S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last year: 89)

• He followed a fantastic Year 2 campaign in 2021 with a modest, but still good 2022 season amidst the Buccaneers’ struggles.
• Last year he played much more in the nickel as a slot/box defender — sometimes in man coverage — than he did in ’21. According to PFF, his coverage efficiency dipped, but they graded him fourth among safeties in run defense, and first in pass rush as a blitzer (4 sacks in 2022).
• Like most safeties in today’s game, he works best in two-high pre-snap structures that spin the dial post-snap. He can play the backend, patrol the middle as a robber, and play man (on TEs) or zone out of the slot.
• The Athletic reports that Todd Bowles plans to revert Winfield back to more of a free safety in 2023, which is where he’s probably best suited. Entering his age-25 season, his best years should be ahead of him.

92.Travis Etienne Jr. — RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (Last year: NR)

• An elusive, explosive big-play threat who overcame a lost rookie campaign in 2021 that began with Urban Meyer trying him out at wide receiver, and a preseason foot injury that required season-ending surgery.
• He was third among RBs in yards per carry (min. 100 ATT) in 2022, running for 5.1 yards a pop to produce a 1,125-yard rushing season (9th in NFL).
• Had some troubles in goal line and short-yardage situations, but that becomes less important due to his big-play potential. This could be the Jaguars’ reasoning in drafting Auburn’s Tank Bigsby in Round 3 this year, or the signing of D’Ernest Johnson. Each could spell Etienne in those scenarios.
• As the Jaguars offense further settles in to Doug Pederson’s scheme in Year 2, Etienne should benefit under the wily play caller’s two tight-end sets and witty play sequencing that will compliment Etienne’s zone and zone-read runs (under center and in shotgun) with play-action and RPO passing concepts for Trevor Lawrence.

91. Tee Higgins – WR (X), Cincinnati Bengals (Last year: NR)

• An athletic, prototype X-receiver at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds who has posted back-to-back 74-catch, 1,000 yard-plus receiving seasons despite playing second fiddle behind an All-Pro talent at WR1 in Ja’Marr Chase.
• He has traits you’d expect (jump-ball ability, wide catch radius, etc.), and some that may surprise you (quickness, YAC ability, developing route-running nuance).
• Tyler Boyd has occupied the ‘big’ slot role for years, and Cincy has had fun moving Chase around the formation, as he’s an all-world talent who can play the X or Z-receiver role. This keeps Higgins predominantly on the boundary, where he played 83% of his snaps in 2022.
• Chase’s presence often leaves Higgins on a 1-on-1 island with boundary CBs, which is a favorable matchup for him, Joe Burrow, and the Bengals offense.
• He’s entering the final year of his contract, and barring a team-building and cap-maneuvering surprise in 2024, he’ll likely be playing elsewhere after this season, as he should demand more money than the Bengals can afford with Burrow and Chase’s contract extensions looming.

90.    Shaquille Leonard – LB, Indianapolis Colts (Last year: 30)

• Leonard played in just three games last year due to his back, requiring him to have a second surgery on the area. At age 27, there’s good enough reason to believe that he’s in for a bounce-back season, even if the days of him being mentioned with Fred Warner are possibly over.
• I expect him to remain one of the best rangy new-school LBs in coverage. He still should be able to go sideline-to-sideline in his first full season (hopefully) under Gus Bradley’s historically Cover-3-heavy zone scheme that values deep and intermediate middle-of-the-field pass coverage.
• Before last season, he was a regular on the AP First-team All-Pro list, and was one of the best turnover-causing defenders in the league, at any defensive position. The first thing to monitor in September and October will be his level of aggressiveness, which is usually calculated and deadly.

89. Vita Vea – DI, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last year: 53)

• Nose tackle is not necessarily a dying position to me, as I believe a more athletic version of the old prototypes may start popping up for any Fangio-style, 3-4, two-high defense in need of at least one interior pass-rushing pocket pusher who can two-gap (or gap and a half) in run defense. There aren’t many elite versions of those yet, but Vita Vea is one.
• Like the Bucs as a whole, Vea had a bit of a down season last year. But I’d expect him to deliver a better season in 2022.
• Tampa Bay drafted University of Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey with pick No. 19 in this past draft. A combo of Vea (6-4, 347 lbs) and Kancey (6-1, 281 lbs) in the interior up front will look pretty funny. But each will essentially be serving two much different roles.
• Vea is an underrated pass rusher who has a dominant bull rush that bulldozes interior offensive lineman into the quarterback. When he has the energy, his brute force as a power player is exciting to watch.

88.Jaelen Phillips — EDGE, Miami Dolphins (Last year: NR)

• Phillips enters Year 3 with major breakout potential as a stand-up 3-4-style EDGE with insane bend/athleticism and inside rushing ability at 6-foot-5, 266 lbs.
• A former first-round pick (No. 17 overall in 2021), few young players have his upside, and he now enters his first full season opposite fellow first-round pick Bradley Chubb rushing the passer on the opposite end.
• ESPN‘s Mina Kimes said this of Phillips on her podcast (The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny) this summer: “I think Jaelen Phillips is on the edge of becoming a total superstar. Don’t be fooled by the sack numbers…he’s really fun to watch. He already has a complete set of moves. He’s super bendy…He’s so good rushing from the inside…I think his skill set is really complete…I wouldn’t be surprised this year if he finishes as one of the five best pass rushers in the NFL.” 
• Miami has hired Vic Fangio as its defensive coordinator this season. I’ll get into Fangio a bit more later in this list with some of Phillips’ defensive teammates, but essentially Miami will likely now play a lot less aggressive version of a 3-4 defense with less blitzing/man coverage/Cover 0/Cover 1, and lighter boxes. They’ll rely heavily on Phillips to get to the QB around the edge while playing two-high safety structures to limit big plays from opposing QBs.
• PFF had him graded as their sixth-best EDGE defender overall, and fifth-best in pass rush last season. He should be even better in 2023.

87. Brian Burns— EDGE, Carolina Panthers (Last year: 96)

• A young, talented player (age 25) who is coming off a stellar season (12.5 sacks). He should fully recover from offseason ankle surgery to help lead an underrated Carolina defense in ’23.
• The Panthers are moving to a new 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and assistant Dom Capers (former Panthers head coach from ’95-’98). Burns should feast as a stand-up EDGE.
• Burns has played in other 3-4-style defenses in his first few seasons, and seems to enjoy playing the 3-4 OLB-type EDGE, per his comments to Panthers dot com during Mini-camp: “Just being an outside linebacker, you see a lot more, and I feel like I’m able to use my IQ more than when my hand is in the dirt,” he said. “Because I can see formations, I can see backfield sets and what I’m getting.”
• He’s playing on his fifth-year option this season, which leaves him as an extension candidate for a Panthers franchise that has some cap space.

86.Haason Reddick — EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR)

• Reddick was named second-team All-Pro in 2022 after a season in which he notched 16 sacks (2nd in NFL) and 68 QB pressures in the regular season, before delivering a 3.5-sack postseason that included a dominant day versus San Francisco QBs in the NFC Championship Game.
• He originally began his career as an off-ball inside linebacker in Arizona before moving to the edge full-time three seasons ago. And since 2020 he’s amassed 180 pressures, 40 sacks and 13 forced fumbles.
• I like to call him the ‘energizer bunny’ pass rusher for Philly due to his great speed/quickness, bend, and strip-sack ability. He also harnesses more power than you’d anticipate from a 6-foot-1, 240-pound pass rusher.
• Philadelphia has been at the forefront of the increasingly popular five-man front on the defensive line. The Eagles 3-3-5 looks essentially have become 5-1-5 formations with Reddick moving to the line of scrimmage. NFL Films legend and tape guru Greg Cosell broke down Reddick’s role on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast: “Think of all of these teams playing five-man fronts now…on one side, that linebacker is sort of the Sam ‘backer but also rushes the quarterback. Think of Hasson Reddick with the Eagles…when you watch the Eagles tape, you also know he dropped into coverage a bit since he’s essentially the Sam linebacker in that five-man front.”
• Cosell’s comments on Reddick were brought up during a pre-draft podcast segment on Nolan Smith, an EDGE defender from Georgia whom Philadelphia eventually drafted in the first round (30th overall) weeks later. Cosell saw Reddick as a pro player comparison for Smith. Considering that, it’s possible the Eagles see Smith as an eventual replacement for Reddick in his current role in the Philly defense.

85. Stephon Gilmore – CB, Dallas Cowboys (Last year: 80)

• Now on his fourth different team and defensive scheme since 2021, Gilmore remains one of the best boundary cornerbacks in the game entering his age-33 season.
• PFF graded him as the ninth-best cornerback in football, and sixth-best in coverage in 2022.
• Gilmore was OK in zone coverage with Indianapolis in 2022. The Colts were expected to play heavy zone coverage (predicted Cover 3) last season, which made Gilmore an interesting preseason fit, but he ended up with more man and match coverage opportunities than expected, and that’s still his bread and butter.
• He posted a PFF grade of 79.1 in single coverage last season. He may not follow around opposing team’s best receivers into the slot and across the formation anymore, but he will work well in press coverage on the outside.
• In Dallas under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Gilmore will work well as a press-man/Cover 3 CB opposite the more aggressive Trevon Diggs.

84. Josh Allen — EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25)

• An overall force with his size (6-foot-5, 262 lbs) at EDGE who showed why he was the 7th overall pick in the 2019 draft this past season.
• Last year Allen was graded third among EDGE defenders in run coverage by PFF, and was fourth in the NFL in QB pressures (64).
• The Jaguars ranked second in league in pressures (209) and third in pressure rate (32.9%) last season, but were tied for 25th in sacks (35). Jacksonville OLB coach Bill Shuey thinks Allen’s (7 sacks in 2022) ability to turn pressures into sacks may take the Jags to another level in 2023: “He does understand that there’s a little bit of a gap to close right there between pressures and sacks,” Shuey told Fox Sports. “But the pressures are important. He does a good job there. He does a good job in the run game. He sets great edges in the run game. He plays with great effort. He’s all over the field. … At the end of the day, he’ll tell you and I’ll tell you the same thing: We have to get more sack production.”
• Allen, along with 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, should help the Jaguars take a major leap defensively in 2023.

83.Matt Milano — LB, Buffalo Bills (Last year: NR)

• One of the league’s most underrated players. He’s a new-age linebacker with quickness and range to defend the middle of the field in pass defense and blitz the QB, that also has some old-school toughness to help out in defending the run.
• Last season Milano was a First-team All-Pro off-ball backer. He notched five sacks, three interceptions and didn’t allow a TD in 81 pass coverage targets. Additionally, PFF graded him as the fourth-best linebacker in coverage, and third-best in pass rushing.
• The Boston College product reminds me a bit of Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks, who is about the same size as Milano (6-0, 223 lbs), and was the premier pass coverage LB for years in Minnesota.
• There’s also mini-shades of Luke Keuchly, which makes sense since Milano is essentially filling that role for current Bills head coach and former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. The Bills play a base Nickel defense in a 4-2-5 look (4-3 principles), with two linebackers on the field.
• There’s an increased importance in Milano’s health and ability this season with Tremaine Edmunds now in Chicago. Finding Milano’s new partner in middle-of-the-field coverage is an important task over the summer and fall.

82. Christian Wilkins — DI, Miami Dolphins (Last year: NR)

• The former first-round pick made a big jump in Year 4 as the Dolphins best defensive player. His 79 defensive stops and 20 run stuffs led all defensive tackles last season, and only Kansas City’s Chris Jones played more snaps as an interior defender. He’s both durable and menacing as an interior wrecker.
• Wilkins’ ability in the interior opened up things for the young, up-and-coming Jaelen Phillips (who is also on this list), and should continue to do so for fellow stand-up pass rusher Bradley Chubb as well.
• Miami’s defense is now littered with talented former first-round picks, and with Vic Fangio now aboard to run the unit, there’s a ton of optimism in South Beach for an improved Dolphins defense.
• Much how like Seattle’s Cover 3 look took the league by storm in the early-to-mid 2010s, Fangio’s 3-4, pre-snap two-high safety defense has been imitated or re-produced around the league in recent seasons, and Miami has the innovator himself in the building now.
• Wilkins, who PFF graded as the fourth-best run-defender in the interior in 2022, is a perfect fit to both occupy space (and multiple gaps), and also pressure the QB up the middle for Fangio.

81. D.J. Reader – DI, Cincinnati Bengals (Last year: NR)

• A massive interior presence at nose tackle (6-foot-3, 335 lbs) that helped the Bengals complete a late 2021 defensive turnaround in their Super Bowl 56 run that carried into 2022.
• His ability to command double-team blocks has opened up things for EDGE Trey Hendrickson and others. However, he’s not just a space eater.
• Although he posted zero sacks in 2022, he notched 32 QB pressures, and PFF graded him as the fifth-best interior pass rusher in the league. He’s a pocket pusher who collapses the immediate line of sight for a non-mobile QB.
• The Bengals’ ability to play defense the way they want all depends on Reader’s ability up to wreck havoc up front. He’s the key cog to their defensive front seven, and was the unit’s best player last year. The return of Cincy’s tough, nastiness starts with Reader. He sets the tone.

80. Roquan Smith — LB, Baltimore Ravens (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25)

• A fierce linebacker with deft range in pass defense and punishing tackling ability.
• Baltimore gave up a second-round pick and change for Smith and then inked him to a five-year, $100 million extension ($60 million in total guarantees) to make him the highest paid off-ball LB in the league.
• I believe he’ll reach his potential in Baltimore, an organization near the top in talent evaluation and development on the defensive side of the ball. Even just after trading for Smith at midseason last year, the Ravens then gave up the second-fewest points (14.6) and third-fewest yards (288.8) in the league the rest of the way, and Smith finished the year with 169 total tackles (3rd in NFL).
• The Ravens, like the Steelers and Patriots, have been one of the staple teams in 3-4 defense utilization in the 21st century.
• The Ravens are more flexible in their scheme under newer defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Some 3-4 principles remain in place, but some 4-3 looks are now on the menu. Despite having more experience with 3-4 styles in the past, I think this benefits Smith in the long run, as he’s more of an athletic LB that could thrive in 4-3-style looks.

