Coming off the heels of setting the single-season sack record, Myles Garrett officially staked his claim as the best pass-rusher in NFL history. While he still needs 75 sacks to supplant Bruce Smith on the all-time list, Garrett’s ability to win in a multitude of ways (speed, power, line games, etc.) and from several alignments should help him eventually reach that historic milestone. The latter also gives his versatility score a boost. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year also offers tremendous value as a run defender, collecting 10 tackles for loss on top of last season’s 23 sacks. He has plenty of strength to set the edge and can win with finesse/athleticism or working around blocks to be a complete, elite all-around defensive end.

Lane Johnson started only 10 games in 2025 before a Week 11 Lisfranc injury ended his season, making availability the only real caveat attached to the league’s top tackle profile. His level of play remained consistent with his Hall of Fame-caliber standard. He is still football’s best pass-protecting tackle, regardless of side, thanks to a rare blend of athletic ability, play-strength, balance, recovery skill and technical mastery. Johnson can win early with timing, quickness and positioning, then survive late with core strength, independent hands and redirect ability. He remains a complete run-blocker as well, with the power to displace on the front side, the range to cut off pursuit on the back side and the movement skill to lead in space. Johnson’s career arc continues to reinforce that some elite players do not simply age gracefully; they age by narrowing the ways they can be beaten.

Ja’Marr Chase has an incredibly strong case for the title of “best WR in the league”. There are very few chinks in his armor. Chase is explosive, powerful, and nuanced as a route runner. His ability to fend off contact at the line of scrimmage is second to none. The Bengals’ star receiver is a three-level threat and dynamic after the catch. Chase creates ample separation against man and zone defenses. He’s coming off consecutive 1,400-plus receiving yard seasons. He is one of the league’s most dangerous and dominant receivers in the NFL today. Chase is an elite receiver who excels at every phase/aspect of playing the position.

Being a chameleon when NFL defenses are doing whatever they can to fool opposing offenses has a ton of value. When that chameleon also happens to be Kyle Hamilton, we have one of the best players in the NFL. He played on every single level for the Ravens, is one of the smartest run defenders in the league, and is a technician in coverage. Elite playmakers don’t come around very often, and with the Ravens sustaining so many injuries in 2025, Hamilton was the glue that held them together. According to NFLPro, “With Kyle Hamilton aligned as a linebacker this season, the Ravens have allowed just 3.6 yards per carry, which would rank as the fewest yards per carry allowed league wide.” He’s an incredibly savvy and smart player with only four NFL seasons under his belt. There’s no telling what his ceiling is.

Wirfs’ 2025 season came with more availability turbulence than expected, beginning the campaign on PUP after July knee surgery and later missing additional time with oblique and toe injuries. However, the on-field product remained elite across 12 starts. Wirfs has fully completed the transition from perennial All-Pro right tackle to premier left tackle, and his film now carries the same rare certainty on either side. His pass-protection profile is built on patience, balance, elite core-strength and hand placement that consistently protects both edges without creating soft access to his frame. Rushers are often forced to play through him, which is a losing proposition given his anchor, body control and ability to absorb force without conceding the pocket. Wirfs is also one of the league’s best run-blocking tackles, pairing rare movement skill with overwhelming play-strength to displace at the point of attack, sustain through contact and cover space without losing control. The durability interruptions slightly complicate the season snapshot, but they do not change the broader evaluation: Wirfs is an elite, complete tackle in his prime with one of the game’s highest floors.

Bijan Robinson is one of the best running backs in the NFL. He is the engine and best player on the Atlanta Falcons offense. Robinson is a natural, elite ball carrier with a strong impact in the passing game as a receiver. He accounted for 2,298 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. Robinson is a game-changing player who elevates the offense. His vision, elusiveness, stop/start ability, and burst make him one of the most difficult offensive weapons to defend in the league. Robinson’s pass protection is an issue. He allowed over ten pressures and three sacks last season. He prefers to lunge or throw a shoulder at incoming defenders. Robinson’s pass-protection technique must improve.

Laremy Tunsil delivered arguably the best season of his career during his first with the Washington Commanders, rebounding from a penalty-heavy 2024 campaign to once again play at an All-Pro level. He was a difference-making presence and performed like the league’s premier pass-protecting left tackle, with statement games against top rushers such as Micah Parsons and Nik Bonitto. Tunsil’s protection profile is built on exceptional foot quickness, balance and positional leverage. He reaches his spot with square posture, restricts the rusher’s pathway before contact and then latches with elite strike-timing and hand placement. His ability to stay calm, connected and efficient in true one-on-one situations makes him one of the game’s cleanest island protectors. Tunsil also produced the best run-blocking season of his career, using his movement skills to intersect targets on climbs, screens and lead concepts while showing more strain, sustain and finishing temperament than in prior seasons. After re-signing with Washington and becoming the first offensive lineman to cross the $30 million-per-year threshold, Tunsil’s 2025 play matched the price thanks to elite pass protection, improved run-game impact and high-end value at the sport’s premium offensive line position.

Matthew Stafford is battling a lingering back injury and Father Time as he enters Year 18 in the NFL, making NFL defenses a bit easier to navigate. But he still excelled on the field in 2025, throwing for over 4,700 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions on his way to winning league MVP honors. Stafford is one of the best at the line of scrimmage, making checks and calls based on the defensive coverage pre-snap. At this stage of his career, Stafford possesses immense arm talent. He can drive the ball with velocity, push it downfield on vertical throws, and layer passes over defenders. His accuracy and ball placement remain strengths at this stage of his career. He is limited in the athletic and mobility departments.

Nelson pieced together another elite season in 2025, anchoring a Colts front that powered one of the league’s best run games inside a play-action-heavy structure. Nelson remains the prototype at guard because of his rare combination of physical traits, processing speed, competitive toughness and positional mastery. In the run game, he is still a dominant force with the play-strength to displace, the movement skills to cover space and the finishing ability to erase targets at every level. His pass protection remains high-end as well. Nelson consistently wins with leverage, anticipation and elite processing, using his spacing and feel when uncovered to diagnose line games, pass off stunts and keep his body between the rusher and quarterback with minimal wasted motion. Occasional quick losses against high-end interior rushers happen, but they are exceptions within an otherwise complete profile. Despite his relentless demeanor and premier finishing skills, Nelson committed just two penalties in 2025, the lowest mark of his career. He remains a certified tier-one guard entering 2026.

Our number-one corner has been one of the best players in the NFL since his rookie season. Surtain is always under control, plays extremely physical without holding, and makes receivers earn every yard they get. Only allowing 50-plus yards receiving in a game twice last season, the All-Pro corner collected more pass breakups than catches allowed down the field. He battled through injury in 2025, but the former 2024 Defensive Player of the Year has made four straight Pro Bowls and deserves the top spot among NFL corners.

Justin Jefferson is one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL with very few flaws to his game. He is a complete receiver and checks nearly every box. Jefferson is an excellent route runner and separator against man or zone defenses. He is a “math changer” on offense because he draws multiple defenders in coverage, leading to double teams and bracket coverage to slow him down. His hands are reliable with on-target and off-target throws. Jefferson is a model of consistent production, entering year seven with six straight 1,000-plus yard seasons. Although his production declined, that’s tied to the revolving door at the QB position last season. He is one of the best players in the league, with no positional value added. Anyone proclaiming that he’s the best receiver in the league will receive no argument from me.

Jahmyr Gibbs is a game-changing running back. He has a complete skill set to remain on the field for all three downs. The Lions star is among the most explosive players in the league; at top speed, he outruns angles with ease. Gibbs has elite acceleration reminiscent of the supercharged tuner cars Paul Walker drove in the Fast and the Furious franchise. His work as a receiver is multifaceted; Gibbs is a weapon out of the backfield and aligned as a wide receiver. He finished the 2025 NFL season with 1,836 total yards from scrimmage. The battle for RB1 in the NFL is between Gibbs and Bijan Robinson!

Despite only playing in six games last season due to a broken ankle, Warner remains the NFL's best linebacker, because he plays the position almost perfectly. Against the run, the four-time All-Pro has great instincts and the athleticism to make unblocked tackles near the line of scrimmage. He also uses his hands well to disengage when forced to take on blocks. In coverage, Warner's acceleration and speed allow him to be effective at clicking and closing in his area, while displaying elite range to help teammates or cover up missed tackles. Additionally, he brings excellent ball skills to the position, with 56 career passes defended over eight seasons.

Creed Humphrey remained the football’s best center in 2025, continuing the same elite standard that has defined his first five seasons in Kansas City. Humphrey’s profile is rare because he combines center-specific processing and spatial awareness with guard-level play-strength and anchor ability. In pass protection, he consistently plays with leverage, balance and core strength, allowing him to stonewall power, mirror quickness and keep the depth of the pocket firm. His feel for spacing and line games keeps him in clean position, and he rarely gives rushers easy access to his edges or chest. Humphrey is equally valuable in the run game, where his power, pad level and body control allow him to displace on angle-drive blocks, create movement on doubles and stay attached in space on screens and climbs. There are no meaningful structural weaknesses in his game. He is durable, technically sound, physically imposing and still athletic enough to execute across concepts, making him the league’s most complete and reliable center.

A scouting category often used when evaluating quarterbacks is trucks and trailers. Every NFL franchise would prefer a truck, but there are more trailers, and trucks are rare to find. Josh Allen is one of the best “trucks” in the NFL. He is built like a Ford F-250 with enough open-field speed and agility as a runner to extend plays and break the defense’s back on key downs. Allen has elite arm talent in every sense of the word. His right arm is a weapon that can access the entire field, driving the ball into near-impossible windows and using the launch codes for deep vertical shots to his receivers. Allen is the total physical package as a quarterback, which helped him win an MVP recently. That said, he pressed at times last year, made poor decisions with the football, and turned it over. He’s a franchise-changing quarterback in the conversation for best in the league.

Williams remained one of the league’s defining offensive linemen in 2025, playing 1,075 snaps—his most since arriving in San Francisco—while still performing at an elite overall level at an age where most tackles are long removed from starting-caliber play or even retired. The pass-protection profile showed more volatility than during his peak years, with a few more clean losses and moments where rushers could set him up and slip across his face. Even so, Williams remained a high-end protector capable of handling top competition on an island. His run-game value continues to be unmatched, too. Williams remains the league’s best run-blocking tackle because of his rare blend of size, explosiveness, range and power, allowing him to erase targets on the move, command the point of attack and seal the backside with his signature snatch technique. He is no longer quite as airtight in protection as he was at his apex, but his physical tools, play strength and run-blocking dominance still make him one of football’s most valuable tackles.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has developed into one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers. He is an elite separator against one-on-one coverage. He was a driving force behind the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl run. He is an advanced and nuanced route runner with great body control, spatial awareness, tempo, and route IQ. Opposing defenses broke the huddle knowing his alignment at all times. JSN is not viewed as an elite speed threat, but he is a deceptive athlete, winning the vertical plane more than expected. His hands are among the most reliable in the league, making contested catches with high confidence. Last season, JSN recorded 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, firmly placing him among the NFL’s elite wide receivers.

Fitting a player of Derwin James' talents who more closely resembles the Predator than a human on the football field, with Jesse Minter, was chef's kiss. His instincts, versatility, and click and close ability made it difficult for anyone to create much distance from him, and he picked off the ball three times, with zero touchdowns given up. James is one of the most disruptive players in the league with excellent physicality and a motor that always runs hot. He's a defensive coordinator's dream from the nickel position and one of the driving forces in the NFL.

Puka Nacua became one of the league’s elite receivers. He is incredibly productive and wins in multiple ways. He is a powerful route runner who embraces physical contact mid-stem without being thrown off his path. Nacua creates trustworthy throwing windows for Stafford to target. His hand strength is incredible, and he’s among the league’s most sure-handed receivers. He blocks with great willingness, strength, and effectiveness. Nacua is difficult to tackle on first contact; he embodies a running back’s mentality after the catch. The Rams’ star wideout is a game-changing talent.

Parsons is undoubtedly an elite pass-rusher and has been since Day 1 of his professional career. He’s arguably the NFL’s best at working the edges, possessing the quickness and change-of-direction skills to consistently beat offensive tackles across their faces. The four-time All-Pro also presents a handful of change-ups, a relentless motor and the ability to win from multiple alignments. Those traits make Parsons one of the league’s most disruptive players. However, he does leave something to be desired against the run. Most of the plays he makes occur when unblocked, via clean-ups and against tight ends, while infrequently beating offensive linemen. As a result, Parsons’ ranking may be slightly lower than expected. He’s still in excellent company, though.

One of the most iconic players at the tight end position, George Kittle, went out on his shield last season after battling injuries and then tearing his Achilles tendon in the Wild Card round. The exuberant nature with which he plays the position doesn’t just make him fun to watch; it’s extremely effective. A true do-it-all tight end, Kittle maxes out effort as a blocker with physicality and high football IQ while doubling as a yards after catch demon. Like crossing a Gremlin with the Energizer Bunny, he’s a truly unique player in the NFL, and we’re all better for getting to watch him on the field.

When talking about the Packers' defense, the conversation starts with Xavier McKinney…well, maybe Micah Parsons, but McKinney is right there. The ball-hawking safety can play on top or in the box, and his instincts take him wherever the ball goes. He’s an excellent tackler and a great safety valve in the run game, on top of being a physical presence when down in the box. According to NFLPro, “Xavier McKinney allowed just 0.3 yards per coverage snap this season, fewest among defenders with at least 300 coverage snaps.” He’s not only one of the most versatile defenders in football, but he’s one of the most impactful.

Justin Herbert once again demonstrated why he belongs among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. He led the Los Angeles Chargers to an 11-5 record and another playoff appearance. He finished the season with 3,727 passing yards, 226 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions despite the injuries around him. Herbert combines elite arm talent, advanced pocket feel, and plus-level athleticism to consistently create big plays while maintaining offensive efficiency. His worst plays came under pressure, when he threw interceptions and bad passes. Herbert's performance in 2025 continues to validate him as a premier NFL passer capable of elevating the roster around him.

Jonathan Taylor is among the league’s elite running backs and is the clear engine of the Indianapolis Colts offense. He’s surpassed 1,400 yards three times in consecutive years in his career. Taylor is patient, physical, and explosive. He runs with the power and contact balance that wears opponents down over four quarters. Opposing defenses prepare to remove or limit Taylor's impact. The Colts’ star is one of the most impactful players in the league and a foundational building block.

Jesse Bates sees things before they happen and shows up exactly where he needs to be to make the play. It’s like watching Mysterio fighting Spider-Man, always appearing in places the quarterback doesn’t want him to be and taking the ball away. Bates is one of the prominent ball-hawks in today’s game, and he seamlessly rotates all around the backend, handling a ton of mental responsibilities. He played closer to the line of scrimmage last season than ever before and played fast, took away underneath routes, and helped condense the offense. A continually impressive player continues an impressive career.

2025 was not the usual dominant season for Patrick Mahomes. He dealt with inconsistency as a decision-maker, lower-body mechanics, and accuracy in throwing deep passes. That said, he is still one of the best in the league. His innate playmaking ability when pressure begins to leak through the offensive line remains elite. His pocket presence and internal clock post-snap are incredible; he has a stronger spidey-sense than Peter Parker himself. Mahomes' arm talent hasn’t declined; he can make every throw with velocity and power when it's required. He tore his ACL later in the season; that’s worth monitoring heading into the 2026 NFL Season. Will he return to his elite form? We will see.

Sewell enters 2026 with expectations of moving back to his collegiate home at left tackle after five seasons as one of the league’s premier right tackles. The projection requires some side-switching caution, but Sewell has the rare physical profile, prior left-side background and functional technical foundation to make the transition without changing the core evaluation. His ‘25 film again showed one of football’s most dominant run-blocking profiles, built on elite explosive power, rare movement skill at 335 pounds and the ability to create offense as a featured piece rather than a static edge blocker. Sewell can displace at the point of attack, erase targets in space and generate force from angles most tackles cannot access. His pass protection is high-level but less airtight than his run-blocking. Sewell has an elite anchor, rare mass and outstanding recovery strength, allowing him to absorb power and stabilize the pocket when his set discipline holds. The vulnerable moments come when top rushers lure him out of position, stress his timing and access his edges before he can re-center. That keeps him below the cleanest pass-protecting tackles, but the overall package remains elite. If the left-side transition follows anything close to the Tristan Wirfs’ path, Sewell has the traits to remain a top-tier tackle while offering one of the league’s most forceful run-game presences at the position.

Joe Burrow established himself as an elite top-5 quarterback in the league early in his career. The Bengals' star signal-caller has battled injuries, which keep him off the field more than anyone would like. In 2025, Burrow suffered a Grade 3 Turf Toe injury in week two against the Jaguars, which required surgery and kept him sidelined until Week 13. When he’s healthy and on the field, Burrow is among the best and most accurate passers in the league. He has excellent ball placement and touch. He is a sneaky athlete with pocket mobility to evade the rush, reset his feet, and deliver well-placed passes. He lacks the Superhuman physical traits, but his processing speed/quickness and overall football IQ are next-level.

Christian McCaffrey is a defensive game plan changer. Opposing defenses would love to play more man coverage against the 49ers' offense, but when he is in the backfield, it’s nearly an impossible feat. CMC is still a fantastic route runner out of the backfield, and his ability to freeze and break second-level defenders' ankles as a receiver forces defenses to shift their game plan in real time. The combination of his vision, patience, and footwork in traffic is unreal. He doesn’t have the same speed or burst as he did years ago. Health was a concern in 2024, but he played all 17 games in 2025. Somehow, some way, at this stage of his career, CMC is still a top-ten RB in the league.

Known as a shutdown corner, Derek Stingley is a menace to quarterbacks and receivers. His combination of developing football IQ, natural athletic ability, and aggression was put to the best possible use in Houston last season. Stingley allowed a 37.9% completion percentage when targeted in zone coverage, the lowest mark by any defender since at least 2018, per NFLPro. His ball skills make him difficult to test on his worst day, and while he is still developing at only 24-years old, he's already become one of the best corners in football.

The signing of Talanoa Hufanga a season ago will go down as one of the best free agent signings we’ve seen in years. He’s the perfect type of player for Vance Joseph’s defense, and while he’s always attacking, he’s calculated, too. His play is based on instincts, and he’s asked to cover up the holes that an aggressive defense typically leads to. More often than not, you’ll find Hufanga triggering on the route the play was designed to get open, and he’ll make the play. According to NFLPro, “Talanoa Hufanga recorded 11 passes defensed on 35 targets in coverage (31.4%) this season, making a play on the ball at the third-highest rate among safeties targeted at least 30 times.” Add that to all the ways he impacts the run game at a high level, and we’re watching one of the most impactful players in the league.