79. Josh Jacobs — RB, Las Vegas Raiders (Last year: NR)

• A tough, new-age no-nonsense runner who uses a blend of power, patience and acceleration to form a running style that also flavors a touch of Taz the Tasmanian Devil.
• He led the league in rushing yards (1,653) and first downs (93) in 2022, earning him First-team All-Pro honors. He also added 12 rushing TDs and 53 receptions, and averaged an impressive 4.9 yards per carry on 340 carries (that’s tough to do).
• He was much more patient and comfortable in Josh McDaniels’ power-rushing gap scheme last season than he’s ever looked in the pros. At times he reminded me of Le’Veon Bell. More so, Jacobs reminds me of a more explosive, super-charged version of what Damien Harris brought to the Patriots as a tough, classic workman’s running back.
• Speaking of former Patriots, Jacobs owes thanks to fullback Jakob Johnson, who had a career year lead-blocking for Jacobs last season. Similarly, fellow Top 101 players member Kolton Miller helped an improved run-blocking offensive line pave the way for the league’s rushing champion.
• Life as a NFL running back in this day and age is tough from a contract standpoint (see Dalvin Cook’s blurb above). Even after an All-Pro season, he’s still without a long-term contract, as the Raiders slapped the franchise tag on him, which has made him vocally upset. Could this be his last season in Vegas?
• (Edit: This piece was published before the Raiders and Jacobs agreed to a re-worked deal for this season.)

78. Wyatt Teller — OG, Cleveland Browns (Last year: 64)

• The two-time All-Pro is one of the best run blockers in all of football.
• He’s a mauler with athleticism for his size (6-foot-4, 314 pounds).
• Still finding ways to improve as a pass blocker, which is useful for the Browns play-action passing game revolving around their outside zone rushing scheme.
• Him and Joel Bitonio make up the the best guard tandem in the league.
• His 2022 season wasn’t as strong as the 2020 and 2021 campaigns that had him bursting onto the scene, but he should pick things back up in 2023.

77. Aidan Hutchinson – EDGE, Detroit Lions (Last year: NR)

• He picked up the pace down the stretch to produce a fine rookie season. He led all rookies in sacks (9.5) and baited quarterbacks into three interceptions, J.J. Watt-style.
• At 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, there definitely is a J.J. Watt-lite factor here with Hutchinson as an athletic, less beefy 4-3 DE version of what Watt brought to the table as a 3-4 DE/often interior presence. Both Hutchinson and Watt are uber-athletic and toolsy for defensive lineman.
• Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has Hutchinson and the Lions’ defensive line playing a Fangio-like “gap and a half” technique up front. The Lions were 1-6 and allowing a league-worst 32.6 points per game last season before turning it around in the second half of the season, with perhaps Glenn’s defensive teaching and young talent gaining experience (such as Hutchinson) heavily factoring in. From Weeks 13-18, Hutchinson was PFF‘s third-highest graded EDGE defender.
• Usually with EDGE prospects of Hutchinson’s caliber (No. 2 overall pick in 2022), they burst onto the scene in either Year 1 or 2 as a superstar, or else they’ll just be…really good. I think Hutchinson will reach superstar mode in a league already ripe with great young talent on the edge. And similar to Hutchinson’s evolution, the Lions’ talent-heavy roster may be in for a glow-up, as well. The hype is real in Detroit.

76. Kevin Byard – S, Tennessee Titans (Last year: 40)

• Byard enters his age-30 season as one of the NFL’s best safeties in overall play and versatility.
• He has the second-most interceptions (27) in the league since 2017, as well as one of the league’s best ball hawk rates (measure of how often a player disrupts a pass divided by targets as the nearest defender, per NFL Next Gen Stats) over the span of his career.
• He can play more than just as a free safety. He can also play man or zone coverage in the slot, or also go spin-the-dial as a defender who drops down into the box to deliver hits and terrorize QBs and pass catchers in the middle of the field post-snap.
• With the center fielder/true free safety position going to the wayside in favor of more pre-snap two-high coverages to stop high-octane passing games, Byard’s ability to do it all is a near must-have.

75. Trey Hendrickson – EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals (Last year: 68)

• His sack numbers were a little down last year after back-to-back double-digit campaigns, but he led the league in pressure rate (16.8%) as he and the Bengals defense produced a stellar campaign that helped vault them to a second straight AFC title game in Kansas City.
• He also notched 57 QB pressures (9th in NFL) and delivered a career-high PFF grade while playing as an on-the-line EDGE in the Bengals 4-3 and 4-2-5 fronts.
• He’s one of the few high-priced free agents in recent seasons to catch on quickly and actually improve with his new club, as evident by his play the last two seasons after coming over from New Orleans. He’s a tough player who gives it his all. “Great motor and violence,” an NFC executive said of Hendrickson to ESPN. “Plays game the right way.”
• The Bengals recently gave Hendrickson a one-year extension with a bit of a pay bump as a show of faith.

74.  Matthew Judon — EDGE, New England Patriots (Last year: 99)

• He’s the perfect old-but-new-age player for the Patriots ‘Elephant‘ role as a strong-side 3-4 OLB.
• He can set the edge in the run game, and is even better as a pass rusher. He’s how the Patriots want their EDGE players to be.
• “He’s been great for us…You know, we made him {Judon} our highest paid player” Belichick told The 33rd Team‘s Mike Tannenbaum with a smile in a recent interview. One connection I’ve noticed with Belichick’s team-building philosophy is that he’s much more inclined to spend big money on a defensive free agent from the Baltimore Ravens. Belichick and former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome (currently VP of player personnel, still in BAL) go way back from the old Cleveland Browns days. The old Browns turned into the Ravens after Belichick’s firing and Newsome stayed on in Baltimore and built his teams with Bill Parcells principles (3-4 defense, stressed importance on special teams, etc.), much like Belichick did. The Patriots have taken many players from Baltimore over the years due to their shared philosophies and defensive systems. Two-gapping defensive lineman (not many other teams utilize these in this day and age, but NE and BAL do) Lawrence Guy came over in 2017 from Baltimore as a mid-tier signing. But Judon’s big deal reminded me of the Patriots mega-deal to 3-4 OLB Adalius Thomas in the 2007 offseason. Belichick doesn’t usually shell out big money deals in free agency, sans for a few, but he went back to Baltimore’s roster when he needed to acquire a talented player on the edge at a high price.
• He had a great 2021 season, his first with the Patriots. But he slowed down the stretch. I was somewhat skeptical of how he’d perform for a full season going into 2022, but he put together a more complete campaign in Year 2 under the Hoodie. His 15.5 sacks last year (t-4th in NFL) brings his total to 28 takedowns in two seasons with the Pats.
• He’s essentially the current face of the franchise in New England for a team that is struggling to find star playmakers post the greatest dynasty in NFL history for nearly 20 years.

73. Justin Simmons – S, Denver Broncos (Last year: 70)

• Played in just 12 games last year, but still notched six interceptions (tied for NFL best) and was named second-team All-Pro for the third time in the last four seasons.
• As mentioned a few times already in this list, versatility is in vogue for present-day safeties, and although Simmons plays most of his snaps as a deep safety, he still spends quite a bit of time in the box and in the slot.
• Sean Payton has brought back Vance Joseph to Denver as the team’s defensive coordinator after Joseph served as Broncos head coach in 2017 and 2018. Simmons has played for Joseph before as the primary deep safety in his aggressive, 3-4, single-high safety defense. With much of the league turning to two-high looks, there’s a chance Simmons remains a pre-snap two-high safety after his last four years under Fangio disciples (Ed Donatell, Ejiro Evero). But still, expect Cover 1 and Cover 3 looks to factor in heavily, meaning Simmons would probably patrol the deep middle.

72. Deebo Samuel – WR (Gadget/RB), San Francisco 49ers (Last year: 31)

• Fresh off a big-money contract extension, Samuel didn’t quite have the season we expected him to have last year in terms of fantasy football standards, but he’s still one of the best offensive weapons in the game, even with lesser volume.
• ‘Gadget’ in his title above is not meant to disparage. I may be better off just listing “football player.” With Christian McCaffrey now in the fold, he’s being used less as a running back, which is good news for his longevity. He’s still best used as a do-it-all player that both runs routes as an off-line receiver or comes in motion pre-snap.
• Brandon Aiyuk is essentially the team’s top receiver as a Z-option with quickness and nuance as a route-runner, and Samuel, who is a better overall player at the moment, is a perfect compliment. He’s not essentially a route-running maven, but he manages.
• “He’s the guy you game-plan against when you play San Fran. It’s not George Kittle, it’s Deebo,” an AFC executive said to ESPN. “He can take over the game with his big-play ability, his RAC {run after catch} and physicality.”
• Samuel entered training camp looking trim/fit and ready to go for 2023. “I’d say this is probably the best shape that I’ve been in since the 2019 year,” Samuel said to the media at camp. “You know, you got that long time of working out, a long time of preparation. I took them 40 days away and really got to it and got to where I wanted to be.” “Never had a grown man send me so many pictures with his shirt off, but it looks good, and I can tell he’s put the work in,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said to the media at training camp.

71. Chris Olave – WR (Z), New Orleans Saints (Last year: NR)

• Last year’s No. 11 overall pick had a fantastic rookie season (72 cathes, 1,042 rec yards, 4 TDs) as a smooth, downfield route-runner as the Saints’ Z-receiver who lines up more off-line on the outside than inside.
• With so-so play (at best) at QB, Olave still ranked 6th in the league in yards per route run, just ahead of Davante Adams. Among rookie WRs since 2015, Olave’s yards per route run mark and PFF grade (82.9) have only been surpassed by Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. With Derek Carr now in New Orleans, Olave will at least play with an accurate passer who has shown more league success.
• “Smooth in the route tree and showcasing the vertical stretch ability to float past defenders,” ESPN analyst Matt Bowen said. “He’s impressed as a perimeter target early in his NFL career….His ability to separate opens up opportunities at the second level of the field, too.”
• The Saints passing game over the last five or six seasons has been heavily reliant on Alvin Kamara running option routes out of the backfield, and Michael Thomas dominating the middle of the field as a box-out-and-catch specialist as a big slot receiver. The Saints haven’t had a downfield presence on Olave’s level since Brandin Cooks in 2016. Both Cooks and Olave have demon-like speed, although Cooks feels like more of a burner, and Olave is a far better route-runner and complete package who can win with quickness on more nuanced routes ran closer to the line of scrimmage. Kamara and Thomas’ best years are likely behind them, but Olave should open up things underneath.

70.Penei Sewell – OT, Detroit Lions (Last year: NR)

• He had a lot of fanfare coming into the league in 2021 (No. 7 overall pick, DET), and after time spent at both left and right tackle in his rookie year, he settled into the right tackle spot full time in 2022 as a dominant run blocker. PFF graded him fourth among offensive tackles in run blocking, and he also had 321 run block win rates, which ranked near the very top.
• He actually has fared a lot better at right tackle, but that’s not to say he might not move back over to the left spot at some point. That’s usually seen as the more marquee spot.
• Former NFL scout Bucky Brooks gave his thoughts on Sewell in his ‘Scout’s Notebook’ piece over the summer on NFL dot com, listing him as a franchise cornerstone. “Sewell is an athletic people-mover with the balance and body control to dominate opponents on the edges,” Brooks said. “Whether paving the way for runners as a lead blocker on pin-and-pull plays or stalemating pass rushers on the edge, the third-year pro is a blue-chip player with the dominant skills and nasty temperament that coaches and scouts demand in a franchise tackle.”

69. Christian Darrisaw – OT, Minnesota Vikings (Last year: NR)

• He was phenomenal in Year 2 last year. PFF graded him third among offensive tackles in run blocking (fifth among all O-lineman) and second among his peers overall. He also graded eighth among tackles in pass blocking.
• “Supreme talent,” an AFC executive said of Darrisaw to ESPN. “Really natural athlete.
• Like many young prospects, Darrisaw is still cleaning things up. Year 3 could be an All-Pro season for him. The former first-round pick should man the left tackle position in Minnesota for years to come.

68.Jaycee Horn – CB, Carolina Panthers (Last year: NR) 

• This is probably a bit higher than you anticipated for a young player who has missed 18 games in two seasons, but he’s showcased his play as a top-flight cornerback when on the field.
• Considering he’s a 6-foot-1, 200-pound press-cover man out of South Carolina who went in the first round, there’s an easy Stephon Gilmore comparison there. But that’s not just low-hanging fruit. Gilmore is a solid comp for Horn.
• Carolina has a good base of young talent on defense led by DT Derrick Brown, EDGE Brian Burns, and Horn. Ejiro Evero will now take over the group as the team’s defensive coordinator. “The Panthers are going to play fast,” said former NFL head coach Chuck Pagano, via The 33rd Team. “They’re going to be aggressive. They’ll be sound. There will be a lot more zone coverage than man coverage, but DC Ejiro Evero won’t be afraid to get after opposing teams when he has to.” 
• Pagano also states the Panthers will probably play a more aggressive style of 3-4 defense. Horn should still get his chances to play press-man on third-down passing situations, which is where he excels.

67.Garrett Wilson – WR (X), New York Jets (Last year: NR)

• He found a way to produce as a rookie despite a ghastly QB situation, bringing in 83 catches and 1,143 receiving yards and earning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now, he’ll serve as Aaron Rodgers’ top target.
• “Slender but has some of that Justin Jefferson ability to separate with quickness and ability to win at all levels, good hands,” an NFL coordinator said of Wilson to ESPN. “Has the skill set to be a complete receiver.”
• I’ve always said Wilson moves like Spider-Man, and that’s a compliment. He’s absolutely filthy with some of his moves after the catch and he’s a contortionist making a play for the ball in the air. He’s one of my favorite players in the league.