Quinn Meinerz is coming off his second consecutive first-team All-Pro season and has the film profile to support his place at the top of the right guard hierarchy. Built with rare density, natural leverage and explosive power, Meinerz is a force-of-nature run-blocker who can displace at the point of attack, climb with range and erase targets on the move across concepts. His blend of size, play-strength and movement skill gives Denver a true tone-setting presence. Growth in pass protection has been the difference over the last two seasons. He is not yet a pristine technician, but his anchor, quickness and improving strike plan have made him a high-end interior protector rather than merely an elite run-blocker. Meinerz will still invite some variance with his aggressive up-kick approach and strike-timing, but those same tools can disrupt rushers early and showed up against top competition such as Jalen Carter and Chris Jones. At 27, Meinerz is squarely in his prime and has already established himself as one of the new standard-setters at guard.

Drake Maye made one of the biggest jumps we've seen from rookie to year two. He threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Maye helped engineer the Patriots' Super Bowl appearance with his improved play. The game slowed down for him to read and react post-snap and find the open target. His legs created second-reaction throwing windows to overcome tight defense coverage. Maye helped spearhead the Patriots' run to the AFC East title and the dethroning of the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills. His accuracy improved, and his efficiency rose as a result. His first postseason experience resulted in team success, but Maye's play tapered off in those high-leverage games. He threw 6 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, with his passer rating dropping to 82 and his completion percentage to 58%. If Maye can continue his high level of play, he will force his name to be discussed among the league's elite franchise quarterbacks.

Saquon Barkley’s 2025 campaign can be described as a falloff after his championship run in 2024, during which he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. But the film displays that Barkley hasn’t lost a step. He rushed for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns with a plus-76 rush yards over expectation. He is still a dynamic athlete who will explode through a running lane if given a sliver of space. Barkley’s offensive line was ravaged with injuries, leading to him being hit behind the line of scrimmage on 47% of his carries last year. He’s still a dangerous running back to gameplan for.

Lamar Jackson played in 13 games because of nagging hamstring and back injuries. Those injuries limited his mobility and magician-like escapability. He was unable to replicate the MVP-caliber season he had in 2024. Jackson never returned to full form after missing five games due to the injuries, but defenses respected him regardless. Jackson continued to help power the Ravens' offense forward. He handled the blitz, throwing 12 touchdowns to three interceptions. Jackson played more from the pocket and attacked the vertical plane well. The Ravens offense still lives and dies on Jackson's back, and his star impact cannot be replicated.

CeeDee Lamb has been the life force of the Dallas Cowboys' passing offense for a few years now. Finally, they gave him an equal running mate in George Pickens. Lamb is a do-it-all playmaker for Dallas. Whether he’s running NBA crossover routes to fool and lose his defender or making great plays after the catch. Lamb is a great option to have as your offense’s WR1. He aligns and makes plays from various positions within the formation. Lamb battled some concentration drops last season, which needs to be cleaned up this season. Nonetheless, he’s one of the league’s premier and most versatile playmakers.

Playing some of his best football in the biggest moments last season, Christian Gonzalez has gotten better and better each year in the NFL. He's coming off a Super Bowl appearance where he faced off against one of the best receivers in football and only gave up one reception over 14 reps and three targets. He's an elite man corner with quick recognition skills, closing ability, and attacks the catch point, allowing a career-low 38.7% completion percentage in man coverage. If this trend holds, Gonzalez should continue to rise in these rankings.

There is nothing flashy about the dominance of Amon-Ra St. Brown. He will not wow anyone with elite size, speed, or physical traits, but the Lions’ star is extremely productive. St. Brown excels as a first and second-level route runner. He has excellent route tempo and pace to keep cornerbacks off balance and honest in their coverage. St. Brown has eclipsed 1,100 yards in four consecutive seasons. He is a model of consistency and is a quarterback-friendly wide receiver. St. Brown earned the right to have his name mentioned as a top-5 to 7 receiver in the NFL today.

If an underrated elite pass-rusher exists, since it's considered a premium position, Danielle Hunter fits the mold. He may not be discussed in the same category as Myles Garrett, but Hunter is easily one of the league’s best at getting to the quarterback. He wins every way imaginable, whether it's going through an offensive tackle’s chest, around the edge with speed or across the tackle’s face. Against the run, the 10-year veteran’s strength at the point of attack really shines. He can set the edge and shed blocks against offensive linemen to make tackles near the line of scrimmage. He’s also a hustle player who factors into gang tackles down the field. However, Hunter isn’t a top-tier penetrator, limiting his disruptiveness.

While he tends to find penalty flags, Brian Branch is a premier player at his position in the NFL. He’s a do-it-all defender who will play at the line of scrimmage, in the box, and deep down the field. He’s there to chew bubble gum and kick some ass, but he’s all out of bubble gum. With the processing speed Branch displays, he can trigger from deep and fill the run no problem, and execute a wide array of rotations with excellent depth. You could play him at corner, and he’d still be a high-level impact player. The possibilities are endless for Branch, and even though it was a “down” statistical year for him that included a suspension and injury, he’s not a player teams want to consistently test. He makes them all pay eventually.

While much of the attention in Cleveland is paid to the quarterbacks and Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward is one of the main reasons to tune into the Browns every week. His technique, smooth transitions, and do-everything ability stand tall, even as he enters his ninth NFL season. Ward allowed the second-fewest receiving yards in a season of his career in 2025 and was one of the toughest outs for wide receivers every week because of his physical mindset. He's showing no signs of slowing down.

Smith produced another high-end season in 2025 despite kicking out to left tackle for the final three games. His game is built on elite, arresting play-strength, giving him the ability to latch, clench and end reps on command in a way few guards can match. Smith’s anchor is one of football’s best, and his ability to generate force through the ground allows him to absorb power, stop momentum and reset the terms of the rep quickly. He still has moments where he bites, drifts into oversets or lands his outside hand down the middle of rushers, creating quick edge access, but his movement skills and recovery strength usually prevent those losses from becoming routine problems. In the run game, Smith can uproot and displace down linemen at the point of attack, open lanes with raw force and deliver rare knockout blows on linebackers when climbing or releasing into space. Remaining refinement is necessary with his leverage maintenance and timing against slippery defenders, who can access his edges during the drive phase when he is late to re-leverage. Smith is not a fully pristine technician, but his power, anchor, recovery traits and impact-block ability keep him firmly in the top tier among guards.

Play the game like you're pissed off at the opposing team. That's the motto of Seahawks corner Devon Witherspoon, and he flies around the field making plays. One of the core pieces of a Super Bowl-winning unit, Witherspoon's run defense, negative play creation, and athletic versatility allow him to wreck games for the opposition. He played lights out in the playoffs and sees the game at an extremely high level. Witherspoon keeps getting better and better and is in the right place to continue that trend.

Having a velociraptor in the defensive secondary gives the defensive coordinator a chess piece who can ruin the offense's plan in multiple ways. Jalen Pitre is that player. He's crafty, aggressive, and plays at 100 miles an hour. His closing speed and instincts limit yards after the catch to the point where he didn't allow a touchdown the entire season in over 500 consecutive coverage snaps. He added twelve passes defended and four interceptions from the nickel position to showcase his value to one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Campbell is known for his brute strength and instincts as a run defender. He has some of the heaviest hands at the position to disengage from blocks consistently, and he's quick to diagnose plays while getting to the right spot. But the first-team All-Pro's athleticism is underrated, with impressive change-of-direction skills to mirror running backs. Some of those traits transfer over to coverage. Again, Campbell has good awareness and is effective at closing to limit explosive plays. However, his lack of elite athletic ability makes it harder for him to tighten throwing windows and make plays on the ball. The 2023 first-round draft pick does make up for deficiencies by adding value as a pass-rusher after securing five sacks last season.

Derrick Henry continues to be one of the most unstoppable forces we’ve seen at running back. At the age of 31, he rushed for 1,595 yards and 16 touchdowns without his elite quarterback, Lamar Jackson, for much of the season. Henry doesn’t appear to be slowing down; if he gets a crease into daylight, he possesses breakaway speed and a vicious, stiff arm that sends defenders flying like a paper airplane. No clue how he keeps dominating at this rate, but Henry is clearly not from this planet!

Williams primarily lines up as a 3-technique (outside shoulder of the guard) but made plenty of plays from several alignments when splitting time between the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys last season. The four-time Pro Bowler consistently dictates the rep when working against the run regardless of where he is playing. When rushing the passer, Williams' strength, motor and active hands make it difficult for offensive linemen to anchor against his bull-rush. He did have a down year statistically, with a career-low 2.5 sacks, but his quickness and unique athleticism showed up more in Dallas and helped the 28-year-old win more frequently than he did earlier in the season.

George Pickens was drafted in the second round but clearly was a first-round talent. He is coming off a career season with the Cowboys, in which he caught 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. Pickens raised the floor and ceiling of the Cowboys’ passing offense. He had stretches of dominant play and fared well against top corners on the perimeter. Pickens proved he is capable of putting up WR1 numbers, and this was alongside an established star, CeeDee Lamb. Pickens had a stellar season with good route running, great hands, and strong after-the-catch ability. He did it all in 2025.

Thomas remains a top-shelf left tackle when available. At the same time, availability has become the defining tension with his evaluation. After missing significant time in 2023 and ‘24, Thomas opened the ‘25 campaign still working his way back from the Lisfranc injury that ended his previous season, missing the first two games before returning in Week 3. He played at a familiar high-end level before another hamstring injury occurred in Week 15 and interrupted yet another season. On the field, Thomas’ pass-protection profile is built on massive size, smooth footwork, patient tempo, clean weight distribution and active hands that allow him to beat rushers to landmarks without overextending. He can establish first meaningful contact, stay square through counters and anchor with enough strength to end reps once latched. Thomas is also a quality run-blocker with the power to displace at the point of attack and enough range to cover space through angles and climbs. His accumulating injury history is the only reason he is not treated as a truly elite tackle.

Vea is one of the most unique players in the NFL. He doesn't really have a true position because he can play from so many alignments. But the 6'4", 347-pound defensive lineman fits the size profile, is listed as a nose tackle, and spends enough time in the A-gaps to qualify for the position. The 2018 first-round pick can play a variety of positions because he has uncanny athleticism for his size and can defeat any type of block against the run. As a pass-rusher, that shows up in his ability to work the edges of an offensive lineman, and Vea is really effective at creating rushing lanes for teammates during line games. Of course, he can win with power, too.

AJ Brown is a talented wide receiver who has established himself as a true WR1 in the league. He is a proven floor-raiser on offense. After being traded to the Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft, Brown passed 1,400 yards receiving in consecutive seasons in Philly. He is a physical route runner with strong hands to pluck the ball away from defenders at the catch point. Brown is a tough run-after-catch threat who fights through tackles and delivers a stiff straight arm to corners in pursuit. Browns’ production has declined the last two seasons, but he is expected to bounce back and return to his floor-raising ways with the New England Patriots.

Will Anderson Jr.’s ability to turn speed-to-power as a pass-rusher has never been in question. The trait clearly translated from Alabama to the pro game. He then added some finesse moves to his arsenal, which became a big reason why he was able to win more frequently last season. The 2023 No. 3 overall pick has lived up to the hype. He’s easily the league’s best edge-defender under 25 years old. Against the run, Anderson’s strength stands out when setting the edge and defeating blocks. Additionally, his speed and athleticism show up as a run-defender, leading to an uptick in tackles for loss this past season. Look for the 2025 first-team All-Pro’s continued ascension into eventual elite status.

Jordan Love is one of the more efficient passers in the NFL. He is coming off another strong season, his third consecutive season over 3,300 yards. He threw for 3,381 yards with 23 touchdowns, six interceptions, completing 66.3% of his passes, and a passer rating of 101.2. Love continues to play at a highly efficient level and pace for the Packers. His accuracy, footwork, and ball placement are very good and getting better. He cut down on his interceptions compared to 2024, but there are head-scratching decisions where he tests heavily targeted weapons. He's on the cusp of elevating his game, but postseason moments and success will dictate where he ultimately lands among his peers.

While the elite ball production isn't there for Quinyon Mitchell, everything else shows up on the field, and he has been seen as one of the best young corners in the NFL. A physical presence on the outside, Mitchell was faced up against one of the most difficult gauntlets of receivers in the NFL last season and never wavered. He struggled early on against the 49ers in the Wild Card round, but ended up with two more playoff interceptions on his resume. He might not have any in the regular season, but he is up to four in his first two playoff stretches. Big time moments for a big time player.

As a run-defender, Simmons is quick to get his hands up and displays plenty of strength to win at the point of attack. He has also shown flashes of using his athleticism as a change of pace to keep offensive linemen guessing. This combination helps the four-time Pro Bowler be disruptive and make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. The 2025 first-team All-Pro is coming off his best season as a pass-rusher, too, recording a career-high 11 sacks. He wins more with his quickness, hand-usage and a good rip move (or some combination of those three). Also, the 28-year-old veteran has a deep arsenal to push the pocket when using power. Simmons must cut down on the costly penalties, though.

Trey McBride broke the single-season reception record for a tight end last season while having an incredible season. With 126 catches for 1239 yards and eleven touchdowns, he was a revelation for an otherwise unspectacular Cardinals offense. They got him the ball on a ton of short passes and tight end screens, and let his physicality after the catch rack up yards and touchdowns. More of an explosive straight-line mover, McBride uses subtle changes in footwork and attacking angles to create separation and insane ball skills to catch the football anywhere around him. While he isn’t the most functional blocker, he does more at the second level and chips defensive ends before going out on routes. Watching McBride imitate a pinball after the catch, it’s no shock the Cardinals wanted him to touch the ball as much as possible.

From a run defending and gap control standpoint, Lawrence is actually coming off a down season for his standards. But that had a lot to do with him lining up slightly out of position as a 3-technique more often last year. Keep him over the center and put that wide stance and 6'4", 340-pound frame to good use, and the new Cincinnati Bengal will continue to be a boulder in the running game. Plus, the three-time Pro Bowler still destroys one-on-one blocks to make tackles near the line of scrimmage. Lawrence only had half a sack last season, but he did manage to generate a lot of pressure for the position. His size and strength can be overwhelming for centers on third downs, and Sexy Dexy's nimbleness helps him win around the edges of interior offensive linemen with a rip move. He also managed to record four passes defended in 2025.

Nick Bosa was difficult to assess since he missed all but three games last season and sat out three contests during the prior campaign. However, the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year previously built a big enough track record to rank and assume a baseline level of performance. As a pass-rusher, Bosa’s hand-use is elite and where he primarily wins. He’s also effective at turning speed-to-power, providing more juice off the edge than most expect. Additionally, the 2019 No. 2 overall pick’s run defense is underrated. He has the strength to set the edge and escape blocks, while also showing enough athleticism to take advantage during the rare occasions he’s unblocked.

While Maxx Crosby’s pass-rush production has dipped over the last two seasons, his hand-swipe move and relentless motor remain top-notch. Also, he still accumulated 10 sacks in 2025. A lack of surrounding talent in the Raiders’ lineup should be attributed as part of the reason for his drop in numbers. Las Vegas lacks a notable bookend or interior pass-rusher to take the pressure off the five-time Pro Bowler. Conversely, Crosby can make a strong case as the best run-defender working off the edge. He displays the strength to establish contain, and his elite get-off leaves blockers grasping at air while the “Condor” collects tackles for loss, accumulating 90 TFLs over the last four seasons. As such, Crosby is easily one of the league’s more disruptive players.

Thuney remained an elite-level starter during his first season in Chicago, bringing his usual technical mastery, week-to-week consistency and championship résumé into Ben Johnson’s offensive line-friendly system. Thuney is undersized by guard standards in terms of mass and length, but he continues to win with pristine footwork, strike timing, hand usage and leverage manipulation. In pass protection, he is one of the league’s most refined interior blockers, using spacing, hand-fighting skill and processing speed to diagnose line games, pass off stunts and stay connected without overextending. Bigger rushers can still test him through the middle of his frame, but Thuney’s balance, positioning and ability to die slowly prevent most reps from turning into clean losses. In the run game, he wins more with timing, leverage and fit accuracy than raw displacement, arriving on schedule, creating quick control and steering defenders to open lanes. His feel for the position and technical precision continue to mitigate a lack of ideal size and power, keeping him among the NFL’s most reliable high-end guards.

Budda Baker might be a Cardinal, but he converges on throws and routes over the middle of the field like an Osprey diving full speed into the water to catch a fish. He reads route concepts at high speed and flies downhill to break up the throw, impact the catch point, or make the tackle short of the line to gain. Baker is one of the most active safeties against the run with his instinctual nature, and while his aggressiveness will catch him out of position and lead to missing tackles, he’s right far more than he’s wrong. Even after his ninth season in the NFL, Baker is one of the best at his position and incredibly fun to watch.

Zach Frazier followed an outstanding rookie season with another high-end year in 2025, reinforcing his place among the league’s top centers. Rare play-strength, leverage and contact balance are the pillars of his game, giving Pittsburgh a tone-setting presence at the pivot. Frazier consistently plays from positions of strength, using his natural power and feel for angles to create movement in the run game, displace on doubles and strain through contact without losing balance. In pass protection, his anchor is already one of the position’s best, allowing him to sit down against power, absorb force and keep the depth of the pocket firm. The next layer of his growth has come with cleaner processing and hand-usage, where he has become more efficient sorting games, passing off movement and staying square rather than turning early or opening soft edges. He is not a rare space player that some lighter centers are, but his functional movement is good enough because he wins so consistently with leverage, power and positioning. Frazier already has the physical presence, processing and down-to-down reliability of a top-tier center, with enough remaining technical polish to keep climbing.

Slater missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon last August, making his NFL1000 placement more projection-based than most tackles in this tier. Before the injury, Slater had already established himself as one of the league’s premier left tackles, with a multi-year profile built on rare leverage, core strength, recovery athleticism and high-end pass-protection performance against top rushers. His compact build gives him natural access to leverage, and his anchor remains one of the cleanest in football because he can absorb force without losing posture or widening his base into recovery mode. Slater’s best reps come from his ability to stay square, match speed, recover from late stress and keep rushers from accessing his chest cleanly. He is also a quality run-blocker with enough movement skill and play-strength to execute across concepts, though his value is still driven primarily by pass protection. The injury creates real return-to-form risk, especially for a player whose game relies on lower-body explosiveness and recovery range. At 27 years old and coming off multiple elite-caliber seasons prior to last year, Slater still projects as a high-end blindside protector if his movement profile returns anywhere close to baseline.