66. Jonathan Allen – DI, Washington Commanders (Last year: 58)

• Allen has blossomed into one of the league’s best interior pass rushers as a 4-3 DT who bullies interior offensive lineman back into the quarterback. He has 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons, an impressive mark for a defensive tackle.
• Former No. 2 overall pick (and Defensive Rookie of the Year) Chase Young was expected to be the tone-setter up front for the Commanders at this point but injuries have set him back, leaving Allen as the team’s best defensive lineman up front among other former first round picks in EDGE Montez Sweat and nose tackle Daron Payne, who have both been productive.
• Allen was double-teamed at the second-highest rate (67%) of any player at any position in the NFL last year. Opposing teams keying on Allen led actually led to career years for Payne and Sweat.

65.DeVonta Smith – WR (Z), Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25)

• The former Heisman Trophy winner took a leap forward last season with 95 catches for 1,196 receiving yards as the Eagles route-running winner at the Z-receiver spot opposite A.J. Brown’s Monstars-level play at X.
• “Excellent at the nuances of the position,” a national NFL scout said of Smith to ESPN. “Really good pure receiver. Needs to win at the line with technique due to his size, but he does that well.”
• The Eagles run a RPO-heavy offense with designed vertical shots on play-actions that play off of that. The latter requires pristine route-running from Smith, which he provides. It also helps that Smith worked in an Alabama offense in college with Mac Jones that was also RPO-heavy with a bevy of deep routes attached where Smith could show off his gold-standard route-running chops.

64. Jordan Mailata – OT, Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25)

• He is one of the league’s best stories as an Australian rugby player who never played college football, and was discovered by the league’s International Pathway Program.
• I’ll always remember Good Morning Football‘s Peter Schrager getting excited about Mailata in the lead-up to the 2018 NFL Draft (he went in 7th round to PHI), and then following along with his story throughout the preseason. Now, Mailata has developed into one of the NFL’s best offensive lineman, protecting the blind side for the defending NFC champions.
• At 6-foot-8, 345 pounds he is a mountain of a man that is still asked to move with his size in the Eagles’ RPO-heavy offense. Still, it’s his power that comes in handy for the league’s best offensive line, which in turn springs the running game behind Hurts and the RBs. Because of that, watch out for newcomer running back Rashaad Penny (from SEA) in your fantasy drafts this year.
• He and Lane Johnson make up the best offensive tackle tandem in the league right now.

63.Marlon Humphrey – CB, Baltimore Ravens (Last year: 50)

• When healthy, he’s one of the best cover men in the league, particularly in Cover 1 and Cover 3 looks on the boundary. He’s also capable of manning up in the slot, even at 6-foot, 205 pounds.
• I mentioned before that Baltimore has long been a 3-4 defense. They’ve also spent the last two decades or so specializing in single-high coverage (it was easy with Ed Reed), man-to-man defense and blitzes in Cover 0 and Cover 1 looks. Under new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Baltimore is shifting more to two-high safety looks and three safety personnel packages. The changes there, and an increase in zone coverage looks such as Cover 3 would help alleviate some stress on Humphrey.
• If Marcus Williams can stay healthy in the back end, and Kyle Hamilton continues to burgeon as young, middle-of-the field menace, Baltimore is well equipped to return to glory in the defensive backfield behind Humphrey’s ability as a top-flight CB1.

62.Terry McLaurin – WR (X), Washington Commanders (Last year: 86)

• Wide receiver is one of the most talent-crammed positions in all of football. There’s so many popular names that it’s easy to forget about a guy like McLaurin, who has played with mostly subpar QB play. I have some faith that Washington will find some stability in QB Sam Howell, which should help McLaurin’s production, but that said, he still posted career-highs in receiving yards (1,191) and yards per reception (15.5) in 2022.
• He’s a natural talent at receiver, utilizing his speed, quickness and elite hands to generate separation, and if not, come down with the football over a defender. Since 2021, he leads the league in contested catches (73), via PFF. 
• “His toughness is off the charts,” a national NFL scout said, via ESPN. “He’s grown into a better receiver every year, he wants the ball at the end of the game, and he makes contested catches with the best of them. Quality route runner.”
• With McLaurin manning the X-receiver role, and former first-round pick Jahan Dotson at the Z, Washington is pretty set at the WR position going forward.

61. Derwin James – S, Los Angeles Chargers (Last year: 54)

• After battling some injuries earlier in his career, James has now had two straight years of being relatively healthy, and in turn has been named an All-Pro (First-team in 2021; Second-team in ’22) in each of the past two seasons.
• There aren’t many players more versatile than James, who is labeled as a safety, but wears many hats. Last year he spent 396 snaps in the box, 296 as a deep safety and 174 as a nickel/slot defender sometimes serving in man coverage. He also had the second-highest PFF pass rush grade as a safety. He ended the season with 115 total tackles, four sacks and two interceptions.
• My blurb on James last year still rings true today: “He can function as a free safety, a strong safety, a psuedo-linebacker in the box (who covers and blitzes), or as a man-coverage defender in the slot. He can cover big receivers, fast receivers, shifty receivers, athletic tight ends or running backs in the passing game. He’s the epitome of the new-age type of safety that we’re beginning to see like Ravens 2022 first-round pick Kyle Hamilton.”

60.  Dak Prescott – QB, Dallas Cowboys (Last year: 35)

• Despite team success, it was a bit of a struggle last season compared to his career year in 2021. The Cowboys have relied on their offensive line to spark the running game to in turn provide a base for the passing game throughout Prescott’s career. But outside of Zack Martin, the O-line has begun to break down in terms of durability and play. Since 2018, Prescott and Mahomes have the most 400-yard passing games (9) in the league, as Dallas has begun to lean a bit more on Prescott.
• Tight end Dalton Schultz (now in HOU) and receiver Michael Gallup have been viable complimentary targets to CeeDee Lamb, but Prescott failed to have consistent success when throwing to anyone other than Lamb. He had a 93 QBR throwing Lamb’s way, but a 57 QBR throwing to everyone else. He also threw 15 interceptions in just 12 regular season games.
• After serving as a consultant in Dallas last season, Brian Schottenheimer is now taking over for Kellen Moore at offensive coordinator. Expect Dallas to continue to rely on the run, while putting extra emphasis on vertical passing concepts in spread looks. The Brandin Cooks acquisition signals exactly that, as he’s a deep threat who can also clear things up underneath.
• Dallas has a sneaky-good roster on both sides of the ball if they can stay healthy. Along with Seattle and Detroit, they are part of a trio of contending rosters that could be a legitimate threat to Philadelphia and San Francisco. And with the exception of Jalen Hurts in Philly, Prescott is a step above the quarterbacks of all of the other teams mentioned.

59. Bobby Wagner – LB, Seattle Seahawks (Last year: 61)

• He sneakily had one of the better seasons of his illustrious career last year for a Rams team that had a discouraging year in almost every other facet. He was PFF‘s top-graded linebacker in overall play for the third time in his career (also first in run defense), and notched career-highs in sacks (6) and run stuffs (16.5). He also was named Second-team All-Pro after five straight seasons of making the first team.
• Entering his age-33 season, he’s now back in Seattle leading the charge for a Seahawks team that has quickly been built up into one of the league’s deepest and talented rosters on both sides of the ball. He should fit right back in perfectly as a middle-of-the-field maniac in zone coverage. He’s certainly going to decline at some point, but his range is mostly still there.
• He’s also become more physical as a run defender in his later years. He’s a Super Bowl champion and 6-time First-team All-Pro that should be headed for the Hall of Fame if he retired today, yet he stills plays with intensity. His do-right attitude and leadership will come in handy once again for a burgeoning Seattle club that has found it’s way post-Legion of Boom and Russell Wilson. It also doesn’t hurt that he looks cool as hell in the Seahawks’ fire throwback jerseys that are making a 2023 comeback.

58.   Cameron Heyward – DI, Pittsburgh Steelers (Last year: 49)

• He’s coming off the best four-season stretch of his career heading into his age-34 season. He’s the third-oldest player on my list, but it seems as if he’s in his prime.
• He’s always been a complete player as a pass rusher and run stuffer. He was PFF‘s sixth-highest graded interior defender in run coverage (and fifth in overall play), and he notched 10.5 sacks and a career-high 23 QB hits.
• The Steelers have historically marched to the beat of their own drum over the past two decades when it comes to scheme variance (almost exclusively 3-4/2-4-5 defense with zone coverage tendencies) and free agency moves (very little lucrative deals for non-homegrown players, much like the Packers). To do that and have success, they must draft and cultivate a few franchise cornerstones. Heyward (first-round pick for PIT in 2011) has been one of those guys for Pittsburgh over the past 12 seasons.
• I’ll say it ever year on this piece if I have to — Heyward reminds me of Richard Seymour as player who is versatile enough to dominate either as a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. But in Pittsburgh, he’s been the former as a stout 5-tech who continues to make the Steelers one of the toughest defenses to penetrate over the years.

57.  Rashawn Slater – OT, Los Angeles Chargers (Last year: 57)

• He was awesome in his rookie season in 2021, in which he was named a Second-team All-Pro. He tore his biceps in Week 3 last year and missed the rest of the season, but expect him to get right back on track in 2023.
• The Northwestern product is one of the NFL’s best left tackles. He’ll likely man that spot for Justin Herbert for years to come. The Chargers suffered without him last season, as Herbert’s QBR dropped from 72 with Slater on the field to 58 without him.
• “He’s not your typical tackle because of the lack of length, but he compensates because he’s a rare athlete,” an NFC exec said, via ESPN.

56. Jonathan Taylor– RB, Indianapolis Colts (Last year: 27)

• He missed six games last year due to an ankle injury, and his performance suffered partly due to declining play from a once-stout offensive line. Still, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry and when healthy is one of the league’s best running backs.
• He looks and plays much bigger than his 5-foot-10, 224 pound frame. He can over power between the tackles on both gap and inside zone concepts, but made much of his success in 2021 breaking through arm tackles on outside zone runs under Frank Reich’s scheme.
• Now, Taylor will adjust just slightly to a new offense under another ex-Eagles offensive coordinator in new head coach Shane Steichen. When rookie first-round pick Anthony Richardson eventually replaces Gardiner Minshew at QB, Steichen’s RPO/Zone-read principles out of shotgun/pistol looks should benefit Richardson as they did for Jalen Hurts in Philly. This is where Taylor will fit as a perfect compliment as a powerful lead back in an offense designed to punish defenses on the ground before going to deep shots in the passing game.
• (Edit: This piece was published before news of Jonathan Taylor’s request of a trade. The Colts and Taylor seem primed for a messy split.)

55. Joey Bosa – EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers (Last year: 19)

• At age 28, there’s still time for Bosa to hit his prime, but he’s missed 23 games in the last five years, including 12 regular season games last season due to a groin tear. Still, when on the field, he’s one of the most talented defensive players in the league.
• The Chargers EDGE duo of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa has not gone quite as planned these past two years. Brandon Staley’s Fangio-esque 3-4 defense was supposed to be a hotbed for the Bosa-Mack combo to take over games. But Mack is now 32 years old and declining, and Bosa can’t stay healthy.
• But when on the field, his frame and athleticism at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds still make him a classic-style nightmare disruptor on the edge for opposing quarterbacks. If he can stay on the field, I’m optimistic that he’ll produce at an elite level.

54. Laremy Tunsil – OT, Houston Texans (Last year: NR)

• He’s a premier pass blocker at left tackle, grading as PFF‘s best at the position in protecting the quarterback in 2022, which was his best season as a pro.
• We are long ways away from the infamous “gas mask” video that caused him to fall out of the Top 10 in the 2016 NFL Draft. This offseason he became the highest-paid at his position with a three-year, $95 million extension.
• He enters his age-29 season as the Texans’ best player, and a must-have in helping keep rookie No. 2 overall pick QB C.J. Stroud upright.

53. Quenton Nelson – OG, Indianapolis Colts (Last year: 15)

• After three straight First-team All-Pro seasons to begin his career, Nelson has declined some in the past two seasons. Last year he allowed more sacks than his previous four years combined, and he dropped to 24th among guards in PFF run block grade. Still, I am banking on him turning things around in 2023.
• His career was on sort of a John Hannah, Hall-of-Fame-level trajectory at first. He signed a record-breaking deal for guards last September, and it was more than warranted.
• He’s a bigger guard at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds. When he’s on his game, he’s a dominant blocker at the attack point, and is as smart as they come when it comes to play design.
• The Colts are heading toward an Eagles-like RPO/zone-read offense under Shane Streichen and Anthony Richardson. The fresh start for the franchise should do well for the team’s best player, who can thrive as a tone-setter and leader at the line of scrimmage.

52.Jason Kelce – C, Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25)

• He was named First-team All-Pro for the fifth time in six seasons last year, and PFF graded him as the league’s second-best center, which was his seventh time being graded in the top three.
• He remains as tough as ever, and provides leadership for a talented team with a bevy of younger talent coming in over the past few seasons. But he still produces on the field, posting a 95.5% pass block win rate and finishing second among centers in PFF pass block and run block grade in 2022.
• He’ll turn 36 in November, so this could very well be his last season. He’s the oldest player on my list. 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens was slated to be his replacement at center, but Jurgens may start at right guard this season after Isaac Seumalo’s departure (free-agent signing for PIT). Kelce actually apologized to Jurgens last offseason after stating that he was coming back, which Jurgens laughed off. “I’m like, ‘Dude, you owe me nothing,’” Jurgens said of Kelce’s text before last season. “He’s done so much for me already. I’m pumped he’s back. You can’t have a better locker room guy, a team leader than that.”