Dak Prescott deserves more credit and praise as one of the league's top signal-callers. He is coming off his fourth 4,000-yard passing season. He is entrusted with carrying the Cowboys' passing offense with his arm, and he answers the bell more often than not. Prescott is a highly accurate passer in and outside of the pocket. When protected and with high-caliber weapons at his disposal, he will put up All-Pro numbers. The Cowboys put their offensive fate into Prescott’s hands, and he delivers.

Hutchinson is a very good pass-rusher who excels at turning speed-to-power and has showed a few counter-moves to keep offensive tackles guessing. Additionally, he has a nasty inside spin, can win with speed around the edge and displays a good hand-swipe move. The two-time Pro Bowler veers more toward average against the run, though, primarily making plays when unblocked or against tight ends.

James Cook emerged as one of the league's top running backs last season. He was the second most important player on the Bills’ offense. He rushed for 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cook displayed his smooth, fluid movement skills while attacking the line of scrimmage. He changed directions to force missed tackles with good suddenness. Cook caught the ball well in the passing game, adding another dimension to his skill set. The Bills' offense is better when Cook is featured.

Before the ACL injury that ended Tucker Kraft’s season, he was not only on pace for a career season but also one of the best seasons for a tight end in the NFL. While being a good in-line option for the Packers, Kraft is moved around the formation, pulled to lead block on screens and quarterback keepers, and does it all as a blocker. His real value has come from being a three-level threat in the passing attack. While he isn’t the most fluid route runner, he’s one of the best tight ends in the league after the catch with finesse and power, has a varied route tree menu, and the ball skills to go and get it when asked. Kraft is an ascending player in the NFL, and coming off an injury, hopefully, it doesn’t take him too long to find his footing.

Nico Collins is established as an explosive X-receiver with the height, weight, and speed to generate big plays. Due to injuries, he’s never played a full 17 games in his NFL career, yet he’s crossed the 1,000-yard mark three seasons in a row. If he could avoid the nagging injuries each season, his productivity would climb. Collins is a complete X/Boundary-receiver. He brings verticality to the passing offense, serves as a high-volume possession target, and wins difficult contested situations. CJ Stroud trusts him to make the plays that propel their offense, and for good reason. A fully healthy season of Collins could catapult him higher in wide receiver rankings and discussions.

Brock Purdy is an established starting quarterback with plenty of postseason experience, including leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl. He played in only nine games last season due to multiple injuries. Purdy’s proven to be the near-perfect quarterback for Kyle Shanahan’s system. His game thrives on throwing with outstanding anticipation, accuracy, and timing. Purdy is an above-average athlete with good pocket quickness to create for himself whenever he senses pressure. He plays with immense heart and toughness, earning him a place among the NFL's winners. Purdy is a physically limited quarterback; he’s on the shorter side of the height spectrum, and his arm strength is only average. His decision-making declined under heavy and consistent pressure last season. He’s the prototype for high-end game manager and point guard-styled QB archetypes; you can win with those styles if your roster is built properly.

Drake London is one of the league’s better young wide receivers. He has never played with a top-shelf quarterback in the NFL during his career, yet he consistently puts up good numbers. He’s held back by that uncertainty with the Falcons quarterback situation. London is an uber-efficient route runner with strong footwork and use of hands to fend off bump-and-run coverage. He’s the prototypical X-receiver, but he plays all over the formation, forcing advantageous matchups. London isn’t in the elite tier of No. 1 receivers in the league, but with better quarterback play, he will enter the conversation.

Brock Bowers is one of the best weapons in the NFL and can win in a multitude of ways against a variety of opponents. He’s smart enough to dissect zone defenses pre- and post-snap and crafty enough to beat man coverage with intentional routes. The different ways he can catch the football with the radius and tracking ability he possesses are special; add to it his quickness to get up to speed after the catch, and it’s easy to see how impressive he is. The former first-round selection dealt with some injuries last season that kept him sidelined, but when he was on the field, the impact was still there. As Bowers continues to grow, he’s only going to be more difficult to defend.

Heyward primarily lines up as a 4i-technique (inside shoulder of an offensive tackle) in the Steelers' odd front, though he regularly lines up as a 2i-technique (inside shoulder of the guard). A big reason why is that he can hold his own against any type of block against the run. The 37-year-old may be closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but he's still an elite run-defender. As a pass-rusher, Heyward's age has begun to show in his quickness and ability to win with finesse moves. But the six-time All-Pro can still push the pocket with a bull-rush and remains very good at batting passes near the line of scrimmage.

Trey Smith was limited to 12 starts in 2025 after suffering high- and low-ankle sprains late in the season, interrupting what had been one of the league’s best durability profiles through four regular seasons and Kansas City’s extended playoff runs. When available, Smith remained one of football’s premier interior enforcers, pairing prototypical guard size with elite competitive toughness, heavy hands and immense raw power. His run-game value is rooted in displacement, strain and tone-setting physicality, with the ability to dent fronts and overwhelm defenders when his leverage is right. The most encouraging development was his pass protection, where his hand-usage looked as balanced and controlled as it has been in his career. Smith found a better mix of patience and force on his creep-sets, using his heavy outside hand to initiate contact without overextending against wider alignments. That allowed him to play with cleaner posture, protect his edges and maintain better positional leverage against top interior competition such as Zach Allen, Jalen Carter and Jeffery Simmons. Smith can still tighten his strike-timing to protect his frame and find his anchor more quickly, but his 2025 film reinforced a complete, high-end guard profile whose only real caveat was availability.

What a difference a few seasons and a change in defensive coordinator made for Kevin Byard. The addition of Dennis Allen gave the veteran safety a DC who knew how to unlock Byard’s football IQ and instinctual nature. While he was more involved at the line of scrimmage in 2024, Allen put Byard on top of the defense, where he played 870 of his snaps last season, allowing him to patrol like RoboCop. After having only two interceptions total in 2023 and 2024, Byard came down with seven picks and eight passes defensed, helping to lead him to his third First-Team All-Pro nomination. Byard was fantastic last season and showed everyone that the “old man” still has it.

Bo Nix has transformed the Denver Broncos into a perennial playoff contender in his first 2-season in the NFL. He is given the reins by Coach Payton to be the natural playmaker in and out of the pocket; essentially playing Bo Nix football. Nix is great at extending plays with his legs and keeping his eyes downfield for open targets. He will sit in the pocket and dish the rock to his weapons like a Vegas blackjack dealer or escape and make a play with his athleticism. Nix is developing into the Broncos' franchise signal-caller. Despite his and the team’s success, the next phase of his development is protecting the football, especially under pressure. Nix tends to put the ball in harm’s way whenever he feels pressure, and there’s no obvious route out of danger. Improving his decision-making and protecting the football will ensure he rises into the next crop of high-quality NFL starting quarterbacks for years to come.

2025 was a strong season for Trevor Lawrence, as he threw for over 4,000 yards for the third time in his career and a career-high 29 touchdowns. After a 5-4 start, he engineered an eight-game winning streak that won the division and clinched a home playoff game. Lawrence was very effective in the short-passing offense. His arm talent was on display whenever he had to drive the football in the intermediate areas of the defense. Lawrence’s legs are equalizers if flushed out of the pocket, and he puts them to good use. His decision-making must improve when under pressure. He threw a career-high 12 interceptions last season, and some of them were head-scratching. Cut down on low-red-zone turnovers going forward. Overall, Lawrence took steps forward last season. Jaguar fans and the Trevor Lawrence fan club should be excited and optimistic going into the 2026 NFL season.

Carter is a frustrating run-defender to watch, because he shows moments of brilliance, splitting combo blocks to make a tackle or using a rare combination of strength and athleticism to defeat other blocks. However, he typically only makes a quality tackle or two per contest, and the three-year pro has a big problem with missed tackles when working against the run. The 25-year-old's reputation as a standout interior defender is a result of his skills as a pass-rusher. He's impressively quick and athletic enough to work the edges against guards, while displaying good hand-usage. The former high school power-lifter can push the pocket when bull-rushing, too.

Coming off a down year for the former All-Pro, Trent McDuffie remains one of the more complete defensive backs in football. His football IQ is fantastic, a willing and excellent run defender/blitzer, and he brings great experience, grit, and leadership to a corner room. McDuffie impacts the game in a variety of ways and turned into a better press-man corner on the outside than many thought he could be at his size. He's a better nickel than boundary corner, but he never backs down to any receiver, no matter their size.

Bolles delivered the most consistent season of his career in 2025, starting every game for the third straight year and materially raising his pass-protection profile to one of the league’s better blindside protectors. Bolles has always had the athletic ability, urgency and finishing temperament, but the current difference is the level of control in his hands and set mechanics. He routinely wins early with a high-low hand approach that captures the rusher’s frame, protects his inside shoulder and forces speed-rushes to widen beyond the corner. His inside-hand strike remains a weapon for disrupting timing, but he is no longer as dependent on isolated flashes of aggression to survive. Bolles still benefits from Denver’s offensive line-friendly structure under Sean Payton, but the improvement is real, as seen through cleaner leverage, fewer self-inflicted short corners and more consistent answers against counters. He is not an overpowering run-blocker, but his movement skills, competitive toughness and improved hand placement give him value across concepts. The result is a high-end left tackle whose game has aged into more precision without losing its edge.

The first thing that stands out about Smith's game is his rare speed for a linebacker. The Georgia product ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash years ago at the NFL Combine, and that shows in his ability to beat blockers to the spot against the run. He's also able to make tackles from the backside of runs with his elite sideline-to-sideline range. In coverage, Smith can click and close to limit gains or make chase-down tackles to prevent explosive plays. His ball skills are more solid than anything special, recording 10 interceptions and 38 passes defended over eight seasons. Finally, the 2018 first-round pick may not have had any sacks last year, but he does offer value as a blitzer with his ability to beat running backs in pass protection.

The Texans' defense is full of chess pieces for Demeco Ryans to terrorize opposing kings (quarterbacks), and Calen Bullock has emerged as the instinctual “queen” patrolling the board. He plays with range, good movement skills, coverage flexibility, and a willingness to not only improve as a tackler, but against the run as well. He takes some poor angles at times, but he’s made up for it with six interceptions and eleven passes defensed last season (regular and postseason). In year two, Bullock established himself as one of the rangiest and impactful post-safeties in the NFL with the arrow still pointing up as a member of this defense.

Skoronski continued his ascent in 2025 despite an unfavorable offensive ecosystem that included heavy pass volume, limited play-action support and inconsistent pocket management from a rookie quarterback. He did not miss a snap for the second consecutive season and emerged as one of the league’s most refined young pass-protecting guards. Skoronski wins with efficient pass sets, precise hands, clean weight distribution and advanced leverage control, allowing him to create, refit and sustain positioning on rushers while playing longer than his measurements suggest. His feel when uncovered is also a plus, with the awareness and physicality to clear the pocket, dent adjacent rushers and pass off games with force. In the run game, Skoronski’s leverage understanding translates into strong sustain, steer and finish skills, with enough movement ability to track and intersect targets on the move. His narrower, sawed-off frame can still create softer edges, and decisive loopers can test him on stunts before he regains control. Still, his recovery skill, hand precision and ability to die slowly minimize clean losses and point to a high-end guard whose game is still climbing.

When it comes to versatility, it's difficult to find a defensive lineman who fits that description better than Williams. He lines up just about everywhere along the front thanks to an ability to defend the run at a high level from several alignments. "Big Cat" can split combo blocks, move his feet to avoid getting reached and win one-on-one matchups with strength or athleticism. Williams isn't as diverse when rushing the passer, but he still places consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The three-time Pro Bowler is effective as the pick player on stunts and uses his strength well to defeat guards and tackles during one-on-one matchups. His ability to do so became more apparent over the last two-and-a-half seasons, accounting for 22 of his 61.5 career sacks.

When the Bears drafted Colston Loveland in the top ten last year and paired him with Ben Johnson, we knew something special could happen. As a rookie, Loveland not only grew throughout the season as a blocker but was unlocked as a weapon in the passing game. He’s an extremely gifted route runner at his size, with post-catch speed and acceleration that create poor pursuit angles. The offense was flowing through him as the Bears entered the playoffs, and the former first-rounder took it in stride and helped lead the Bears on a run that nearly landed them in the NFC Championship game. He needs to work on a consistent get-off and attack mentality as a blocker, but the tools are there for Loveland to be a force at the tight end position for a long time.

Ramsey started the season playing predominantly at nickel cornerback and then transitioned to safety after week nine, and hit the ground running. His football IQ is off the charts, and he still shows great closing speed, making him a force in coverage. Recovery downfield isn’t what it used to be, and it showed up a few times, but his willingness and ability to fit the run and be in the right place greatly improved the Steelers' defense over the back half of the year. Ramsey really can do it all.

Aaron Brewer produced a special season in 2025 inside Mike McDaniel’s zone-heavy run game and quick-hitting passing structure, which leaned heavily into screens, play-action, perimeter concepts and timing throws that fully maximized his skill set. The second-team All-Pro is a sub-300-pound center with rare movement skills, giving Miami a true weapon on reach blocks, overtakes, climbs and space concepts. His second- and third-level impact was as good as any offensive lineman in football last year, with Jason Kelce-esque range and finishing ability. In pass protection, Brewer has made meaningful strides with his hand-usage, using quicker strike-timing and improved placement to establish first meaningful contact and protect his frame despite a lack of mass. He will always have a smaller margin against high-end power, but his leverage, balance and elite recovery skills allow him to survive enough anchor stress, while staying effective against quickness and movement. Brewer’s build keeps him from being a scheme-proof center, but his movement skill, run-game impact and improved pass-protection made him one of the league’s most valuable interior linemen.

Caleb Williams is the ultimate gamer and playmaker at the quarterback position in the league. He took steps forward and improved in multiple areas in year one of Ben Johnson's offensive system. Williams possesses the rare combination of great physical tools and an innate ability to make something out of nothing. He displayed his creative off-script playmaking again this past season, but his timing within the offense's structure was noticeably better. Williams displayed quicker processing when facing the blitz this season, getting to his reads more quickly and efficiently to take advantage of fewer defenders in coverage. He is still trying to find that happy medium and consistency with his accuracy. Williams has precision passes on tape and more than a few bad misses. He completed 58% of his passes last season; that mark must rise above 60% going forward. The game is slowing down, but he still needs to work on his processing and decision-making. Williams is an ascending player who is on the brink of stardom if he can iron out the correctable wrinkles in his game.

Joe Alt’s second season was disrupted by circumstance before injury ultimately ended it. After moving from right to left tackle following Rashawn Slater’s season-ending knee injury, Alt immediately carried over the level of play that made his 2024 rookie season so impressive. A Week 4 high-ankle sprain cost him time. After returning in Week 8, a more significant ankle injury ended his season a week later. The limited sample still reinforced a larger point: Alt already established himself as one of the league’s most balanced and technically advanced tackles, regardless of side. His game is built on size, range, patience and unusually clean mechanics. He rarely oversets, stays square through contact, plays with controlled hands and has the recovery ability to survive when rushers force him off his initial track. In the run game, he wins through angles, leverage and sustained positioning rather than raw displacement, giving him a high floor across schemes. Through two seasons, Alt has looked less like a young tackle still stabilizing and more like a roster cornerstone where availability has been the only real early-career concern.

Dawkins remains one of the league’s more difficult left tackles to solve, because his pass-protection profile is both physically imposing and structurally uncommon. He has rare mass, excellent length and quick enough feet to survive on an island, but the separator is how he uses those tools to control the terms of the rush. Dawkins aligns with unusually wide splits that create space, isolate rushers and allow him to dictate the timing of first meaningful contact. Once latched, his grip-strength and body control make reps difficult to restart. His snatch-trap package—the “Ice Pick,” as he calls it—is one of the league’s best answers against long-arm rushes, allowing him to protect his frame, punish forward lean and end reps quickly. Dawkins also brings clear run-game value as a mover, where his range, play-strength and finishing temperament show up as a puller and lead blocker. His game is not conventional, but it is refined and highly functional. He wins by expanding the edge, forcing rushers into predictable angles and closing reps with power.

After questions about a possible switch to safety in the NFL, DeJean has turned into one of the best nickel defenders in the NFL in a short time. A physical and willing defender against the run, just ask Derrick Henry. His versatility saw him become a near full-time player and take snaps on the outside in Philadelphia's base defense. He can make plays at every level of the field, but is at his best in the nickel, closer to the action. His football IQ is his greatest weapon, but also brings great size and athletic ability to a position typically labeled as "small". He's a unique player and is a perfect fit in Fangio's defense.

Brown's size and strength pop off the tape when working against the run. Not only is the 6'5", 320-pound defender difficult to move, he also tosses offensive linemen out of the way when shedding blocks. As a pass-rusher, his power is apparent with a solid bull-rush and push-pull move. The 2023 Pro Bowler does show some quickness for his size, while adding 28 career passes defended when he doesn't get upfield.

Spencer Brown remains a high-end right tackle. Though his pass-protection consistency dipped from the previously seen 2024 breakout performance while suffering through calf, shoulder and eye issues. The shoulder injury was especially relevant, showing up in a difficult Week 12 matchup against Houston’s edge duo of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., where his play-strength and ability to finish reps looked compromised. Brown’s value still begins with rare movement ability for a 6’9” blocker. He reaches his set points with elite quickness, uses independent strikes to maximize his length and can establish first meaningful contact before rushers are ready to deploy counters. When he loses early, his recovery range allows him to stay attached, widen the path and die slowly rather than give up immediate access to the quarterback. As a tradeoff, his frame still creates leverage exposure, especially on angle-drive blocks and power exchanges where defenders can get underneath him. Brown remains a weapon on the move and a very good pass protector, but his 2025 effort reinforced that elite athletic tools still require clean timing, health and leverage management to stay in the top right-tackle tier.

Even while sustaining a hamstring injury that forced him to miss nine games in 2025, Julian Love is an absolute dawg and one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL. The coverage instincts are fantastic, and he sniffs out routes over the middle of the field with regularity to pile up PBUs and interceptions. The great clip of Love from the Super Bowl, showcasing how Drake Maye was telegraphing his throws right before he intercepted him, is pure gold. He can man up on tight ends and offer true nickel coverage flexibility for Seattle’s defense while maintaining one of the better recovery skillsets at the position. This is the type of safety every defense needs.

Baun's game is rooted in instincts and athleticism. Against the run, he's quick to get to the right spot and can use his movement skills to slip blocks. However, Baun does leave something to be desired in terms of his ability to take on and disengage from blocks. In coverage, the two-time Pro Bowler's athletic ability can help him be effective in man coverage and tight ends and running backs, and close in a hurry when playing zone. He also had seven passes defended last year and can be even more productive if his awareness improves.