51.    Creed Humphrey — C, Kansas City Chiefs (Last year: 83)

• He was named Second-team All-Pro in 2022 after leading all centers in overall PFF grade and run-blocking grade for the second-straight season. He also didn’t allow a sack all year, and led all centers in pass block win rate (98.1%). No disrespect to Jason Kelce, but Humphrey is the best center in the league heading into 2023.
• “He’s really not beholden to any system — you could put him in any offense, and he would thrive,” a Pro Bowl offensive player said of Humphrey, via ESPN. “It was good to see that [in 2022] he had to handle more, saw less three-man fronts with Tyreek Hill gone, and he handled it great.”
• The Chiefs have went from a high-flying deep-passing offense to a physical unit predicated on middle-of-the-field passing concepts, yards after catch, and running the football behind an improved offensive line. Humphrey’s physicality up front has helped set the tone.
• “We want to be known as one of the most physically dominating lines in the league, and we have the guys who can do it,” Humphrey told the Chiefs’ in-house reporters last summer.  “That’s our entire outlook. When teams play us, we want them to know that they’re playing a physical offensive line that finishes through the whistle. We’re excited to get to work on that.”

50. Chris Lindstrom – OG, Atlanta Falcons (Last year: NR)

• He’s a mauler in the run game, taking the top old-school, punisher offensive guard label from Wyatt Teller last year as he was named Second-team All-Pro and led all offensive lineman (regardless of position) in both PFF overall grade (95.0) and run block grade (93.1).
• The Boston College product is as tough as they come. He fits well in an Atlanta Falcons offense Arthur Smith is modeling after his last stop in Tennessee. Lindstrom needs to play in space for the wide-zone concepts, but otherwise this is a multi-tight end offense with rookie running back Bijon Robinson set to take the Derrick Henry role as a 300-plus carry back.
• He became the highest paid guard in history this offseason with a five-year, $105 million extension. The 2019 first-round pick (No. 14 overall) has gotten better each season. He’s earned it.

49. Joe Thuney – OG, Kansas City Chiefs (Last year: 65)

• I mentioned in Creed Humprhey’s blurb above that the Chiefs have become more physical on the offensive line. And although Thuney himself can be nasty, he mostly brings finesse to the unit as a technical savant with pass-blocking prowess at the right guard position. He’s the most valuable offensive lineman on the team.
• Thuney is probably the best pass-blocking guard in the league. He led all guards in PFF pass block grade and pass block win rate (98.9%) for the second consecutive season.
• Thuney is also among the most durable players in football. The three-time Super Bowl champ had yet to miss a game in six-plus seasons with New England and Kansas City before an ankle injury sidelined him late last year for two games.

48.  Zack Martin – OG, Dallas Cowboys (Last year: 25)

• Martin, a six-time First-team All-Pro, is one of the best offensive lineman of the 21st century. Now at age 32, you may see a bit of a decline this season, but he’s still a top-tier player.
• He has been the ring leader for a group who helped vault DeMarco Murray to success in 2014, Ezekiel Elliott from 2016-2018, and has helped to keep Cowboys in the thick of the best running teams in football today, with Tony Pollard likely taking the lead back mantle this season.
• Even as a guard, he’s arguably been more valuable to Dallas’ offensive line success than Cowboys oft-injured left tackle Tyron Smith. Since entering the NFL in 2014, Dallas has a 0.07 EPA (expected points added) per play mark with Martin in the lineup, and a lowly 0.01 EPA per play without him.
• For the reason above, Dallas would be wise to figure out a revised deal to placate Martin, who is unhappy with his contract
• (Edit: This piece was published before Zack Martin and the Cowboys figured out a re-worked contract to give the All-Pro guard a raise in salary for 2023.)

47. Lane Johnson– OT, Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR)

• The third Eagles offensive lineman on this list, Johnson was superb last year in his age-32 season, earning First-team All-Pro honors for the second time and tying for the lead-league among offensive tackles in pass block win rate (95%).
• “Premier player,” an AFC scout told ESPN. “Incredibly gifted athlete with force.”
• He’s a freak manning the right tackle spot in the Eagles RPO-heavy offense. Philly moves quick on many of its plays but there’s also a bevy of deep-shot passing plays involved where Johnson is asked to hold up versus some of the league’s best edge rushers. Last year, only Laremy Tunsil had a better PFF pass-blocking grade among tackles. Johnson also hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 11 of 2020.

46.Saquon Barkley – RB, New York Giants (Last year: NR, ‘Next’ 25) 

• The ingenious of Brian Daboll helped bring Barkley back into the limelight as one of the league’s premier backs in 2022. He rushed for a career-high 1,312 rush yards and 10 TDs as the Giants’ focal point on offense, helping along Daniel Jones to a career year despite having a sub-adequate receiving core.
• Daboll certainly brought a mix of flair (pre-snap motion, etc.) and toughness (trap schemes, etc.) to a Giants offense that greatly needed it, but it was Barkley’s grit, workhorse ability and talent that is the cornerstone of this offense. Without him (see next bullet), the G-men will struggle, despite the addition of tight end Darren Waller.
• Barkley is another sad case of the devaluing of running backs. Along with Josh Jacobs and Dalvin Cook, he’s the most prominent present example. After a career year, the Giants — maybe smartly, due to cap space management — refused to meet Barkley’s standards for a long-term deal, initially trying to force him to play on the franchise tag before giving him a slightly better one-year incentive-laden deal. It was worth wondering if he’d sit out the season in holdout fashion a la Le’Veon Bell in 2018.
• Few players in the NFL have the talent, athleticism and strength compared to his peers as Barkley does. Still at just 26 years old, he is one of the few running backs worth paying a ton of money to, at least on a “three years or less” type of deal.

45. Jaire Alexander – CB, Green Bay Packers (Last year: 48)

• He’s one of the NFL’s best technicians as a modern-day cover man at CB. He’s at the top with Patrick Surtain II when it comes to crispness at the position. Pitted against Justin Jefferson in Week 17 last year, he allowed the star receiver to just one catch for 15 yards.
• Additionally, Alexander quietly picked up another Second-team All-Pro nod and graded out fourth among CBs in coverage, via PFF. He also had five interceptions.
• He spends most of his time on the outside, but could easily move inside and cover the best receivers in the game from the slot in man coverage, too.
• “Ultra-competitor with great ball skills so good things usually happen when he’s on the field,” an NFL scout said to ESPN. “Has ideal man-to-man matchup traits.”

44. Jaylen Waddle — WR (Z), Miami Dolphins (Last year: 94)

• After a high-volume rookie season (140 targets, 104 catches), Waddle was more of a big play threat in 2022 under Mike McDaniel’s Shanahan scheme. His receptions and targets were down but he improved to 12.2 yards per average depth of target and his receiving yards (1,015 to 1,356) and yards per reception (9.8 to 18.1) went way way up.
• He actually was the league-leader in yards per reception as both a downfield and YAC threat. San Francisco and Miami execute schemed touches, deep shots and overall play designs so well. They know how to get their playmakers in space. And with Tyreek Hill taking attention away, Waddle was able to thrive on deep drags on play-action shots. He gained separation like it was no one’s business, which helped juice his YPC numbers with his yards after catch burst that saw him on the run from the catch point while barely breaking stride. Everything was explosive, everything was smooth. Having both Waddle and Hill on the same team in a Shanahan-style system is simply unfair.
• As evident by his rookie season, he could thrive as a high-volume slot working option routes underneath. Or he could be a full-time gadget player utilizing pre-snap motion and screens/reverses as the majority of his touches. But he’s best used as he was last year, as an explosive threat.
• “He’s not a small gimmick guy. He’s the real deal,” a senior NFL executive said of Waddle to ESPN. “I’d take him over most of the guys in the league. Pure speed but knows how to win at any level of the field.”

43. Andrew Thomas – OT, New York Giants (Last year: NR)

• After two up-and-down seasons to begin his career after being drafted No. 4 overall, Thomas “Kool-Aid manned” onto the scene in 2022 as a Second-team All-Pro and grading as PFF‘s third-best tackle. He also was the league’s most valuable tackle, according to PFF WAR.
• Brian Daboll came in and implemented a variety of new offensive concepts and re-activated Saquon Barkley as a top-tier offensive weapon. None of that would have worked without Thomas’ help on the blindside.
• He’s now a franchise cornerstone, as the Giants wisely locked him up to a record contract (five-year, $117.5 million extension w/ $67 million guaranteed) after they picked up his fifth-year option in May.

42. D.K. Metcalf – WR (X), Seattle Seahawks (Last year: 67)

• He had career highs in targets (141) and receptions (90) last year working with Geno Smith. As a 6-foot-4, 235-pound receiver who runs a 4.33 40-yard dash with a 40.5-inch vertical leap, he remains one of the most freakish athletes the league has ever seen.
• He’s essentially a dream-scenario X-receiver and deep threat for any scout or GM. He’s a Greak God who doubles as one of the league’s most intimidating athletes.
• He was knocked for his quickness/lateral agility and route-running coming out of the draft, which caused his absurd slide to the second round. I see almost no issue with those things when I watch him on Sundays.
• “He has improved as a route runner — he doesn’t run the entire route tree, but the routes he does run he’s really good and can rip off a big play at any time,” a veteran NFL defensive coach told ESPN. “Really hard to tackle.”
• After the selection of Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round of this past draft (No. 20 overall), the Seahawks may now push the Bengals for the league’s best WR trio with Smith-Njigba working the slot, Tyler Lockett running downfield routes as the Z, and Metcalf playing the X-receiver role. Additionally, Seattle has one of the league’s top overall rosters. Watch out for them.

41.  Mark Andrews – TE, Baltimore Ravens (Last year: 51)  

• A season after leading all TEs in targets, receiving yards, touchdowns (t-1st) and PFF grade, he still put up fairly good numbers despite the extra attention from defenses and no help elsewhere from the Ravens’ middling wide receiver core.
• The Ravens’ entire offense under Greg Roman revolved around Lamar Jackson designed runs and middle-of-the-field passing concepts to Andrews. Luckily, he’s the complete package at the position, grading as the fourth-best tight end in both receiving and run blocking via PFF last year. He also ranked first among TEs in run block win rate (86%) last year.
• “Major matchup issue with his size, speed, athleticism and route-running ability,” an NFL scouting director said to ESPN. “Huge catch radius. A really easy guy to throw it to. Always the primary guy for the defense.”
• Now, former Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken is taking over the Ravens’ offense a year after coaching the best tight end duo in years in college football in Brock Bowers (future 2024 first-round pick) and Darnell Washington (drafted by PIT in Round 3 this spring). Andrews could essentially serve as Monken’s new Bowers, and he and  athletic pass-catching TE Isaiah Likely should find success together in multi-tight end sets that may include more spread looks and a more modern approach to NFL passing.

40. Christian McCaffrey – RB, San Francisco 49ers (Last year: 79) 

• The league’s best dual-threat back was able to prove himself in a more competent offense in 2022 after Carolina dealt him at midseason. And despite entering his seventh year, McCaffrey is just 27 years old. This gives him a chance for a Marshawn Lynch-like brilliant second act with his second club.
• McCaffrey in Shanahan’s scheme proved to be lethal, as he finished the season with 85 catches, 1,139 rush yards and 13 total TDs. He also graded out as PFF‘s best receiving back and second-best RB in overall play. San Francisco ranked 20th in points per game, 21st in offensive DVOA (Football Outsiders-created efficiency metric), 15th in Pass DVOA and 26th in rushing DVOA before McCaffrey’s arrival last year. Since C-Mac joined, San Francisco then was second in PPG (30.5), second in overall offensive DVOA, first in Pass DVOA and 6th in run DVOA.
• “He’s {McCaffrey} one of the most versatile offensive players in the league,” an AFC executive told ESPN. “He can be used on perimeter runs, interior runs, out of the backfield, split out. He’s in tremendous shape and has size, strength and speed.
• He was expected to flourish running Shanahan’s patented outside and inside zone run concepts, but he also finished the year with 138 snaps in the slot or out wide as a pure WR. He can run underneath option routes as well as most receivers.
• Over the summer, Shanahan compared McCaffrey’s ability to beat his man with no help to Steph Curry’s ability to hit threes, and said Christian’s ability to force extra help on him opens things up for the rest of the offense. “The defense has got to help the guy guarding (McCaffrey),” Shanahan told The Athletic. “That’s where it gets cool. That’s what I love so much about Christian and having him for those nine games — I don’t care what leverage the linebackers play, Christian’s going to beat them, consistently. … And when you have someone who can do that consistently, they’re not going to allow that linebacker to play that leverage in a certain way without help on other leverage. It takes two…“If I put it in basketball terms, you’ve got guys like Steph Curry…when you put Steph somewhere, they’re not going to put one guy on him. Steph can create leverage and make that 3 forever. So you’re going to have to help somewhere, and that just spaces everything out. Christian really makes it easier to get the ball to {George} Kittle, to {Brandon} Aiyuk, to Deebo {Samuel}, to Jauan {Jennings}.

39. Derrick Henry – RB, Tennessee Titans (Last year: 26)

• Common sense/history would suggest that Henry could rapidly decline this season, but the same could have been said coming into last year, in which he ultimately ran for 1,538 yards (2nd in NFL) and 13 TDs.
• He’ll be 30 at the end of this season, and last year was the first time in the last four seasons that he didn’t lead the league in carries, instead finishing second (349). Yet, he continues to embrace contact, and often runs through it. According to ESPN, Henry ran for 888 yards after contact last season, which was the second-highest mark since they began tracking the metric in 2009 (Adrian Peterson, 1019 rush yds after contact – 2012).
• I say it ever year on this list, but he truly feels like the closest we’ve seen to Jim Brown and Adrian Peterson on the field. I can’t predict a steep decline with him until I see it.
• The Titans fired the bulk of their offensive staff after a poor campaign surrounding Henry in 2022, but they promoted from within with Tim Kelly moving up from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator in his second year with the team. Expect a fresh playbook with new terminology, formations and personnel tendencies, but the expectation is that the offense will still heavily revolve around the high usage of Henry. The Titans ranked fourth in the NFL in rush rate (51.6%), and that number could be similar this season.