Madubuike is a tough evaluation since he only played in two games last season after suffering a neck injury that was considered career-threatening. Fortunately, he's reportedly on track to play this season, but it's difficult to assess how the issue will impact the two-time Pro Bowler's on-field effectiveness. In 2023 and '24, Madubuike made a name for himself as a pass-rusher, showing the quickness and strength to work the edges or push through an offensive lineman's chest to generate pressure. Those traits stood out during this past season's small sample size, too.

Zay Flowers isn’t the traditional or prototypical No. 1 wide receiver, but he’s established himself as “THE GUY” for the Baltimore Ravens. Flowers has the top-end speed and acceleration to make defensive backs rethink their approach. He’s proven to defeat bump-and-run coverage and zone coverages. He is a smaller wideout, but he knows how to play the position at a high level. Flowers is an easy target to feed the football to because of his versatile playmaking.

Sam Cosmi did not make his 2025 debut until Week 7 upon returning from the ACL tear he suffered in during the previous season’s Divisional Round. He then had this past season cut short by a concussion in Week 16. Across nine starts, he still looked close to the breakout-caliber player he became in 2024. Cosmi is one of the league’s more talented guards, with the athletic ability, play-strength and recovery skill to match up against top interior competition. His pass protection serves as his foundation. He plays centered with even weight distribution, uses independent hands to stay attached without overcommitting and has the quickness to anchor, harden his edges and work out of compromised positions. Cosmi is also a good run-blocker, combining power and agility to create movement, fit angles and stay connected on the move. Availability is the only real drag on his profile after two significant injury interruptions during a 12-month span. At 27, he still has the traits and technical foundation of a top-tier guard, but his 2025 grade reflects a high-end player whose recent injury history prevents a cleaner placement.

The Rams’ 33-year-old wideout remains one of the best route runners and separators in the league. He has outstanding knowledge of the game and instincts. He remains one of the league’s best route salesmen. Adams may have lost a step in the speed and explosiveness department, but he makes up for it with craftiness and savvy route running. In the red zone, Adams is a weapon, using his space-creation and strong hands to cash in on end-zone targets. His prime is behind him, but Adams will give opposing cornerbacks all they can handle every week.

A gold jacket is waiting for T.J. Watt whenever he decides to hang up his cleats. However, the future Hall of Famer’s production dipped last season, as he isn’t the same player he used to be. Watt can still win on the high side of the rush but lacks a good change-up to keep offensive tackles honest. At this stage of his career, Watt is also more of a finesse player against the run.

Lloyd is an interesting player because he fits into the "jack of all trades, master of none" category. As a run defender, he can attack downhill or make plays sideline to sideline, but doesn't record many tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Against the passing game, the 2025 second-team All-Pro can click and close and has good ball skills, but he will get beaten in man coverage and occasionally takes subpar angles in pursuit. If the 27-year-old can put it all together in Carolina, he'll start getting more love as one of the best linebackers in the league.

Jalen Hurts is one of the more maligned quarterbacks in the NFL. You either love him or hate him, but one thing's for certain: you have to respect him as a football player. Mentally, Hurts is built like an armored truck; it is difficult to get him off his game. Last season, he was great when facing the blitz, processing information quickly and getting the ball to his weapons. If his receivers are plastered, he’ll activate his dual-threat quarterback card like in a Pokémon battle. Hurts is known for escaping pressure and becoming a dangerous runner in the open field. If he identifies one-on-one coverage on the outside, he will take the shot. Throwing in the middle of the field remains a concern in his game, but it's not a void in his skill set. Hurts will be without All-Pro and Pro Bowl-caliber WR AJ Brown; he can silence doubters with a strong 2026 season.

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner had one of the most interesting seasons among NFL corners. He dealt with injury concerns, was traded to the Colts, and had an uneven performance throughout the season. He played a ton of man coverage and forced tight-window throws at a high rate, but allowed the sixth most receiving yards in the NFL through week 13 (before his injury). Gardner is at his best as a cover 3 corner who can drive down, anticipate route breaks, and disrupt the catch point with his superb length.

Being a twitched-up athlete with great length, ball skills, and coverage versatility at the cornerback position is tough to find, and those players stick around in the NFL. Jaycee Horn is all of those things and plays with a great understanding of route concepts and film study on where quarterbacks want to go with the football and how receivers win. He's a poor tackler and falls off of ball carriers more often than he should, which creates more yards after the catch, but he set a career high in interceptions this season with five. A few slips in coverage led to giving up touchdowns, but he's one of the best in coverage around the league.

Film study shows up every Sunday for Delpit, and his instincts take him to the football quickly and often. He’s an aggressive downhill player who isn’t afraid to fit any run, wants to punish the ball carrier, and ties underneath routes to the quarterback’s eyes quickly. Willing to man up against tight ends and make life tough for them, his coverage toolbox varies, but he is a much better player closer to the action than on top of the defense. Delpit flies around the field and brings a ton of energy to the Browns' secondary.

Elliss is the pinnacle of what a hybrid linebacker should look like. He's the jack-of-all-trades, Swiss-army knife type of player who uses his athleticism to slip blocks in the running game, click and close or make plays on the ball in coverage, and get after the quarterback as a pass-rusher. The do-it-all backer also has the versatility to line up on the edge and cashed in during the offseason, as the Saints gave him a $33 million contract to return to New Orleans.

Wagner is toward the end of his career, but make no mistake about it, he’s still a top-tier run defender on the second level. He operates like The Terminator pre-snap, constantly scanning the offense and taking in information to consistently be in the right spot and around the ball. Also, the 11-time All-Pro is still an elite tackler with his combination of range and rare misses. In coverage, the 36-year-old’s age shows up. He isn’t as comfortable operating in space as he used to be and had a few coverage breaks last season. Wagner can provide value in the passing game as a blitzer, though, beating running backs to record 4.5 sacks last season.

Marcus Jones is one of the most versatile chess pieces in the NFL, with his secondary usage and special-teams impact. He's an electric punt returner with house call ability and brings that juice to the secondary in New England. While he gave up more touchdowns in man coverage than at any point in his career, he still took the ball away three times and had eleven passes defensed, then added another pick and four passes defended in the postseason. It wasn't an even playoff showing for Jones, but he remains a high-effort player in every phase of the game.

It’s hard for water to get where it’s going with holes everywhere along the pipe, and that’s how it felt for Amani Hooker last season. The secondary was riddled with holes, and he was tasked with covering as many as possible. His versatility is outstanding, showcasing the speed and route recognition to come down on short throws and recover over the top. He takes some aggressive angles in run support, but sees the plays unfold and has the effort to track the ball carrier across the field to make a tackle. With a new staff and renewed energy in Tennessee, there’s room for Hooker to rebound in a big way.

Buckner's body is starting to wear down, missing five games in 2024 with a high-ankle sprain and nine last year with a herniated disk that required surgery this offseason. On the field, he's still a well-rounded defender in both phases of the game and capable of winning multiple ways, particularly as a pass-rusher. It will be interesting to watch how effective the 32-year-old continues to be after this past season's neck injury.

The Patriots' secondary was one of the most complementary rooms in the NFL, and Hawkins had his best season ever in year two of his stint in New England. Showing off his range, Hawkins came down with four interceptions and six passes defensed while playing 75% of his snaps at free safety. While he wasn’t bad as a man coverage player, he was excellent in zone. According to NFLPro, “Jaylinn Hawkins was targeted on 3.8% of his snaps in zone coverage, the 5th-lowest mark of any player with at least 200 snaps in zone, and allowed 7 receptions for 62 yards on 16 targets while recording 4 interceptions.” He’ll be taking his talents to Jesse Minter’s defense in Baltimore, where he could have another fantastic season.

Sam Darnold went from seeing ghosts to lifting the Lombardi trophy in 2026. He has revived his career over the last two seasons and proved that 2024 was not a fluke season. Darnold helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship. He played with confidence and poise, complementing Seattle’s elite defense. Darnold is a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback with the arm strength and accuracy to win games at times. He is best suited to be accompanied by a strong run game. Although he won a Super Bowl, that does not vault him to the top of the quarterback pyramid. Darnold has thrown 26 interceptions in two seasons. His decision-making under pressure and lack of ball protection are holding him back from leapfrogging his counterparts.

Kyle Pitts had some insanely lofty expectations to live up to coming out of Florida, and 2025 was an offensive explosion for the fifth-year tight end. He set career highs in targets, receptions, and touchdowns while playing over 200 snaps more than any year in his career. Pitts showed growth in nuance in route running, using more speed dilation and deception to get into space while still showcasing his top-tier athletic ability after the catch. He’s a true three-level weapon, and the Falcons use him as such to maximize their passing attack. While Pitts isn’t a game-changer as a run blocker and doesn’t show the effort all the time, his power at the point of attack has improved, and on the move, he can be useful. But he’s out there for one reason: to be a match-up problem.

Mailata remained a very good left tackle in 2025, but his play dipped slightly compared to his career-best ‘24 performance. Some of the downturn was tied to the Eagles’ left side losing a bit of its usual force with Landon Dickerson playing through injuries. Mailata remains a rare mover at 6’8” and 360-plus pounds, with the mass, range and force to cave edges, displace the front side and cover space in Philadelphia’s run-heavy structure. In pass protection, his size and improved patience allow him to engulf rushers when he stays square and gets his hands fit. Conversely, his low hand-carriage created more issues in 2025. Late hands exposed his chest, invited pocket compression and made it harder for him to control rushers before they built force through his frame. He can still be stressed by inside counters and late redirects, but his size, movement skill and play-strength give him a wide survival margin. Mailata remains a high-quality starter with rare run-game impact, though the pass-protection hand timing and slight year-over-year dip prevent him from joining the upper-tackle tier.

Bonitto is an explosive pass-rusher who can win in a variety of ways. He has an incredible initial burst to win with speed around the edge, can turn speed-to-power and possesses the quickness and change-of-direction skills to take advantage of oversets by beating offensive tackles on an inside path. The two-time Pro Bowler blends in as a run defender, though. He can use his speed and athleticism to take advantage when he’s unblocked or cause an offensive lineman to miss and occasionally make tackles near the line of scrimmage. However, Bonitto struggles to take on and disengage from blocks.

Jaylen Waddle is one of the league’s most dynamic receiving threats. He is alignment-versatile and can hurt opposing defenses from anywhere. When Tyreek Hill went down with an injury, Waddle stepped in and filled his shoes as the Dolphins’ WR1. He accounted for 42.8% of the Dolphins' air yards this season per Next Gen Stats. Waddle’s speed and route-running will stress defenses vertically and horizontally. He is a smaller-framed receiver, and he’s battled nagging injuries over the years. When healthy, he is a stick of dynamite that can blow up with a quick light of his fuse.

A part of the best corner tandem in the NFL, Lassiter came on the scene in a big way and has used his junkyard dog mentality to be a chaos creator for the NFL's best defense. He can be an overly aggressive player at times and get caught out of position, but he loves to be physical as a run and screen defender, and it shows up on the field and in the stat sheet with 11 stuffed rushes last season. The ball production continues to be a bright spot as well, with four interceptions and 17 passes defensed in 2025. Lassiter might be a little boom or bust, but he's booming more and more for the Texans' defense.

One of the rising stars at the wide receiver position in the NFL, Nabers’ 2025 season was limited to 4 games due to a torn ACL. Pre-injury, he was an explosive route runner who changed directions suddenly. Nabers moved around the Giants’ offensive formations and served as a coverage indicator with pre-snap motions. He displayed springy athleticism, rising over defensive backs and making circus-like catches down the field. Everyone’s in wait-and-see mode regarding his recovery from two knee surgeries and an unknown timetable for his return. If he returns to a fully healthy and athletically explosive version of himself, Nabers will be higher on this list.

Linderbaum will enter the 2026 campaign as a very good, scheme-dependent starting center whose value is driven by rare movement skills and high-end run-game impact. He is at his best in zone concepts and working on the move, where his quickness, range, leverage and angle control allow him to reach landmarks, create displacement and unlock second-level access. Linderbaum’s athletic profile remains among the league’s better center-specific traits. His processing, balance and natural leverage help him punch above his weight class. Pass protection can be problematic, because his smaller frame and compact build create a thinner margin when isolated against high-end interior rushers. He can be compressed by power and presents softer edges when forced to anchor without guard help. Despite those concerns, the three-time Pro Bowler has the leverage, balance, recovery athleticism and functional strength to keep him from becoming a liability. Linderbaum is not the most physically imposing center, but his movement skills and run-game range give him clear high-end starter value.

When the Colts' secondary is healthy, it’s got some of the highest potential in the NFL, and the one that makes it all work is Camryn Bynum. He might not be the rangiest safety to live on top of a defense in the NFL, but he does a great job staying on top of deep routes, taking advantage of overthrows, and turning them into interceptions. Bynum was on the field for 661 coverage snaps and was targeted at a 4.8% rate, and was still able to create eight passes defensed and four interceptions. He’s a playmaker for the Colts defense.

The most impressive aspect of Murphy's second NFL season last year was that the Seahawks asked him to play nose tackle a lot, and he was still very productive, collecting 62 tackles and seven sacks during the regular season. The 2024 first-round pick can split double teams and combo blocks to make tackles near the line of scrimmage, and he can widen out to a 3-technique and get pressures on third downs. Murphy has impressive versatility for an interior defensive lineman and can shoot up the ranks with another strong performance this fall.

One of the more underrated corners in the NFL, AJ Terrell is a technician on the outside who forced tight window throws at the fourth-highest rate in the league last season. He mirrors well, attacks the catch point consistently, and is a willing and able run supporter. Bigger route runners with a good catch radius take advantage of the space he gives them in off coverage, but he closes well and uses leverage well. He doesn't create a ton of turnovers, but still gets his hands on the football a lot.

DJ Moore is an underrated, versatile, and athletic playmaker. The veteran receiver is an impact player with how diverse his usage has been. Moore is a good, reliable route runner with a strong feel for leverage and spacing. He is a physical receiver before and after the catch. He powers through tackles and deploys a good stiff arm in space. Moore took handoffs as a traditional running back for the Bears last season and had success. His hands and ball skills are outstanding. Moore attacks the ball with the aggression that gives quarterbacks confidence to target him. He does a lot of things well and deserves to be mentioned as a tier 2 receiver in the league.

Look for Cooper to burst onto the scene as an up-and-coming NFL linebacker this season. Against the run, he has a good combination of instincts, range and athleticism to get to the right spot and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. While the Texas A&M product still has some room for growth when taking on blocks, he's already shown improvement from his college days. Cooper's athletic ability also shows up in his coverage skills. He has the speed and acceleration to click and close, and he's made a handful of plays on the ball with eight passes defended in two seasons. The 2024 third-round pick wasn't as productive and impactful as a pass-rusher this past season, but he did have four sacks as a rookie.

Xavier Watts should have had a much better chance to win defensive rookie of the year after his arrival in the NFL. He made one of the best safety duos in the league with Jessie Bates, allowed Bates to roam closer to the line of scrimmage, and helped unlock the defense and create turnovers. Watts had five interceptions and eleven passes broken up as a rookie, was a plus run defender from depth, and, while there were some lapses, he showed the ability to recover not just physically but also mentally. He didn’t look like a rookie out there; he handled more rotations, living on top of the defense, and the NFL stage like he was meant to be there.

With multiple knee injuries faced last season, David Njoku’s impact after the catch and in route running took a hit. He couldn’t get up to speed as quickly, and the Browns wanted to shield him from further injury by involving rookie Harold Fannin Jr. more in the passing game. He made up for what he lacked in explosiveness with physicality and ball skills, coming down with nine of twelve contested catch opportunities and turning three into touchdowns. Njoku is an excellent and versatile in-line blocker with the tools to be an asset in the run game for his new team. If he’s healthy, Njoku could be looking at one of the best seasons of his career with quarterback stability in Justin Herbert.

Being a rookie on a defense like the Ravens is already full of different pitfalls, and the injuries sustained across the board early on put more on his plate. After the early-season inconsistencies, Starks found himself and was a big part of allowing Alohi Gilman and Kyle Hamilton to rotate down and around the box when needed. He handled tons of rotations, was a good run defender, and quickly identified routes developing downfield to take away big plays. He finished the season strong for the Ravens and set the table to truly break out for the new defensive-minded head coach, Jesse Minter.

The Colts' main gain when it came to Tyler Warren: Get him the ball in space and target him down the field. He’s a special player with the ball in his hands, and he showcased that early on for Indy with 505 of his 817 yards after the catch last season with physicality and quick feet to get upfield. The former top-15 pick uses his hands well away from his frame, but contact in the catching window forced more incompletions than expected. He’s a versatile playmaker and will line up all across the formation for the Colts, bringing his work ethic with him. The offense changed after Daniel Jones’ injury, and his role didn't have the same impact as earlier in 2025. Warren will be a focus of the offense again next season, and the connection with Jones will only get better.

As a pass-rusher, Verse’s game is rooted in his ability to turn speed-to-power. He can collapse the pocket against offensive tackles, with a few nice counter moves off his primary approach, using his hands and quickness to keep tackles guessing. Additionally, the second-year pro is effective on stunts and can rush from a few different alignments. Verse was more impactful against the run as a rookie, but he still showed the strength to set the edge and be a plus-run defender last season. The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year has a bright future and projects as a high-quality three-down player for years to come. He does need to clean up his tackling, though.

Jones is a Hall of Fame-caliber pass-rusher and still applies pressure on quarterbacks even in the late stages of his career. The 32-year-old's quickness remains evident, and he combines that burst with veteran savvy to beat offensive linemen when lined up on the edge or working the defensive interior. However, Jones has been steadily declining as a run-defender over the last few seasons. Part of downturn is effort-based, as he will take plays off or produce reps where he seems disinterested. Those concerns push the seven-time Pro Bowler down the rankings, even though there's no denying that he's still one of the NFL's better defensive tackles.

Kevin Dotson remains one of the league’s most physically imposing right guards, continuing to thrive inside a Rams system that fits his power-oriented game. Los Angeles’ heavy play-action usage, downhill run menu and Matthew Stafford’s quick trigger help reduce the burden of true dropback protection. Even so, Dotson’s individual value remainsl clear. He is a stout, tone-setting guard with elite play-strength, firm anchor and the ability to halt rushers or uproot defenders once he establishes leverage. Dotson is not a high-end mover, but his footwork, angles and understanding of landmarks allow him to create sound positional leverage in pass protection and intersect targets on the move. In the run game, he is at his best covering up, displacing and caving defenders in tight quarters, giving the Rams a reliable source of interior force. His profile is not as recovery-based or expansive as the top-tier guards, but his size, power and scheme fit keep him entrenched as a very good right guard.