38. George Kittle – TE, San Francisco 49ers (Last year: 20)

• He had a career-high 11 TDs and was named Second-team All-Pro last year. He also was PFF‘s second-highest graded TE (behind Travis Kelce) and caught 60 receptions on just 86 targets, which is an absurd success rate.
• “He’s the most explosive athlete at the position,” an NFL personnel man told ESPN. “Probably the best at creating separation and yards after the catch.” Kittle happens to lead all TEs in yards after catch average (7.2) since coming into the league in 2017.
• The Shanahan-style offense typically deemphasizes TEs in the passing game (see Mike Gesicki’s production in Miami last year when Mike McDaniel joined), but the 49ers have always kept Kittle involved as a YAC and break tackle machine as a pass catcher. Still, he was more of a focal point in 2018 and 2019. The abundance of talent by the way of Brandon Aiyuk (114 targets in 2022), Deebo Samuel (94) and Christian McCaffrey (65) certainly plays a factor, as does Kittle’s obvious presence as a monster playmaker now commanding more attention from defenses.
• He helped make things easy on Brock Purdy in 2022 with Shanahan concepts such as designed bootleg passes that had Kittle dragging over the middle as an easy target.
• The tight end position can really be split into different parts at this point. While Travis Kelce still excels as a chip-blocker and off-line presence as more of an H-Back on some Chiefs running concepts, Kittle (and Mark Andrews) still spends a lot of time blocking giant EDGE defenders like a traditional tight end would. And he does it extremely well. He deserves credit for that.

37. DeForest Buckner – DI, Indianapolis Colts (Last year: 29)

• Amidst a disastrous Colts season, he maintained his play among the top defensive tackles. At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, he’s one of the most intimidating defensive players in football.
• Only Aaron Donald has been double-teamed more since 2017 (1,645 snaps). His presence up front has opened things up for fellow defensive tackle Grover Stewart in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s 4-3/Cover 3/match-based defense. Former first-round pick Kwity Paye is also blossoming on the edge.
• Still at just 29 years old, Bucknerd could have three or more seasons left of All-Pro-worthy play.

36. Nick Chubb – RB, Cleveland Browns (Last year: 44)

• Strong and powerful runner who has excelled in an outside zone scheme you’d think is tailored to backs of a slightly different mold (think: Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffrey). There’s a chance he’d push for 2,000 yards in an old-school gap scheme such as Josh McDaniels’ system in Las Vegas, or in New England.
• He ran for 1,525 yards and 12 TDs last season, and led the league in 20+ yard runs (13) and explosive rushing plays (23) while being named Second-team All-Pro.
• Mentioned by Sharp Football Stats, Chubb is the lone player in league history to average at least 5.0 yards per carry in each of his first five seasons (min. 100 or more carries in each season). He has a 5.2 yards per carry average for his career.
• He still bulldozes through defenders with his blend of power, quickness and vision in Kevin Stefanski’s multiple-tight end outside zone rushing scheme that features perhaps the league’s best offensive guard tandem. According to PFF, Chubb broke 83 tackles last season as the site’s third-highest graded RB (behind only Josh Jacobs and Christian McCaffrey).

35. CeeDee Lamb — WR (Z/Slot), Dallas Cowboys (Last year: 43)

• He improved mightily in Year 3, earning Second-team All-Pro honors and racking up 1,359 receiving yards and 9 TDs on 107 catches. PFF had him playing in the slot 53% of the time, meaning he was almost an even split as an inside-outside presence.
• “A true combo WR,” an AFC official said to ESPN. “Has outstanding setup and movement that really bothers DBs. Has enough size to expose the smaller/lighter guy, really good run-after-the-catch, strong hands, has improved every year.”
• As stated in Dak Prescott’s blurb, the Cowboys QB posted a 93 QBR when targeting Lamb, and a 57 QBR when going elsewhere. And that’s with Dallas force feeding him the football. His 156 targets ranked 4th in the league and were 67 more than the second-most targeted Cowboy. Even when defenders accounted for him, he made plays.
• Dallas added speedy downfield threat Brandin Cooks to serve as WR2 this season to try to bolster a Dallas passing game that was lackluster everywhere but when targeting Lamb. That should open up Lamb’s ability to work underneath and in the middle of the field. He should be a key pickup for your fantasy leagues in 2023.

34. Dexter Lawrence – DI, New York Giants (Last year: NR)

• He had a monster Year 4, being named an All-Pro (Second-team) for the first time, while notching 7.5 sacks as mostly a 3-4 nose tackle.
• PFF graded him as the top run stopper and (!) pass rusher from the interior last season. He was an absolute force, which brought on his 4-year, $90 million extension with the Giants in May.
• “Flat-out dominant run defender,” an NFC executive told ESPN. “He can create for himself or others. Can overwhelm. If your center isn’t a top-level guy, he will dominate him.
• According to Sports Info Solutions, Lawrence amassed 47 QB pressures last year when lined up from a 0-tech or 1-technique alignment (nose tackle). The next closest was 18 (Vita Vea). That’s bonkers.
• Under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Lawrence often plays as only one of two interior defensive lineman on the field at once. He’s asked dominate as both a two-gap destroying run defender and pass rusher. And he does just that, and should continue to. He’s a star now.

33. Minkah Fitzpatrick – S, Pittsburgh Steelers (Last year: 88) 

• He was named First-team All-Pro for the third time in four seasons last year, and PFF graded him in the top 10 among safeties in both run defense and pass coverage, as well as third overall among his positional peers. He also tallied six interceptions (t-1st) and led the NFL with a 28.2% ball hawk rate. 
• “Best {safety} in the game, and it’s not close,” an NFL personnel director told ESPN. “Post, slot, nickel, box. He’s capable, willing and able to handle all of that. He’s brilliant, works, studies, loves the game.”
• One of the best NFL podcasts out there is a newer series by USA Today SMG/Touchdown Wire‘s Doug Farrar and the aforementioned renowned NFL Films guru Greg Cosell (co-created and co-stars in NFL Matchup), titled The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell. Greg had this to say of Fitzpatrick in an episode over the summer: “Really good player because I think he can do anything…And I think he has done everything. He can certainly play in the backend and be a great post safety…We know he can play slot corner if he has to. He certainly can play down in the box. He’s physical, he’s competitive, he’s aggressive. To me, he’s a complete safety.”
• The Steelers have famously spent most of the last few decades as predominantly a zone-heavy, 3-4 base defense, with little exception. But the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review charted their personnel tendencies last year, and found their game plans to be more opponent-specific. They have Pittsburgh using 16 starting defensive lineups over their 17 games. They say the Steelers used 447 combinations of lineups on the field among their 1,063 defensive snaps this past season. Sometimes, they used a three-safety look, where they asked their safeties to be a bit more versatile. Lucky for Pittsburgh, Minkah can play anywhere, as previously stated.
• Still, Minkah is best in the back end as a Ed Reed-ish, ball-hawking deep safety with free rein to move around the field as he sees fit, following opposing QB’s eyes.

32.   Joel Bitonio — OG, Cleveland Browns (Last year: 63)

• One of the best offensive lineman in football. Excels in both pass and run blocking. He’s a more complete guard than fellow teammate Wyatt Teller on the opposite side. I think his consistency over the last half-decade makes him the top guard in the league right now.
• He’s been named an All-Pro five years in a row, making the First-team these last two seasons. PFF graded him as the second best guard in 2022, one year after they marked him at the top spot. He also played in every single Browns offensive snap last year.
• At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he’s also adept as a sideline-to-sideline blocker in space in the Browns’ outside zone-heavy rushing scheme led by RB Nick Chubb. Bitonio was always a skilled pass blocker, but he’s improved his run blocking. PFF graded him second among guards in run blocking last season and first in 2021.
• “Bitonio stands alone at the top for me,” said an NFC executive, via ESPN. “The difference is he can play OG and match DL speed and quickness yet has an LT’s skill set and athleticism.”

31. Quinnen Williams – OT, New York Jets (Last year: NR)

• He had a career season in Year 4, notching 12 sacks and being named First-team All-Pro. That brought on his four-year, $96 million extension ($56 million guaranteed) in July that topped Jeffrey Simmons’ deal to make Williams the second-highest paid defensive tackle in the league behind Aaron Donald.
• Williams essentially serves as Robert Saleh’s next DeForest Buckner in the interior in the Jets’ four-man fronts and tendencies taken from Saleh’s time in San Francisco (where he coached Buckner). The defense is essentially a 4-3/4-2-5 scheme reliant on four-man pressures and fast linebackers in coverage in the front seven.
• “As good as a defensive tackle that I’ve studied coming out of Bama {in 2019} — he was a young guy who needed time to mature,” an NFL scout told ESPN. “It took him a while, but now it’s clicking and he’s still ascending… He’s as good as any pass-rusher out there right now.”

30. Jalen Ramsey – CB, Miami Dolphins  (Last year: 10) 

• People have suggested Ramsey’s play tailed off in 2022, and although there are other young CBs perhaps taking the mantle of the league’s best (Patrick Surtain II, Sauce Gardner), the former Jaguar and Rams star defender is still playing at an All-Pro level.
• A year after grading as PFF‘s top CB overall, he graded third this year among CBs (behind Surtain, Gardner). He tied for the league-lead with 20 pass breakups, but it was his ability in the nickel/slot defending the run and blitzing that impressed the most. He led all CBs in PFF pass rush grade (91.3) and his run defense grade (91.8) led all league defenders.
• He occupied the Rams’ “Star” position fairly often the last few seasons. But he had roughly a 76%/24% split between the perimeter and slot/box last season, according to PFF. He’ll play under Vic Fangio in Miami this season, and although many are predicting he’ll go back to spending virtually all of his time on the perimeter, Ramsey’s ability to defend the run and play zone coverage may make him useful in the slot. I expect him to split his time as a nickel defender and as a press coverage maven in Cover-4/Cover-3/2-man looks on the outside this season.
• (Edit: This piece was published before Jalen Ramsey was injured during Dolphins training camp. He underwent a full meniscus repair, and is expected to be out until at least December, if not, the entire 2023 season.)

29.Jalen Hurts – QB, Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: NR)

• It was a career year for Hurts as he came close to winning both NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP if it weren’t for Patrick Mahomes. The Eagles are certainly loaded at offensive line, wide receiver, tight end and several areas defensively. That considering, I think it’s OK to be patient in seeing how he follows up 2022. But make no mistake, he is of the league’s best quarterbacks, falling squarely in Tier 2.
• If you know his college backstory, you know how mentally tough and driven Hurts is as a person and football player. I respect the hell out of what he has accomplished, and have been one of his biggest fans. I also love his game. But this talent pool and system are hard to overlook when discussing him as an individual player in a rankings exercise after just one solid year.
• The Andy Reid-Doug Pederson-Frank Reich tree branch has ruled the Eagles, Chiefs and Colts over the last 5-10 years. Nick Sirianni came over from Indianapolis after three years under Reich, who he also worked under with the Chargers. Now, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Streichen has fled to Indy to take over for Reich there and mold the Colts’ offense around Anthony Richardson, much like Sirianni has done in Philly for Hurts. Really, Sirianni has kept the Eagles’ offense partly under the Reid-Pederson umbrella, but a bevy of wrinkles to some of the core late 2010s Eagles concepts have come in to play thanks to Hurts’ ability as a rusher.
• The Eagles still rely heavily on RPOs, but there’s a zone-read element attached now with designed QB runs. Hurts’ 200 carries (including playoffs) was the highest single-season mark by a QB ever. So were his 18 rushing TDs (including playoffs). It’s worth wondering how long Hurts can fare with such a statline, but he’s much bulkier and big-boned than even his stocky 6-foot-1, 223-pound frame suggests. For now he’s fine. He also has thrived on deep shots that are designed to attack defenses vertically after hammering them with zone-reads, inside zone calls and other underneath passes to running backs and tight end Dallas Goedert.
• The Eagles have the most players on my list with eight. Barring a catastrophe, they should be poking around in the NFC Divisional round or title game come January. The only real preseason drama to discuss is the loss of both coordinators, but Philly is more than ready to keep on rolling. Fresh off one of the biggest contract extensions in NFL history signed in April (five years, $255 million, $180 million guaranteed), this is a pretty big prove-it year for Hurts, as Roseman has designed a squad that will accept nothing less than a Super Bowl victory. It’d be wise to get behind Hurts, whose post-Super Bowl loss quote in February still sticks with me: “We came up short. I think the beautiful part about it is everyone experiences different pains, everyone experiences different agonies of life, but you decide if you want to learn from it. You decide if you want that to be a teachable moment. I know I do.”

28.  A.J. Brown – WR (X), Philadelphia Eagles (Last year: 55)

• Even for a roster as stacked as the Eagles, Brown was a transformative presence last year. He earned his first All-Pro nod (Second-team) and posted a career high in catches (88) and receiving yards (1,496; 4th in NFL) to go along with 11 receiving TDs (t-3rd). He also led the league in YPRR (yards per route run) by a wide margin.
• “Exceptionally strong,” said a veteran NFL scout, via ESPN. “Great ball skills and feel for the game. Doesn’t have great speed to create deep separation but makes big plays through tight coverage.”
• My personal scouting report for Brown is this: A rare 6-foot-1, 226 pound receiver with both Mack-Truck/explosive yards after catch ability and blazing downfield speed. Can win on jump balls and on schemed touches you’d see designed for a smaller receiver such as WR screens. Operated as a “Big” slot often in Tennessee but is playing mostly as a boundary X-receiver in Philly.

27.Trevor Lawrence — QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (Last year: NR)

• He stood no chance as a rookie in what was a dumpster fire 2021 Jaguars season. Last year, Doug Pederson came in and quickly fixed things, getting Lawrence back on the fast track to stardom as one of the most touted draft prospects in league history.
• Lawrence thrived in a mixture of under-center 12 personnel looks and shotgun spread formations that often featured RPO concepts. Lawrence drastically cut down on turnovers in Year 2, and was superb down the stretch, helping Jacksonville to eight wins in their final 11 games, including the fantastic 27-point comeback win in the Wild Card round over the Chargers. From Week 9 onward, he was second in TD/INT ratio and completion percentage, and third in PFF grade for QBs behind just Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.
• If you can remember Nick Foles’ success in 2017 and 2018 under Pederson’s scheme, it’s easy to get excited about Lawrence heading into Year 3 when you see how Pederson is building his squad. Evan Engram has been extended as sort of a psuedo-WR/TE like Zach Ertz was. Christian Kirk surprised many as a threat to defenses. Travis Etienne Jr. burst onto the scene and is now a top-10 back. And now Jacksonville has added Calvin Ridley as a X-receiver option and drafted offensive tackle Anton Harrison in the first round, along with tight end Brenton Strange and running back Tank Bigsby in Rounds 2 and 3.
• Lawrence’s tape showed the ability to do just about anything. He has a strong arm, an accurate arm, improving ball placement and an unorthodox, but very quick release. He can throw off-platform well, he can scramble and also run designed QB run concepts at 6-foot-6, 213 pounds.
• I’m bullish on Lawrence as a quarterback that could pass Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and others to become Mahomes’ top nemesis as soon as this season. The Jaguars may win the next four or five AFC South titles in a row when looking at the division. They’re adding talent and already have a few blue-chip players on defense thanks to picking at the top of the draft year after year. They also have a phenomenal coach. Jacksonville has arrived, and so has their superstar quarterback.

26. Jeffery Simmons — DI, Tennessee Titans (Last year: 37)

• One of the up-and-coming superstars that you may not know too much about.
• He’s been named second-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons, which led to Tennessee handing him a four-year, $94 million extension in April.
• Was on a tear before a midseason ankle injury slowed him down some. Still finished with 53 pressures and 7.5 sacks from the interior.
• The Titans use some multiple fronts, and Simmons’ ability as a 3-tech, 5-tech, and even nose tackle, make him vital as a top talent in Mike Vrabel’s nail-eating, tough defensive front seven.
• As the Tennessee enters what could be a rough season for them, Simmons’ potential to take the torch from veterans Aaron Donald and Chris Jones as the best interior defender in the league is their most exciting 2023 storyline sans a Will Levis breakout.

25. Aaron Rodgers – QB, New York Jets (Last year: 3)

• He had a rough go last year as the Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs for just the third time in 15 seasons. Rodgers also dropped to 14th in PFF grade and 26th in Total QBR with a lowly 39.3 mark. Still, there’s a sense of optimism as Rodgers joins the Big Apple with several friends, including Nathaniel Hackett, his former offensive coordinator in Green Bay that will serve the same role with New York.
• If you remember, Rodgers initially struggled some in Year 1 under Matt LaFluer’s Shanahan-esque system before Hackett came in to serve as OC. Rodgers then went on a three-year run that included two league MVP awards and three NFC No. 1 seeds for the Packers. With the Jets, it’s expected that Rodgers will run a similar offense that features plenty under-center, wide-zone running concepts with play-action and boot designs that play off of those runs.
• You can also expect some multi-tight end looks and some spread shotgun stuff that Rodgers likes. If healthy, Breece Hall serves the outside zone RB role well while old friend Alan Lazard (WR2/possession pass-catcher/blocking traits) and Mecole Hardman (pre-snap motion/gadget type) should fit in in nicely to the new offense.
• A lot will ride on Rodgers’ ability to mesh with WR1 Garrett Wilson, who is a burgeoning superstar at the position, as well as the health/ability of the offensive line, which looks like a weakness that could possibly sink them in a tough AFC East and AFC conference as a whole.
• Rodgers also recently signed a new two-year deal with the Jets that was essentially a pay cut that helped clear some cap space for the team to make a real run at the Super Bowl this season and next. “I’m having a blast,” Rodgers said recently at Jets training camp. “I don’t see this as a one year and done thing.”

24.  Stefon Diggs – WR (Z), Buffalo Bills (Last year: 28)

• He’s one of the league’s best route runners and most well-rounded WRs. He was named Second-team All-Pro last year, finishing fourth in catches (108), fifth in receiving yards (1,529) and targets (154) and tied for third in receiving touchdowns (11).
• “Diggs is a receiver’s receiver,” an NFC executive said of Diggs, via ESPN. “I have a soft spot for receivers who can win on craftiness and instincts and quickness and timing. He’s very much like Justin Jefferson in that way. Consistency catching the ball and making plays.”
• Since his move to Buffalo in 2020, only Davante Adams has more targets than Diggs (469). He’s the team’s most valuable piece after quarterback Josh Allen. He makes the passing game go.
• He was an outside receiver 78% of the time in 2021. I predicted he’d be in the slot more in last year’s list. His outside percentage dropped to 69%, as he spent 296 of his 957 offensive snaps in the slot. So a slight uptick being used in the inside. But the Bills drafted rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid in the back of the first round this spring to play as sort of a “Big” slot receiver, so you could see Diggs move back to the outside at a higher clip.
• He uses perceived slights as fuel but his emotions have gotten the best of him since the end of last season, as exhibited by some of his odd behavior. But he’s put any drama to rest in training camp, and seems to be ready to work.
• Because it pertains some to Diggs, it’s also worth wondering if Buffalo will have a decrease in shotgun-spread, five-wide Air Raid concepts this year, as Josh Allen has talked about playing the game differently, and not scrambling/rushing for yardage as much as he has in the past.

23.Cooper Kupp – WR (Z/Slot), Los Angeles Rams (Last year: 13)  

• He had one of the greatest WR seasons of all-time in 2021, leading the league in just about every stat or efficiency metric imaginable on the route to earning Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP. Last season he was keeping the pace with 75 catches through nine games before an ankle injury did him in for the rest of the Rams’ lost season. An AFC executive said of him to ESPN: “If I’m picking one receiver for one game, I might pick him. He’s going to win the game for you.”
• Some may have the notion that Kupp can only produce from the slot, but he can play the Z-receiver or X-receiver role just as well.  In fact, he’s more of an inside-outside hybrid. PFF had his boundary-slot split at roughly 49%-51%.
• At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he’s more physical than most think, deploying the ability to beat press through his build. But that’s not needed, as his quickness and nuance at the position is matched only by Davante Adams. WR guru Matt Harmon, who runs Reception Perception, continues to rave about Kupp, which is a good sign.
• “You can teach tape on him attacking leverage, stemming guys, great quickness, precise route runner,” an NFC scout said to ESPN. “Also does the blocking and dirty work. He’s a bit like Hines Ward, in his value is in doing all the little things really well.”
• He’s able to work on an island versus any type of defender, in any type of alignment, and take them to school. He can get open on McVay’s designed play-action and bootleg concepts, or in shotgun spread looks on clear passing downs.

22. Tristan Wirfs – OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last year: 47)

• Entering his fourth season, he’s become one of the great pass protectors in the game. Now, he’ll move from right tackle to left in 2023.
• After being named First-team All-Pro in 2021, he was named Second-team All-Pro last season and graded out as PFF‘s fourth-best offensive tackle in pass blocking. He also has allowed the lowest pressure rate blocking for Tom Brady (who does get the ball out quick) since coming into the league in 2020.
• His superior athleticism was on display before he was even drafted, as there is a video of him box jumping completely out of a swimming pool at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds.

21. Travis Kelce – TE, Kansas City Chiefs (Last year: 32)

• Still going strong at age 33 (will be 34 in October). He had arguably his best season as a pro last year, leading all TEs in targets (152), catches (110), receiving yards (1,338), touchdowns (12), yards after catch (648), and PFF grade (91.3). He also led all tight ends in Total EPA (expected points added) by a mile, with his 63.8 mark well-distanced from Dallas Goedert (44.0) in second place. Furthermore, his 78 first downs ranked only behind Justin Jefferson among all pass catchers.
• Even in more of a underneath/middle-of-the-field offense with Tyreek Hill gone, Kelce dominated despite receiving extra attention from defenses. In his later years, he’s perfected his route-running nuance with keen zone awareness. Not even star receivers like Davante Adams or Cooper Kupp are able to get wide open as often as Kelce does. He reminds me of Wes Welker at tight end size with his route tree and YAC ability. Or maybe he’s the evolution/10.0 version of what Aaron Hernandez brought to the table with the Patriots.
• I still believe Rob Gronkowski is a more complete football player as a blocker/pass-catcher with big-play, down-the-field ability. But Kelce is certainly claiming his stake to be the best receiving tight end in NFL history with his late-career play. As it stands, he’s now second all-time in the playoffs in receptions (133), receiving yards (1,548) and receiving touchdowns (16).
• Considering Kelce’s game is now predicated on underneath sit/option routes, intermediate targets and quickness/nuance, he may keep up the pace this season as Mahomes’ third-down binky in big moments.

20. Maxx Crosby — EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders (Last year: 38)

• Years removed from becoming a star on HBO‘s Hard Knocks, Crosby is now one of the most complete defensive players in the league. Last year, he finished eighth in both sacks (12.5) and 61 QB pressures, and graded out as the fourth-best run defender among EDGE defenders by PFF.
• He’s been a great pass rusher for awhile. He set the record in 2021 for QB Pressures (82) in the NFL Next Gen Stats era, and last year he notched 36 QB hits (second behind Nick Bosa). When looking at his array of pass rush moves, it’s clear he envisioned playing another position at first. “I initially wanted to be a tight end,” Crosby told PFF in a recent profile piece. “That’s what I thought my best position was. I was like, ‘OK, I play basketball, I’m athletic, I’m coordinated. I want to play tight end.’”
• In 2022 he was much improved as a run defender. He had 69 defensive stops (most in a season since 2016), a 33.9% run stop win rate, and a league-leading 22 tackles for a loss.
• Despite having Patrick Graham at defensive coordinator to further Josh McDaniels’ Patriots ties, Vegas didn’t fully shift to a 3-4 defense, instead went with more multiple looks, which is a Graham staple. Crosby is still mostly playing with his hand in the dirt as an athletic 4-3 style EDGE, which suits him well. Although, in an attempt to upgrade the other EDGE spot occupied by Chandler Jones — who is in the twilight of his career — the Raiders selected Tyree Wilson at No. 7 overall, and Wilson is best suited as a stand-up EDGE/3-4 OLB. Jones also was mostly playing stand-up EDGE last year in the Raiders’ fronts. Vegas is mostly copying New England’s current base look that is half 4-3 and half 3-4, with someone like Matthew Judon standing up opposite Deatrich Wise Jr. with his hand in the dirt on the opposite edge.
• If you watch Netflix‘s Quarterback, or read the PFF profile above on Crosby, you’ll get a glimpse of his tenacity. “I’m not gonna stop until I get that recognition,” Crosby told PFF. “I’m not gonna stop until I’m winning and whatever that takes. I’m willing to run that marathon and like, I don’t care if it’s year eight or nine until they’re like, ‘Yeah, Maxx is the best guy in the league.’

19.Sauce Gardner – CB, New York Jets (Last year: NR)

• He made his presence known immediately as one of the NFL’s best players, racking up Defensive Rookie of the Year and finishing first in PFF‘s CB grade (87.9) and pass coverage grade (90.0). He also tied for the league lead in pass breakups (20) and posted a league-best 24.7% ball-hawk rate.
• His lanky frame and athleticism at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds is intimidating on the boundary. “Standing near Sauce Gardner, given his height and wingspan for that position, you wonder how in the world anyone gets open against him,” longtime New York sports columnist Ian O’Connor tweeted. “He looks more like an NBA wing than an NFL corner.”
• Head coach Robert Saleh’s roots as a defensive coach stem from Seattle’s Legion of Boom/Cover-3 days, and although Saleh has adapted to modern times by mixing in more Quarters (Cover-4) and man-match coverage in San Francisco and New York, the perimeter CB prototype is still Richard Sherman. Gardner has Sherman’s length but is much more athletic and sticky in man coverage. He’s a true disruptor on the outside.
• Gardner is a potential Hall-of-Fame talent, and is one of the most promising young players in the game.

18. Patrick Surtain II – CB, Denver Broncos (Last year: 76)

• Accolades and praise are beginning to fly in for a young CB prospect that was projected to be a star probably back at birth. And for good reason. Last year he was named First-team All-Pro and was graded second by PFF in both coverage and overall play for CBs. Make no question – Patrick Surtain II has arrived.
• “I spoke to a couple of people that believe he’s the best corner in football.” NFL Films‘ Greg Cosell said of Surtain on The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell.
• “Complete corner. Physical, technical, versatile,” a high-ranking NFL official told ESPN. “He’s a true matchup guy versus the best players. Premium ability on press or off coverage. Outstanding open-field tackler. Solid ball skills. Plays with confidence. Really, really smart. And plays disciplined so he doesn’t give anything away.”
• He had the lowest target rate (12.5%) among any CB with at least 201 coverage snaps (he had 533 such snaps) last season. QBs are simply avoiding him.
• This season, Surtain II will now play under Vance Joseph’s aggressive man coverage, blitz-heavy scheme that puts a lot of pressure on it’s cornerbacks to cover.
• To me, Sauce Gardner may barely have a higher ceiling with top-end talent and length. But Surtain’s potential is right there, and I believe his “drop him anywhere and watch him thrive” type of scheme versatility and smoothness are beyond any other cornerback in the league right now, including Gardner, Jalen Ramsey or anyone else.

17. Justin Herbert – QB, Los Angeles Chargers (Last year: 18)

• One of the better tools/traits QBs that we’ve ever seen in terms of pure throwing talent. He has an absolute rocket for an arm.
• His TD and yards per attempt numbers took a bit of a nosedive last year despite Herbert having a better completion percentage. Defenses were able to key on Mike Williams, forcing Herbert to work more underneath/intermediate with the likes of Joshua Palmer, Gerald Everett, Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen, who had injury problems once more in 2022. Still, Herbert carried a heavy load on offense, as the Chargers ranked second in the NFL in pass rate, opting to throw over rushing the ball on 63.8% of plays.
• The Chargers just paid Herbert the largest contract in NFL history with a five-year, $262.5 million extension. In the lead-up, they’ve begun to build around their franchise quarterback, bringing in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and drafting wide receiver Quentin Johnson in the first round.
• Herbert has had a promising young start to his NFL career. He’s had the lowest turnover worthy play rate (1.6%) over the last two seasons. And despite that, the Chargers still seem to butcher close games in the final minutes and blow leads only the Falcons seem capable of. There’s a stink with this team that the franchise can’t seem to shake. They had nine players in my Top 100 going into last season, which was the most I had ever seen over the years doing this exercise. One year later, I see this club as having a bundle of former stars that are now aging players. To keep pace in what looks to be a historically good AFC in terms of stockpiled talent, Herbert needs a bit more help. For now, he’ll keep the Chargers in the mix.

16.Fred Warner – LB, San Francisco 49ers (Last year: 24)

• He was named First-team All-Pro for the second time in three seasons last year and PFF graded him as the second-best linebacker in the league. It’s almost unanimous that he’s the best linebacker in today’s game. He, along with Nick Bosa, are the main reasons the Niners led the league in defensive scoring (allowed 16.3 PPG) and total yards allowed per game (300.6).
• “He’s the perfect new-age linebacker,” an AFC scout said of Warner to ESPN. “‘Great against the pass but can handle himself against the run, a big athlete with plus leadership and communication.”
• The 49ers defense runs on four-man pressure up front (and less blitzing) — which helps when you have Bosa — and Cover 3/Quarters/man-match coverage on the outside, meaning Warner and fellow LB Dre Greenlaw (and safety Talanoa Hufanga) are relied upon to make the middle of the field a no-fly zone, and they do just that. And when the 49ers do have Warner blitzing, he’s deadly.
• His ability to cover the seams without giving too much depth in pass defense is a treat to watch. His range is unbelievable. He’s also perfectly suited to chase down running backs on outside zone concepts. There’s no one better suited for the present-day NFL at LB.

15. Lamar Jackson – QB, Baltimore Ravens (Last year: 12)       

• After four years running a bulky, multi-TE offense behind Greg Roman that revolved around Jackson’s running ability, Todd Monken has now joined as an offensive coordinator from Georgia to get one of the league’s most dynamic players operating in space in more 3-WR & spread empty looks out of shotgun and pistol formations in the passing game, while still featuring TE-heavy personnel.
• Regardless of scheme, we know how good Jackson can be. He ranks second in the league in Total QBR (68) since 2019 and his winning percentage (.738; 45-16) is good for fourth all-time in the Super Bowl era (min. 50 starts). He’s also well on his way to becoming the all-time QB leader in rush yards (4,437) and rushing attempts, even if he slows his pace just a bit on designed runs under Monken.
• Jeremy Fowler’s Top 10 QBs list ranked by execs, coaches and scouts on ESPN had Jackson ranked two spots below Philly’ Jalen Hurts. To me, the Ravens’ offense and reliance on Jackson is more than what Philadelphia asks Hurts to do. Hurts’ highly-schemed zone-read/RPO/vertical passing offense certainly requires his skills, but it’s highly schemed up. Jackson has often been asked to make something out of nothing in a boxy, perimeter-ignoring, middle-of-the-field operation revolving around his running ability and passes to tight ends. Jackson hasn’t had the chance to throw to the A.J. Browns and Devonta Smiths of the world, or to consistently showcase his arm on deep boundary throws. This is not a knock on Hurts, who I love as a mentally-tough player who paved his way through a lot. But I believe Jackson is a bit better right now.
• Throughout his career, he’s been criticized as a boundary thrower, even though he’s shown great flashes as a deep passer. The next season or two will be a good test for Jackson, and I think he’s ready to showcase just how efficient he can be as a thrower.

14. Trent Williams – OT, San Francisco 49ers (Last year: 11)   

• In three seasons with the 49ers from ages 32 to 34 Williams has been graded as PFF‘s top tackle each year. He’s also been named First-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons. Despite turning 35 over the summer, he remains the best offensive lineman in the league. He’s the second-oldest player on my list.
• His quickness and ability to move around in space at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds is downright absurd. Because of that, he’s a perfect fit as a stampeding left tackle in Shanahan’s outside zone running game.
• PFF also graded him as the top run-blocking offensive tackle for the second straight season. Additionally, he was fifth in pass-blocking among his peers, and posted a 92.4% pass block win rate. He’s the complete package at one of the most important positions in football.

13. Davante Adams – WR (X/Z/Slot), Las Vegas Raiders (Last year: 14)

• In his first year in the black and silver, Adams garnered his third consecutive First-team All-Pro honor with 100 catches and 1,516 receiving yards on a league-leading 180 targets. He also led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (14).
• He’s known for being a route-running expert who plays much quicker and more nuanced than his size suggests. He’s famously been used in matchup hunting as a slot option on key passing downs, but he spends a lot of his time on the outside as an X or Z-receiver either on or off the line. In Vegas, Adams was primarily an X-receiver last year.
• “His feet are still probably the best, body control, ball skills,” an NFC executive said, via ESPN. “If you ran 40s or 20-yard shuttles, he wouldn’t be near the top or wow you, but he just knows how to play the position and get open.”
• With Jakobi Meyers now in the fold as a Z-receiver, Josh McDaniels will likely try to recreate the Julian Edelman-Danny Amendola combo with Meyers and Hunter Renfrow. Both of them are among my favorite players in the league, but the way I see it, each resemble more of Amendola’s play, with neither having the explosiveness or YAC ability of Edelman. That’ll put more pressure on Adams with bracket coverage and double teams until Vegas can establish consistency beating 1-on-1 man coverage on third downs with Meyers, Renfrow or perhaps rookie second-round pick TE Michael Mayer.
• “He’s quicker than what you think,” Edelman said of Adams last summer via The I Am Athlete Podcast. “He can run run by you, has great separation, great catch radius. You can play him everywhere, and we saw that with the Packers the last couple years. His versatility, his size, his quickness…he’s not the fastest guy, but he’s never not open, because he had the back shoulder thing going with Aaron Rodgers.”

12. Chris Jones – DI, Kansas City Chiefs (Last year: 33)

• After being named Second-team All-Pro three times earlier in his career, Jones finally earned First-team honors. He was his usual self as a dominant pass rusher and had a career year against the run. He led all defensive tackles in sacks (15.5) and PFF grade (1st in pass rush; 2nd in run coverage), and was second among all pass rushers in QB hurries on four-man rushes (43; second to Micah Parsons). He was the best interior defender in the league last year, and this summer he predicted he’d win DPOY in 2023, via his Twitter.
• Most fans probably thought of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill as a “Big 3” in Kansas City, but Jones is arguably more valuable to KC than anyone not named Mahomes. He’s an instrumental cog to their success. If Jones were to get injured or underperform the Chiefs would be left vulnerable up front defensively, despite a recent string of solid drafts on that side of the ball. Star defenders who can provide consistent pressure in the interior are becoming a gold rush-like must-have for teams. There is a group of young stars now at the the position, but Jones remains the only player close to Donald in terms of ability. He’s been searching for a new deal this offseason, and Kansas City would be wise to try their hardest to meet his needs while staying cap-healthy.
• Starving for pressure on opposing QBs, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo moved Jones to defensive end at the beginning of 2021 before moving him back inside where he belongs. The Chiefs gave up assets and money for EDGE Frank Clark, and although he had some success in the postseason, Clark mostly had a JD Drew/2007 Boston Red Sox-like effect as a player who underperformed his deal. Clark is now gone, and the Chiefs have invested two first-round picks in the form of George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah to provide some pressure on the edge. Jones should command double teams, which should open things up for them to get 1-on-1s.
• Whether it’s yelling in Tom Brady’s face or punishing other QBs, Jones brings a fiery, “I’m going to knock you out” type attitude to a team that spends a lot of time in the limelight/big games. Jones is sort of almost like the team’s Rodney Harrison, who was an enforcer for the Patriots Super Bowl teams in the 2000s. Every dynasty needs a player like that, and the Chiefs are one Super Bowl win away from being one.

11.   T.J. Watt – EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers (Last year: 6)

• It was a year to forget for Watt last season as he played in just 10 games and notched 5.5 sacks. He has forced 23 fumbles in six seasons, and had three consecutive seasons of First-team All-Pro honors (DPOY in 2021), 90.0+ PFF pass rushing grades and 52 total sacks over that time (most in NFL) before last year’s injury-marred campaign. Expect him to get back on track this year.
• “[Ranking pass-rushers] is all preference, but when healthy, Watt is hands down the best in the game,” an NFC exec said to ESPN. “Watt is to edge rush what [Aaron] Donald is to interior.”
• Although a fine player, Alex Highsmith inked a big contract extension this summer after a season that was helped somewhat by the T.J. Watt effect. Watt missed some time, but when on the field, he contributed to Highsmith’s 14.5 sacks (6th in NFL) and 63 QB pressures (5th) marks that helped bring in the deal. Bud Dupree was the last lucky man to cash in big thanks to playing opposite Watt as a 3-4 stand-up OLB in Pittsburgh’s defense.
• Really, the Steelers new base is the Nickel version of a 3-4 that is a 2-4-5 look. Cameron Heyward often accompanies a nose tackle in the interior, while Watt and another stand-up EDGE rush the passer on the outside. Pittsburgh, like Green Bay, rarely bucks tradition on the field or off of it. Pittsburgh will continue to play this style of defense in 2023.

10. Aaron Donald – DI, Los Angeles Rams (Last year: 1)

• After seven straight seasons of being named First-team All-Pro and PFF‘s top interior defender, an injury slowed him down for the first time. A high-ankle sprain caused him to miss six games, yet he was still PFF‘s third-highest graded defensive tackle. Now at age 32, it’s plausible his best years are behind him.
• I had him at the top of my list going into last year. Then, he was fresh off a Super Bowl win and the largest and most lucrative contract for a Non-QB in league history despite mulling retirement during the offseason. Since he came into the league in 2014, he leads the league in sacks (103), which is absurd for an interior defender, and he’s taken home three Defensive Player of the Year awards. I’ve stated he’s one of the top 10 to 15 players in NFL history, at minimum. But it’s worth wondering if his mega-extension was undoubtedly wise for the Rams. Because of the way they did business over the last few seasons, they’re cap-strapped with deals for Donald, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and others taking up a majority of their cap space. They traded multiple first-round picks for Jalen Ramsey and paid him, which certainly paid off, but now he’s in Miami. The Rams signed an extraordinary amount of undrafted rookies to compete for 53-man roster spots in training camp because that’s likely the only way they’ll fill their roster. Donald will likely be playing with a bunch of unknowns on defense just a season after playing with Ramsey, Bobby Wagner and other stars and known commodities.
• But let’s stay grounded here, Donald certainly may have another All-Pro season or two left in the tank. But things will be much harder with no one else on defense to draw attention away from him. Nothing will come easy. Donald has commanded the most double teams in the league (1,797) since 2017, and you can expect that number to be near the top of the league again this season.
• Since becoming the team’s defensive coordinator in 2021, Raheem Morris has implemented an aggressive, blitz-heavy 3-4 defense, where Donald serves mostly as a 3-4 DE in the interior.

9. Ja’Marr Chase – WR (X/Z), Cincinnati Bengals (Last year: 16)

• One of the game’s best young talents. I expect him to challenge Justin Jefferson (and maybe Marvin Harrison Jr.?) these next five-to-seven years as the greatest WR of the 2020s. He’s as explosive as they come as a 6-foot, 201-pound burner-bully combo. He’s a deep threat and is arguably the best run-after-catch guy in the league.
• He’s also at his best in the playoffs as a clutch performer. He reminds me of a souped-up, much more explosive Steve Smith who also is a speed/YAC demon on schemed touches. He’s really a great pure wide receiver and a frickin’ playmaker.
• “He’s not as polished as a route runner or technician as Jefferson, but the combination of size, speed and playmaking ability is elite,” a senior NFL personnel evaluator said of Chase, via ESPN. “He’s trending up. His raw playmaking ability is rare. Run after catch, he’s probably the best of these guys.”
• Veteran Tyler Boyd mostly occupies the slot receiver role for the Bengals, and then Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins mix and match interchangeably at the X and Z-receiver spots.
• “He’s the rare X receiver you can put on the outside, and he can win against anyone,” an NFC exec said, via ESPN. “Other receivers are more scheme-dependent than him.”

8. Tyreek Hill – WR (X/Z), Miami Dolphins (Last year: 22)

• Even with Hill’s talent, I was somewhat skeptical of how he’d produce in Miami away from Mahomes. I was wrong. He was just as special. It’s a different game now, where there’s a bevy of talented receivers that can sign big free agent deals elsewhere/get traded and still produce at the same level.
• In 2022, he was named First-team All-Pro for the fourth time in seven seasons, leading the league in yards per route run (3.2), target share (33%), explosive pass-catcher plays (48), PFF grade for WRs (92.1) and PFF receiving grade (92.0). He also finished second in receiving yards (1,710), receptions (119) and 20+ yard receiving plays (25).
• Kyle Shanahan’s system (Mike McDaniel) treated him well as Hill was unguardable on deep crossers and other routes designed to hit him on the move downfield. These were different looks than the designed deep, deep shots that Andy Reid cooked up for him and Mahomes/Alex Smith in Kansas City, but Hill fit in just nicely. McDaniel also moved him around the formation, with PFF charting his boundary/slot split at roughly 60-40.
• He can truly thrive anywhere. He is an all-time talent. I put him on the short list with the 21st century’s best pass-catching weapons with a unique athletic football profile and flair. The list includes: Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Rob Gronkowski, Julio Jones and former teammate Travis Kelce.

7.Justin Jefferson – WR (X/Z), Minnesota Vikings (Last year: 21)

• What else can you say? He’s the best WR in the NFL right now, which says a lot considering the position’s marquee stance and the talent below him on this list.
• Since he’s come into the league in 2020, he’s been named an All-Pro each season and has led the league in receiving yards (4,825) and explosive plays (126). Last year he was named First-team All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year, and he led the NFL in targets (184), receptions (128), receiving yards (1,809), yards after catch (643), receiving first downs (80) and 20+ yard plays (28). He also made one of the greatest catches in NFL history on a clutch one-handed grab on a 4th and 18 to keep things alive in an eventual win in Buffalo.
• “You can put him in all 32 offenses, and he will produce and fit in seamlessly,” an NFC executive said, via ESPN. “Most consistent, most complete, the ability to separate, has a knack to make the play when it needs to be made, shows up in big moments. The game is just really natural to him. Can beat doubles and can work inside or out.”
• At the beginning of the century, some of the most-coveted receivers were either tall/fast/athletic X-receivers or speed/route-running demons (think: Marvin Harrison at 6-foot, 185 lbs). Now, the new prototype is a hybrid like Jefferson (and ironically, Marvin Harrison Jr., who will be a top-5 pick this spring), as a slimmer/tall, but not-too-skinny 6-foot-1, nearly 200-pound receiver with speed, quickness, jump ball/contested catch ability, supreme route-running talent/nuance, yards-after-catch explosiveness and alignment versatility as a boundary/slot operator that does work as both a X and Z-receiver. Receivers such as Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs meet this hyrbid mold I’m talking about. Cooper Kupp is sort of another one. Jefferson is the best of the bunch.
• If there’s something to work on, it’s Jefferson’s consistency to get down field quicker versus competent press-man coverage. In the meantime, Kevin O’Connell likes putting Jefferson off the line as a Z-receiver with some pre-snap motion to help give him a clean release.

6. Joe Burrow – QB, Cincinnati Bengals (Last year: 17)

• Burrow is a prolific pocket passer with bravado, poise and an overall coolness about him that is almost unmatched (save for Mahomes) in the current NFL with Tom Brady now retired.
• He backed up a superb sophomore campaign by almost leading the Bengals to a second straight Super Bowl via a second consecutive AFC title game victory in Arrowhead. Cincinnati fell just short, but Burrow put together a wunderkind season. He was second in the league in TD passes (35; tied with Josh Allen), and for the second straight year he finished at the top of PFF‘s QB grading in overall play (92.0; tied with Mahomes). PFF also gave him the league’s best passing grade.
• He’s more nimble than you’d think outside the pocket (2nd in QBR outside pocket in 2022), and he’s one of the league’s very best deep ball throwers, leading the league in 20 yard-plus throws for TDs (19) over the last two years.
• Many will point to the talent around him in Cincy (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, etc.) as reasoning for why he’s nipped at Mahomes’ heels over the past two seasons as a top QB, but Burrow has the traits to elevate a lesser cast, and he’ll get his chance to do so here soon as the Bengals will likely pay Burrow and Chase record contract extensions, which would cause them to lose many others due to cap space constrictions.
• Like many elite offenses in 2022, the Bengals had to figure out how to attack two-high looks. They eventually shifted to more early-down shotgun formations where they ran on lighter boxes with Joe Mixon, and attacked deep up the middle when Burrow could sniff out Cover-2. The Ringer‘s Steven Ruiz wrote a piece on the shifting Bengals’ offense last October, and it had this Burrow quote that stuck with me when thinking Cincy changing scheme tendencies: “One week we might throw a bunch of RPOs like last week,” Burrow said. “The next week we might be able to be a downhill run team. We’ll have to see. Every defense is different so every game plan calls for something else…maybe we start to see some tighter boxes since we’ve been running it so well out of the gun. Maybe we get back under center and it opens up those play-actions and under-center runs. We’ll see what happens; it depends on the game plan.” The Bengals are continuing to evolve on offense, helping to take the load off Burrow, but Cincy is at it’s best with him drop-back passing and distributing to his playmakers.
• (Edit: This piece was published before Cincinnati signed Burrow to the largest contract in NFL history. The agreement is a 5-year, $275 million extension with $219.01 million guaranteed.)

5. Josh Allen – QB, Buffalo Bills (Last year: 5)

• NFL Films‘ Greg Cosell has been highlighted a few times already in my list. I hold him and his film study in high regard. Cosell called Allen “the most physically gifted QB in the NFL” in 2021. When all goes right (and it often does), that still rings true. His size and running ability matched with his all-time arm strength puts him even slightly ahead of Mahomes on the “did you see that?!” scale. He’s Cam Newton with a tad less running power (but still holds a lot of it), but with more speed and is a much much better passer.
• The Bills beat the Chiefs in Kansas City early last season and for awhile there it looked like they were primed to get over the hump as a Super Bowl-worthy club. Allen had 42 total touchdowns for the second straight year and PFF graded him as the league’s best running QB, and third in passing and overall play. He also led the league in QBR under pressure (91.2) and QBR on third down (91.2) and was second in overall QBR (71.4) behind only Mahomes. Everything came crashing down in their January home loss to the Bengals in the Divisional round.
• Overall, there didn’t seem to be much of a decline post-Brian Daboll for Allen. He still excelled, passing the ball and maneuvering on designed runs out of Air-Raid, shotgun-spread looks. And his out-of-structure improvisation ability rivals Mahomes.
• Allen stated this offseason that things could change this season in terms of his style of play: “I’ve always had the mindset of, I’ve been a football player first and a quarterback second,” Allen told reporters. “At some point that is going to have to switch. When that point is, I don’t know. I guess I’ll let my body tell me…It sounds crazy, but I’m getting older. I know I can’t continue to do this. I know when I’m using my youth, I feel like I can, but over the course of my career, I’m going to have to learn to adapt and change..There were some times last year where I’m in the open field, I don’t need an extra two yards. Get down, slide and live to fight another down. Again, it’s worked up to this point, but I understand that there’s going to be a point in time where it’s not going to work so well.”
• If rookie first-round pick Dalton Kincaid can pick things up quickly as a compliment to Stefon Diggs as a “big” slot option in the seam with some Travis Kelce-like route-running ability underneath, and James Cook has a better Year 2, Allen and the Bills could become more dynamic on offense while Allen becomes more of a superstar point-guard than a “running back” quarterback in 2023.

 4. Myles Garrett – EDGE, Cleveland Browns (Last year: 7)

• He’s becoming a bit underrated as others get more air/discussion time because of the Browns’ mediocrity these past two seasons. Garrett is one of the most dominant, physically-imposing players in the league at any position.
• He’s been named an All-Pro in four out of the last five seasons and was second last year in sacks (16) and QB pressures (72). He also led the league in several PFF metrics, including EDGE grade (92.5), pass rushing (93.5), PFF pass rush win rate (25.6%) and PFF WAR (wins above replacement). He was the best pass rusher in the league by PFF by virtually any measure, including on third or fourth down, non-blitz rushes, and on pass-rushing snaps in the fourth quarter.
• With Jim Schwartz now in Cleveland as defensive coordinator, expect Garrett to continue to man a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end spot in Schwartz’s four-man fronts. There could be an uptick in Wide-9 alignment for Garrett, but really he’s best used as a power rusher lined up over the offensive tackle, and that’s where you should continue to see him most.
• Last season, Garrett produced despite being double teamed more than any other EDGE defender, according to TruMedia. Cleveland has brought in EDGE Za’Darius Smith (57 QB pressures in 2022; 9th in NFL) and run-stuffer Davlin Tomlinson to help up front. I’m not confident in Deshaun Watson’s ability to get back on track offensively, but on defense, the Browns should be one of the league’s best units in 2023, with Garrett at the forefront.

3. Nick Bosa – EDGE, San Francisco 49ers (Last year: 8)

• He picked up his first Defensive Player of the Year award and First-team All-Pro honor last year with a dominant season that saw him lead the league in sacks (18.5), QB pressures (73) & QB hits (48) as a terrorizing 4-3 style defensive end.
• “Size, strength, power, speed, quickness, solid length, repertoire of moves and high motor,” a high-ranking NFL official told ESPN of Bosa. “He’s got it all.”
• Stealing Javon Hargrave from Philly in free agency could be the power tilt in the NFC for a 49ers team who even has a big question mark at QB. Hargrave joins former first-round picks Javon Kinlaw and Arik Armstead on the line, as well as Bosa (former No. 2 overall selection) to form a daunting four man-front. Even without Bosa, that’s a somewhat menacing unit. Adding Bosa as a wide rusher while the others destroy lineman in the interior seems unfair.
• Bosa is playing this season on his fifth-year option, so a mega-extension is coming for one of the league’s very best football players.
• (Edit: This piece was published before San Francisco signed Bosa to a 5-year, $170 million mega-extension with $122.5 million guaranteed. That now makes him the highest-paid defensive player in league history.) 

2. Micah Parsons – EDGE, Dallas Cowboys (Last year: 9)

• After two seasons acting as a hybrid linebacker and EDGE, Parsons is moving to the LEO pass-rushing spot as a stand-up havoc-creator in Dan Quinn’s 3-4 defense.
• Last year, Parsons graded out as the second-best EDGE in pass rush, coverage and overall game by PFF a year after the site graded him as the top linebacker and EDGE. He also has 26.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in just two seasons, and his 70 QB pressures last year ranked third in the league behind just Bosa (73) and Garrett (72). Additionally, he led all defensive players in pressures (72) in true pass sets, according to PFF.
• There’s no question that he should produce better pass-rushing numbers in his new full-time spot. The edge is where he belongs full-time. Parsons has led all edge defenders in each of the past two seasons in pass rush win rate (29.2%, 29.7%), and his overall pressure rate (18.3%) on the QB is tops in the league among EDGE defenders since 2021, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
• Although aging, having DeMarcus Lawrence as a hand-in-the-dirt power EDGE on the opposite side makes this Cowboys duo one of the league’s nastiest at any position. Add in Stephon Gilmore to bring some sticky coverage opposite the Marcus Peters-like style of Trevon Diggs, and the Cowboys are building out one of the league’s very best defenses around what I believe is the best defensive player in football heading into 2023. For Parsons, I expect a dominant run of seasons that should include a few Defensive Player of the Year awards and many more All-Pro honors. He’s a modern day Lawrence Taylor, and as great as Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett are, I believe Parsons is about to hit another gear in 2023.

1. Patrick Mahomes – QB, Kansas City Chiefs (Last year: 4)

• With two Super Bowl wins (and two Super Bowl MVP awards), two NFL MVP awards and three All-Pro selections in his first five years as a starter, Mahomes is on track to produce a career that may spring Michael Jordan-LeBron James-like ‘GOAT’ debates between him and Tom Brady 15 years from now.
• I first brought up the potential future Brady-Mahomes/MJ-LeBron debate parallels after the Chiefs QB won his first Super Bowl after the 2019 season. When looking at his resume just entering his age-28 season, you see we are passed almost any possible hyperbole when discussing the heights Mahomes could possibly reach. Since 2018, he leads the league in TD passes (192), passing yards (23,957), regular season wins (64) and playoff wins (11). He’s also the all-time leader in regular season winning percentage min. 80 starts (80%) and is second all-time in TD/INT ratio (behind Aaron Rodgers).
• Last season, Mahomes won the MVP award and Super Bowl MVP (first since Kurt Warner in 1999), leading the league in passing yards (5,250), TD passes, (41), Total QBR (77.6), Total QBR vs. blitz (83.6), PFF grade (92.0; tied Burrow among QBs) and EPA (expected points added) per drop back.
• If you can excuse the major stats dump above, my goal is to inform that he was far and away the best QB in football last year despite losing an all-time talent in Tyreek Hill. Mahomes relied on his remaining all-time unique playmaker in Travis Kelce, and then made due with a pretty middling pass-catching group as the Chiefs relied more on Mahomes, the running game, an improved offensive line and more under-center looks, like 13 personnel (1 running back, 3 tight ends). This was a revamped offense that was less reliant on deep bombs and other downfield heaves in shotgun, Air Raid looks that Andy Reid had made the Chiefs bread and butter since even the late Alex Smith days.
• 31 of Mahomes’ 41 TD passes went to RBs or TEs (most since 1966) as the Chiefs became a more YAC-oriented offense. In 2022, Mahomes’ YAC per completion (6.6) finished only behind Jimmy Garoppolo in Kyle Shanahan’s offense that historically revolves around yards after catch in the passing game.
• Last year, Mahomes changed his style to become a more mature version of himself as a player, while still using his alien-like ability to side-arm throws and zip passes past defenders. The Chiefs QB ultimately learned to be more patient as a passer, and he looked mighty comfortable buying time and evading rushers, battling back versus the two-high safety “umbrella” zone coverages trend that defenses threw his way late in 2021 to make him uncomfortable. In just one offseason of work, he was finding success effortlessly from what had tripped him up the year before. That’s scary. If the Chiefs can figure it out with two new offensive tackles, and find help/create depth in the pass-catching room behind Travis Kelce, Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mahomes should figure out the rest in 2023.
• Mahomes has already accomplished everything most QBs ever would have wanted. At this point he’s just chasing ghosts, trying to carve his name in the annals of NFL history. Let’s enjoy the trek.
• Bonus extra bullet – This summer’s Quarterbacks documentary from Netflix/Ohama Productions/NFL Films, gives great behind-the-scenes footage into Mahomes’ life. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking to know more about the player of this generation.